DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia –
Marine representatives with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 2015, attended a memorial service to commemorate the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea May 8 at the USS Peary Gun Memorial, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
The ceremony included the reading of a message from the Australian Prime Minister, the Honorable Tony Abbott by Natasha Griggs, MP, Federal Member for Solomon, and a reading of the message from the President of the United States, the honorable Barack Obama, by Lt. Col. Eric Dougherty, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin.
The alliance between the U.S. and Australia had existed long before December 1941, but was strengthened in response to the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific theater. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Australia agreed to allow the establishment of training bases, maintenance facilities, munitions storage, communications, and improvement of airfields in Darwin.
Later the next year on February 19, 1942, Japanese aircraft attacked ships in Darwin's harbor, which included the USS Peary, and two airfields in an attempt to prevent the allied forces from using them to contest Japanese invasions in the Pacific. This was the first bombing raid on Australian soil.
During the ceremony Marines and Australians paid their respect and honored the 89 men who lost their lives on the USS Peary while defending Darwin.
After the massive Japanese raid, the Battle of the Coral Sea occurred May 4 to May 8, 1942, on the northeast coast of Australia. It was a series of naval engagements between the allied forces and Japan.
“1942 was a horrendous year for Australia, and I know because as a small child I lived in North Queensland and I experienced the effect of the threat that the impending Japanese invasion had on my family and my community,” said Rick Setter, president of the Australian American Association, Northern Territory. “It is something I will never forget. It was a really daunting situation for Australia and its people. Fortunately the United States sided with Australia and the battle of the Coral Sea was the first major engagement where the invaders were stopped in their tracks.”
The ceremony honored the alliance between the U.S. and Australia and their strategic victory of the Battle of the Coral Sea during WW II.
“The significance of the Allies strategic achievement was apparent. Where imminent threat had cast a dark shadow, a glimmer of light now shot through,” said CMDR David Luck, representing Commodore Brenton Smyth, Commander of Northern Command, Australian Defence Force. “The tide of war in the Pacific was turning.”
Now, 73 years later, the U.S. and the Australia are committed to continuing the tradition of more than 100 years of global partnership and security cooperation.
“We commemorate the 73rdAnniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea,” said Dougherty, reading the message from the U.S. president. “In May 1942, the United States and Australia joined together and took to the air and sea to hold back wartime enemies. Brave men and women fought and many gave their lives, so we may know a more just world. From the Battle of the Coral Sea merged a lasting partnership between America and Australia. Today our countries continue to strengthen the bond that has endured and shared challenges over the decades and we reflect on the events that have united us for a common purpose.”
Marines in Australia signify our long partnership dating back to the Battle of the Coral Sea, said Dougherty. The alliance continues today as Marines fight side by side and train side by side. After 73 years the U.S. and Australia partnership continues to grow and shares common values and goals.