Movie night: “Merrill’s Marauders”

Free History Movie: Merrill’s Marauders
On Wednesday, June 26, at 6:00 pm, bring your friends to the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas, and join us to watch Merrill’s Marauders.
This film is a fine tribute to the veterans of the US Army’s 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), whose combat record and sacrifice fighting the Japanese army in Burma earned them the name “Merrill’s Marauders.

This infantry unit consisted of 3,000 volunteers, including veterans of jungle combat in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea campaigns, and was commanded by Gen. Frank Merrill. Beginning in January 1944, the 5307th penetrated deep into heavy jungle behind Japanese lines to attack key locations and serve as the anvil against which two American-trained Chinese divisions hammered the Japanese.
 
In the several months of continuous patrolling and fighting that followed, the Marauders succeeded at heavy cost in battle casualties, but mostly disease and physical exhaustion. By the end of the campaign when the 5307th was disbanded, only a few hundred soldiers were assessed as still fit for combat.

For their accomplishments in Burma, the Marauders were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation in July, 1944. The Marauders also have the extremely rare distinction of having every member of the unit receive the Bronze Star.
Free popcorn will be served!