In honor of Sir Jacob Vouza, the US Marine Raiders of WWII established an educational scholarship for children of the Solomon Islands. Through the Scholarship, a new school has been built on Blue Beach, the site of the landing of the 1st Raider Battalion, and literally tons of books have been donated to local schools. Much needed funds are dispersed every year to a school in Honiara, Guadalcanal where children from all the islands come together in “Gung Ho” fashion to live, learn and work in harmony.
Who was Sir Jacob Vouza? Click here to learn about Jacob Vouza.
When the Japanese invaded the Solomon Islands, Jacob Vouza, a native Solomon Islander, became a scout under the command of Coast Watcher Martin Clemens. Vouza became known for the ferocity of his fighting and his remarkable leadership qualities.
On 27 August 1942, Vouza was captured by Japanese soldiers on patrol for US Marines. Upon searching Vouza, they discovered a small American flag given to him by a friendly Marine and hidden in his loincloth. They tied him to a tree and tried to force him to reveal information about the location of a Marine Base. Vouza refused to talk. Japanese Lieutenant Yishimoto questioned Vouza for hours but got nothing for his efforts.
“Better me die plenty than give Solomon Islands to Japan,” Vouza explained later in broken English.
Vouza was tortured and bayoneted seven times in the chest and throat by the Japanese in an effort to force him to reveal the location of Marines and their base. Vouza refused, was tied to a tree and left to die. Guadalcanal veteran and author William Manchester described Vouza’s firsthand account: “The absolutely fearless Vouza chewed through the ropes and crawled three miles back to the Marines perimeter, refusing medical treatment until he could report all he had seen. He spent the next 12 days in a navy hospital and then returned to duty as the chief scout for the Marines.”
As Vouza’s remarkable story spread amongst the Marines it reached the ears of Lt. Col. Evans F. Carlson, leader of the 2nd Raider Battalion, Carlson sought Vouza out. He shared with Vouza his vision of small tactical units capable of operating independently behind enemy lines without normal means of support. Essential to the success of this plan was support of the local partisans. Vouza agreed to assist Carlson in recruiting local Solomon Islanders committed to ridding the Islands of the Japanese. His most important work lay ahead. He would be with LtCol Evans Carlson and the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion when they made their famous 30-day raid behind enemy lines at Guadalcanal.
Vouza was awarded the British George Medal for “gallant conduct and exceptional devotion to duty.” He also received the American Silver Star Medal, presented personally by BGen A.A. Vandegrift, for refusing to give information under Japanese torture. He received the U.S. Legion of Merit for outstanding service with the 2nd Raiders. He would later receive the Police Long Service Medal, and in 1957, he was made a Member of the British Empire for his long, faithful government service, knighted by Queen Elizabeth.
The contributions the Solomon Islanders made during the battle for control of Guadalcanal cannot be underestimated. The Solomon Islanders acted as guides, and bearers. They provided valuable intelligence on the movement of the enemy and they often fought beside the Raiders, with only their ancient clubs and machetes as weapons. The WWII Raiders have shared many accounts of the meals they were offered by the local villagers and shelter from the tropical storms. The Solomon Islanders contributions to the Raid, helped to confirm value of Special Operations for future generations of Raiders
Jacob Vouza died as The Honorable Sergeant Major Sir Jacob Charles Vouza on March 14, 1984, a legend in his own time. Shortly before his death the now Sir Jacob Vouza who risked his life for his beloved Marines once wrote, ““Tell them I love them all. Me old man now, and me no look good no more. But me never forget.”
Sir Jacob Vouza is gone now, never having broken his trust with the Marine Raiders. He never forgot his friends in combat, nor have we forgotten his sacrifice and the sacrifice of the people he led. Gung Ho!”
Thanks to Tom Bartlett of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
Preserving the Raider Legacy
One of the three main goals of the Association is to preserve the Raider legacy by actively promoting the proper stewardship (curation, display, and preservation) of artifacts critical to preserving Marine Raider history. The Association’s Preservation Committee monitors all agreements relating to the disposition of Marine Raider artifacts to ensure compliance. The Association actively encourages the display of these artifacts at sites throughout the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, US Marine Corps, US Special Operations Command, and other venues in order to educate future generations on the role played by Marine Raiders in the defense of the United States. Special attention is given to the venues of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Raider Hall at the Basic School. Additionally, the Association will maintain solid and substantial relationships with historians to promote accurate historical accountings in remembrance of Marine Raiders and their actions of note during World War II and subsequent conflicts.
Preserving the Raider Legacy
Raider Hall at The Basic School
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Soul of the Faithful and Forward
Soul of the Faithful and Forward
Grand Ceremony Honoring WWII Marine Raider Memorial Held on November 12, 2014.
Bright and blustery was the day on which Mardie Rees’ sculpture Soul of the Forward and Faithful was formally and ceremoniously entrusted to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. The sparkling sunlight warmed the travertine walls of the rotunda as attendees filtered through the broad entranceway of the distinguished museum. The air of the event was light but reverent as the Color guard posted the colors and guests sung the national anthem. Speakers included the museum’s director Lin Ezell, Keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Joseph Osterman, and the artist Mardie Rees. Upon the unveiling of Soul and the Forward and Faithful, Charles Meacham Sr., an original WWII Raider and the man whose vision was realized that day, related several war stories and the camaraderie he experienced as a marine. When asked what the sculpture meant to him, he summed it up in the two words that speak volumes about the sculpture’s emotive feeling and the very marines that it honors, “Semper Fidelis” – always faithful.
On-Going Efforts
The members of the Association anxiously await updates from our Association historians on efforts such as the recovery of the remains of WWII Raiders Killed in Action and Missing in Action. The WWII Raider history timelines pay tribute to the sacrifice and courage of the WWII Raiders’ combat heroics and their “Gung Ho” spirit. Click on the icon to the right to read an article about the Makin Island Raid of 1942 written by one of our own WWII Raiders, PFC Charles H. Meacham Sr. USMCR, Co K 3rd Raider Battalion. Raider Meacham’s eloquent article touches on relationships forged, the history of the battle, and the decades-long quest to locate and recover the remains of our WWII Raiders.
