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From Wikipedia: Merrill's Marauders (named after Frank Merrill) or Unit Galahad, officially named the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional),
was a United States Army long range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit, which fought in the South-East Asian
theatre of World War II, or China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). The unit became famous for its deep-penetration missions behind
Japanese lines, often engaging Japanese forces superior in number. In slightly more than five months of combat, the Marauders had advanced 750 miles (1,210 km) through some of the harshest
jungle terrain in the world, fought in five major engagements (Walawbum, Shaduzup, Inkangahtawng, Nhpum Ga, and Myitkyina)
and engaged in combat with the Japanese Army on thirty-two separate occasions, including two conventional defensive battles
with enemy forces for which the force had not been intended or equipped. Battling Japanese soldiers, hunger, fevers, and disease,
they had traversed more jungle terrain on their long-range missions than any other U.S. Army formation during World War II.
The men of the Merrill's Marauders enjoyed the rare distinction of having each soldier awarded the Bronze Star. In June 1944,
the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation:
The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult
and hazardous conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign.
On 10 August 1944 the Marauders were consolidated into the 475th Infantry, which continued service in northern Burma as a
component of the brigade-sized MARS Task Force until February 1945. On 21 June 1954 the 475th Infantry was re-designated as
the 75th Infantry from which descended the 75th Ranger Regiment.
The commander of the 2nd Battalion of the Marauders, Colonel George A. McGee was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame (1992)
for extraordinary valor and exemplary service. Roy H. Matsumoto (1993), Henry Gosho (1997), and Grant Hirabayashi (2004),
Japanese-American interpreters for the Marauders were also inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame.
On 5 December 2019, the United States Senate passed S. 743, the Merrill's Marauders Congressional Gold Medal Act, legislation
to honor the Marauders' extraordinary service. On 22 September 2020, the House of Representatives also passed the bill by
unanimous consent. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression by the Congress of national appreciation for distinguished
achievements and contributions to the country. On 6 October, the Bill approving the medal award was sent to the White House
for its final signature.
As of 31 December 2020, seven Marauders were still alive. By May 2022, this number had dwindled to just three.
The collection contains approximately 15 linear feet of material related to the history of Merrill's Marauders as compiled
by the Merrill's Marauders Proud Descendants Association, including General Orders (copies), Special Orders (copies), news
articles and clippings (originals and copies), documents from the National Archives (copies), records of attendance at Association
meetings, original photographs, oral histories on compact disc, various A/V items including movies and television specials,
and a Database of soldier names in digital format.
Report of the Inspector General US Army Forces China, Burma, India Theater Regarding the Alleged Breakdown of Morale Within
the 5307th Composite Unite (Provisional)
Morning Reports 209th ENGR BN - Camp Compl Jun 44 - Hq Apr, Jul, Aug 44 - H&S Co Jun, Jul, Aug 44 - Med Det Jun, Jul, Aug
44 - Co A Jun, Jul, Aug 44 - Co C Jun, Jul, Aug 44
General Orders Assorted Units - Chinese Training Command (Prov), USF, CT, Chinese Combat Command Northern Area Combat Command,
209th Engineer Combat Battalion, 612th Field Artillery Battalion Company A, 879th Airborne Engineer Aviation Battalion, 879th
Airborne Engineer Aviation Battalion
1 Boxes Medal is contained within one 3" square box with a plastic stand.
2022
This medal is a bronze duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medal presented to the Merrill's Marauders in recognition of their
bravery and outstanding service in the jungles of Burma (Myanmar) during World War II.
The obverse design displays a group of Merrill's Marauders crossing a river in Burma, with the foreground muleskinner leading
a pack mule.
The reverse design depict the Merrill's Marauders patch positioned just below a Bronze Star, an award every member of the
unit received for their bravery. The Burmese mountains and jungle appear in the background with a Douglas C-47 Skytrain dropping
supplies for the Marauders, and the Marauders' five key battles circumscribe the rim of the design. The designs also includes
the Combat Infantry Badge.
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