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 USMC September 27, 1942  USN November 15, 1942  Peter Flahavin 1996   Peter Flahavin 1996  Peter Flahavin 1996  Peter Flahavin 1996 |
Location Point Cruz is located on the north coast of Guadalcanal bordering Iron Bottom Sound. The name "Honiara" is derived from one of the Guadalcanal languages, "nagho ni ara" meaning "place of the east wind". This was possibly the indienous name for Point Cruz. To the north is Iron Bottom Sound. To the southeast is the mouth of the Matanikau River and Matanikau (Mataniko). To the south is Hill 84. To the west is Kokombono. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate (BSIP). Today located in Honiara in Guadalcanal Province the Solomon Islands. Wartime History During early July 1942 occupied by the Japanese. After the August 7, 1942 U.S. landing at Red Beach, the Japanese fortified the area with defensive positions including trenches and foxholes. Afterward, the Point Cruz area was the site of several important combat actions and battles. On September 27, 1942 U.S. Marines from Companies A, B and D of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines made an amphibious landing from landing craft west of Point Cruz. The Marines moved 500 yards inland to the top of Hill 84, and became trapped by the Japanese. Supported by naval gunfire from USS Monssen (DD-436) they withdrew to the beach area (today the area between the tennis club and the Mendana Hotel, now the National Gallery and Prime Minister's offices. From there, they were extracted by landing craft under heavy fire from Point Cruz. Boat group leader Sig1c Douglas Munro was killed and earned the Medal of Honor for his actions. Hill 84 Located inland from Point Cruz. Today the King Solomon Hotel is atop this feature. The Ravine Located behind Point Cruz is this ravine. On October 8, 1942, Marines under the command of Col "Chesty" Puller caught a group of Japanese refilling their canteens in the river below. From the hillside above they fired down and eliminated the group. Quonset Huts After the Guadalcanal Battle, this are was developed into a large staging and supply base for the American forces on Guadalcanal, with rows of Quonsont Huts. Today, several of these huts remain near the present day Point Cruz sea port for cargo and container traffic. Point Cruz Yacht Club The Point Cruz Yacht Club is located on Point Cruz and includes a memorial plaque for Sig 1c Douglas A. Munro who earned the Medal of Honor to the west of this location. Contribute
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 Map Aug 7, 1942 September 27, 1942 |
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