World War II Chronicle: May 6, 1942
Click here for TODAY’S NEWSPAPER
News of the fall of Corregidor has reached the United States. This is a very heavy day for Americans in general, but for the Marine Corps especially. When Gen. Jonathan Wainwright ordered his forces in the Philippines to surrender, the 4th Marine Regiment — which had put up one hell of a fight and turned back two attempted Japanese landings — burned their colors to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. This marked the end of the renowned 4th Marines.
The regiment was first formed in 1914, under the command of Col. Joseph Henry Pendleton — the namesake of Camp Pendleton. Although they are known for their service in China, they won’t become “China Marines” until 1927. Their skipper from 1941-42 was Col. Samuel L. Howard, who will return to China in 1946 to command the 1st Marine Division. 4th Marines will be reconstituted in 1944 on Guadalcanal with men from the 1st Marine Raider Battalion. They will be the first Marines to set foot on Japan…
Also on the front page, the light cruiser USS Marblehead has reached Brooklyn Naval Yard after an incredible journey of over 16,000 miles. She limped from the Indies all the way to South Africa using her engines to steer the crippled ship, as there were no repair facilities available…
Page seven mentions that Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., son of the former U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, has pinned on his Naval aviator wings. The son Joe Kennedy has been grooming to become president will briefly serve on anti-submarine duty in the Caribbean before shipping out for England. There he will fly PB4Y-1 Liberators for Bombing Squadron 110 (VB-110)…
Sports section begins on page 44 and pictures the six active players who have collected 2,000 hits. A column by Grantland Rice is on the same page.
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 6 May 1942. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-05-06/ed-1/