MRF-D and the Darwin Community Remember the Battle of the Coral Sea

Photo By Sgt. Frank Webb | Flowers are laid at the foot of the USS Peary Memorial during the Battle of the Coral Sea Commemorative Service in Darwin, NT, Australia, May 7, 2022. The ceremony was held commemorating those who lost their lives during the battle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Frank Webb)  

AUSTRALIA

05.07.2022

Story by Capt. Joseph DiPietro 

Marine Rotational Force - Darwin

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA. – Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) participated in the Australian-American Association’s Battle of the Coral Sea memorial in Darwin on May 7.

This year’s memorial recognized the 80th anniversary of this critical moment in World War II’s Pacific campaign. The Battle of the Coral Sea was a monumental, strategic victory for the U.S. and Australia, and a significant moment in the development of carrier maneuver. Not only were supply lines between Australia and the rest of Oceania maintained as a result of the battle, but American carrier warfare proved superior and allowed for follow-on success in the theater.

“Hosting this commemorative service to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea is just a small way in which we foster friendship between Australians and Americans and honor the bond between our countries,” said Mr. Bradly Torgan, the president of the Australian-American Association of the Northern Territory. “We're proud to stand together with our friends from MRF-D in remembering and honouring those who fought and sacrificed in what many consider the World War II naval battle that saved Australia.”

The ceremony took place at the USS Peary monument along the waterfront of Darwin. The Peary monument honors the 80 U.S. Sailors who gave their lives in defense of Australia during the 1942 bombing of Darwin. The Australian-American Association hosted the annual memorial to recognize the combined sacrifice of both nation’s services, and the tremendous stepping stone the Battle of the Coral Sea provided the allied forces as they sailed north through the Pacific.

"Gathering at the USS Peary memorial in Darwin to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea helps us remember those who fought so gallantly for freedom during World War II, and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Lieutenant Colonel Dana Darnell, the MRF-D forward coordination element officer-in-charge. "Marine Rotational Force-Darwin's participation at this event shows how the U.S.-Australian alliance continues to strengthen even 80 years after this key battle."

Just months after the Battle of the Coral Sea, and following the historic Battle of Midway, the First Marine Division initiated the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Solomon Islands. After successful action on Guadalcanal, where Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone famously won the Congressional Medal of Honor, Blue Diamond Marines returned to Australia to reorganize before launching the next series of island hopping missions on their way to victory in the Pacific.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Australian-Japanese Association of the Northern Territory. While fierce competitors during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Japan is now one of the U.S. and Australia's greatest allies. The Marine Corps, Australian Defence Force, and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force are training together in Exercise SOUTHERN JACKAROO 22, a combined infantry integration exercise to enhance interoperability between the three allied forces.

For questions regarding this story, please contact the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin media inquiry email address at [e-mail]. Imagery from this rotation and previous can be found at dvidshub.net/unit/MRF-D.

• Date Taken: 05.07.2022
• Date Posted: 05.09.2022 18:46
• Story ID: 420252
• Location: AU