“You men have done a great job, and I have just one more thing to ask of you. Hold out just one more night,” he told them. “I know we’ve been without sleep a long time. But we expect another attack from them tonight and they may come through here. I have every reason to believe that we will have reliefs here for all of us in the morning.”
Fueled by their commander’s resolve, the battalion dug in for another grueling night of combat. Against all odds, they held their ground and defeated the Japanese forces. Edson’s courage and leadership inspired his men, securing their place in history in what became known as “Edson’s Ridge.”
Merritt Edson’s entry into the US military
Merritt “Red Mike” Edson rose through the ranks from a private in the Vermont National Guard to a major general in the United States Marine Corps. Born in Vermont in 1897, he enlisted in the National Guard’s First Infantry Regiment in 1916.
Following a brief hiatus, Edson returned to the University of Vermont before joining the Marine Corps Reserve in October 1917, where he received a commission as a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 11th Marine Regiment in France, but despite serving overseas, he did not take part in combat during the First World War.
1st Marine Raider Battalion
After World War I, Merritt Edson served in several different roles while becoming increasingly interested in aviation. He earned his pilot’s wings in 1922 and was assigned to the Marine Naval Air Station on Guam, where he carried out surveys of nearby islands, some of which were later named in his honor. Health-related physical limitations ultimately forced him to leave aviation and return to ground assignments.
During 1928 and 1929, Edson commanded a Marine detachment in Nicaragua, experiencing combat for the first time. His outstanding leadership while under enemy fire earned him the Navy Cross. Throughout the 1930s, he continued to build an impressive military career, rising to the rank of colonel as the United States moved closer to entering World War II.
In early 1942, Edson, then commanding the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, played a central role in transforming the unit into the 1st Marine Raider Battalion. His leadership in the opening campaigns of the Pacific War cemented his legacy in Marine Corps history, most notably through his decisive defense of a vital ridge on Guadalcanal.
Merritt Edson prepares his men for a fierce encounter
In August 1942, American troops landed on Guadalcanal and quickly took control of a Japanese airfield that was still under construction. They later renamed it Henderson Field. This move angered the Japanese, who became determined to take the airfield back, sparking a long and brutal battle.
During the intense fighting that followed, Merritt Edson’s 1st Marine Raider Battalion played a crucial role. On the night of September 12, the unit was ordered to move near Henderson Field, expecting a much-needed break. But instead of getting rest, they were suddenly attacked by Japanese forces, forcing them into a desperate fight to survive.
As the Japanese pushed forward, Edson made a strategic decision to pull his men back to a ridge about 400 yards south. There, he reorganized his troops and prepared them to make a stand. On that ridge, Edson inspired his Marines to hold their ground for just one more night, giving them the strength to face the battle ahead.
Battle of Edson’s Ridge
As anticipated, approximately 2,500 Japanese soldiers emerged from the jungle and launched a full-scale assault against the 830 Marines. The Japanese forces initially succeeded in overrunning some Marine positions, leaving their flanks perilously exposed. One officer later recounted, “The Japanese attack was almost constant, like a rain that subsides for a moment and then pours the harder… When one wave was mowed down – and I mean mowed down – another followed it into death.”
As parts of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion started to retreat, they encountered Merritt Edson, who always knew exactly what to say to motivate them to fortify their defenses around Hill 123. It’s said his men would follow him anywhere, with their only challenge being to keep pace with him.
Throughout the night of September 13, Edson could be found just 20 yards behind the front firing line, rallying his Marines and orchestrating their defense. Even when other Marines stayed low to the ground for safety, the courageous colonel exposed himself to intense fire, risking his own life to safeguard the battalion.
The morning after the intense engagement
As dawn broke the following morning, Merritt Edson’s Marines remained in control of Hill 123, having successfully repelled the Japanese assault. While the world may know this location as “Bloody Ridge,” those who fought there will forever remember it as Edson’s Ridge, a testament to their commander’s unwavering determination to defend it at all costs.
In recognition of his valor and leadership amid constant enemy fire, Edson was awarded the Medal of Honor, having earned the admiration and respect of every man who witnessed his actions. Throughout the remainder of the Second World War, he continued to serve with distinction, eventually rising to the rank of brigadier general and receiving his first star. Retiring from the Marine Corps in 1947 as a major general, Edson continued to serve his nation in various civilian capacities.
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In recognition of his exemplary service and bravery, not only did Merritt Edson receive personal awards for gallantry, but the USS Edson (DD-946), a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer, was commissioned in his honor. Furthermore, a section of Camp Pendleton, where Marine recruits hone their marksmanship skills, was dedicated in his name.