TFH 1/17: Captain Ralph H. Currin, USMCR

The United States Marine Corps' 2nd Marine Division began fighting in relief of their brother Leathernecks of the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal on January 8, 1943. During three days of fighting along the Matanikau River - January 15-17, 1943 - the operations officer for the 2nd Marine Division's 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment placed himself at the front of a casualty-stricken rifle company and rallied them to victory. Captain Ralph H. Currin, a Marine Reserve officer, was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Ralph H. Currin (MCSN: 0-7426), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as Operations Officer of the Third Battalion, Eighth Marines (Reinforced), SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, from 15 to 17 January 1943. Voluntarily attempting to wipe out a fiercely resisting enemy deeply entrenched in a ravine south of Point Cruz, Captain Currin valiantly rallied a reduced company of fifty-five men and led them forward against devastating hostile machine-gun, rifle, mortar and grenade fire. An indomitable and courageous leader, he continued his daring tactics throughout a furious three-day attack, directing each phase of the bitterly-fought engagement to capture or destroy four heavy machine guns, twelve light machine guns, two 77-mm. field pieces, three large ammunition dumps and many rifles, mortars and grenades, and to account for seventy-two enemy dead with the loss of only one of his own men. By his professional skill, aggressive determination and great personal valor in the face of tremendous odds, Captain Currin contributed materially to the success of this outstanding victory over an overwhelming Japanese force, and his courageous devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself, his command and the United States Naval Service.

I was unable to locate any additional information on the life and service of Captain Currin.

The 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines persists as a component of the 2nd Marine Division. Their home is Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.