In 1939, the USMC consisted of barely 10,000 officers and men, increased to a mere 25,000 in September. On December 7, 1941 the United States were thrown into the conflict as the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and 1942 started badly in the Pacific and Asia. Bataan in the Philippines held out until April 9 and the Japanese captured Corregidor. During this time, however, growing US forces gathered in the United States and in Australia. After the victory at Midway, the 1st MarDiv landed at Guadalcanal on August 7 and as of 1943, American forces began operations towards the conquest of Japan. At the cost of heavy casualties, the Marines assaulted Tarawa and a long series of strongly defended islands until lwo Jima, the final large-scale battle in the Pacific. At this time the Marine Corps boasted over 900,000 men and women.

This heavily illustrated color book describes Marine Corps uniforms and equipment between 1937 and 1946, from the forest green uniform to Utilities and the different camouflage uniforms, besides cloth and metal insignia, and Women's Reserve and Officers' uniforms.