Today I met the last surviving marine of the first Guadalcanal invasion force.

[fscott]

During the course of my work, I have the opportunity to meet many ww2 vets. Today I met Charles H. Shipley Sr.  We met as strangers and departed as friends.  

Mr. Shipley said that he was the first of several marines that entered the island of Guadalcanal in August, 1942.  Additionally, he stated he was the last survivor of that force.  

He served with 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, Company G.  I cannot immediately confirm his claim, but I have no real need to.  All that matters is that this man, 77 years old, is the last of his company, and I met him today.

[capt. apathy]

the other day i was flying combat flight simulator(pacific) anyway i'm flying over wake isl. and after clearing nme's i tip it up and look down over the left wing as my father walks in and asks me to pause it. he then points to the screen and says "My MG was right here" was very cool that a game actually got him to talk about something he never mentioned to me until about 18 years ago. (first heard any details of it when I was 17)