Photos

On Nov. 20, 2018 a trumpet player from "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band performed for the ceremony and wreath presentation at the World War II Memorial’s Pacific Arch to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa. The 1943 U.S. amphibious landing at the heavily fortified, Japanese-held island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands was “the toughest battle in Marine Corps history” according to one combat correspondent. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Kristin duBois/released)