Marine Corps Parachute Battalions
While the US Army's Airborne Divisions during WWIl are well known, the parachute battalions of the Marine Corps are not. Individual Marines had trained with the Navy since October 1940.
The first USMC airborne unit was formed in March 1941, at Camp Gillespie in San Diego, CA. Eventually three battalions were formed, becoming the 1st Marine Amphibious Corps Parachute Regiment. The units never made a full combat jump, but instead were individually attached to Marine combat units in several early battles, including Guadalcanal.
However, there were not enough USMC planes to support the regiment.
They would need to buy or borrow planes, or disband.
The regiment was deactivated in December 1943.
Several of the Marines were transferred to the new 5th Marine Division, and landed at Iwo Jima with them the next year.
Three of the USMC parachutists - Henry O. Hansen, Ira H. Hayes, and Harlon H. Block - were part of the flag raisings on Mount Suribachi. Four Paramarines received the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions on Iwo Jima. Approximately twenty former members of the Paramarines would go on to serve in the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S). They parachuted behind enemy lines in France and China on secret missions.
Pre-1972
This footlocker appears to have belonged to Robert Edwin Follendorf, who served with the 5th Marine Parachute Regiment during WWII, including at Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, and also served in Korea.
The first USMC airborne unit was formed in March 1941, at Camp Gillespie in San Diego, CA. Eventually three battalions were formed, becoming the 1st Marine Amphibious Corps Parachute Regiment. The units never made a full combat jump, but instead were individually attached to Marine combat units in several early battles, including Guadalcanal. There were not enough USMC planes to support the regiment. They would need to buy or borrow planes. The regiment was deactivated in December 1943.