Marsh Is.#321 Battle of Savo Island - 1992 Imperforate Mint Issue
August 9, 1942 The Solomons, a 900- mile parallel chain of islands in the Southwest Pacific, acted like stepping stones for Japan’s territorial advance. Tiny Savo Island, north of Guadalcanal, would become the site for one of the worst losses in U.S. maritime history Following the Marines’ successful landing on Guadalcanal, U.S. warships were responsible for the protection and defense of the area. Attacking under the cover of darkness, the Japanese flotilla commanded by Admiral Mikawa sank 5 cruisers, a destroyer and damaged a handful of other U.S. ships. Over 1,000 Allied seamen were killed and 700 wounded in the 40-minute battle The attack prompted the U.S. Navy to abandon Guadalcanal before all the supply ships could unload. The Marines were left to defend the island without adequate rations and firepower. The waters between Savo Island and Guadalcanal were later nicknamed “Iron Bottom Sound” because of all the U.S. ships laid to rest there.
