Having spanned more lands and involved more people than any other war in history, many believe that World War II is also the most historic war. There has never been a war of such immense importance and such gigantic scope. The United States played an absolutely vital role in the outcome of this war. The United States was faced with having to deal with two different wars at the same time in two different places in the world. Something that many countries would have backed away from. The European front was without hesitation the more obvious of the two considering the indisputable chaos and evils committed by Adolf Hitler. US involvement on the European front was inevitable and, generally, much easier for US forces to achieve. Having fought in Europe less than thirty years earlier, the United States knew the terrain and the appropriate strategy. The Pacific Campaign of World War II offered an unparalleled test for the United States military. The U.S. military had never fought in the South Pacific, or even on terrain that resembled the conditions they would face in the Pacific Islands. With the Army deeply involved in Europe, in December 1941 the United States found itself locked in a war for which it was not ready and had no idea how to fight. However, the US Marine Corps was the ideal company for the type of combat they would face in the Pacific. The Marines had adequate training for land-sea combat. The Marine Corps' fighting in the Pacific gave the United States its only chance to succeed against the Japanese Army. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese stormed America and bombed Pearl Harbor. This act of hostility towards America, p...... middle of paper ...... Shijima, a Japanese commander, initiated a massive assault to back up his threat which resulted in nearly 5,000 Japanese casualties and situations of stalemate. The kamikazes continued to pound the US Navy into doubt about a potential victory. The whole war was in turmoil, but miraculously the Marines gradually began to weaken the powerful Japanese defense. Before long the Japanese began to despair as the United States began to win. The victory on Okinawa left Japan devastated and its army weak and tired. The Battle of Okinawa cost the Americans dearly, but the “never give up” attitude that they all possessed helped them overcome all the odds stacked against them and emerge victorious. Without the incredible determination, superior strength, and relentless aggressiveness of the United States Marines during World War II, the United States may very well have lost the war..