6MD Insignia

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[edit] 6th Marine Division Insignia

The following explanation of the insignia was retrieved from the official site of the original WW II 6th Marine Division.

The word MELANESIA Is a collective name for the islands in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Australia. It was selected to commemorate the fighting in the Solomons of the Raider Battalions, which later comprised the 4th Marines.

MICRONESIA covers islands in the West Pacific Ocean, including the Marianas, Carolines, Marshalls, Palau and the Gilberts east of the Philippines, It was selected to commemorate the fighting of the 22nd Marines at Eniwetok, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade at Guam, and the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines at Saipan.

The word ORIENT was selected for two reasons: First, because China was the home of the 4th Marine Regiment, lost on Bataan, and later reactivated as a unit of the Sixth Marine Division. Second, it was anticipated that the final stages of the war would have to be fought in the Orient.

The Crusader's sword is symbolic of the struggle against the tyranny of the Axis powers.

The basic design for the insignia was submitted by Colonel Victor Bleasdale of the 29th Marines. The final design incorporated the ideas of Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., then Commanding General, 6th Marine Division, and Corporal Michael W. Pawl, H&S Company, 29th Marines.

The artist who actually drew and colored the design was Lieutenant George Thompson, 29th Marines.