cember to a sequence of preparatory steps. The Japanese mounted interlocking efforts to sustain the forces already on Guadalcanal and to accumulate and position air units. The Americans paced resupply with the replacement of worn 1st Marine Division fresh Marine and Army units while simultaneously air and light naval units maintained a counter campaign against Japanese logistical and airfield construction exertions. The American command also inaugurated an effort to annex Mount Austin that provoked some of the most vicious fighting in the campaign.These activities in the Solomons occupied the foreground during December, but in the background a debate rocked the senior Japanese governmental and service councils in Tokyo that lead to a fateful swing in Japanese strategy.On December 8th, transports removed the last of the American Division’s three regiments. The next day Vandegrift formally, but without fanfare, turned over command of the American forces on Guadalcanal to Major General Alexander M. Patch of the U.S. Army. Vandegrift chose to mark this occasion not with a florid speech or general order dwelling on the accomplishments of his division, but with a concise letter that paid Dor Brown 19generous tribute to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who had, worked, fought, and died side by side with his marines. Nor did he forget the coast watchers.As these small ceremonies took place, the first echelon of the division began embarkation. They were dressed in green dungarees or dirty khaki, often with limbs protruding from shirts chopped back to the shoulders, trousers clipped at the knees, or sleeves and pants legs that ended in fringes of tatters. Knotted laces or pieces of string secured their field boots. A few men sported Japanese footgear. Upon arriving in their boats alongside the ships that were to take them away, the marines were asked to leave as they came, traversing dangling cargo nets. This was far too taxing ...
