Guadalcanal- August 21, 1942 (0310 hrs.):  The first significant engagement 
of infantry forces occured between elements of the U.S. 2nd Battalion, 1st 
Marines and Colonel Kiyono Ichiki's crack 28th Infantry.  In the early 
morning hours, on a dark, humid night, nearly 200 Japanese soldiers charged
a Marine emplacement on the west bank of the Tenaru (Ilu) River in an  
attempt to retake Henderson Field. The tremendous battle that took place 
over the course of the next few hours is written in history. Yet, 
it can be said the Battle of the "Tenaru" River 
was prophetic; perhaps the long spiral of the Japanese downfall
can be pinpointed here.  When Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita was asked at
what point had the balance of the war swung against the Japanese 
he simply replied, "Guadalcanal."


