• 9 months ago
Gung Ho!: The Story of Carlson's Makin Island Raiders) is a 1943 American war film directed by Ray Enright and starring Randolph Scott. The story is based somewhat on the real-life World War II Makin Island raid led by Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson's 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.

Lieutenant C.J. Cristoforos announces that the United States Marine Corps is seeking volunteers for a hazardous mission and special unit. Among the volunteers are a hillbilly who, when asked whether he can kill someone, responds that he already has. Other volunteers include Harbison, an ordained minister who wants the most dangerous assignment because that is where he will be needed most; "Pig Iron", a boxer from a background of poverty and hard work; Frankie Montana (from Brooklyn), who resents being called a "no-good kid" who is initially rejected by Cristoforos but wins him over; battling half-brothers Larry O'Ryan and Kurth Richter; a Filipino wishing to avenge his sister, who was caught in Manila by the Japanese, who teaches the Raiders knife fighting; an embittered Marine whose brother was killed at Pearl Harbor; a man who fought against fascism in Spain and Greece; and one Marine who admits, "I just don't like Japs".

Sgt. "Transport" Anderof is reunited with the commander of the unit, Lt. Col. Thorwald, with whom he served in China. Thorwald explains that he left the Marine Corps to serve with the Chinese communist Eighth Route Army fighting the Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese War to find out about them and evaluate their chances. Afterward, Thorwald decided to form a unit using the qualities of Gung Ho or "work together".

Those who make it through the training are sent to Hawaii for further jungle warfare training, where they witness the damage of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In Hawaii they hear a radio bulletin announcing the Battle of Guadalcanal. The Marines are ordered to board two submarines destined for a commando raid on a Japanese-held island.

After a claustrophobic voyage, the Raiders invade the island from rubber boats. The Marine landing is met by fire from snipers hiding in palm trees. The Marines dispose of them, attack the Japanese headquarters, wipe out the garrison, destroy installations with explosives, then board the submarines for their return home.