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Why Company C of 1/7 Flies Two Guidons Condensed from an article by Cpl. Jeff Womack, as published in the Jan/Feb issue of Caltrack. Units march in formation with heels striking the deck and eyes locked straight ahead as their gold and scarlet guidon flails in the wind. One such company carries more than just the official Marine Corps guidon; this company carries two. Marines from Company C, 1st Battalion 7th Marines, home based in Twenty-nine Palms, CA and currently assigned to Okinawa, Japan, also carries a flag with a skull and crossbones on a white background. As the story goes it all started in October of 1942 at Guadalcanal. The Battalion, then commanded by Lt. Col. Chesty Puller was assigned the task of setting up a defensive perimeter around Henderson Field. B. Co. was on the left, A Co. on the right with C Co. in the middle. At about 8:00 p.m. that night, three Japanese regiments and a portion of a brigade breached their perimeter. Company C received the brunt of the attack but held it’s ground. The next day, after the attack, the Marines were still holding their position. A flag was now flying over Company C’s area bearing a skull and crossbones with the words “Suicide Charley” on a Japanese white, silk parachute. No one is quite sure why the company name is spelled incorrectly. The guidon was not seen again until the battle of Peleliu. It was a replica of the old flag and was used as a motivational tool for the worn-out Marines of that bloody battle. Copies of the flag appeared in other places as the company traveled around the world, but the history of the flag changed with the times. In 1961, the 1st Marine Division commanding general authorized the flag for carry in all functions and ceremonies. Marines of the company say the guidon exists today because men bled on the battlefield of Guadalcanal and Peleliu and their memory lives long in the hearts of the Marines who carry this flag. This piece of history is interesting and informative. Many of us thought the term "Suicide Charlie” was coined in Korea. Guess some things never change and Charlie just keeps stepping in it!!
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