Final answer:
The five major Marine Corps battles of WWII are Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Tarawa, and Saipan. These battles are significant for their high casualties and the use of strategic island-hopping to advance towards Japan, especially the costly battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa with their fierce fighting and kamikaze attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question regarding the five major Marine Corps battles of WWII is a) Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Tarawa, Saipan. These battles were pivotal in the Pacific campaign where the strategy of island-hopping was utilized by Allied forces to gradually move closer to Japan. This approach primarily involved seizing strategically important islands and using them as bases for further operations. Notable among these was the extremely costly Battle of Iwo Jima, where the United States Marine Corps faced fierce resistance from the entrenched Japanese forces. The battle resulted in high casualties on both sides, with over 6,000 US Marines killed and only around 200 of the 25,000 Japanese defenders surviving. Similarly, the Battle of Okinawa resulted in a large number of casualties and showcased the intensity of Japanese resistance with kamikaze attacks adding to the fierce ground combat. Together, these battles exemplify the heavy toll of the Pacific War and the determination of the Marines in face of daunting challenges.