"The landing at Tarawa would have failed without amphibian tractors...they would spearhead all future landings." - Lieutenant General Holland M. "Howlin' Mad" Smith The three-day battle for Tarawa in November 1943 was the first major trial by fire for the new Marine doctrine of forcible amphibious assault from the sea. Find out more about the Battle of Tarawa in our WWII Gallery. On November 20th and 24th, 2018, the Museum will commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Tarawa with specia