"A primary preoccupation of the United States Marine Corps between the world wars were the so-called "Banana Wars" in Nicaragua during the 20s and 30s. Over the years the Corps' presence ebbed and flowed as varied Nicaraguan political factions came to control the local government.". "The Marines' most formidable opponent was the now legendary guerilla leader Augusto Sandino. Although his was a patriotic/nationalistic movement, this did not prevent him from encouraging his followers to commit crimes against persons and property. Rapine, murder, and other assorted mayhem, tending to be antithetical to American business interests within Nicaragua, put the original Sandanistas on the wrong side of U.S. foreign policy and perforce the Marine Corps.". "In addition to the combat history of American Marines in Nicaragua, author Clark provides the historical background of this Central American nation and the numerous U.S. interventions into Nicaraguan domestic affairs. This gives the reader the necessary context to be able to understand the "why" of the Marines' presence.". "The heart of the text remains the combat history. A generation of Marine Corps leaders such as Red Mike Edson and Chesty Puller "cut their teeth" in Nicaragua. The experience the Marines of the Old Corps gained fighting Sandino in the jungles of Nicaragua would bear fruit in World War II on the distant battlefields of the Pacific."--BOOK JACKET.