Once a Leatherneck, always a Leatherneck, I have great interest in this subject, and I too have wondered why the distinction has been made between Marines and Japanese SNLF personnel. After a little more snooping, I would add only that just like the brief experiment by the USMC with paramarines, so the 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF were parachute units. They were pretty much decimated in the operations in which they were engaged at Menado, Celebes (1st Yokosuka SNLF) and Usua, West Timor (3rd Yokosuka SNLF). I don't believe these airborne units were ever reconstituted.
Paul
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