History
The island was under British control prior to the war. It was invaded by the Japanese on July 5, 1942, to be used as a forward air base against New Guinea, and as a staging point for further operations to the south. In August 1942, The US Marine landed on the island, just prior to the Japanese airfield becoming operational. Guadalcanal then became a pivotal piece of island real estate that both sides wanted to control, and were willing to commit larger forces of soldiers and materials over the months following the Marine landing. US Army reinforcements landed, while the Japanese attempted to supply their forces by night via the "Tokyo Express" down the Slot of the Solomon islands. After the island was secured, pockets of sporadic Japanese resistance remained. The island became a rear base and staging area. The last Japanese holdout surrendered on October 27, 1947. Munitions and occasional war wrecks are still discovered to this day.

Today
Guadalcanal probably contains the most historical sites, battlefields and relics of any island in the Pacific. The graveyard for aviators, soldiers and sailors lost by both sides during the six months of the Guadalcanal campaign. It was this single island, and its airfield, that was the focal point of the six month Guadalcanal campaign, and a turning point in the Pacific war. After the fighting ceased, it was a major staging base and training ground for future Allied operations.