 <unk> the strength of Allied forces on <unk> – about 12 @,@ 000 – <unk> 's 6 @,@ 000 soldiers conducted several nighttime frontal assaults on the U.S. defenses . The main Japanese assault occurred around <unk> ridge south of Henderson Field , manned by troops from several U.S. Marine Corps units , primarily troops from the 1st <unk> and 1st Parachute Battalions under U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Merritt A. <unk> . Although the Marine defenses were almost overrun , <unk> 's attack was ultimately defeated , with heavy losses for the Japanese . 
