US Marine Corps History

 The history of the United States Marine Corps began with the founding of the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775, to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and discipline enforcement, and service as landing forces with the fleet. Its mission evolved with changing military doctrine and foreign policy of the United States. Owing to the availability of the Marines forces to serve on land and at sea, the United States Marine Corps has served in nearly every conflict in United States history. It attained prominence when its theories and practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient, starting with their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776, under the command of Major Samuel Nicholas. Since then and up until the early 20th century, the Marine Corps would become one of the dominant theorists and practitioners of amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises has made and continues to make it an important tool for American foreign policy.  

Tun Tavern was a tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which served as a founding or early meeting place for a number of notable groups. It is traditionally regarded as the site where the United States Marine Corps held its first recruitment drive. 

                      Revolutionary Era                                                                             
             Colonial wars (1620–1774)                      
War of Independence (1775–1783)       

Early national period (1783–1812)   

Barbary wars
War of 1812

War with Mexico (1846–1848)
American Civil War (1861–1865)

Post-Civil War era (1865–1917)
Indian Wars (1865–1870)
Spanish-American War (1898)
Philippine-American War (1899–1902) 

Modernization
Banana Wars (1898–1935)
Moro Rebellion (1899–1913)
World War I (1917–1918)
Russian Revolution

1920s: Naval disarmament
1930s: Neutrality Acts
World War II (1939–1945)
Cold War era (1945–1991)

Postwar Military Reorganization (1947)
Korean War (1950–1953)
Lebanon crisis of 1958
Dominican Intervention (April 1965) 

Vietnam War (1955–1975)
Tehran hostage rescue (November 1979 - January 20, 1981)
Grenada (October 1983)
Beirut (October 1983 - February 1984) 

Libya (April 1986)
Panama (December 1989 - January 1990)
Post–Cold War era (1991–2001)
Persian Gulf War (1990–1991)

Somalia (1992-1993)
Haiti (September 1994 – March 1995)
Yugoslavia (1990s)
War on Terrorism (2001–present)

Afghanistan
Philippines
Iraq
Libyan intervention 

HONOR
Marines are held to the highest standards, ethically and morally. Respect for others is essential. Marines are expected to act responsibly in a manner befitting the title they’ve earned.

COURAGE
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to face fear and overcome it. It is the mental, moral and physical strength ingrained in every Marine. It steadies them in times of stress, carries them through every challenge and aids them in facing new and unknown confrontations.

COMMITMENT
Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in every Marine. It is what compels Marines to serve our country and the Corps. Every aspect of life in the Corps shows commitment, from the high standard of excellence to vigilance in training.

Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis distinguishes the Marine Corps bond from any other. It goes beyond teamwork – it is a brotherhood and lasts for life. 

Latin for "always faithful," Semper Fidelis became the Marine Corps motto in 1883. It guides Marines to remain faithful to the mission at hand, to each other, to the Corps and to country, no matter what.

Becoming a Marine is a transformation that cannot be undone, and Semper Fi reminds us of that. Once made, a Marine will forever live by the ethics and values of the Corps.  

There is no such thing as an ex-Marine. 

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem has been part of the uniform since 1868 and became the official emblem of the Marine Corps in 1955. 

The eagle with spread wings represents our proud nation. The globe points to worldwide presence. The anchor stands for naval tradition. Together, they represent a dedication to service in the air, on land,  and at sea.  

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem is presented to recruits at the end of Recruit Training, symbolizing that they have earned the title "United States Marine." 

 Semper Fidelis (“Always Faithful”)

Is the motto of the Corps. That Marines have lived up to this motto is proved by the fact that there has never been a mutiny, or even the thought of one, among U.S. Marines.

Semper Fidelis was adopted around 1883 as the motto of the Corps. Before that, there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than official. The first, antedating the War of 1812, was “Fortitudine” (“With Fortitude”). The second, “By Sea and by Land,” was obviously a translation of the Royal Marine’s “Per Mare, Per Terram.” Until 1848, the third motto was “To the Shores of Tripoli,” in commemoration of O’Bannon’s capture of Derna in 1805.

In 1848, after the return to Washington of the Marine battalion that took part in the capture of Mexico City, this motto was revised to: “From the Halls of the Montezuma's to the Shores of Tripoli” – a line now familiar to all Americans. This revision of the Corps motto in Mexico has encouraged speculation that the first stanza of “The Marines’ Hymn” was composed by members of the Marine battalion who stormed Chapultepec Castle.

It may be added that the Marine Corps shares its motto with England’s Devonshire Regiment, the 11th Foot, one of the senior infantry regiments of the British Army, whose sobriquet is “the Bloody Eleventh” and whose motto is also Semper Fidelis. 

The most distinctive uniform in the military

Every detail of the dress blues uniform reflects the proud legacy of Marines who have served for more than two centuries: 
 

The buttons featuring the eagle and anchor have been on the uniform since 1804, making them the oldest military insignia in continued use.

The "blood stripe" runs down each trouser leg of the dress blues worn by noncommissioned officers, staff noncommissioned officers and officers. The solid red stripe became part of the uniform in 1849. Today, it serves to honor the memory of fallen comrades.  
 

The collar of today’s dress blues reflects the original Marine uniform of the American Revolution, which had a high leather neck to help protect Marines from sword blows. 
 

Because it embodies Marine Corps history, rigorous standards apply to wearing this uniform and every Marine upholds those standards with pride.

More than a weapon — a heritage 

The swords Marines carry signify the Marine Corps’ heritage as America’s original protectors. They are the oldest weapons still in service by United States Armed Forces. 
 

Officers carry the Mameluke sword, which was originally given to Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon in 1805 by a Mameluke chieftain in North Africa. Lt O’Bannon and his Marines marched across 600 miles of North African desert to rid the "shores of Tripoli" of pirates. By 1825, all Marine Corps Officers carried the Mameluke sword.

Staff Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO) and Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) carry the 1858 Cavalry sword. This sword was bestowed upon them by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in recognition of their leadership in combat, their virtue and tradition. Only the Marine Corps awards such recognition to Noncommissioned Officers. 

Banner of the few, the proud

Marines have carried several different flags since the American Revolution, but today's scarlet standard has been flown during Marine Corps missions and ceremonies since January 1939.

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem is rendered in gray and gold over the scarlet background. The motto ribbon flows from the eagle's beak, bearing "Semper Fidelis," and the flowing scroll below bears "United States Marine Corps."  

Scarlet and gold were established as the official colors of the Corps as early as 1925, and the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem has appeared as part of Marine Corps iconography since 1868. 

In addition to being flown at ceremonies and installations, the Marine Corps flag hangs in the offices of the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. 

Many historians agree that June 6, 1918 – the beginning of the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood – was the single most horrific day in United States Marine Corps history. The casualties suffered that day, and throughout the 20-day campaign to retake Belleau Wood, stand second only by the retaking of Tarawa in November 1943. However, their actions and success in retaking the three-mile square wood sealed the embodiment of U.S. Marine Corps tenacity, determination and dedication forever. 

German General Ludendorff set the stage during The Great War for the Battle of Belleau Wood when he launched the Chemin des Dames offensive against the Allied Northern Front on May 27, 1918. The Fourth Brigade, American Expeditionary Forces, along with other allied forces moved north on May 20. 2nd Division Marines dug in along a defensive line north of the village of Lucy-Le-Bocage.

When advised to withdraw by a senior French officer retreating with his units down Parris-Metz highway, Marine Captain Lloyd Williams replied, “Retreat, hell! We just got here!”

The front finally settled with the 5th Marines to the west and the 6th Marines to the east. Most units deployed without machine guns, but 2nd Bn, 5th Marines showed the Germans the effects of their superior long-distance marksmanship.

On June 6, the Marines make two assaults. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment attacks west of Belleau Wood and captures the strategically important Hill 142. Later the same day battalions of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments assault the woods from the south and west in an effort to capture the town of Bouresches.

The attack against the woods proper goes grimly. Crossing a wheat field where they are exposed to machine gun fire. Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly asks his men, “Come on ya sons-of-bitches, ya want to live forever?” The attack is only able to seize a small corner of the wood.

On June 11 after heave artillery bombardment, Marines succeed in securing two-thirds of Belleau Wood, again with heavy casualties.

Marines hammered their way through the woods until the Germans counterattacked with intense artillery fire and three divisions on June 13, almost retaking Bouresches. The Marines held, and on June 14, the German counterattack culminated in failure.

The lines did not change until June 24 when the French command committed sufficient artillery to reduce the woods, allowing the Marines to prepare for a renewed assault. On June 25, after a 14-hour bombardment, the Marines overran the remaining machine gun outposts. After fending off several early morning counterattacks on June 26, Major Maurice Shearer sends the signal, “Woods now entirely U.S. Marine Corps.”

The Marines gained more than small, battered woodland. They stopped the last major German offensive of The Great War. In doing so, the Marine Corps earned the respect and admiration of our country and our allies. The 4th Brigade was awarded the French Citation, A L’Orde de L’Armee, and the wood was officially renamed, “Bois de la Brigade Marie,” in honor of the Marines.

German soldiers later referred to the U.S. Marines, respectfully, as “Teufelhunden,” or Devil Dogs, because of their fierceness in battle.

Responsibility and accountability at every level

Starting with the first day of recruit training, recruits are assigned responsibilities designed to develop leadership skills. As they earn the title of Marine and continue to earn promotions in the Enlisted rank structure, both the demands and their responsibilities increase.

At the rank of Private, Private First Class and Lance Corporal, Marines train in their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), study leadership and take on initial assignments.

NonCommissioned Officer (NCO)  
Corporals And Sergeants lead junior Marines to ensure the mission is accomplished. NCOs are the first line of leadership and the largest leadership contingent in the Marine Corps. 

Staff NonCommissioned Officer (SNCO)
Marines who have earned the rank of Staff Sergeant or higher are the senior listed leadership, responsible for supervising the NCOs and advising officers in command. In addition, First Sergeant and Sergeant Major are command leadership roles, while Master Sergeant and Master Gunnery Sergeant provide technical leadership in their occupational specialty.

The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is the Senior enlisted Marine, selected by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to advise all matters affecting enlisted Marines. 

Distinguished leadership
 

Junior Marines look to officers for guidance and knowledge. These officers are distinguished by their “commission,” a formal document from the President of the United States, issuing the rank and authority of a Marine Corps Officer. There are ten steps in the officer rank structure. 

Company Grade Officers  
The First three grades of commissioned officers - 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain - are generally charged with commanding a platoon or company.

Field Grade Officers
Majors, Lieutenant Colonels and Colonels may command units ranging in size from a company to a regiment.

General Officers
Generals are the senior leadership of the Marine Corps, responsible for decisions that impact the entire Corps and the safety of our nation. They begin as Brigadier General with one star and can earn up to four stars, signifying their level of command.