-
Founding of the Marine Corps
Leading up to the American Revolution, a committee of the Continental Congress met to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. -
1770's
the Continental Congress approved the resolution to establish two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. " The Continental Marines." -
Battle of Derna
Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon led the Marines' first battle on foreign soil. He and his Marines relentlessly marched across 600 miles of the Libyan Desert to storm the fortified Tripolitan city of Derna and rescue the kidnapped crew of the USS Philadelphia. -
The Battle Of Chapuletpec
In 1847, knowing that the capture of the Palacio Nacional would greatly disrupt the Mexican army, the Marines stormed the enemy fortress during the Battle of Chapultepec. After two days of battle, the Marines gained control of the castle, better known as the "Halls of Montezuma."
The Marines were then given the honor of raising the Stars and Stripes over the palace to mark their victory. Upon returning home, the same Marines presented their flag to the commandant. -
The First Marine To Recieve The Medal Of Honor
Corporal John F. Mackie was the first Marine to be awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military award. Onboard the USS Galena at the Battle of Drewry's Bluff during the Civil War, heavy fire from Confederate forces killed or wounded much of the crew. Cpl Mackie bravely risked his life to lead the gun's operation for the remainder of the battle. -
A Musical Heritage
Long before his music inspired the nation, John Philip Sousa took an apprenticeship with the Marine Band at age 13. He officially became head of the Marine Corps Band in 1880, conducting "The President's Own" under five presidents. Sousa was a gifted composer and became known as "The March King." His music continues to bring honor to the Marine Corps today. Many of his well-known compositions, including "The Stars and Stripes Forever," the National March of the United States and "Semper Fide -
Risking His Life In The Crossfire
In the midst of fighting enemy forces during the Battle of Guantanamo Bay, deadly fire against Marines increased dramatically. In the chaos, the USS Dolphin misinterpreted a signal and opened fire on Marines. In order to save the lives of his fellow Marines, Sergeant John Quick risked his own. Exposing himself to the crossfire, he signaled a cease-fire to the USS Dolphin. This courageous act earned Sgt Quick our nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor. -
A Presance In The Pacific
At the end of the 19th century, a secret society took hold in China; the "Boxers" fueled anti-Western attitudes in the nation and began burning foreign homes and businesses. When the Chinese government refused to step in, Western foreign ministers pleaded for relief. Five-hundred sailors and Marines, who had just successfully calmed insurrection in the nearby Philippines, joined international forces to quell the Boxer Rebellion. In the Philippines and China, the Marines proved indispensable. T -
Marines Take To The air
With only two hours and 40 minutes of training, First Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham courageously embarked on the Marine Corps' first solo training flight. Cunningham reported to the nation's first aviation camp in Annapolis, MD, on May 22, 1912, but was immediately ordered away on military duty. After a three-month delay, Cunningham received instruction on August 20 and began the rich legacy of Marine Corps aviation. Cunningham's flight was the seed for future successful Marine Corps aviatio -
The Begining Of a Legacy
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) is an aviation unit that supplies the Marine Corps with a wide range of aircraft and equipment to support any Marine Corps mission. Activated in Quantico, VA, in 1941, the 1st MAW aided Marine forces for the first time during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The MAW has been awarded five Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry in wartime, including WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Today the famed unit is stationed at MCB Butler in Okinawa, Japan, and con -
Overcoming The Worst
Following the successful Inchon landing, U.N. forces had North Korean troops on the run, but communist China's unexpected entry into the Korean War threatened that progress. At Chosin Reservoir, the 1st Marine Division found itself surrounded and outnumbered 8-to-1 by the Chinese army. The worst weather in 50 years cut off air support and assaulted the Marines with snow, wind and temperatures of -40 degrees F. Even so, the "Chosin Few," as they would come to be called, decimated 10 Chines -
A Test Of Courage
When Marine commander, Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt, received intelligence that the Viet Cong were hiding in a village south of the Marine base at Chu Lai, he didn't wait to be attacked. LtGen Walt and his commanders devised "Operation Starlite," a combined helicopter and amphibious assault that would protect the base and neutralize the approaching unit. The operation lasted six days and was a true test of courage. In the end, the Marines dealt the Viet Cong their first major defeat. -
Combining Forces Greater Than Strength
During the Vietnam War, the Marine Corps devised an alternative to the existing "search and destroy" strategy: the Combined Action Program (CAP). By pairing a Marine rifle squad with a group of South Vietnamese Popular Forces, CAP platoons were able to secure conflict areas and battle powerful indigenous forces. Every Marine received CAP training, including intelligence procedures, small unit tactics, education in Vietnamese customs and basic language skills. -
Send In The Marines
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), commanded at the time by Colonel Martin Berndt, was chosen to conduct a mission for the rescue of Air Force pilot Captain Scott O'Grady, who was shot down in enemy territory during a peacekeeping mission over Bosnia. Military leadership debated who would lead the rescue, but the Marine unit's rapid deployment capabilities and extensive training made it the most qualified force. Marines secured the perimeter, and Col Berndt's Marin -
A New Kind Of Sniper
During ground combat missions, sniper teams cover long-range targets, while rifle squads provide short-range fire. In 2002, the Marine Corps found a way to increase the effectiveness of the team with the addition of a Designated Marksman to cover mid- to short-range targets. The best rifleman in each squad is assigned to the Designated Marksman position. This Marine uses an M14 automatic rifle or M16 assault rifle with telescopic sight to provide fire on mid-range targets at two to five hundred
