102 Flashcards
(38 cards)
102
Marine Corps History, Rank Structure, and Courtesies Fundamentals
1775 / 1834
“Marine Corps came alive”
10 November 1775 in Philadelphia, PA at Tun Tavern by resolution of Continental Congress which “raised two battalions of Marines”. Captain Samuel Nicholas is considered the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.
In 1834, Marines came under the DON. The National Security Act of 1947, amended in 1952, states the current structure.
1776
“Guns and sticks”
The first marine landing took place during the Revolutionary War. Marines invaded New Province island in the Bahamas where they seized guns and supplies. The uniform of the day was a stiff leather stock worn around the neck, thus “Leatherneck”.
1805
“No pirate left alive”
Marines stormed the Barbary pirates’ stronghold at Burma on the “Shores of Tripoli”. Marines raised the “Stars and Stripes” for the first time in the Eastern Hemisphere.
1847
“Mexicans went to heaven”
During the Mexican War, Marines occupied the “Halls of Montezuma” during the Battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City. Marines also helped take California.
1859
“No slave of mine”
Under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee U.S. Army, Marines stormed the United States arsenal at Harper’s Ferry to put down an attempted slave revolt led by abolitionist John Brown.
1868
“EGA is great”
The Marine Corps adopted an emblem that consisted of an EGA. Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, 7th Commandant, modified the British Royal Marines emblem to depict the Marines as both American and maritime. The globe and anchor signify world wide service and sea traditions. The spread eagle represents the Nation itself.
1883
“Semper Fi”
The official motto of the Marine Corps, “Semper Fidelis,” (Latin for Always Faithful) was adopted.
1900
“00 Box”
In support of foreign policy, Marines from ships on the Asiatic station defended the American Legation is Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion. The Marines were part of the multinational defense force that protected the Legation Quarter against attack. This small defense force held out against the Boxers until a relief force was able to reach Perking and end the rebellion.
1913
The Marine Corps established its aviation unit. Major Alfred A. Cunningham was the first pilot.
1917
“5678”
Marines landed as part of the American force in France. Marines, participating in eight distinct operations, distinguished themselves and were awarded a number of decorations, among them the French Fourragere still worn by members of 5th and 6th Marines.
1933
The Marine Corps was reorganized into the Fleet Marine Force, formally establishing the “command and administrative relations” between the Fleet and the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Equipment Board was established in Quantico, VA, and Marines began to devote long hours to testing and developing materials for landing operations and expeditionary service.
1965
Marines landed in South Vietnam, which committed the Marine Corps to the longest war in its history. Marines conducted numerous large-scale offensive operations throughout the course of the war, as well as participating in the pacification program designed to win the support of the local populace. Also, in response to an attempted coup of the local government, Marines landed in the Dominican Republic to evacuate and protect U.S. citizens. The Marines formed the core of a multinational force that quickly restored the peace.
1982
Marines deployed to Lebanon as part of a multinational peacekeeping force in an effort to restore peace and order to this war-torn country. This action further displayed the Marine concept of a “Force in Readiness”. On 23 October 1983, a suicide truck bomb attack on the headquarters building killed 241 Americans and wounded 70 others. The last Marine unit withdrew in July 1984.
1991
Operation Desert Storm was launched after the Iraqi government refused to comply with the United Nations resolutions. Marine aviation was heavily used when the air phase commenced in January of 1991. When massive combing failed to dislodge Iraqi forces, Marine ground forces swept into Kuwait and liberated the country, causing severe damage to the Iraqi military capability.
2001
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is the official name used by the U.S. Government for the War in Afghanistan, together with three smaller military actions, under the umbrella of the Global War oin Terror (GWOT). On October 7, 2001, early combat operations including a mix of strikes from land-based B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Strato fortress bombers; carrier-based F-14 Tomcat, FA-18 Hornet fighters; and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from both U.S. and British ships and submarines signaled the start of Operation Enduring Freedom.
2003
The 2003 Invasion of Iraq (from March 20 to May 1, 2003) was led by the United States, alongside the United Kingdom and smaller contingents from Australia and Poland. Four countries participated with troops during the initial invasion phase, which lasted from March 20 to May 01.
2004 (1)
The First Battle of Fallujah, codenamed Operation Vigilant Resolve, was an unsuccessful attempt by the United States Military to capture the city of Fallujah in April 2004.
2004 (2)
The Second Battle of Fallujah, code names Operation Al-Fajr (Arabic, “the dawn”) and Operation Phantom Fury, was a joint U.S.-Iraqi-British offensive in November and December 2004. It was led by the U.S. Marine Corps against the Iraqi insurgency stronghold in the city of Fallujah and was authorized by the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Interim Government.
The Battle of Belleu Wood
Marines fought one of their greatest battles in history at Belleu Wood, France during World War I. Marines helped crush a German offensive at Belleu Wood that threatened Paris. In honor of the Marines who fought there, the French renamed the area “the Wood of the Brigade of Marines.” German intelligence evaluated the Marines as “storm troops”, the highest rating on the enemy fighting scale. In reference to the Marine’s ferocious fighting ability, German troops called their new enemy “Teufelhunden” or “Devil Dogs”, a nickname in which Marines share pride.
The Battle of Guadalcanal
On 7 August 1942, the 1st Marine Division landed on the beaches of Guadalcanal in the Solomon islands and launched the first United States land offensive of World War II. This battle marked the 1st combat test of the new amphibious doctrine, and also provided a crucial turning point of the war in the Pacific by providing a base to launch further invasions of Japanese-held islands. Amphibious landings followed on the remaining Solomon Islands including New Georgia, Bougainville, and Choiseul.
The Battle of Tarawa
The Gilbert Islands were the first in the line of advance for the offensive in the Central Pacific. The prime objective was the Tarawa Atoll and Betio Island which had been fortified to the point that the Japanese commander proclaimed that it would take a million Americans 100 years to conquer it. On 20 November 1943, Marines landed and secured the island within 76 hours, but paid a heavy price in doing so. Because of an extended reef, landing craft could not cross it and Marines were offloaded hundreds of yards from the beaches. This led to heavy losses from enemy fire. Additionally, many Marines drowned while attempting to wade ashore.
The Battle of Mariana Islands
Due to the need for airfields by the Air Force and advanced bases for the Navy, the Marianas were invaded. Landings on the islands of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian accomplished this. During June and July of 1943, Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith led a combined invasion force of Marines and Soldiers that totaled over 136,000. This was the greatest number of troops to that time to operate in the field under Marine command.
The Battle of Iwo Jima
On 19 February 1945, Marines landed on Iwo Jima in what was the largest and bloodiest all-Marine battle in history. The Marine Corps suffered over 23,300 casualties. The capture of Iwo Jima greatly increased the air support and bombing operations against the Japanese home islands. Of the savage battle, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said, “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
