The term, "Leatherneck"
Derives from the late 1700's when Marines wore a leather strap around their necks for protection.In combat Marines NEVER leave wounded comrades behind.
Marine sergeants and Corporals are the only NCOs in the U.S. Armed Forces to have the privilege of
Carrying swords on ceremonial occasions.
The Marine Corps March, "Semper Fidelis" by J.P. Sousa, is the only military march
Authorized by Congress.
The Marine Hymn is the oldest official anthem of
Any U.S. military service
when "Abandon Ship" is ordered, the last person to leave the vessel before the captain is his
Marine orderly.
When asked what he/she does for a living
a sailor would likely respond, "I'm in the Navy." An airman would likely respond, "I'm in the Air Force." A soldier would probably reply, "I'm in the Army." When asked the same question, a Marine will answer, "I AM a Marine."
Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps.
They entered the Revolution in 1775, even before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, adopted a secret resolution that formally established the Marine Corps
"Resolved--That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors and officers as usual in other regiments; That they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to office or inlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with Maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea, when required.
"The Continental ship Providence, now lying at Boston, is bound on a short cruise, immediately; a few good men are wanted to make up her complement."
Marine Captain William Jones, Providence Gazette, 20 March
1779.)"The Marines have landed and have the situation well in hand."
Attributed to many sources and popularized by the correspondent Richard Harding Davis during the late nineteenth-century
"To our Marines fell the most difficult and dangerous portion of the defense by reason of our proximity to the great city wall and the main city gate. . .The Marines acquitted themselves nobly."
Mr. Edwin N. Conger, U.S. Minister, in commending the Marines for the defense of the legations at Peking, China, in 1900
"Retreat Hell! We've just got here!"
Attributed to several World War I Marine Corps officers, Belleau Wood, June 1918
"Come on, you sons of bitches-do you want to live forever?"
Attributed to Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Daly, USMC, Belleau Wood, June 1918
"I have only two out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold."
First Lieutenant Clifton B. Cates, USMC, 96th Co., Soissons, 19 July 1918
"They (Women Marines) don't have a nickname, and they don't need one. They get their basic training in a Marine atmosphere, at a Marine Post. They inherit the traditions of the Marines. They are Marines."
Lieutenant General Thomas Holcomb, USMC 1943
"Goddam it, you'll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!"
Captain Henry P. "Jim" Crowe, USMC, Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943
"Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning."
Colonel David M. Shoup, USMC, Tarawa, 21 November 1943
"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, 16 March 1945
"The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps."
General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC, to the Senate Naval Affairs Committee, 5 May 1946
Other military services offer a career
The Marine Corps offers a new life. It's not an easy life. It's definitely not a life for everyone. But, that's okay. The Marines don't want everyone. They also don't want just anyone. They want just a few...a few of the proud.
