MISSION:
The Marine Corps has been America's expeditionary force in readiness since 1775. We are forward deployed to respond swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. We are soldiers of the sea, providing forces and detachments to naval ships and shore operations. We are global leaders, developing expeditionary doctrine and innovations that set the example, and leading other countries' forces and agencies in multinational military operations. These unique capabilities make us "First to Fight," and our nation's first line of defense.
The Marine Corps has been America's expeditionary force in readiness since 1775. We are forward deployed to respond swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. We are soldiers of the sea, providing forces and detachments to naval ships and shore operations. We are global leaders, developing expeditionary doctrine and innovations that set the example, and leading other countries' forces and agencies in multinational military operations. These unique capabilities make us "First to Fight," and our nation's first line of defense.
IMPORTANT DATES IN U.S. MARINE CORPS HISTORY
1775 The Continental Marines are created by the Continental Congress.
1776 The Marines conduct the first amphibious landing at New Providence in the Bahamas.
1783 The Treaty of Paris formally ends the Revolutionary War, and the Continental Marines are disbanded.
1798 The U.S. Marine Corps is formally reestablished.
1805 The Marines fought Barbary pirates in northern Africa and raised the flag on the shores of Tripoli.
The War of 1812: The Marines fought in the defense of Washington, D.C. and helped defeat the British at New Orleans.
1846 1848 The Mexican War: The Marines fought their way to the Hall of Montezuma in Mexico City.
1861 1865 The Civil War: The Marines fought for the Union side, both on land and at sea.
1912 The first Marine Corps air division was established.
1917 1918 World War I: Marines earned the title "Devil Dogs" for their heroic actions on the battlefields of France.
1941 1945 World War II: Marines engaged in warfare in the South Pacific. They raised the flag atop Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima and cupied Japan and North China.
1950 1953 Marines engaged in United Nations action in Korea.
1965 Marine ground troops began fighting in Vietnam.
1969 1971 Marine Corps forces withdrew from Vietnam.
1978 First woman general officer selected.
1979 First black general officer selected.
1983 Marines participated in United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon and in the invasion of Grenada.
1775 The Continental Marines are created by the Continental Congress.
1776 The Marines conduct the first amphibious landing at New Providence in the Bahamas.
1783 The Treaty of Paris formally ends the Revolutionary War, and the Continental Marines are disbanded.
1798 The U.S. Marine Corps is formally reestablished.
1805 The Marines fought Barbary pirates in northern Africa and raised the flag on the shores of Tripoli.
The War of 1812: The Marines fought in the defense of Washington, D.C. and helped defeat the British at New Orleans.
1846 1848 The Mexican War: The Marines fought their way to the Hall of Montezuma in Mexico City.
1861 1865 The Civil War: The Marines fought for the Union side, both on land and at sea.
1912 The first Marine Corps air division was established.
1917 1918 World War I: Marines earned the title "Devil Dogs" for their heroic actions on the battlefields of France.
1941 1945 World War II: Marines engaged in warfare in the South Pacific. They raised the flag atop Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima and cupied Japan and North China.
1950 1953 Marines engaged in United Nations action in Korea.
1965 Marine ground troops began fighting in Vietnam.
1969 1971 Marine Corps forces withdrew from Vietnam.
1978 First woman general officer selected.
1979 First black general officer selected.
1983 Marines participated in United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon and in the invasion of Grenada.
Famour Marines:
1 General Lewis Burwell Puller
2 Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune
3 Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone
4 Gunnery Sergeant Ronald Lee Ermey
5 Corporal Ira Hamilton Hayes
6 Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly
7 Colonel John Herschel Glenn, Jr.
8 Corporal Eugene Bondurant Sledge
9 Private First Class Robert Leckie
10 Captain Brian Michael Stann