Happy 246th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! (2024)

The U.S. Marine Corps turns246 years-oldtoday. On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress adopted aresolutionto create a Marine force composed of two battalions. Since then, the Marines have been “from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli”and many other places as well.

You probably know that the Marines’ motto isSemper Fidelis,orSemper Fifor short. It means “always faithful” in Latin. It signifies a Marine’s loyalty both to the U.S. Marine Corps and to the United States. However,Semper Fididn’t become the Marines’ motto until 1883. During its first century of existence, the Marines hada few unofficial mottos. These included “to the shores of Tripoli,” which commemorates the Marines’ service in theFirst Barbary War,Fortitudine(meaning “with courage”), andPer Mare, PerTerram(“by sea and by land”), which the Marines borrowed from theBritish Royal Marines.

No Marine has ever become president, but several have made it in politics. Former Secretary of DefenseJames Mattisand former White House Chief of StaffJohn F. Kellywere both U.S. Marine Corps generals. U.S. Secretaries of StateJames A. BakerandGeorge P. Shultz,SenatorJohn Glenn(who first gained fame as an astronaut), and legendary political consultantJames Carvillealso served in the Marines. Several baseball hall-of-famers are veterans of the Marines, includingRod Carew,Roberto Clemente,Eddie Collins,Bill Veeck, andthe incomparableTed Williams.Marines who made it in Hollywood includeAdam Driver,Gene Hackman,Harvey Keitel,Lee Marvin,Steve McQueen,andGeorge C. Scott.ComediansDrew CareyandRobRigglewere Marines, as was the late, greatJonathan Winters.If you are old enough to remember Captain Kangaroo (BobKeeshan), he was a Marine. Several famous musicians served in the Marines, including country legendGeorge Jones,hip-hop artistShaggy,and “The March King,”John Philip Sousa.Marines who made it in the business world includeTom Bell(Taco Bell),Tom Monaghan(Dominos),Bob Parsons(GoDaddy.com), andFred Smith(FedEx).

The Marines are the third smallest of the six U.S. armed services in the U.S. Department of Defense, withroughly179,000 active-duty personneldeployed around the world. To put the size of the Marine Corps in perspective, the U.S. Army is more than two-and-a-half times larger with489,000 troops.But compared to most of the world’s militaries the Marines are a giant. Countries that havearmies smaller than the Marinesinclude France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and Japan.

I askedJames A. Ryans II,a Marine Corps officer spending a year as a visitingmilitary fellowinCFR’sDavid Rockefeller Studies Program,to recommend reading for those wanting to learn more about the Marines. Here are Col. Ryans’s suggestions.

Robert Coram,Brute: The Life of Victor Krulak,U.S. Marine(2010).Bruteprovides a unique perspective on the history and culture of the U.S. Marine Corps by chronicling the thirty-four-year military career of Victor "Brute" Krulak, the father of the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps. General Krulak’s adventures, trials, and tribulations provide an unvarnished picture of Marine culture as well as the types of individuals who are drawn to join. The author weaves in military history, providing insight into the Marine Corps’ role in the Battle of Okinawa, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. While from a different period, it also touches on Krulak’s family life as a distinguished military officer.

Hampton Sides,On Desperate Ground: The Marines at The Reservoir, the Korean War's Greatest Battle(2018).On Desperate Groundtells the story of one of the most significant moments of the Korean War, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, in which China launched an attack to destroy the U.S forces that crossed into North Korea. Significantly outnumbered and surrounded, the 1st Marine Division under the command of Major General Oliver P. Smith conducted a fighting withdrawal in frigid weather. This well-researched book provides true stories of extraordinary heroism, compassion, and leadership. The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir has been turned into a case study through which senior leaders and Marines are taught leadership by the Lejeune Institute in Quantico Virginia. This is due to positive example of leadership, management, and tactical decision-making categorized in this book.

Nathaniel C. Flick:One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer(2005).In One Bullet Away: The Making of a MarineOfficer, Nathaniel Fick reflects on his transformation from a college student to a combat leader of Marines. The story begins with Nathaniel's experiences at Officer Candidate's School in Quantico, Virginia and details his deployments. His transparency concerning his reasons for joining the Marine Corps, how the training influenced his life, and his promise to protect his Marines provide a unique insight into the Marine Corps. (Full disclosure: Nathaniel Fickis a memberof the Council on Foreign Relations’ Board of Directors.)

Col. Ryans also recommended one film and one miniseries:

Sands of Iwo Jima(1949). This film was directed by Allan Dwan, and stars John Wayne, John Agar, Forrest Tucker, and Adel Mara. It tells the story of an infantry squad leader guiding his men through historic battles in the Pacific, a portrayal of leadership that Marines have desired to emulate. Marine Sergeant John Stryker (John Wayne) is a battle-hardened leader initially feared and resented by his men due to his harsh approach as he attempts to prepare them for combat. After a series of battles in the Pacific, they begin to understand and respect Stryker's tough training as they struggle to survive against a hardened enemy. Although times and methods have changed, Marine leaders often sympathize with Sergeant Stryker’s Spartan-like approach and his love for his troops.

The Pacific(2010).The Pacificminiseries provides a great depiction of the 1st Marine Division's battles in the Pacific during World War II. The Marine Corps’ exploits in the Pacific have defined its culture over the last seventy years. Staff non-commissioned officers teach all Marines about the battles of Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. This series projects these historical battles through the eyes of the participants. Medal of Honor recipientJohn Basiloneis a main character, and the miniseries shows why his exploits are legendary. It also depicts the cost of prolonged combat on Marines. According to executive producer Steven Spielberg, the miniseries is based on the memoirs of two U.S. Marines:With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawaby Eugene Sledge andHelmet forMy Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacificby Robert Leckie.

Anna Shortridge assisted in the preparation of this post.