This is one of my favorite stories about the Marine Corps. My dad was stationed at Parris Island when I was born and my oldest brother and dad both retired from the Marine Corps. I always heard this story while growing up and after talking to a few young Marine Corps guest recently, they hadn't heard it so maybe political correctness has kept the story out of common circulation so I thought I'd share it on all my blogs to keep it alive... regardless of political correctness running amok!
HAPPY 238TH BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!!!
What is a Marine?
Author Unknown
The USMC is over 237 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and
destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We
were born in a bomb crater, our mother was an M-16 and our father was
the devil. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your
life.
I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky,
self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I
am fear itself. I am a green, amphibious monster made of blood and guts
who arose from the sea, festering on anti-Americans throughout the
globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a
glorious death on the battle field, giving my life to mom, the Corps,
and the American flag.
We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the
rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his
perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever
since.
We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the hell out of
both of them. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice,
MARINE BY GOD!!!
From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title, of
United States Marines.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.
We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take our gun.
In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job,
United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serve.
In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes,
they will find the streets are guarded, by
United States Marines.
History of the Hymn
Following the war with the Barbary Pirates in 1805, when Lieutenant P.N.
O'Bannon and his small force of Marines participated in the capture of
Derne and hoisted the American flag for the first time over a fortress
of the Old World, the Colors of the Corps was inscribed with the words:
"To the Shores of Tripoli." After the Marines had participated in the
capture and occupation of Mexico City and the Castle of Chapultepec,
otherwise known as the "Halls of Montezuma," the words on the Colors
were changed to read: "From the Shores of Tripoli to the Halls of
Montezuma."
Following the close of the Mexican War came the first verse of the
Marines' Hymn, written, according to tradition, by a Marine on duty in
Mexico. For the sake of euphony, the unknown author transposed the
phrases in the motto on the Colors so that the first two lines of the
Hymn would read: "From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of
Tripoli."
A serious attempt to trace the tune of the Marines' Hymn to its source
is revealed in correspondence between Colonel A.S. McLemore, USMC, and
Walter F. Smith, second leader of the Marine Band. Colonel McLemore
wrote: "Major Richard Wallach, USMC, says that in 1878, when he was in
Paris, France, the aria to which the Marines' Hymn is now sung was a
very popular one." The name of the opera and a part of the chorus was
secured from Major Wallach and forwarded to Mr. Smith, who replied:
"Major Wallach is to be congratulated upon a wonderfully accurate
musical memory, for the aria of the Marine Hymn is certainly to be found
in the opera, 'Genevieve de Brabant'...The melody is not in the exact
form of the Marine Hymn, but is undoubtedly the aria from which it was
taken. I am informed, however, by one of the members of the band, who
has a Spanish wife, that the aria was one familiar to her childhood and
it may, therefore, be a Spanish folk song."
In a letter to Major Harold F. Wingman, USMC, dated 18 July [1919], John
Philip Sousa wrote: "The melody of the 'Halls of Montezuma' is taken
from Offenbach's comic opera, 'Genevieve de Brabant' and is sung by two
gendarmes." Most people believe that the aria of the Marines' Hymn was,
in fact, taken from "Genevieve de Brabant," an opera-bouffe (a farcical
form of opera, generally termed musical comedy) composed by Jacques
Offenbach (1819-1880), and presented at the Theatre de Bouffes
Parisiens, Paris, on November 19, 1859.
Offenbach was born in Cologne, Germany, June 20, 1819 and died October
5, 1880. He studied music from an early age and in 1838 entered the
Paris Conservatoire as a student. In 1834 he was admitted as a
violoncellist to the Opera Comique and soon attained much popularity
with Parisien audiences. He became conductor of the Theatre Francais in
1847 and subsequently leased the Theatre Comte, which he reopened as the
Bouffes-Parisiens. Most of his operas are classed as comic (light and
fanciful) and include numerous popular productions, many of which still
hold a high place in European and American countries.
Genevieve de Brabant was the wife of Count Siegfried of Brabant.
Brabant, a district in the central lowlands of Holland and Belgium,
formerly constituted an independent duchy. The southern portions were
inhabited by Walloons, a class of people now occupying the southeastern
part of Belgium, especially the provinces of Liege, Arlon and Namur.
Every campaign the Marines have taken part in gives birth to an unofficial verse. For example, the following from Iceland:
"Again in nineteen forty-one
We sailed a north'ard course
And found beneath the midnight sun,
The Viking and the Norse.
The Iceland girls were slim and fair,
And fair the Iceland scenes,
And the Army found in landing there,
The United States Marines."
Copyright ownership of the Marines' Hymn was vested in the United States
Marine Corps per certificate of registration dated August 19, 1991 but
is now in the public domain. In 1929, the Commandant of the Marine Corps
authorized the following verses of the Marines' Hymn as the official
version.
On November 21, 1942, the Commandant of the Marine Corps approved a
change in the words of the fourth line, first verse, to read, "In air,
on land, and sea."
Former-Gunnery Sergeant H.L. Tallman, veteran observer in Marine Corps
Aviation who participated in many combat missions with Marine Corps
Aviation over the Western Front in World War I, first proposed the
change at a meeting of the First Marine Aviation Force Veterans
Association in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Many interesting stories have been associated with the Marines' Hymn.
One of the best was published in the Stars and Stripes, the official
newspaper of the AEF, under date of August 16, 1918.
"A wounded officer from among the gallant French lancers had just been
carried into a Yankee field hospital to have his dressing changed. He
was full of compliments and curiosity about the dashing contingent that
fought at his regiment's left.
"'A lot of them are mounted troops by this time,' he explained, 'for
when our men would be shot from their horses, these youngsters would
give one running jump and gallop ahead as cavalry. I believe they are
soldiers from Montezuma. At least, when they advanced this morning, they
were all singing "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of
Tripoli".'"
The Marines' Hymn has been sung and played in all of the four corners of
the earth and today is recognized as one of the foremost service songs.
The history of the Marine Corps emblem is a story related to the history
of the Corps itself. The emblem of today traces its roots to the
designs and ornaments of early Continental Marines as well as British
Royal Marines. The emblem took its present form in 1868. Before that
time many devices, ornaments, and distinguishing marks followed one
another as official marks of the Corps.
In 1776, the device consisted of a "foul anchor" of silver or pewter.
The foul anchor still forms a part of the emblem today. (A foul anchor
is an anchor which has one or more turns of the chain around it).
Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824. In 1834 it was prescribed
that a brass eagle be worn on the hat, the eagle to measure 3 1/2 inches
from wingtip to wingtip.
During the early years numerous distinguishing marks were prescribed,
including "black cockades, "scarlet plumes," and "yellow bands and
tassels." In 1859 the origin of the present color scheme for the
officer's dress uniform ornaments appeared on an elaborate device of
solid white metal and yellow metal. The design included a United States
shield, half wreath, a bugle, and the letter "M."
In 1868, Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilin appointed a board "to
decide and report upon the various devices of cap ornaments for the
Marine Corps." On 13 November 1868, the board turned in its report. It
was approved by the Commandant four days later, and on 19 November 1868
was signed by the Secretary of the Navy.
The emblem recommended by this board has survived with minor changes to
this day. It consists of a globe (showing the Western Hemisphere)
intersected by a foul anchor, and surmounted by a spread eagle. On the
emblem itself, the device is topped by a ribbon inscribed with the Latin
motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). The uniform ornaments omit
the motto ribbon.
The general design of the emblem was probably derived from the British
Royal Marines' "Globe and Laurel." The globe on the U.S. Marine emblem
signifies service in any part of the world. The eagle also indirectly
signifies service worldwide, although this may not have been the
intention of the designers in 1868. The eagle they selected for the
Marine emblem is a crested eagle, a type found all over the world. On
the other hand, the eagle pictured on the great seal and the currency of
the United States is the bald eagle, strictly an American variety. The
anchor, whose origin dates back to the founding of the Marine Corps in
1775, indicates the amphibious nature of Marines' duties.
Reference Section
History and Museums Division
March 1998
The Marine Corps Seal, designed by the Marine Corps Uniform Board in
accordance with instructions of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, then
General Lemuel G. Shepherd, Jr., was adopted by Presidential Executive
Order 10538 of 22 June 1954.
The traditional Marine Corps emblem - eagle, globe and foul anchor -
forms the basic device of the Seal. Of these three, the eagle and the
foul anchor are the most venerable, dating from 1800 when they first
appeared on the Marine uniform button - a button which has remained to
this day virtually unchanged from its original form. Influenced strongly
by the design of the emblem of the British Royal Marines depicting as
their domain the Eastern hemisphere, the U.S. Marines adopted in 1868 as
their emblem a globe showing the Western hemisphere. To this was added
the spread eagle and foul anchor from the button. Twelve years later the
motto, "Semper Fidelis," completed the design.
The scarlet and gold surrounding the emblem are the official Marine
Corps colors. These in turn are enclosed by Navy blue and gold
signifying the Marine Corps as an integral part of the naval team.
Reference Section
History and Museums Division
March 1998
No one knows with absolute certainty who designed the first stars and
stripes or who made it. Congressman Francis Hopkinson seems most likely
to have designed it, and few historians believe that Betsy Ross, a
Philadelphia seamstress, made the first one.
Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order of the
stars nor the proportions of the flag was prescribed. Consequently,
flags dating before this period sometimes show unusual arrangements of
the stars and odd proportions, these features being left to the
discretion of the flag maker. In general, however, straight rows of
stars and proportions similar to those later adopted officially were
used. The principal acts affecting the flag of the United States are the
following:
On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new
nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved,
That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes,
alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a
blue field, representing a new Constellation."
Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each
state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the
admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.
Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established
proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six
horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be
upward.
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided
for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each,
staggered horizontally and vertically.
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided
for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered
horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.
"First to Fight"
Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the
founding of the Corps. They have carried out over 300 landings on
foreign shores. They have served everywhere, from the poles to the
tropics. Their record of readiness reflects pride, responsibility and
challenge.
"Semper Fi"
That Marines have lived up to their motto, "Semper Fidelis" (latin for
Always Faithful), is proven by the fact that there has never been a
mutiny among U.S. Marines. This motto was adopted about 1883. Before
that, there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than
official. The first, "Fortitudine" (With Fortitude), appeared about
1812. The second, "By Sea and by Land," was obviously a translation of
the Royal Marines' "Per Mare, Per Terram." Until 1848, the third motto
was "To the Shores of Tripoli," in commemoration of O'Bannon's capture
of Derne in 1805. In 1848, after the return to Washington of the Marine
battalion which took part in the capture of Mexico City, this motto was
revised to "From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli." The
current Marine Corps motto is shared with England's Devonshire Regiment.
"Leathernecks"
The Marines' long-standing nickname goes back to the leather stock or
neckpiece, which was part of the Marine uniform from 1775 to 1875. The
leather bands around their throats were intended to ensure that Marines
kept their heads erect.
"Devil Dogs"
In the Belleau Wood fighting in 1918, the Germans received a thorough
indoctrination in the fighting ability of the Marines. Fighting through
supposedly impenetrable woods and capturing supposedly untakeable
terrain, the persistent attacks, delivered with unbelievable courage
soon had the Germans calling Marines "Teufelhunde," referring to the
fierce fighting dogs of legendary origin. Ooohhh Raaah!
"Esprit de Corps"
The "spirit" of a unit. This spirit is commonly reflected by all
members. It implies devotion and loyalty to the Marine Corps, with deep
regard for history, traditions and honor.
"Uncommon Valor"
Refers to the victories in World War II, especially at Iwo Jima, the
largest all-Marine battle in history. Admiral Nimitz's ringing epitome
of Marine fighting on Iwo Jima was applied to the entire Marine Corps in
World War II: "Uncommon valor was a common virtue."
"Gyrenes"
The term "gyrene" is a jocular reference to Marines which was first used
in England as early as 1894. It was used in the United States around
the time of World War I. Its exact origin is unknown, but it did appear
to have a derogatory meaning in its early usage. It has been suggested
that the term may embody a reference to pollywog, a naval slang term for
a person who has not yet "crossed" (the equator), hence, a landlubber.
"Jarhead"
A slang term used by sailors as early as World War II to refer to
members of the Marine Corps, drawing the term from the resemblance of
the Marine dress blues uniform, with its high collar, to a Mason jar.
General Order 1
To take charge of this post and all government property in view.
General Order 2
To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert and
observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.
General Order 3
To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.
General Order 4
To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guardhouse than my own.
General Order 5
To quit my post only when properly relieved.
General Order 6
To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me all orders
from the commanding officer, officer of the day, and officers and
noncommissioned officers of the guard only.
General Order 7
To talk to no one except in the line of duty.
General Order 8
To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.
General Order 9
To call the corporal of the guard in any case not covered by instructions.
General Order 10
To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.
General Order 11
To be especially watchful at night, and during the time for challenging,
to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass
without proper authority.
ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our
way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never
surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to
resist.
ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I
will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will
accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow
prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which
might be harmfull to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command.
If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will
back them in every way.
ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to
give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade
answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no
oral or written statements disloyal to my coutry or its allies or
harmful to their cause.
ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom,
responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made
my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of
America.
Creed of the USMC
THIS IS MY RIFLE. There are many like it but this one is mine.
My rifle is my best friend.
It is my life.
I must master it as I master my life.
My rifle, without me is useless.
Without my rifle, I am useless.
I must fire my rifle true.
I must shoot straighter than any enemy who is trying to kill me.
I must shoot him before he shoots me.
I will….
My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of or burst, nor the smoke we make.
We know that it is the hits that count.
We will hit….
My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life.
Thus, I will learn it as a brother.
I will learn its weakness, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel.
I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other.
We will…
Before God I swear this creed.
My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country.
We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace.
One of the main aspects of military courtesy is the salute. It is a
gesture of respect and a sign of comradeship among service personnel.
Accordingly, it is a uniform gesture; meaning that the highest man in
rank in the Marine Corps returns the salute in the same form in which it
is rendered to him.
By saluting first, no officer or man implies that he is in any sense inferior of the senior whom he salutes.
The words of General John J. Pershing, commanding general of the
American Expeditionary Forces in World War I indicates the importance of
saluting in the minds of fighting men. "Send me who can shoot and
salute," he demanded.
The salute probably originated in the days of chivalry when knights in
mail raised their visors to friends for the purpose of identification.
Because of strict adherence to rank, the junior was required to make the
first gesture.
Still, another probability as to the originating of a salute comes from
the time when assassinations by dagger were not uncommon. It became the
custom to approach each other with raised hand, palm to the front,
showing that there was no concealed weapon.
It seems reasonable to assume that the hand salute as now rendered stems
to some degrees, from the British Navy. There is general agreement that
the hand salute is actually the first part of uncovering. That was the
start, uncovering in front of a senior.
Gradually, that was changed into merely touching the cap, and now the present salute.
There are many types of salutes; the hand salute; the rifle salute at
order arms; the rifle salute at right shoulder; the rifle salute at
present arms. Another type of salute in eyes right, given by men in
ranks when passing in review.
The noisiest salute rendered is a gun salute which has quite a history.
Actually, perhaps in a sadistical sense, there is also a bit of humor
attached to the gun salutes as rendered years ago by not so accurate
gunners.
During the days of Columbus, after firing a salute, it would take as
much as a half an hour to reload the guns. Therefore, the first ship
firing the salute showed that he came in peace, and after firing the
gun, was helpless.
It is said that firing blanks is the safest way of firing a gun salute;
at least safest for the individual being honored. History records that
at least one man so being honored was killed by unskilled gunners who
blasted him with a cannon ball!
The origin of a 21-gun salute, an international salute, took years to
come into being. Originally warships fired salutes of seven guns,
probably because the number had some mystical or symbolical significance
stemming from the Bible.
Although regulations stated that the salute at sea was seven guns, shore
batteries were authorized to fire three guns to the ship's one, the
difference being due to the storage of powder. Lack of facilities for
maintaining low and even temperatures aboard ship was a serious problem
for powder spoiled easily.
In shore batteries, the powder was easily stored near the guns.
With the powder as we now know it, (one that preserves at sea longer)
the number of guns for the naval international salute was raised to 21.
Another type of salute is rendered over a grave. Originally three
volleys were fired into the air, to "scare away evil spirits escaping
from the dead." It was thought that their hearts were ajar at such time,
allowing the devil to enter.
Today, the gun salutes, as rifle salutes and hand salutes, are all
administered by the individual, the group or the ship as a sign of
respect.
Dating from the time of Columbus and Roman emperors, the salute has
become an important part of a proud tradition. The salute means
something...something important. Learn how to use it, and use it well.
Reference Section
History and Museums Division
February 1996
And some more pics that I found on the net that I like!
