The storied history of the United States Marine Corps is legendary among fighting forces around the world. The “Corps” (pronounced: core) will be celebrating 250 years of defending the United States “in every clime and place”, a line taken from the Marines' Hymn. You see, though every branch of our military has a birthday, for Marines, it is sacrosanct.

The birthday of the Army is June 14, 1775. For the Navy, October 13, 1775. But for the Marine Corps, it’s November 10, 1775. No other branch of the service celebrates its history the way the Corps does. Marines, regardless of where they are, will stop what they are doing on this day and either attend a “Marine Corps Ball”, or if they are not near such a festive occasion, they will seek out another Marine and hoist a toast “To the Corps!” That’s what we do.

So, let’s start with why we have a Marine Corps at all. In 1775, the Continental Congress voted to establish an Army, a Navy, and a Marine Corps. Later in our history, we would create the Coast Guard (August 4, 1790), the Air Force (September 18, 1947), and, more recently, the Space Force (December 20, 2019).

Why the Marine Corps? Quite simply, they were formed to defend and protect Navy ships at sea that were always in danger of pirates (mostly along our eastern seaboard) and naval ships from nations openly hostile to our fledgling nation (primarily Great Britain). These early Marines had to be tough, gritty, and able to fight in any situation. So, where do you find this sort of fighting man? In a bar, of course! Samuel Nicholas was the first Marine officer commissioned by the Continental Congress.

       

Captain Nicholas had a friend who owned a tavern in Philadelphia. It was a well-known “watering hole”. The tavern was called “Tun’s Tavern” and was situated near the Delaware River. Men of the sea frequented Tun’s Tavern, so Captain Nicholas went there to recruit men to be Marines. And so, the Marine Corps was born! It has been said that the Navy formed the Chaplain Corps a couple of weeks later, on November 28, 1775, with the first chaplains assigned to minister to these rough and rowdy Marines. Now, I’m not saying this actually happened, but I’m not saying it didn’t either.

       

There’s a great quote about Marines delivered by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who faithfully visited soldiers and Marines during World War II. She humorously said, “The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group I’ve ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!”

       

Marines have several names attributed to them. One notable name comes from the German army during World War I. When the Marines were shipped to France to help the French push the Germans back, the Marines did what Marines do. They take the fight to the enemy.

       

Just east of Paris is a lovely, wooded area known as “Belleau Wood”. Trench warfare was the mode of combat then, but this didn’t set right with the Marines. The battle took place in June of 1918. The French army began to fall back in defeat, declaring, “The war is over”. U.S. Marine Captain Lloyd W. Williams famously said, “Retreat? Hell, we just got here!”

Trench warfare did not suit the Marines. So, Sergeant Dan Daly jumped up, shouting to his Marines, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” At this point, Daly leaped out of the trench and raced across the field of battle. His Marines followed right behind him terrifying the Germans. Lore says the Germans believed the Marines were crazy, acting like hounds from hell. Thus, the name given to Marines is “Devil Dog”, which is frequently used today with pride when one Marine addresses another.

       

Another name for Marines is “Leatherneck”. This term came about during the days of wooden sailing ships, when Marines were stationed as protectors of the ship. In ship-to-ship combat, the two vessels would come alongside of each other, at which point the assaulting force (pirates, or a foreign navy) would leap aboard the American vessel in order to take control. Swords flashed, and pistols fired as men engaged in life-and-death struggles. The Marines didn’t take kindly to bad guys trying to lop off their heads, so it was suggested that a thick piece of leather be attached to the top of the uniform so when a sword was angled at the neck, the thick leather would sufficiently protect the neck (hopefully). Two names came about from this leather device: the aforementioned “Leatherneck” term, and the moniker “Jarhead”, which is an apt description of what a head looks like when encircled by leather.

       

So, when you encounter a Marine this November, say “Happy Birthday, Marine!” And don’t be surprised if the response is a hearty “Oorah!”