101. History, Customs and Courtesies

Question 1

Discuss the origin of the Marine Corps.

Answer 1

The Marine Corps was created on 10 Nov, 1775 in Philadelphia at Tun Tavern, by a resolution of the Continental Congress, which “raised two battalions of Marines.”

Question 2

Explain the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis.

Answer 2

The official motto for the Marine Corps, “Semper Fidelis,” is Latin for “Always Faithful.” The motto, sometimes abbreviated, “Semper Fi,” was adopted about 1883.

Question 3

Describe the Marine Corps emblem and state its significance

Answer 3

• Eagle – Stands for pride of country
• Globe – Signifies global service
• Fouled Anchor – Signifies maritime traditions
• The eagle is standing on the western hemisphere and its beak is holding a scroll with the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis.”
o Adopted/modified by BG Jacob Zeilin in 1868 from British Royal Marines.

Question 4

Explain the term “Leatherneck”

Answer 4

Leather stock around neck to protect from saber slashes but a side effect was that it kept the head erect (1775 – 1875).

Question 5

What was the USMC nickname earned at the battle of Belleau Wood?

Answer 5

• Devil dog – Nickname from WWI (1918) “Battle of Belleau Wood.”
• German “Teufelhunden” - translated “Devil Dogs.”

Question 6

What latin phrase describes the ‘pride in unit’ valued by the USMC and what does it mean?

Answer 6

• Esprit de corps - Latin “The Spirit of the Unit.”
• It is the epitome of pride in a unit.
• It implies devotion and loyalty.
• Deep regard for history, traditions, and honor of the unit.

Question 7

Where did the phrase “Uncommon valor was a common virtue” come from?

Answer 7

• “Uncommon valor was a common virtue” - Quote from Admiral Nimitz in regard to USMC fighting ability on Iwo Jima.
• Iwo Jima was the largest all-Marine battle in history.
• Applied to entire USMC’s contribution during WWII.

Question 8

Describe the FMFWO device

Answer 8

The eagle, globe, and anchor make a clear statement that the wearer is a member of the Navy/Marine Corps team.
• The surf wave crashing on the sandy beach (littoral zone) represents forward from the sea.
• The two crossed rifles represent riflemen ethic.
• The scroll is emblazoned with Fleet Marine Force (1982).

Question 9

What significant event in Marine Corps history occurred in 1847?

Answer 9

1847 - During the Mexican War, Marines occupied the “Halls of Montezuma” during the Battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City.
The royal palace fell to invading Marines, who were among the first United States troops to enter the capital. Marines also helped take California.
The ‘blood stripe’ worn by NCOs to commemorate blood of Marines at Battle of Chapultepec 18

Question 10

What significant event in Marine Corps history occurred in 1805?

Answer 10

1805 - Marines stormed the Barbary pirates’ stronghold at Derna on the “Shores of Tripoli.“
Marines raised the “Stars and Stripes” for the first time in the Eastern Hemisphere.
The Mameluke sword (Officer’s sword) was presented to 1st Lt O’Bannon for heroic actions

Question 11

The Battle of Iwo Jima is famous for which two reasons?

Answer 11

They had the highest casualty rate for the Marines in their entire history. Of the 70,000 Marines, 1 out of 4 were killed or wounded.
The raising of the flag on top of Mt. Suribachi.

Question 12

Explain the phrase “First to flight”

Answer 12

Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Marine Corps. They entered the Revolution in 1775, just before the Declaration of Independence was signed. They have carried out more than 300 landings on foreign shores. They have served everywhere, from the poles to the tropics. Their record of readiness reflects pride, responsibility and challenge.

Question 13

Who is Opha Mae Johnson?

Answer 13

Private Johnson became the Marine Corps’ first enlisted woman on 13 August, 1918. Her enlistment was a reflection of the dramatic changes in the status of women brought about by the entry of the United States into World War I. Marine Reserve (F) was the official title by which the Marine Corps’ first enlisted women were known. They were better known as “skirt Marines” and “Marinettes.”

Question 14

Who is Archibald Henderson?

Answer 14

Brevet Brigadier General Archibald Henderson became Commandant in 1820 and held this command until his death in 1859, a period of 39 years. General Henderson led the Corps through the Indian Wars, the War with Mexico, the “opening” of China, and the disorder’s in Central America. The “Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps,” as he is often called, introduced higher standards of personal appearance, training, discipline, and strived to have the Marine Corps known as a professional military force, capable of more than just sea and guard duties.

Question 15

Name the 2 Marines who were awarded the Medal of Honor twice.

Answer 15

SgtMaj Dan Daily (Chinese Boxer Rebellion, Caco 1)

Maj Gen Smedly Butler (Veracruz Mexico, Caco 1 )

Question 16

Name the 6 areas of Naval Doctrine.

Answer 16

Naval Command & Control
Naval Operations
Naval Warfare
Naval Logistics
Naval Intelligence
Naval Planning

Question 17

What year did the USMC establish its first aviation unit?

Answer 17

1913. Marine Major Alfred A. Cunningham was the first pilot

Question 18

Who yelled “Come on, you sons of a b—–, do you want to live forever?” During what battle were these words uttered?

Answer 18

Sergeant Major (then Gunnery Sergeant) Daniel Daly during the Battle of Belleau Wood. 1918

Question 19

Who is Cpl Ira Hayes?

Answer 19

Corporal Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian, was one of the Marines immortalized in the now famous photograph taken of the second flag raising on Mount Suribachi, shortly after the Japanese stronghold was taken on 23 February, 1945.

Question 20

Who is Brigadier General Margaret Brewer?

Answer 20

Brigadier General Brewer, then a Colonel, served as the director of Women Marines (WM) during the period 1973-1977. She was the seventh and last director of WMs, the only post-World War woman to hold the position. Margaret Brewer became the Marine Corps first woman general officer on 11 May 1978.

Question 21

Who declared “it would take a million Americans 100 years to conquer” the Tarawa Atoll?

Answer 21

The Japanese commander, RADM Keiji Shibazaki. On 20 November 1943, Marines landed and secured the island within 76 hours.

Question 22

When did the Navajo Code Talkers serve?

Answer 22

The Navajo code talkers took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine Raider battalions and Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in their native language a code that the Japanese never broke. The idea to use Navajo for secure communications came from Philip Johnston, the son of a missionary to the Navajos and one of the few non-Navajos who spoke their language fluently.

Question 23

What year was the first female Marine commissioned?

Answer 23

1943 - Captain Anne Lentz

Question 24

What significant event in Marine Corps history occurred in 1776?

Answer 24

The firsts Marine amphibious landing during the Revolutionary War; nickname leatherneck was coined; goal was to seize arms from a British Weapons Cache in the New Providence, Bahamas

Question 25

Who is John A. Lejeune?

Answer 25

Major General; 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps 1920-1929; first Marine officer to command
an army division in combat during WWI

Question 26

Who is Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller?

Answer 26

Lieutenant General; most decorated Marine in history. famous for him and his 32 Marines ability to engage rebel groups and bandits in Nicaragua; Tiger of the Mountains; USMC mascot, bulldog, is named after him

Question 27

What is significant about the Battle of Guadalcanal?

Answer 27

07 August 1942; 1st MARDIV landed on beaches of Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands and launched first US land offensive in WWII; first combat test of new amphibious doctrine; crucial turning point of the war providing a base to launch further invasions

Question 28

What is significant about the Battle of Chosin Reservoir?

Answer 28

November 1950; North Korea; Marines were cut off after the Chinese Communist Forces entered the war; Marines defeated 7 of 10 divisions sent to attack them; Marines brought out all operable equipment, evacuated wounded and dead, and maintained tactical integrity

Question 29

What is significant about the Battle of Hue City, Vietnam?

Answer 29

January 1968; “Tet Offensive” Communist forces launched a surprise offensive; fighting was house to house, strong example of MOUT; secured 25FEB1968