101-Marine Corps History, Rank Structure, and Courtesies

Question 1

1775

Answer 1

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

Captain Samuel Nicholas became the commander of these two battalions.

Traditionally considered the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Question 2

1776

Answer 2

First Marine landing took place during the Revolutionary War. Marines invaded New Providence Island in the Bahamas and seized guns and supplies.

The uniform of the day had a stiff leather stock that was worn around the neck, thus the nickname “Leatherneck.

Question 3

1805

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

1834

Answer 4

The Marines were organized under the Department of the Navy (DON)

Question 5

1847

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

1859

Answer 6

Under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee, U.S. Army, Marines stormed the United States arsenal at Harper’s Ferry to put down an attempted slave revolt lead by abolitionist John Brown.

Question 7

1868

Answer 7

The Marine Corps adopted an emblem that consisted of an eagle, a globe, and an anchor. Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, 7th Commandant, modified the British (Royal) Marine emblem to depict the Marines as both American and maritime. The globe and anchor signify worldwide service and sea traditions. The spread eagle is a symbol of the Nation itself.

Question 8

1883

Answer 8

The official motto of the Marine Corps, “Semper Fidelis,” (Latin for “Always Faithful”) was adopted.

Question 9

1900

Answer 9

In support of foreign policy, Marines from ships on the Asiatic station defended the American Legation in Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion. The Marines were part of a multinational defense force that protected the Legation Quarter against attack.

Question 10

1912

Answer 10

The Marine Corps established its Aviation Unit. Marine Major, Alfred A. Cunningham was the first pilot. His first solo flight (1stLt at the time) occurred on 1 August 1912.

Question 11

1917

Answer 11

-Marines landed as part of the American force in France.

-Participated in eight distinct operations

-Distinguished themselves and were awarded a number of decorations

-Among them the French Fourragere still worn by members of the 5th and 6th Marines.

Question 12

1933

Answer 12

-Marine Corps was reorganized into the Fleet Marine Force

-Formally establishing the “command and administrative relations” between the Fleet and the Marine Corps.

Question 13

1965

Answer 13

-Marines landed in South Vietnam, which committed the Marine Corps to the longest war in its history.

-Marines conducted numerous large-scale offensive operations

-Participated in the pacification program designed to win the support of the local populace.

-In response to an attempted coup of the local government, Marines landed in the Dominican Republic to evacuate and protect U.S citizens.

-The Marines formed the core of a multinational force that quickly restored the peace.

Question 14

1982

Answer 14

Marines deployed to Lebanon as part of a multinational peacekeeping force in an effort to restore peace and order to this war-torn country. This action further displayed the Marine concept of a “Force in Readiness.”

Question 15

1983

Answer 15

On 23 October 1983, a suicide truck bomb attack on the building serving as barracks for 1st Battalion 8th Marines killed 241 Americans and wounded 70 others. The last Marine unit withdrew in July of 1984.

Question 16

1991

Answer 16

-Operation Desert Storm was launched after the Iraqi government refused to comply with United Nations resolutions. Marine aviation was heavily used when the air phase commenced in January of 1991. When massive bombing failed to dislodge Iraqi forces, Marine ground forces swept into Kuwait and liberated the country, causing severe damage to the Iraqi military capability

Question 17

2001

Answer 17

-11 September 2001-Terrorist attacks carried out in New York City.
-Two civilian airline planes hijacked and flown into World Trade Center.

-Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is official name used by the U.S. Government for the War in Afghanistan,
together with three smaller military actions, under the umbrella of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).

On 7 October, 2001, early combat operations including a mix of strikes from land-based B-1 Lancers, B-2 Spirit and B-52 StratoFortress bombers; carrier-based F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet fighters; and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from both U.S. and British ships and submarines signaled the start of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Question 18

2003

Answer 18

-The invasion of Iraq (from 20 March to 1 May, 2003) was led by the United States, alongside the United Kingdom and smaller contingents from Australia and Poland.

-Four countries participated with troops during the initial invasion phase.

Question 19

The Battle of Belleau Wood

Answer 19

• June 6, 1918, Marines fought one of their greatest battles in history at Belleau Wood, France during World War I.

-Marines helped crush a German offensive that threatened Paris.

-In honor of the Marines who fought there, the French renamed the area “the Wood of the Brigade of Marines.”

-German intelligence evaluated Marines as “storm troops” – highest rating on enemy fighting scale.

-In reference to the Marine’s ferocious fighting ability, German troops called their new enemy “Teufelhunden” or “Devil dogs,” a nickname in which Marines share pride.

Question 20

The Battle of Guadalcanal

Answer 20

-On 7 August 1942, 1st Marine Division landed on the beaches of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and launched first United States land offensive of World War II.

-This battle marked the first combat test of the new amphibious doctrine, and also provided a crucial turning point of the war in the Pacific by providing a base to launch further invasions of Japanese-held islands.

-Amphibious landings followed on the remaining Solomon Islands including New Georgia, Bougainville, and Choiseul.

Question 21

The Battle of Tarawa

Answer 21

-The Gilbert Islands were first in the line of advance for the offensive in the Central Pacific.

-The prime objective was the Tarawa Atoll and Betio Island which had been fortified to the point that the Japanese commander proclaimed “that it would take a million Americans 100 years to conquer it.”

-On 20 November 1943, Marines landed and secured the island within 76 hours, but paid a heavy price in doing so.

-Because of an extended reef, landing craft could not cross it and Marines were offloaded hundreds of yards from the beaches.

• This led to heavy losses from enemy fire. Additionally, many Marines drowned while attempting to wade ashore.

Question 22

The Battle of Mariana Islands

Answer 22

-Due to need for airfields by Air Force and advanced bases for Navy, the Marianas were invaded.

-Landings on the islands of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian accomplished this.

-During June and July of 1943, Lieutenant General Holland M. “Howlin’ Mad” Smith led a combined invasion force of Marines and soldiers that totaled over 136,000.

This was the greatest number of troops up to that time to operate in the field under Marine command.

Question 23

Battle of Okinawa

Answer 23

-On 1 April 1945 until 22 June 1945, Marines took part in the last and largest battle of the Pacific, which involved 287,000 troops.

-The battle was crucial for securing vital air bases that would be used for the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland.

-By the end of the 82-day campaign, the Japanese suffered over 77,000 casualties and the Allies received 65,000 including 14,000 dead.

-23 Medals of Honor were awarded.

Question 24

The Battle of Iwo Jima

Answer 24

-On 19 February 1945, Marines landed on Iwo Jima in what was the largest and bloodiest all-Marine battle in history.

-The Marine Corps suffered over 23,300 casualties.

-The capture of Iwo Jima greatly increased the air support and bombing operations against the Japanese home islands.

-Of the savage battle, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said, “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

-**Note: In June 2007, Japan changed the name of Iwo Jima back to its pre-World War II name of Iwo To.

Question 25

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir

Answer 25

-In November of 1950, during the Korean War, Marines pushed far into North Korea and were cut off after the Chinese Communist Forces entered the war.

-Despite facing a 10-division force sent to annihilate them, Marines smashed seven enemy divisions in their march from the Chosin Reservoir.

-The major significance of this retrograde movement was that Marines brought out all operable equipment, properly evacuated their wounded and dead, and maintained tactical integrity.

Question 26

The Battle of Hue City

Answer 26

-During the Vietnamese holiday of Tet in January of 1968, Communist forces launched a surprise offensive by infiltrating large numbers of their troops into the major population centers of Hue City, South Vietnam.

-A near division-size unit of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops occupied the city of Hue and the Citadel.

-Marines fought in built-up areas for the first time since the Korean War, foregoing the application of heavy arms to minimize civilian casualties.

• Fighting was house-to-house with progress measured in yards. The city was secured on 25 February 1968.

Question 27

The First Battle of Fallujah

Answer 27

-Codenamed Operation Vigilant Resolve, was an unsuccessful attempt by the United States Military to capture the city of Fallujah, Iraq.

-On 4 April 2004, 1st Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment (1/5) attacked the city’s industrial center, and the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1) pushed south through the northwestern urban district.

-They met harsh resistance, and by 10 April, 3/4 and 2/2 were committed to the still raging conflict.

Question 28

The Second Battle of Fallujah

Answer 28

Two distinct operations (Operation Al-Fajr and Operation Phantom Fury) took place during the second battle of Fallujah on 7 November 2004.

Question 29

The Second Battle of Fallujah-Operation Al-Fajr

Answer 29

-Operation Al-Fajr (Arabic, “the dawn”) represented a major success for the Iraqi Government and coalition forces. T

-he attack force included nine U.S. Army and Marine battalions, six Iraqi battalions, and attack aviation from all of the Military Services, to include naval air flying off an aircraft carrier.

-The full assault force included some 12,000 Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).

-The keys to successful integration of this joint and coalition force were complementary war fighting capabilities, a single chain of command, advances in technology, and the unifying vision of liberating a city from the oppressive grip of the insurgents and terrorists.

-The assault and subsequent reconstruction efforts turned Fallujah from an insurgent base of operations into the cornerstone of progress in the Al Anbar Province.

Question 30

The Second Battle of Fallujah-Operation Phantom Fury

Answer 30

-Operation Phantom Fury was a joint U.S.-Iraqi -British offensive led by the U.S. Marine Corps against the Iraqi insurgency stronghold in the city of Fallujah, which was authorized by the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Interim Government.

-The carefully designed and skillfully executed attack took place on 7 November 2004 and employed Regimental Combat Teams (RCTs) 1 and 7 attacking south into the city.

-The Marines were well supported by Army mechanized infantry and cavalry units. This inter-service and fully coordinated air-ground approach gradually overwhelmed the insurgents trapped in the city.

-The dense urban fighting was fierce, and conducted house by house and rooftop to rooftop.

Question 31

Operation Strike of the Sword

Answer 31

-Operation Khanjar was an American-led military offensive against the Taliban in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan.

-Approximately 4,000 Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade along with 650 Afghan Army soldiers took part in the offensive.

-The operation began when the U.S. and Afghan forces entered the Helmand River Valley in the early morning of 2 July 2009.

-This operation was the largest Marine offensive since the Battle of Fallujah in 2004.

-The operation was also the biggest offensive airlift by the Marines since the Vietnam War.

-Units involved in the offensive include 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines; 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.

Question 32

The Battle of Marjah

Answer 32

-Also known as Operation Moshtarak (Dari word for “together”).

-In February 2010 Operation Moshtarak reclaimed Marjah, a strategic agricultural hub and narcoterrorist safe haven in the Helmand River Valley.

-Together with thousands of Afghan National Security Forces, the Marines tangibly improved the geo-political landscape of Southwestern Afghanistan.

Question 33

Archibald Henderson

Answer 33

-Brevet Brigadier General Archibald Henderson became Commandant in 1820 and held his command for 39 years until his death in 1859.

-General Henderson led the Corps through the Indian Wars, the War with Mexico, the opening of China, and the disorders 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 34

John Quick

Answer 34

-Sergeant Major Quick is remembered for his performance in 1898 at Cuzco Well (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) where he participated in an operation to seize an advanced base for the Atlantic Fleet battalion of Marines.

-Sergeant Major Quick earned the Medal of Honor for semaphoring for an emergency lift of the naval bombardment while under Spanish and American shellfire.

Question 35

Dan Daly

Answer 35

-Sergeant Major Daly is recognized for earning two Medals of Honor: (1) Chinese Boxer Rebellion and

(2) First Caco War in Haiti.

-When his unit had been pinned down and their attack stalled during the Battle of Belleau Wood, then Gunnery Sergeant Daly yelled to his men, “Come on, you sons of a b—–, do you want to live forever?”

Question 36

Louis B. “Chesty” Puller

Answer 36

-Lieutenant General Puller served in Nicaragua through several periods of political unrest and rebellious activity in 1930.

-Puller and a force of about 32 Marines became famous for their ability to engage rebel groups and bandits while scouring the jungles in a wide area of Nicaragua to the Honduran border.

-Puller became known as the “Tiger of the Mountains” (1930).

-The Marine Corps’ mascot, an English bulldog named “Chesty,” is named for this brave and fine Marine Corps officer.

-He was awarded a total of 14 personal decorations in combat, plus a long list of campaign medals, unit citation ribbons, and other awards.

-He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and his fifth Navy Cross for heroism, during the bitter fight to break out of Korea’s Chosin Reservoir area.

Question 37

Gregory R. “Pappy” Boyington

Answer 37

-Major Boyington is recognized for Marine prowess in aerial dogfights.

-“Pappy” commanded VMH-214, the “Black Sheep,” during World War II.

-By the end of the War, the Major was recognized as the Marine Corps’ top ranking flying ace with 28 victories (“kills”).

-He was awarded the Medal of Honor on 5 October 1945 for his actions against enemy Japanese forces in Central Solomon’s Area from 12 September 1943 to 3 January 1944.

Question 38

Ira H. Hayes

Answer 38

-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, taken on 23 Feb 1945.

Question 39

Opha Mae Johnson

Answer 39

-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 40

Margaret A. Brewer

Answer 40

-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 WM, 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 41

Robert E. Bush

Answer 41

-On 2 May 1945, during the battle for Okinawa, Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert E. Bush administered blood plasma to a wounded Marine Officer with one hand, and returned fire with the other, amidst the perilous battle conditions.

-For his “conspicuous gallantry” on this occasion, he was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on 5 October 1945, during “Nimitz Day” celebrations at the White House in Washington, D.C.

-He was the youngest World War II Navy man to receive the Medal of Honor.

Question 42

Robert R. Ingram

Answer 42

-Petty Officer Ingram accompanied the point platoon as it aggressively engaged an outpost of a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) battalion Republic of Vietnam on March 28, 1966.

-As he moved forward, a tree line suddenly exploded with an intense hail of automatic rifle fire from approximately 100 NVA Soldiers.

-Oblivious to the danger, he crawled across the battlefield to reach a downed Marine. As he administered aid, a bullet went through the palm of his hand. Receiving two more wounds, with the third wound being a life-threatening one, he continued to resupply and aid others.

-While dressing the head wound of another corpsman, he sustained his fourth bullet wound.

-From sixteen hundred hours until almost sunset, He pushed, pulled, cajoled, and doctored his Marines.

-Petty Officer Ingram’s gallant actions saved many lives and he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Question 43

Jason Dunham

Answer 43

-Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards an engagement in Husaybah, Iraq on 14 April 2004 to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander’s convoy, which had been ambushed.

-While wrestling an insurgent to the ground he, saw a grenade being released.

-Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, he covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast.

-He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and a US Navy Destroyer now bears his name.

Question 44

Dakota Meyer

Answer 44

-Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot into the village Ganjgal in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on 8 September 2009.

-More than 50 enemy fighters ambushed the patrol; firing rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and machine guns from houses and fortified positions on the slopes above.

-He took the exposed gunner’s position in a gun-truck as they made several trips in to evacuate the dead and wounded members of his team as well as Afghan soldiers.

-Corporal Meyer’s was awarded the Medal of Honor for his daring initiative and bold fighting spirit throughout the 6-hour battle significantly disrupted the enemy’s attack.

Question 45

When/ how to salute:

Answer 45

-Begin your salute in ample time (at least six, but not more than 30 paces away).

-Hold your salute until it is returned or acknowledged.

-Accompany the salute with an appropriate greeting.

-Look squarely at the person or colors being saluted.

-Render the salute only once if a senior remains in the immediate vicinity.

-Render the salute again if conversation takes place when a senior leaves or when you depart.

-**NOTE: Do not interrupt the conversation to salute another senior unless the officer to who you are speaking salutes a senior.

Question 46

Salute in a group:

Answer 46

-If your group is not in formation, then the first person to notice an officer approaching calls the group to attention and salutes for the group, or entire group salutes the officer.

-If your group is in formation, then the senior person calls the formation to attention and salutes for the group.

Question 47

Salute when passing an officer who is going in the same direction as you:

Answer 47

-Come abreast of the officer, salute and say, “By your leave, sir (ma’am).”

-Officer returns the salute, and says, “Carry on” or “Granted.”

-Terminate your salute and pass ahead.

-Salute officers, regular and reserve, of the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and foreign military and Naval Officers whose governments are formally recognized by the U.S. Government.

Question 48

Do not salute when:

Answer 48

-At work indoors (except when under arms)

-A prisoner or Guarding prisoners

-Under battle conditions

-In ranks, at games, or part of a working detail

-At crowded gatherings, in public conveyances, or in congested areas, unless you are addressing or are being directly addressed by a senior

-Doing so would physically interfere with your performance of an assigned duty. or would create a hazard

-While your blouse or coat is unbuttoned

-With a smoking device in your hand

Question 49

Marine Corps rank and pay grade in order of seniority from E-1 to E-9.

ENLISTED

Answer 49

E-9 -Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps

E-9 -Sergeant Major (SgtMaj)

E-9 -Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt)

E-8-First Sergeant (1stSgt)

E-8-Master Sergeant (MSgt)

E-7-Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt)

E-6-Staff Sergeant (SSgt)

E-5-Sergeant (Sgt)

E-4-Corporal (Cpl)

E-3-Lance Corporal (LCpl)

E-2-Private First Class (PFC)

E-1-Private (Pvt)

Question 50

Marine Corps rank and pay grade in order of seniority from O-1 to O-10.

OFFICER

Answer 50

0-10 -General (Gen)

0-9-Lieutenant General (LtGen)

0-8-Major General (MGen)

0-7 -Brigadier General (BGen)

0-6 -Colonel (Col)

0-5-Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol)

0-4 -Major (Maj)

0-3-Captain (Capt)

0-2-First Lieutenant (1st Lt)

0-1-Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt)

Question 51

Marine Corps rank and pay grade in order of seniority from
W-1 to W-5.

WARRANT OFFICERS

Answer 51

W-5 -Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-5)

W-4 -Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-4)

W-3 -Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-3)

W-2 -Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-2)

W-1 -Warrant Officer (WO-1)

Question 52

Discuss the procedures for rendering honors and the circumstances during which honors are rendered during colors, the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance and boarding naval vessels.

Answer 52

-If you are neither in formation nor in a vehicle, then render the prescribed salute and hold the salute until the last note of music is sounded.

-If no flag is near, then face the music and salute.

-If you are in formation, then salute only on the command, “present arms.”

-If you are outdoors and uncovered, then stand at attention and face the direction of the flag or music.

-If you are indoors, then stand at attention face the music and/or flag.

-If you are in a vehicle, then driver halt vehicle, passengers and driver remain seated at attention and do not salute.

-If you are passing or being passed by an uncased color which is being paraded, presented, or is on formal display, then salute at six paces distance and hold the salute for six paces beyond or until it has passed your position by six paces.

-If you are uncovered, then stand or march at attention when passing or being passed by an uncased color.

-**NOTE: When the flag is raised at morning colors or is lowered at evening colors, stand at attention at the first note of the National Anthem or “To the Colors” (standard), and render the prescribed salute. If you are engaged in a duty, which would become a safety hazard or risk to property, do not salute. Usually face the flag while saluting, but if your duty requires it, face in another direction. When the music sounds “Carry On,” resume regular duties.

Question 53

Render honors while boarding and departing naval vessels:

Boarding a naval ship between 0800 to sunset.

Answer 53

-Face aft upon reaching the top of the gangway (brow).

-Salute the National Ensign.

-Salute the officer of the deck (OD), who will be standing on the quarterdeck at the head of the gangway.

-Request “Permission to come aboard.”

Question 54

Render honors while boarding and departing naval vessels:

Departing a naval ship between 0800 and sunset.

Answer 54

-Salute the OD and request “Permission to go ashore.”

-Go to the brow, turn aft, and salute the National Ensign.

Question 55

Render honors while boarding and departing naval vessels:

Board and depart a naval ship between sunset and 0800.

Answer 55

Follow the above procedures but do not turn aft and do not salute the National Ensign.

Question 56

NOTE

Answer 56

**NOTE: Boarding a small boat or ship by inverse order of rank; the junior goes first, and the others follow according to rank.