101 Traditions, History Flashcards
The BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG
August 1814
103 Marines and 400 sailors made a vain attempt to block a force of 4,000 British troops from advancing on Washington. The Marines stopped three headlong charges before finally being outflanked and driven back. The British then moved down Bladensburg Road to Washington where they burned public buildings before retiring to their vessels in the Chesapeake Bay.
The BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS
January 1815
300 Marines from the New Orleans’ Marine Barracks, joined the command of General Andrew Jackson to soundly defeat British Forces that were attacking the city that was the gateway to the American interior. Because of the Marines’ experience and reputation, Jackson placed them in the center of the American line. The British lost approximately 2,000 men while American losses were less than 100.
The BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD
Marines fought one of their greatest battles at Belleau Wood, France, during
World War I.
In June 1918, Marines helped to 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 the Marines as “storm troops” - the highest rating on the enemy fighting scale.
Marine tradition states that in reference to the Marines fighting ability, German troops called their new enemy “Teufelhunden” or “Devil Dogs,” a nickname which Marines share with pride.
BATTLE OF WAKE ISLAND
In 1941, following the air attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese struck Wake Island on 8 December.
Despite being heavily outnumbered,
the Marines mounted a courageous defense before finally falling on 23
December. This small force of Marines caused an extraordinary number of Japanese casualties and damage to
the invading force.
THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES
Our Montford point brothers are patriots.
From 1942-1949, nearly 20, 000 African-American men from across
America came to Montford point camp in Jacksonville, North Carolina seeking the American dream of inclusion and the opportunity to defend our country as a united states marine. Like the wider society at large that was socially and culturally divided by race, the Marine Corps trained these men separately denying them their rightful place in the corps and in its rich tradition of service. These men served in battle, provided critical supplies to those on the front lines and evacuated the wounded to safety. They
did their jobs with professionalism and ably proved their courage in epic battles of the pacific like Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
THE DIVERSITY OF TODAY’S MARINE CORPS WAS PAVED IN LARGE PART BY THE SELFLESS DEDICATION TO DUTY OF THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES.
Navajo Code Talkers
Navajo Code Talkers provided a fast, secure and error-free line of communication by telephone and radio during World War I in the Pacific. The Japanese remained baffled by the Navajo language and never cracked the code used by the Marines. Participated in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945.
Identify colors/standards, and guidons.
Colors/standards. Specialized flags carried by military units. Each arm or branch of the service has its
own colors. The Marine Corps colors/standards are scarlet with gold fringe trim. The Marine emblem is
centered on the flag with a white scroll below. Marine Colors are carried beside the National Colors.
Standards are Marine Colors that are mounted, such as flags mounted in the Commanding Officer’s office.
Organizational standards/colors. Carried by supporting establishment commands. Scroll on the flag says
‘United States Marine Corps”
Battle Colors/Standards. Carried by Fleet Marine Force units (FMF). The scroll has the unit’s name
followed by FMF on it. Battle streamers that have been awarded to the unit are displayed just below the
mast head.
Guidons. Guidons are small rectangular flags, made in Marine Corps colors. They are carried by
companies, batteries, or detachments.
The Marine Corps Birthday
The United states Marine Corps of today has had a continual existence since 1798, when President John
Adams signed into law an act reestablishing the corps. However, the traditional and official founding
date of the Marine Corps is celebrated on 10 November. On this day in 1775,
the Continental Congress,
meeting in Philadelphia, authorized the raising and enlistment of two battalions of Marines for service
with the newly formed naval forces of the colonies.
This all started at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, making it the birthplace of the corps.
Marine Corps Birthdav celebration customs.
All Marine Corps activities, if at all practical, shall provide for suitable observance of the Marine
Corps birthday on 10 November. When 10 November falls on a Sunday, the birthday will be celebrated on
the preceding saturday. Such observances shall be appropriate to the size and mission of the activity
concerned in accordance with the local conditions and within financial means of personnel of the host
activitv. The Drill and Ceremonies Manual outlines procedures for Birthday observances.
Troop formations, to include parades, are to be held when practical. The reading of General John A
Lejune’s birthday message should be included.
social observances to include the birthday ball and the traditional cake-cutting ceremonv.
The first piece of cake to honor the oldest Marine present.
The second piece of cake to honor the youngest Marine present
E-2
Private First Class
E-3
Lance Corporal
LCpl
E-4
Corporal
Cpl
E-5
Sergeant
Sgt
E-6
Staff Sergeant
SSgt
E-7
Gunnery Sergeant
GySgt
E-8
Master Sergeant
MSgt
E-8
First Sergeant
1stSgt
E-9
Sergeant Major
SgtMaj
E-9
Master Gunnery Sergeant
MGySgt
E-9
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
(gold)
Warrant Officer 1
WO1
(gold)
Chief Warrant Officer 2
CWO2
(silver)
Chief Warrant Officer 3
CWO3
(silver)
Chief Warrant Officer 4
CWO4
Chief Warrant Officer 5
CWO5
Gunner
CWO2-5
O-7
Brigadier General
BGen
O-8
Major General
MajGen
O-9
Lieutenant General
LtGen
(gold)
O-1
Second Lieutenant
2ndLt
(silver)
O-2
First Lieutenant
1stLt
First to fight
First to fight – Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since their founding in 1775 (revolutionary war, before the declaration of independence was signed).
- More than 300 landings of foreign shores.
- Poles to tropics.
Leatherneck
Leatherneck – 1775-1875, leather stock neckpiece was worn as part of the uniform. Protected neck from saber slashes. Also kept heads erect.
Devil Dog
Devil Dog – 1918, Battle of Belleau Wood (France), the Germans called Marines “Teufelhunden”, translated as “Devil Dogs” because of their ferocious fighting.
Esprit de corps
Esprit de corps – devotion and loyalty to Marines Corps. Deep regard for history, traditions, and honor. Epitome of pride in a unit.
Uncommon valor was a common virtue
Uncommon valor was a common virtue – Said by Admiral Nimitz of the Marines’ fighting ability on Iwo Jima. Largest Marine battle in history. 3DMARDIV is the only remaining division that fought on Iwo Jima.
In detail, describe the Marine Corps Emblem and discuss the significance of its different elements.
- The emblem consists of an eagle clenching the Marine Corps motto in its beak, the globe (Western Hemisphere), and the anchor. The emblem was adopted from the British (Royal) Marines and was modified by Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin in 1868 to depict the Marines as both American and maritime.
- The globe and anchor signify the worldwide service and sea traditions.
- The spread eagle represents the nation itself.
- The motto, “Semper Fidelis” is Latin for “Always Faithful.”
Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis – “Always Faithful”. USMC motto as of 1883.