102

Question 1

102

Answer 1

Marine Corps History, Rank Structure, and Courtesies Fundamentals

Question 2

1775 / 1834

Answer 2

“Marine Corps came alive”
10 November 1775 in Philadelphia, PA at Tun Tavern by resolution of Continental Congress which “raised two battalions of Marines”. Captain Samuel Nicholas is considered the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.

In 1834, Marines came under the DON. The National Security Act of 1947, amended in 1952, states the current structure.

Question 3

1776

Answer 3

“Guns and sticks”
The first marine landing took place during the Revolutionary War. Marines invaded New Province island in the Bahamas where they seized guns and supplies. The uniform of the day was a stiff leather stock worn around the neck, thus “Leatherneck”.

Question 4

1805

Answer 4

“No pirate left alive”
Marines stormed the Barbary pirates’ stronghold at Burma on the “Shores of Tripoli”. Marines raised the “Stars and Stripes” for the first time in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Question 5

1847

Answer 5

“Mexicans went to heaven”
During the Mexican War, Marines occupied the “Halls of Montezuma” during the Battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City. Marines also helped take California.

Question 6

1859

Answer 6

“No slave of mine”
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 led by abolitionist John Brown.

Question 7

1868

Answer 7

“EGA is great”
The Marine Corps adopted an emblem that consisted of an EGA. Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, 7th Commandant, modified the British Royal Marines emblem to depict the Marines as both American and maritime. The globe and anchor signify world wide service and sea traditions. The spread eagle represents the Nation itself.

Question 8

1883

Answer 8

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

Question 9

1900

Answer 9

“00 Box”
In support of foreign policy, Marines from ships on the Asiatic station defended the American Legation is Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion. The Marines were part of the multinational defense force that protected the Legation Quarter against attack. This small defense force held out against the Boxers until a relief force was able to reach Perking and end the rebellion.

Question 10

1913

Answer 10

The Marine Corps established its aviation unit. Major Alfred A. Cunningham was the first pilot.

Question 11

1917

Answer 11

“5678”
Marines landed as part of the American force in France. Marines, participating in eight distinct operations, distinguished themselves and were awarded a number of decorations, among them the French Fourragere still worn by members of 5th and 6th Marines.

Question 12

1933

Answer 12

The Marine Corps was reorganized into the Fleet Marine Force, formally establishing the “command and administrative relations” between the Fleet and the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Equipment Board was established in Quantico, VA, and Marines began to devote long hours to testing and developing materials for landing operations and expeditionary service.

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 throughout the course of the war, as well as participating in the pacification program designed to win the support of the local populace. Also, 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”. On 23 October 1983, a suicide truck bomb attack on the headquarters building killed 241 Americans and wounded 70 others. The last Marine unit withdrew in July 1984.

Question 15

1991

Answer 15

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

Question 16

2001

Answer 16

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is the 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 oin Terror (GWOT). On October 7, 2001, early combat operations including a mix of strikes from land-based B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and B-52 Strato fortress bombers; carrier-based F-14 Tomcat, FA-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 17

2003

Answer 17

The 2003 Invasion of Iraq (from March 20 to May 1, 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, which lasted from March 20 to May 01.

Question 18

2004 (1)

Answer 18

The First Battle of Fallujah, codenamed Operation Vigilant Resolve, was an unsuccessful attempt by the United States Military to capture the city of Fallujah in April 2004.

Question 19

2004 (2)

Answer 19

The Second Battle of Fallujah, code names Operation Al-Fajr (Arabic, “the dawn”) and Operation Phantom Fury, was a joint U.S.-Iraqi-British offensive in November and December 2004. It was led by the U.S. Marine Corps against the Iraqi insurgency stronghold in the city of Fallujah and was authorized by the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Interim Government.

Question 20

The Battle of Belleu Wood

Answer 20

Marines fought one of their greatest battles in history at Belleu Wood, France during World War I. Marines helped crush a German offensive at Belleu Wood 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. 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 21

The Battle of Guadalcanal

Answer 21

On 7 August 1942, the 1st Marine Division landed on the beaches of Guadalcanal in the Solomon islands and launched the first United States land offensive of World War II. This battle marked the 1st 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 22

The Battle of Tarawa

Answer 22

The Gilbert Islands were the 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 23

The Battle of Mariana Islands

Answer 23

Due to the need for airfields by the Air Force and advanced bases for the 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. Smith led a combined invasion force of Marines and Soldiers that totaled over 136,000. This was the greatest number of troops to that time to operate in the field under Marine command.

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.”

Question 25

The Battle of Chosin Reservior

Answer 25

After pushing far into North Korea during November of 1950, Marines 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 major population centers of Hue City, South Vietnam. A near division-sized unit of 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

Archibald Henderson

Answer 27

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 force.

Question 28

John Quick

Answer 28

Seargent Major Quick is remembered for his performance at Cuzco Well (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) where he participated in an operation to seize an advanced base for the Atlantic Fleet battalion of Marines. He won the Medal of Honor for semaphoring for an emergency lift of the naval bombardment while under Spanish and American shellfire.

Question 29

Dan Daly

Answer 29

Sergeant Major Daly is recognized for earning two Medals of Honor. (1) Chinese Boxer Rebellion and (2) First Caco War in Haiti. When he unit had been pinned down and their attack was stalled during the Battle of Belleu Wood, then Gunnery Sergeant Daly yelled to his men, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”

Question 30

Louis B. “Chesty” Puller

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Gregory R. “Pappy” Boyington

Answer 31

Major Boyington is recognized for Marine prowess in aerial dogfights. “Pappy” commanded the 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”)(1945).

Question 32

Ira H. Hayes

Answer 32

Corporal Ira Hayes, (5th Amphibious Corps), a Pima Indian, was one of the Marines immortalized in the now famous photograph taken of the second flag raising on Mount Suribachi on 23 February 1945.

Question 33

Opha Mae Johnson

Answer 33

Private Johnson became the Marine Corps’ first enlisted woman on 13 August 1918. Marine Reserve (F) was the official title but they were better known as “Skirt Marines” or “Marinettes”.

Question 34

Margaret A. Brewer

Answer 34

Brigadier General Brewer, then a Colonel, served as the Director of Women Marines from 1973-1977. She was the 7th and last director of WM, the only post-World War woman to hold the position. She became the first woman general officer on 11 May 1978.

Question 35

Robert E. Bush

Answer 35

On 2 May 1945, during the battle of Okinawa, Hospital Apprentice First Class Robert E. Bush w/ Rifle Company 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 5th Marine Division. When a Marine Officer fell wounded, he went to the Officer’s exposed location and administered blood plasma while firing back with his other hand. Despite his own injuries, he continued to provide aid until his patient was evacuated. He was presented the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on 5 October 1945, during “Nimitz Day”. He was the youngest World War II Navy man to receive the Medal of Honor.

Question 36

John H. Bradley

Answer 36

Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class John H. Bradley, joined the five Marines on the second flag raising on Mount Suribachi on 23 February 1945. On 21 February 1945, seeing a wounded Marine, he rushed to his aid through mortar barrages and heavy machine gun fire. He shielded the Marine with his own body while administering plasma and bandaging him. Through gunfire, he pulled the casualty 30 yard to safety. He was awarded the Navy Cross.

Question 37

Robert R. Ingram

Answer 37

Petty Officer Ingram was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam. His platoon was decimated by approximately 100 North Vietnamese. He crawled across the battlefield to reach a wounded Marine. As he was administering aid, a bullet went through his palm. He could hear calls for “Corpsman” across the ridge. While bleeding, he edges across the fire-swept landscape, collecting ammunition from the dead and administering aid to the wounded. Receiving two more wounds, the third being life-threatening, he looked for a way off the ridge but again heard the call for help. He gathered magazines, resupplied and encouraged those capable of returning fire and rendered aid to the more severely wounded until he reached the right flank of the platoon. While dressing the head wound of another Corpsman, he sustained his fourth bullet wound. From 1600 until almost sunset, he pushed, pulled, cajoled, and doctored his Marines.

Question 38

Do not salute when

Answer 38

At work indoors (except under arms)
A prisoner or guarding prisoners
Under battle conditions
In ranks, at games, or part of a working detail
At crowded gatherings unless addressing or being addressed
Doing so would physically interfere with your duty
While your blouse/coat is unbuttoned
With a smoking device in hand