History, Battles, and People Flashcards

1
Q

What happened in 1775?

A
  • Marine Corps was created on Nov 10, 1775.
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Tun Tavern.
  • Created by Continental Congress
  • Two Battalion’s were raised.
  • Samuel Nicholas was the first commandant.
  • The Corps current structure is the National Security Act of 1947 which was amended in 1952.
  • The Corps came under the department of the Navy in 1834.
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2
Q

What happened in 1776?

A
  • Revolutionary War
  • First Marine landing took place on New Providence Island in the Bahamas.
  • Guns and supplies were seized.
  • Uniform of the day was a stiff leather stock around the neck; thus the nickname “Leatherneck”.
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3
Q

What happened in 1805?

A
  • Marines stormed the Barbary pirate’s stronghold on the “Shores of Tripoli” in Burma.
  • Marines raised the “Stars and Stripes” for the first time in the Eastern Hemisphere.
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4
Q

What happened in 1847?

A
  • Mexican War
  • Marines occupied the “Halls of Montezuma” during the Battle of Chapultapec in Mexico City.
  • The Royal Palace fell to Marines and Marines also helped take California.
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5
Q

What happened in 1859?

A
  • Marines put down an attempted slave revolt at Harper’s Ferry led by abolitionist John Brown.
  • Marines were led by Army Colonel Robert E. Lee.
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6
Q

What happened in 1868?

A
  • EGA was adopted from the British Royal Marines by Brigadier General Jacob Zielin. (7th Commandant)
  • Eagle; Nation
  • Globe; Worldwide service
  • Anchor; Sea traditions
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7
Q

What happened in 1883?

A
  • The official motto of the Marine Corps was created.
  • “Semper Fidelis” is latin for always faithful.
  • Most commonly heard as “Semper Fi”.
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8
Q

What happened in 1900?

A
  • Boxer Rebellion
  • In support of foreign policy Marines defended the American Legation in Peking, China.
  • Marines were part of a multinational defense force that defended the Legation Quarter from Boxers until a relief force was able to reach Peking.
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9
Q

What happened in 1913?

A
  • Marine Corps aviation unit was established.

- Major Alfred A. Cunningham was the first pilot.

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10
Q

What happened in 1917?

A
  • Marines landed in France.
  • Participated in eight distinct operations.
  • Marines distinguished themselves and were awarded the French Fourragere. (Worn by 5th and 6th Marines)
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11
Q

What happened in 1933?

A
  • Marine Corps was reorganized into the Fleet Marine Force
  • Formally establishing the “command and administrative relations” between the Fleet and the Marine Corps.
  • Marine Corps equipment board was established in Quantico, Virginia.
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12
Q

What happened in 1965?

A
  • Marines landed in South Vietnam and were commited to the longest war in it’s history.
  • Marines conducted several offensive operations in support of the local populace.
  • Marines also landed in the Dominican Republic and evacuated/protected US citizens.
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13
Q

What happened in 1982?

A
  • Marines deployed to Lebanon as a multi-national peace keeping force.
  • Displayed concept of “Force in Readiness”.
  • Oct 23, 1983 a suicide truck hit HQ and killed 241 Americans and wounded 70 others.
  • Last Marine unit withdrew on July 1984.
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14
Q

What happened in 1991?

A
  • Operation Desert Storm was launched. (Iraq refused to comply with UN resolutions)
  • Aviation was heavily used. (Air phase commenced Jan 1991)
  • When bombing failed Marine forces swept into Kuwait and liberated the country.
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15
Q

What happened in 2001?

A
  • War in Afghanistan started.
  • Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was launched by the US and three smaller military actions under the umbrella of the Global War on Terror (GWOT).
  • Oct 7, 2001 combat operations commenced and mixed air strikes.
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16
Q

Which craft were involved with the OEF strikes?

A
  • B-1 Lancer
  • B-2 Spirit
  • B-52 Stratofortress
  • F-14 Tomcat
  • F/A-18 Hornet
17
Q

US and British ships supported OEF how?

A
  • Launching Tomahawk cruise missles.
18
Q

What happened in 2003?

A
  • The invasion of Iraq (March 20-May 1).

- Led by the US, alongside with the UK and small contingents from Australia and Poland.

19
Q

What happened in 2004?

A
  • The first Battle of Fallujah (Operation Vigilant Resolve).
  • Took place in April and was unsuccessful.
  • The second Battle of Fallujah (Operation Al-Fajr and Phantom Fury).
  • Al-Fajr is arabic for “new dawn”.
  • Took place in Nov-Dec.
  • Led by Marines against the Iraqi insurgency and authorized by the US appointed Iraqi Interim government.
20
Q

The Battle of Belleau Wood

A
  • France in WWI.
  • Marines crushed a German offensive at Belleau Wood that threatened Paris.
  • The site was renamed “The Wood of the Brigade of Marines” in honor of those Marines.
  • German intel identified the Marines as “Storm Troops” (highest rating on the enemy scale).
  • Germans nicknamed Marines “Teufelhunden” (Devil Dogs).
21
Q

Battle of Guadalcanal

A
  • Aug 7, 1942- 1st MARDIV landed on the beaches on Guadalcanal on the Soloman Islands and launched the first land offensive of WWII.
  • Battle tested out the new amphibious doctrine.
  • Crucial turning point in the war (Pacific theater) because it provided a base to launch further invasions of Japanese held islands.
  • Other islands invaded were: New Georgia, Choiseul (Feint), and Bouganville.
22
Q

Battle of Tarawa

A
  • Prime objective was the Tarawa Atoll and Betio Island which was fortified.
  • Japanese commander proclaimed it would take a million American 100 years to conquer it.
  • Nov 20, 1943 Marines landed and secured the island within 76 hours.
  • Marines payed a heavy price because of the entended reef Marines were offloaded hundreds of yards away from the beach.
  • Marines were killed from enemy fire and drowning while trying to get ashore.
23
Q

Battle of Mariana Islands

A
  • Due to needs for airfields for the Navy and Air Force, Marines invaded the Mariana Islands.
  • Landings on Saipan, Guam, and Tinian accomplished this.
  • LT General Holland M. Smith led the greatest number of Marines at one time during Jun-July 1943 (136,000).
24
Q

Battle of Iwo Jima

A
  • Feb 19,1945 Marines landed in Iwo Jima which was the largest all Marine battle in history (Bloodiest).
  • Over 23,000 causualties.
  • Capture of Iwo Jima led to increased air support and bombing operations against Japanese home islands.
  • Admiral Chester W. Nimitz said “Among the Americans who served in Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
25
Q

Battle of Chosin Reservoir

A
  • After pushing far into North Korea in Nov 1950, Marines were cut off after Chines Communist Forces joined the war.
  • Marines smashed 7 out of the 10 division force sent to annihilate them.
  • Marines brought out all operable equipment, properly evacuated the wounded and dead, and maintained tactical integrity.
26
Q

Battle of Hue City

A
  • Jan 1968 during Vietnamese holiday of Tet communist forces were snuck into Hue City, South Vietnam.
  • Near Division sized force of NVA troops waited for Marines.
  • First time Marines fought in a MOUT environment.
  • Heavy arms utilized to minimize civilian casualties.
  • Fighting was house to house and progress measured in yards.
  • City was secured on Feb 25, 1968.
27
Q

Archibald Henderson

A
  • Brevet Brigadier General Achibald Henderson became commandant in 1820-1859 and held command for 39 years.
  • Led the Corps through the Indian Wars, War with Mexico, opening of China, and disorders in Central America.- Nickname “Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps”
  • Introduced higher standards of personal appearence, training, discipline, and strived for the Marine Corps to be known as prof. military for capable of more than sea and guard duties.
28
Q

John Quick

A
  • Sergeant Major
  • Remembered for Cuzco Well (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba); participated in an operation to seize an advanced base for the Atlantic Fleet battalion of Marines.
  • Won Medal of Honor for semaphoring for an emergency lift of naval bombardment while under Spanish and American shellfire.
29
Q

Dan Daly

A
  • Sergeant Major- Earned two Medals of Honor (Chinese Boxer Rebellion and First Caco War in Hati).
  • During the Battle of Belleau Wood he yelled “C’mon on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?!”
30
Q

Louis B. Puller

A
  • Lieutenant General
  • “Chesty”
  • Served in Nicaragua through several periods of unrest and rebellious activity.
  • Puller and bout 32 Marines became famous for engaging rebel groups and bandits while scouring the jungles in a wide area of Nicaraguan and Honduran borders.
  • Known as the “Tiger of the Mountain”- English Bulldog named “Chesty” after Puller.
31
Q

Gregory R. Boyington

A
  • Major
  • “Pappy”
  • Recognized for prowess in aerial dogfights.
  • Commanded VMH-214 “Black Sheep” during WWII.
  • Recognized as the top flying ace with 28 victories (1945).
32
Q

Ira H. Hayes

A
  • Corporal
  • Fifth Amphibious Marines; Commanded by Major General Harry Schmidt.
  • Pima Indian; immortalized in the Iwo Jima second flag raising photograph.
  • Mount Surabachi stronghold taken Feb 23, 1945.
33
Q

Opha Mae Johnson

A
  • Private
  • First enlisted woman (Aug 13 1918)
  • Her enlistment brought about changes for females in the military during WWI.
  • Marine Reserve (F) official title of females in military.
  • Known as skirt Marines or Marinettes.