HISTORY, CUSTOMS, AND COURTESIES

Question 1

Describe the origin of the term:

“First to Fight”

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Describe the origin of the term:

“Leathernecks”

Answer 2

This nickname goes back to the leather stock or neckpiece, which was part of the Marine Corps uniform from 1775 to 1875. The leather collar was designed to protect the jugular vein from saber slashes. It also insured that Marines kept their heads erect and maintained military bearing. Although no longer used, it is commemorated by the standing collar on the dress blue and dress white uniform.

Question 3

Describe the origin of the term:

“Devil Dogs”

Answer 3

In the Belleau Wood fighting in 1918, the Germans received a thorough indoctrination into the fighting ability of Marines. Fighting through supposedly impenetrable woods and capturing supposedly untakeable terrain, the men of the 4th Marine Brigade struck terror in the hearts of the Germans, who referred to Marines as the Teufelhunden, meaning “fierce fighting dogs of legendary origin” or as popularly translated, “Devil Dogs.”

Question 4

Describe the origin of the term:

“Esprit de Corps”

Answer 4

One of the factors which constitutes morale, is the loyalty to, pride in and enthusiasm for the unit shown by its members. Whereas morale refers to the individual Marine’s attitude, esprit de corps is the unit spirit. It is the common spirit reflected by all members of a unit, providing group solidarity. It implies devotion and loyalty to the unit and all for which it stands, and a deep regard for the unit’s history, traditions and honor. Esprit de corps is the unit’s personality; it expresses the unit’s will to fight and win in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds. Esprit de corps depends on the satisfaction the members get from belonging to a unit, their attitudes toward other members of the unit and confidence in their leaders. True esprit de corps is based on the great military virtues; unselfishness, self-discipline, duty, honor, patriotism and courage. Idleness, the curse of military life, kills esprit.

Question 5

Describe the origin of the term:

“Uncommon valor was a common virtue”

Answer 5

Refers to the victories in World War II, especially at Iwo Jima, the largest all-Marine battle in history. Admiral Nimitz’s ringing characterization of Marines fighting on Iwo Jima was applied to the entire Marine Corps in World War II: “Uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

Question 6

Describe the origin of the term:

“Semper Fidelis”

Answer 6

Proven by the fact that there has never been a mutiny among U.S. Marines. This motto was adopted about 1883. Before that, there had been three mottoes, all traditional rather than official. The first, Fortitudine (with fortitude), appeared about 1812. The second, By Sea and by Land, was obviously a translation of the Royal Marines’ Per Mare, Per Terrem. Until 1848, the third motto was “To the Shores of Tripoli,” in commemoration of O’Bannon’s capture of Derne in 1805. In 1848, after the return to Washington of the Marine battalion which took part in the capture of Mexico City, this motto was revised to “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli.” The current Marine Corps motto is shared with England’s Devonshire Regiment.

Question 7

Identify significant events in Marine Corps history.

Answer 7

Seen Reference

Question 8

Significant Battle:

August of 1814

Answer 8

BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG:

In August of 1814, 103 Marines and 400 sailors made a vain attempt to block a force of 4,000 disciplined 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 a number of public buildings before retiring to their vessels in the Chesapeake Bay.

Question 9

Significant Battle:

January of 1815

Answer 9

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS:

In January of 1815, Marines under the command of General Andrew Jackson Soundly defeated British Forces that were attacking the city of New Orleans. The British lost approximately 2,000 men while American losses were less than 100.

Question 10

Significant Battle:

WWI

Answer 10

BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD:

Marines fought one of their greatest battles in history at Belleau Wood, France, during World War I. Marines helped to crush a German offensive at Belleau 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 Marines ferocious fighting ability, German troops called their new enemy “Teufelhunden” or “Devildogs,” a nickname in which Marines share pride.

Question 11

Significant Battle:

1941

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Significant Battle:

7 August 1942

Answer 12

BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL:

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 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, Choiseul (Feint), and Bougainville.

Question 13

Significant Battle:

20 November 1943

Answer 13

BATTLE OF TARAWA:

The Gilbert Islands were the first in the line of advance for the offensive in 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 loses from drowning as well as enemy fire.

Question 14

Significant Battle:

June and July 1943

Answer 14

BATTLE OF THE MARIANA ISLANDS:

Due to the need for airfields by the Air Force and advanced bases for the Navy, the Marinanas were invaded. This was accomplished by landings on the islands of Saipan, Guam, and Tinian. 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, up to that time, to operate in the field under Marine command.

Question 15

Significant Battle:

19 February 1945

Answer 15

BATTLE OF IWO JIMA: On 19 February 1945, Marines landed on Iwo Jima in what was the largest all-Marine battle in history. It was also the bloodiest in Marine Corps 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 16

Significant Battle:

April of 1945

Answer 16

BATTLE OF OKINAWA:

In April of 1945, Marines and soldiers landed and secured the island of Okinawa. This marked the last large action of World War II. Due to the death of the Army commander, Major General Roy S. Geiger assumed command of the 10th Army and became the only Marine officer ever to have commanded a field Army.

Question 17

Significant Battle:

November of 1950

Answer 17

BATTLE OF THE CHOSIN RESERVOIR:

After pushing far into North Korea during November 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 18

Significant Battle:

January of 1968

Answer 18

SECOND BATTLE OF KHE SANH:

In January 1968, Marines defended the firebase at Khe Sanh from an attack force of two North Vietnamese Army (NVA) divisions. Despite heavy bombardment, the Marines held out for over two and a half months before finally forcing the enemy forces to withdraw.

Question 19

Significant Battle:

Tet in January of 1968

Answer 19

BATTLE OF HUE CITY:

During the Vietnamese holiday of Tet in January 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 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 20

Identify Significant Marines

Answer 20

Presley Meville O’Bannon

Archibald Henderson

John H. Quick

Daniel Daly

Smedley D. Butler

John A. Lejeune

Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller

Joseph L. Foss

Gregory R. “Pappy” Boyington

Ira H. Hayes

Opha Mae Johnson

Annie L. Grimes

Margaret A. Brewer

Molly Marine

Question 21

PRESLEY NEVILLE O’BANNON

Answer 21

PRESLEY NEVILLE O’BANNON.

First Lieutenant O’Bannon is remembered for heroism in the battle for the harbor fortress of Derna (Tripoli) in the Mediterranean. O’Bannon’s Marines were the first U.S. forces to hoist the flag over territory in the Old World. The “Mameluke” sword, carried by Marine officers today, was presented to O’Bannon in 1805.

Question 22

ARCHIBALD HENDERSON

Answer 22

ARCHIBALD HENDERSON.

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 23

JOHN H. QUICK

Answer 23

JOHN H. QUICK.

Sergeant 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. The Sergeant Major won the Medal of Honor for semaphoring for an emergency lift of the naval bombardment while under Spanish and American shellfire. The landing at Guantanamo demonstrated the usefulness of marines as assault troops. When employed with the fleet, Marines gave added strength for the capture and defense of advanced bases, becoming a primary mission of the Marine Corps (1898).

Question 24

DANIEL DALY

Answer 24

DANIEL DALY.

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 was stopped during the Battle of Belleau Wood, then Gunnery Sergeant Daly yelled to his men, “Come on, you sons of a bitches, do you want to live forever?”

Question 25

SMEDLEY D. BUTLER

Answer 25

SMEDLEY D. BUTLER.

Major General Butler is recognized for earning two Medals of Honor: (1) Veracruz and (2) First Caco War in Haiti. By the end of 1916, the Marine Corps was recognized as a national force in readiness and for leadership gained form continual combat and expeditionary experience.

Question 26

JOHN A. LEJEUNE

Answer 26

JOHN A. LEJEUNE.

Major General Lejeune served as 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, 1920-1929. Lejeune was the first Marine officer ever to command an army division in combat, in France during World War I (1918).

Question 27

LEWIS B. (“CHESTY”) PULLER

Answer 27

LEWIS B. (“CHESTY”) PULLER.

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

Question 28

JOSEPH L. FOSS

Answer 28

JOSEPH L. FOSS.

Captain Foss was a Marine pilot instrumental in taking, the Japanese airfield at Guadalcanal. For his participation, the Captain was awarded the Medal of Honor. By the end of World War II, Foss was the second-ranking Marine ace, with 26 victories (“kills”) to his credit (1942).

Question 29

GREGORY R. (“PAPPY”) BOYINGTON

Answer 29

GREGORY R. (“PAPPY”) BOYINGTON.

Major Boyington is recognized for his 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”) (1945).

Question 30

IRA H. HAYES

Answer 30

IRA H. HAYES.

The Fifth Amphibious Corps of Marines, commanded by Major General Harry Schmidt, was assigned to take Iwo Jima. Corporal Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian, was one of the Marines immortalized in the now famous photograph (not shown) taken of the second flag raising on Mount Suribachi, shortly after the Japanese stronghold was taken on 23 February, 1945.

Question 31

OPHA MAE JOHNSON

Answer 31

OPHA MAE JOHNSON.

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 32

ANNIE L. GRIMES

Answer 32

ANNIE L. GRIMES.

CWO Grimes was the third black woman to become a Marine and the first black woman officer to retire after her “full 20.”

Question 33

MARGARET A. BREWER

Answer 33

MARGARET A. BREWER.

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 34

MOLLY MARINE

Answer 34

MOLLY MARINE.

“Molly,” a monument in New Orleans to women who serve and have served as Marines, was dedicated on the Marine Corps birthday in 1943. The first statue of a woman in uniform anywhere in the world was that of Joan D’Arc, in full armor, in Orleans, France; it is only fitting that the first statue of a woman in uniform in the United States reside in New Orleans.