Section 101

Question 1

Marine Corps Birthday/Place

Answer 1

10NOV1775 at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, PA

Question 2

Who is Smedley D. Butler

Answer 2

Major General.
Earned 2 Medals of Honor:
1) Veracruz
2) First Caco War in Haiti

Question 3

What are Marine Corps Birthday Celebration Customs?

Answer 3

1st piece of cake goes to oldest Marine present.
2nd piece of cake goes to youngest Marine present.
Reading of General Lejunes birthday message should be included.
Celebration should be as close to 10NOV as possible.

Question 4

Identify Guidons

Answer 4

Small rectangular flags made in Marine Corps colors carried by companies, batteries or detachments

Question 5

Identify organizational colors and standards compared to battle colors and standards?

Answer 5

Organizational:
Carried by supporting establishment commands. Scroll on the flag says “United States Marine Corps”.

Battle:
Carried by FMF units. Scroll has unit’s name followed by FMF.

Question 6

Identify colors and standards of USMC?

Answer 6

Specialized flags carried by military units. The Marine Corps colors are Scarlet w/ Gold Fringe Trim with Marine Corps emblem centered on the flag.
Standards are Marine Colors that are mounted.

Question 7

Who is Daniel Daly?

Answer 7

During the Battle of Belleau Wood (1918), Sgt Major Daly said “Come on you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”
Received 2 Medals of Honor:
1) Chinese Boxer Rebellion
2) First Caco War in Haiti

Question 8

What is a Marine Fourragere?

Answer 8

Braided rope worn over the left shoulder with the left arm passing through. The rope is only worn in dress and service uniforms when ribbons are prescribed.
5th and 6th Marine Regiments are only Marines authorized to wear it.

Question 9

Who were the Montford Point Marines?

Answer 9

20,000 African Americans enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 at Montford Point Camp in Jacksonville, NC.
They were trained separately and were segregated within the USMC.
They fought professionally and proudly in many battles paving the way for the diversity in the Marine Corps today.

Question 10

Describe the Marine Corps Emblem and its significance?

Answer 10

Consists of Eagle with the USMC motto in its beak, a Globe (western hemisphere), and a fouled Anchor.
Eagle = Nation’s Freedom
Globe = Worldwide Service
Anchor = Maritime Traditions
Adopted from British Royal Marines and modified by BGen Zeilin in 1868.

Question 11

Describe the Battle of Belleau Wood?

Answer 11

June 1918.
This battle was at Belleau Wood, France in WWI.
Marines helped crush a German offensive that threatened Paris.
Germans classified Marines as “Storm Troops”
Given the name “Devil Dogs”

Question 12

Describe the Battle of Hue City?

Answer 12

Jan 1968.
Communist forces launched surprise attack on Hue City in South Vietnam.
DIV sized unit of North Vietnamese Army Troops occupied the city of Hue
Marines fought in built up areas foregoing the application of heavy arms to minimize civilian casualties.
City Secured FEB1968

Question 13

Who was Annie L Grimes?

Answer 13

CWO.
3rd African American female in USMC.
First black female officer to retire after her “full 20”.

Question 14

Describe the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir?

Answer 14

Nov 1950.
Marines pushed far into North Korea to be cut off by Chinese Communist Forces.
10 divs attacked, 7 were smashed by the Marines in their march from the Chosin Reservoir.
Marines withdrew.
Major significance of this retrograde movement was Marines brought out all operable equipment, evacuated dead and wounded, and maintained tactical integrity.

Question 15

Who is John H. Quick?

Answer 15

SGT MAJ Quick is remembered for Cuzco Well in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Won Medal of Honor for semaphoring for an emergency lift of the naval bombardment while under Spanish and American shellfire.
Landing showed usefulness of Marine Assault troops and capture and defense of advance bases becoming primary mission of USMC.

Question 16

Who is Archibald Henderson?

Answer 16

Brigadier General Archibald Henderson became Commandant in 1820 and held the position until his death in 1859. (39 years)
“Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps”

Question 17

Explain the term Leatherneck?

Answer 17

Leather stock work as part of uniform from 1775-1875. Protects the neck from sabor slashes.

Question 18

Identify Molly Marine?

Answer 18

Monument in New Orleans to Women who serve and have served as Marines.
Was dedicated on the Marine Corps Birthday in 1943.
Located in New Orleans because first statue to honor women warriors was Joan D’Arc in Orleans, France.

Question 19

Explain the term Sempier Fidelis?

Answer 19

Adopted in 1868 meaning “Always Faithful”

Question 20

Describe the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Answer 20

Feb1945. Marines landed on Iwo Jima in what was the largest and bloodiest all marine battle in history.
Marine Corps suffered over 23,300 casualties.
Admiral Nimitz said “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

Question 21

Describe the Battle of Tarawa.

Answer 21

NOV1943. Japanese said it would take a million Americans 100 years. Marines landed on Tarawa Atoll and Betio Island and secured it within 76 hrs, but paid a heavy price.
Due to the coral. The landing craft drop Marines off hundreds of yards from the beaches. Many casualties from drowning and enemy fire.

Question 22

Describe the Battle of the Mariana Islands.

Answer 22

June/July 1943.
LT Gen Holland M. Smith led a combined invasion force of Marines and Soldiers that totaled over 136,000. This is the greatest number of troops to operate under Marine Command.
Attack was needed to obtain forward operating bases during WWII.

Question 23

Describe the Battle of New Orleans.

Answer 23

Jan 1815.
Marines under command of Gen Andrew Jackson soundly defeated British forces that were attacking the city of New Orleans.
British lost 2,000 men while American losses were less than 100.

Question 24

Who was Gregory R. (“Pappy”) Boyington?

Answer 24

Major Boyington commanded black sheep during WWII.
“Pappy” is recognized for his aerial dogfights.
Major was the top ranking flying with 28 victories (1945)

Question 25

Who was Presley Neville O’Bannon?

Answer 25

First LT O’Bannon is remembered for heroism in the battle for the Harbor Fortress of Derna (Tripoli).
O’Bannon’s marines were the first U.S. Forces to hoist the flag over territory in the Old World.
Mameluke sword, carried by Marine Officer’s Today, presented to O’Bannon in 1805

Question 26

Who was Lewis B. (Chesty) Puller?

Answer 26

LT Gen Puller served in Nicaragua.
Puller and his force of 32 Marines became famous for their ability to engage rebel groups and bandits while scouring the jungle of Nicaragua.
“Tiger of the Mountains”
Maine Corps Mascot (Bulldog) named after him.

Question 27

Who was John A. Lejeune?

Answer 27

Major Gen Lejeune served as the 13th Commandent of Marine orps from 1920-1929.
Lejeune was first Marine Officer ever to command an ARMY Div during WWI in France.

Question 28

Describe the Battle of Wake Island.

Answer 28

Dec 1941.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese struck Wake Island on 8DEC.
Despite being heavily out numbered, the Marines mounted a courageous defense before finally falling on 23DEC1941.
Caused extraordinary number of Japanese casualties.

Question 29

Describe the Second Battle of Khe Sanh.

Answer 29

Jan 1968.
Marines defended the fire base at Khe Sanh from two North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Divisions. The Marines endured heavy bombardment for two and a half months before finally forcing the enemy to withdraw.

Question 30

Who was Margaret A. Brewer?

Answer 30

Brigadier Gen Brewer, was the 7th and last director of Women Marines and was the only post-WW woman to hold that position.
First woman to become a General in the Marine Corps in May 1978.

Question 31

Describe the Battle of Bladensburg.

Answer 31

Aug 1814.
103 Marines and 400 Sailors made a vain attempt to block 4,000 British Troops from advancing on Washington.
Stopped 3 charges before being driven back.
British moved down Bladensburg Rd to Washington burning a number of public buildings along the way.

Question 32

Who was Opha Mae Johnson?

Answer 32

Pvt Johnson became Marine Corps’ first enlisted woman on 13AUG1918.
Her enlistment showed the changes for women brought about by WWI.
Known as Marine Reserve (F), “Skirt Marine” or “Marinettes”

Question 33

Who was Ira H. Hayes?

Answer 33

Cpl Hayes was one of the Marines at the Battle of Iwo Jima who was immortalized in the now famous photo taken of the second flag raising on Mount Suribachi, shortly after the Japanese stronghold was taken on 23FEB1945.

Question 34

Who was Joesph L Foss?

Answer 34

Captain Foss was a Marine pilot.
Took Japanese airfield in Guadalcanal.
Awarded Medal of Honor.
Was 2nd ranking ACE w/ 26 Victories to his credit at end of WWII.

Question 35

Describe “First to Fight”

Answer 35

Forefront of every US War since 1775.
Carried out more that 300 amphibious landings on foreign shores.
Record of readiness reflects pride, responsibility and challenge.

Question 36

Describe the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Answer 36

Aug 1942.
1st MARDIV landed on beaches of Guadualcanal in the Soloman Islands.
1st US offensive of WWII
1st Combat test of new amphibious doctrine

Question 37

Explain the term “Devil Dog”

Answer 37

Adopted in 1918.

Term used by German Soldiers to describe USMC persistent attack at Belleau Wood.

Question 38

Describe “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue”

Answer 38

Admiral Nimitz applied phrase to the Marines fighting ability at Iwo Jima, the largest/bloodiest of all USMC battles.

Question 39

Describe the Battle of Okinawa.

Answer 39

April 1945.
Marines and soldiers landed and secured the Island of Okinawa.
This marked the last major action of WWII.

Question 40

Describe “Esprit de Corps”

Answer 40

Devotion and loyalty to the USMC w/ deep regard for its history, traditions and honor.

Question 41

State the significance of the scarlet trouser stripe.

Answer 41

First appeared in 1798, reappeared in 1840 and 1859.
Fashion of the day.
According to Marine Corps tradition, the red stripe commemorates the blood shed by Marines in the Battle of Chapultepec in 1846.

Question 42

State the significance of the quartrefoil.

Answer 42

Interwoven braid in the shape of a cross of figure eights found on top of Marine officers’ barracks covers.
Authorized in 1859.
Quatrefoil was worn on the caps of Marines fighting on the decks of ships so they were easily recognized by Marine sharpshooters.

Question 43

State the significance of the Mameluke sword

Answer 43

“Mamelukes” were an elite Muslim military force from Eastern and Northern Africa.
Legend holds Prince Hamet Bey presented the sword to LT O’Bannon for his heroic action in the Tripoli expedition.

Question 44

State the significance of the NCO sword.

Answer 44

Noncommissioned officers of the Marine Corps are the only NCOs in any branch of the regular United States Armed Forces who still have the privilege of carrying what is considered to be a commissioned officer’s weapon.