The US Marine Corps: A Brief History Of The Marines

The original incarnation of the United States MarineIt was within the two decades prior to World War II
Corps (USMC) was born in 1775 during the Continentalthat the USMC began to prepare for amphibious battle,
Congress in a resolution sponsored by John Adams.which they used with high degrees of success during
The USMC fought diligently throughout the Americanthe war. Notable points of battle include Guadalcanal,
revolution but, after the Treaty of Paris in April 1783, itIwo Jima and Okinawa. After World War II, the USMC
was dissolved only to be reestablished in 1798.participated in post-war occupations of Japan and
Following this reestablishment, the USMC was involvedNorthern China.
in military actions against France and Barbary pirates.Although the USMC took part in all of the wars, and
During the War of 1812, the USMC participated in manymany smaller skirmishes, after World War II, they
naval operations and fought with Andrew Jackson inweren't engaged in numbers similar to WWII until
New Orleans. After the War of 1812, the USMC spentOperation Desert Storm. However, the USMC has
the next few decades protecting a variety ofproven itself to be as effective in small and specialized
American interests all over the world.operations as it is in massive military engagements.
During World War I, the USMC had over 30,000As the war on terrorism continues to grow and
members actively serving and fighting. Of those,spread around the world, they are likely to be one of
one-third were either injured or killed in combat. It wasthe first lines of defense for America. Together with
during WWI that the 4th Brigade earned the title ofother specialized squads, America can use them in the
"Devil Dogs" because of their heroic and patrioticwar against terror.
actions at a number of battle sites.