United States Marine Corps

The one everyone remembers. The most famous photo of WWII.

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Military. It is the Branch of the US Military that specializes in at sea ground operations and the Marines are responsible with all US Navy ship-board security. US Marine Corps prides itself with its marksmanship requirements and brotherhood. They pride themselves as being the first ones in and the last ones out.

History

The Marines have existed for as long as the US Navy has existed. They have served from the decks of Navy ships as the main defense and boarding forces on those ships.

The first major action that the Marines can look to as historic would be the raiding and destruction of the captured USS Pennsylvania during the war against the Barbary Pirates (This is what the Shores of Tripoli in the anthem refers to). They then served in every major war by the United States until the Civil War divided the members of this branch as well. US Marines took part in multiple battles waged during the Civil War on the many rivers in the conflict. They were essential for the capture of New Orleans and the ports of Louisiana during that conflict.

The Marines were to gain fame during the Great War when a unit of US Marines held an heavily contested section of the Western Front against multiple heavy German attacks.

The Marines gain their greatest fame for their multiple, heavy and repeated Amphibious Assaults on Japanese strongholds during WWII starting with the capture and defense of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and ending with the invasion of Okinawa. Soon the Marines became a well oiled machine and captured island after island in Allied march towards the invasion of Japan. Their crowning moment and most famous photo taken during the war was the raising of the flag on the summit of Mount Suribachi during the invasion of the island Iwo Jima.

US Marines Anthem

From the Halls of Montezuma, To the Shores of Tripoli; We fight our country's battles In the air, on land, and sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title Of UNITED STATES MARINES.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze, From dawn to setting sun; We have fought in every clime and place Where we could take a gun; In the snow of far off northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes; You will find us always on the job -- The UNITED STATES MARINES.

Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve; In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve; If the Army and the Navy Ever look on Heaven's scenes; They will find the streets are guarded By UNITED STATES MARINES.