Happy 228th Birthday Marines!

This year we celebrate the 228th anniversary of the founding of our Corps. As always, it is an occasion for remembrance, proud traditions, and joyful camaraderie. The events of the past year have called for great sacrifices from many Marines and their families. While the Global War on Terrorism will continue to demand the best from each of us, it is important that we join with our fellow Marines, families and friends to celebrate our Corps' special culture and unique warrior ethos.

This past year, Marines demonstrated once again that they are the most important entity on any battlefield. Lethal weapons and advanced technologies provide us unique advantages, but educated warriors ultimately determine victory in combat not machines. During Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, our small unit leaders' skills, adaptability and flexibility produced victory on uncertain and at times chaotic battlefields. We proved once again the power of integrated ground-air-logistics teams as well as the importance of every Marine being first and foremost a rifleman.

Our special spirit is evident not only in battle; it is evident in the faithful performance of demanding duties by countless Marines at home and abroad. Every Marine makes a vital contribution to the ability of our Corps to project and sustain credible combat power. Moreover, the willingness and readiness of all Marines to accept and accomplish any mission is central to our success and a hallmark of our warrior ethos. The culture that defines the Marine Corps is nurtured by our traditions. In celebrating our heritage, we strengthen the linkages to a glorious history and recommit ourselves to upholding the standards and values given to us by past generations.

In commemorating our 228th anniversary, remain true to the spirit of the occasion. Reflect on our fallen with deep respect, observe our traditions with justifiable pride, take care of one another, and of course, celebrate those special bonds that exist among United States Marines.

Marines in the Atlantic, Europe and Africa

Overshadowed in history by Marines who fought World War II's Pacific island battles, fewer than 6,000 Marines participated
in the Atlantic, North African and European campaigns.

Before World War II, Marines served in various European and North African embassies as attaches. However, that role
changed with the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and the Axis powers in 1941.

The first Marine unit of combat troops to serve on land in the Atlantic theater was the 1st Marine Provisional Brigade. More
than 4,000 Marines commanded by Brigadier General John Marston arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland, in July 1941. The Marines
augmented the British forces already in place to prevent Iceland from falling to the Germans. Iceland was strategically located
for air and naval control of the North Atlantic lifeline between the British Isles and North America.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Marines assigned under Marston received orders to leave Iceland. They began
departing on Jan. 31, 1942, and were completely gone by March 9, 1942.

Masters of amphibious warfare tactics, Marines served as planners for the North African, Mediterranean and Normandy
invasions. The brief and violent raid by a 6,000-man Canadian and British commando force on the French port city of Dieppe
on Aug. 19, 1942, was planned in part by Marine Brigadier General Harold D. Campbell, the Marine Corps advisor to the
British Staff of Combined Operations. He was awarded a Legion of Merit for his expertise in developing techniques for
large-scale amphibious operations against heavily defended beaches.

Marines trained four Army infantry divisions in assault from the sea tactics prior to the North African landings. Leading the way
during Operation Torch, the November 1942 North African invasion, Marines went ashore at Arzeu, Algeria, and moved
overland to the port of Oran, where they occupied the strategic Spanish fortress at the northern tip of the harbor.

Another Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Philadelphia landed Nov. 10, 1942, at the port of Safi, French
Morocco, and secured the airport against sabotage until Army forces arrived the following day.

Nine months earlier, on Jan. 7, Brigadier General Lewis G. Merritt, a Marine Corps pilot serving as an observer with the
Royal Air Force in Egypt, was aboard a Wellington bomber shot down by ground fire behind German lines in the Halfya Pass.
He and the crew were rescued by a special United Kingdom armored car unit that broke through enemy lines.

Assigned to the secretive world of spies and saboteurs were 51 Marines who served with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services
to engage in behind-the-lines operations in North Africa and Europe from 1941 to 1945. These OSS Marines served with
partisan and resistance groups in France, Germany, Yugoslavia, Italy, Austria, Albania, Greece, Morocco and Egypt; on the
islands of Corsica and Sardinia; in Rumania; and in North and West Africa. Ten of these OSS Marines also served with forces
in Ceylon, Burma, Malaya and China.

Marine Colonel Peter J. Ortiz was twice awarded the Navy Cross for heroism while serving with the French Resistance.

Shipboard detachments of Marines served throughout the landings in North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Normandy
invasion as gun crews aboard battleships and cruisers. A 200-man detachment was normally carried aboard a battleship, and
80 Marines served aboard cruisers to man the secondary batteries of 5-inch guns providing fire for the landing forces.

During the June 6, 1944, Normandy invasion, Marines, renowned as expert riflemen, played a vital role reminiscent of the days
of the sailing Navy when sharpshooters were sent to the fighting tops. Stationed high in the superstructures of the invasion fleet,
Marine riflemen exploded floating mines in the path of the ships moving across the English Channel to the beaches of
Normandy.

On Aug. 29, 1944, during the invasion of southern France, Marines from the battleship USS Augusta and the cruiser USS
Philadelphia went ashore in Marseilles harbor to accept the surrender of more than 700 Germans who had fortified island
garrisons.

Although few, these proud Marines played a vital role in the Atlantic, African and European campaigns of World War II.

Researched by Alexander Molnar Jr., USMC/USA (Ret.)

Nine months earlier, on Jan. 7, Brigadier General Lewis G. Merritt, a Marine Corps pilot serving as an observer with the Royal Air Force in Egypt, was aboard a Wellington bomber shot down by ground fire behind German lines in the Halfya Pass. He and the crew were rescued by a special United Kingdom armored car unit that broke through enemy lines.

Ralph Bagnold and the Long-Range Patrol, later renamed the Long Range Desert Group, I believe, a truly sporty lot, about which more can be found *here.*

Though it might be more accurate to describe their methodology as *sneaking* through the enemy lines, and their desert raider-outfitted trucks were minimally armoured, though well armed, indeed. In 1942 they were just sorting out their equipment and operational procedures as the reformed and up-sized L.R.D.G., but enjoyed enough success that other units, including the S.A.S. and Popski's Private Army were formed to follow-up with similar ventures.

*Not by strength, by Guile*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!!!

From GyG'sMailbag...

10 November 2003
MILINET: A Tribute to the USMC
Contributed By: MSgt Al Loreth, USMC(Ret.)
=====================================

A Tribute to the USMC
Henry McLenare (November 10th, 1947)

Iâ€™m glad I saved my little soldierâ€™s cap. I threw away my trousers, my coat, and my combat boots. The government took my M-1 rifle, my carbine and long drawers, but out of it I saved my little cap because I want to tip it today. I want to take off that cap in honor of the only fighting organization in the world thatâ€™s better than the infantry.

I want to tip my cap to the Marines.

Today the Marine Corps observes its 172nd (year 1947) anniversary. From the time the Marines were authorized by the Continental Congress until today, they stand as Americaâ€™s finest fighting men (now, men and women)

Any man who fought for his country has pride in the outfit he was in. Men who flew planes will swear that the Air Force had the best guys. Men like me who walked down the dirty road will argue all night that the rough end of the stick belongs to the infantry. Sailors will tell you that the Navy won the war and that sea power is everything.

Yet, when a Marine walks into the room, youâ€™ve got to shut up because his heart beats to the tune of a song that has proved to be on the level. Let the children sing â€œNear Youâ€ but when a Marine sings or whistles he whistles or sings of a story that has been imitated perhaps but never out done.

The Marines walked into Guadeloupe in 1798 and they didnâ€™t spare blood. They added the â€œShores of Tripoliâ€ in 1802 and in 1874 they wrote Montezuma into their Hymn. I could get very sentimental about the Marines but Iâ€™d rather put it this way.

The Marines never land after a place has been secured. They never come in with a can of fruit cocktail in their pockets and they have never known in time of war what it is to assault a volleyball court. The Marines, if you follow me, are the guys who come in first. When they lower the boats the Marines jump in. If you donâ€™t know how dangerous or rugged the coral is the Marines can tell you. They have been there. They are the Americans who look at it, donâ€™t like it, and say letâ€™s get a toehold for the other guys.

This may be treason to that blue I wore on my cap but the Marine is a better soldier that the infantryman. Heâ€™s meaner, and thatâ€™s what makes a good soldier. World War II is slipping away into the west of greater day and we Americans are forgetting what so many men did for us. Men who gave their lives for their country are being buried while we fret over meatless Tuesdays and egg less Thursdays.

Yet, I declare that in any Marine encampment in this country or wherever Marines are stationed throughout the world, shoes are shined, rifles are cleaned and the bugles call will send them to the fullest fulfillment of a citizen, the defense of their country.

The Marines motto, if my Latin teacher didnâ€™t lie to me, is Semper Fidelis. To my knowledge, a Marine has never violated that motto.

I hope that this is a tribute to the Marines. If I had a son and he lived up to the Marine tradition, I as a father could ask no more, because I would be the father of a man.

Posted on Nov 10, 2003, 8:04 AM from IP address 69.34.80.33

General John A. Lejeune's Birthday Message to the United States Marine Corps, November 10, 1921

On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name "Marine." In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence, the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.

General John A. Lejeune, Commandant

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