“First to Fight”
* Marines have been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps.
They have carried out over 300 landings on foreign shores. They have served everywhere, from the poles to the tropics.
* Their record of readiness reflects pride, responsibility and challenge.
“Leathernecks”
* The Marines’ long-standing nickname goes back to the leather stock or neckpiece, which was part of the Marine uniform from 1775 to 1875.
* The leather bands around their threats were intended to ensure that Marines kept their heads erect.
“Devil Dogs”
* In the Belleau Wood fighting in 1918, the Germans received a thorough indoctrination in the fighting ability of the Marines.
* Fighting through supposedly impenetrable woods and capturing supposedly untakeable terrain, the persistent attacks, delivered with unbelievable courage soon had the Germans calling Marines “teufelhunden,” referring to the fierce fighting dogs of legendary origin.
“Esprit de Corps”
* The “spirit” of a unit. This spirit is commonly reflected by all members.
* It implies devotion and loyalty to the Marine Corps, with deep regard for history, traditions and honor.
“Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue”
* Refers to the victories in World War II, especially at Iwo Jima, the largest all-Marine battle in history.
* Admiral Nimitz’s ringing epitome of Marine fighting on Iwo Jima was applied to the entire Marine Corps in World War II.
“Jarhead”
* A slang term used by sailors as early as World War II to refer to members of the Marine Corps, drawing the term from the resemblance of the Marine dress blues uniform, with its high collar, to a Mason jar.
“Semper Fidelis”
* The Motto of the United States Marine Corps.
* Latin for always faithful. Faithful to God, Country, Family and the Corps.
“Once a Marine, Always a Marine”
* The motto of the Marine Corps League.
* Having earned the title of Marine it becomes a integral part of who and what we will become later in life.
OTHER MARINE QUOTES
Come on you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?
* Do you who said that?
“Being ready is not what matters. What matters is winning after you get there.” (Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak, USMC, April 1965.)
“You don’t hurt ‘em if you don’t hit ‘em.” (Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC, 1962.)
“Retreat Hell! We’re just attacking in another direction.” (Attributed to Major General Oliver P. Smith, USMC, Korea, December 1950.)
“xxxdam it, you’ll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!” (Captain Henry P. “Jim” Crowe, USMC, Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943.)
“Come on, you sons of bitches-do you want to live forever?” (Attributed to Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly, USMC, Belleau Wood, June 1918.)
“Once a Marine, always a Marine!” (MSgt Paul Woyshner, a 40-year Marine, is credited with originating this expression during a taproom argument with a discharged Marine.)
“I can’t say enough about the two Marine divisions. If I use words like brilliant, it would really be an under-description of the absolutely superb job they did in breaching the so-called impenetrable barrier. . .Absolutely superb operation, a textbook, and I think it’ll be studied for many, many years to come as the way to do it.” (General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 27 February 1991.)
“I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world.” (General Douglas MacArthur, USA, outskirts of Seoul, 21 September 1950.)
“Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning.” (Colonel David M. Shoup, USMC, Tarawa, 21 November 1943.)