You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced, to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth – and the amusing thing about it is that they are…You should see the group about me as I write- dirty, bearded, their clothing food-spattered and filthy- they look like the castoffs of creation. Yet they have a sense of loyalty, generosity, even piety greater than any men I have ever known. These rugged men have the simple piety of children. You can’t help loving them, in spite of their language and their loose sense of private property. Don’t ever feel sorry for a priest in the Marines. The last eight weeks have been the happiest and most contented in my life.
Father Kevin Keaney, 1st Marine Division Chaplain, Korean War
On November 10, 1775 the Continental Congress passed this resolution authored by John Adams:
“Resolved, That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said battalions but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve with advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present War with Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by names of First and Second Battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the Continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.”
The Marines for almost 250 years have sustained a reputation as shock troops, troops who will go all out to seize an objective swiftly. Their unit cohesion has usually been the best in the American military, as demonstrated by their fighting retreat from the Chosin Reservoir in December of 1950, during which, in appalling weather and over some of the most rugged terrain on earth, the 1st Marine Division wrecked the attacking 9th Chinese Army. Good training and firm discipline can produce good troops. To produce elite troops a pride in their unit that can overcome the natural fear of death is needed. Throughout their existence the Marines have possessed this espirt de corps, and that has made all the difference. In the aftermath of the battle of Belleau Wood, a wounded young American was asked by a pretty nurse, “Soldier, may I wash your face?” He was quite eager to have this ministration by the young lady, but first a correction had to be made. “I’m a Marine ma’am, not a soldier, and I would love to have my face wiped!”
“You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced, to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth – and the amusing thing about it is that they are…”
You said it.
SEMPER FI
Good post. God bless the USMC. My best friend from childhood went into the Marines, urging me to follow suit. I disliked the idea of being shot at, so I went into the submarines. 🙂 Not sure that was a smarter idea, being enclosed in a pressure hull and standing watch 30 feet or so from a 158 MWth reactor made by the lowest bidder while submerged hundreds and hundreds of feet down below. I don’t know anything about the Marines, but my fellow submariners were the best group of guys one could possibly serve with. There wasn’t anything they couldn’t do or fix to keep us alive, radioactive or not. 😉 And I am sure our Captain put the fear of God into the Ruskies.
Some of my best friends were Marines.
LQC, One of our younger lawyers at work had been a submariner. Good man.
A good friend of mine who was in the NZ SAS in Vietnam told me when he returned, ” The one bunch you don’t mess with is the (US) Marines – they’re hard bastards”. Coming from Des who was himself not to be messed with, this is high praise indeed.
I knew a Marine Don who severed beside Kiwi troops in Vietnam, and he said that the Kiwi SAS were the scariest men he ever saw, and this was a man who fought his way through Hue during the Tet Offensive.
God bless them all. My best friend was a marine. Loved and respected him with all my heart. RIP.
It must be galling to serve under Biden.
(RI still celebrates VJ Day, because for the Ocean State WW2 meant either the Navy or Marines, and then likely the Japanese Theater. )
Little Rhody, home of the “the most ferocious fighters”. ; – )
Sorry couldn’t resist.
Ha!
Marine! The Life Of Chesty Puller by Burke Davis
A good read, especially for male adolescents.
In 2010 at the WWII memorial in DC, a gunny sergeant in full dress uniform gave a heart felt discourse to all who would listen. He was a marine. Next to him was the boots, rifle and helmet of his younger brother who had fallen in Operation Desert Storm. My wife and I were escorting a group of World War II veterans to the mall for Memorial Day weekend.
Not a dry eye in sight when the gunny sergeant ended his talk on the price of freedom.
I broke the silence;
“Sergeant!” He looked at me, and I started singing, My Country tis of thee, sweet land…
The 75 or so gathered around him, including our vets, joined in the song. As we sang tears were rolling down his cheeks.
At the end of our singing he made eye contact with me and saluted me.
I was in awe.
I’m not a veteran. But at that moment I was floating on air.
God bless our vets.
Aye Aye Greg, your right , the Marines are a department of the Navy, the Men’s Department. The only reason will use the Navy as our Taxi Service is because we haven’t learned how to walk on water,yet…
Excellent post and video clips, Mr. Don!
I have always been happy, like Fr. Keaney to be a priest with the Marines. I can also say that nobody, nowhere, has ever made me laugh like the Marines can, because they are utterly frank and unreserved. It’s also the only time that I entered a chapel to begin Mass for a large group of Marines (grunts), and when they were slow to stand up at my entrance (most weren’t Catholic), the Gunny shouted, “Stand up! Show some respect!” Ten times more effective than a sacristy bell!
Also, who else claims in their official “hymn” that they will be the guardians of the Heaven of Heavens?