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
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 to the sea in December of 1950, during which, in appalling weather and over some of the most rugged terrain on earth, outnumbered four to one, the 1rst Marine Division wrecked the attacking 9th Chinese Army, inflicting 60,000 casualties on the 120,000 man force.
Semper Fi. With God’s grace we may not soon need the Corps to fight the Chinese again, now that someone the Chinese actually respect is about to become CinC once more.