Marine Corps History

I was cruising around on a Marine Corps forum and a poolee was looking for a quiz to help with studying Marine Corps history. Realizing that the "Green Monster" my husband received when he was in Recruit Training back in 1997 had just such a list via the Enabling Learning Objectives (ELO) I spent a very good portion of my day picking the book apart and typing up the ELOs and their answers.

I figured I might as well post them here as well should some other poolee or potential recruit wander on my page and need some help with their Marine Corps history.

I will, however, share the same disclaimers I shared on the other site.

Disclaimer:
The version of the book I have gleaned these questions from is from 1997. Newer history sections may have been added since that time. This should also not be a substitute for paying strict attention to and studying the details provided to you in your own Recruit Handbook.

While these answers are directly quoted or paraphrased from the Marine Corps Recruit Handbook of 1997 they do not contain the full text word for word. It is up to you to research and study the details of Marine Corps history to be sure you can answer related questions completely and accurately.

Marine Corps History I

• 1. In what year was the Marine Corps established?
• 2. What is the birthdate of the Marine Corps?
• 3. What is the birthplace of the Marine Corps?
• 4. Who was the first Commandant of the Marine Corps
• 5. What was the first amphibious landing of the Marine Corps?
• 6. What was the quatrefoil used for?
• 7. What is the origin of the term “Leatherneck?”
• 8. When was the rank of SgtMaj adopted?
• 9. Who was the first SgtMaj in the Marine Corps?
• 10. What was the reason for the Barbary Pirates War?
• 11. What is the significant of the officer sword?
• 12. What occurred at the Battle of Bladensburg?
• 13. Who is the “Grand Old Man” of the Marine Corps?
• 14. What is the origin of the scarlet (blood) stripe?
• 15. Who was the first Marine to be awarded the Metal of Honor?
• 16. What is the significance of the NCO sword?
• 17. When was the Marine Corps emblem adopted?
• 18. What are the three elements of the Marine Corps emblem?
• 19. In what year was the Marine Corps emblem modified?
• 20. What is the meaning of the Marine Corps motto?

Marine Corps History I: Answers

• 1. 1775
• 2. November 10, 1775
• 3. Tun Tavern in Philadelphia
• 4. Samuel Nicholas
• 5. The attack on New Providence in the Bahamas
• 6. To enable sharpshooting Marines in the riggings to distinguish between friend and foe, boarding parties attached a cross made of rope to the top of their covers. From this evolved the Quatrefoil.
• 7. The nickname “Leatherneck” goes back to the leather collar, or neckpiece, which was worn from 1775 to 1875 and was intended to ensure Marines kept their heads erect.
• 8. 1798
• 9. Sergeant Major Archibald Sommers
• 10. In 1801, the rulers of Tripoli declared war on the US because of our refusal to pay tribute money for the protection of the US shipping in the Mediterranean Sea. This resulted in the Barbary Pirates War from 1801 to 1815.
• 11. As a token of gratitude for the victory at Derna, Tripoli Prince Hamet presented his Mameluke sword to Lieutenant O’Bannon. A replica of that sword was adopted for use and carried by all Marine Officers. The Mameluke Sword is the oldest weapon still in use today by any of the US Armed Forces.
• 12. Near the town of Bladensburg, just 13 miles from our nation’s capital, 114 Marines and sailors completely halted the advance of 3,000 British troops. This American force repelled the British attack three times. Eventually the British overran the Marines and sailors. The British Commanding Officer reported, “They have given us our only real fight.”
• 13. The fifth Commandant of the Marine Corps was Archibald Henderson. He served as Commandant for 38 years, the longest period of time in our history, earning him the title, “The Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps.”
• 14. The scarlet tripe, or “blood stripe,” is worn today on the dress blue trousers by all officers and noncommissioned officers to commemorate the casualties at the battle of Chapultepec, Mexico.
• 15. On 15 May, 1862, Corporal John F. Mackie, aboard the USS Galena, exposed himself repeatedly on the ship’s deck to rally his Marines and keep the ship firing. His valor that morning earned him the Medal of Honor—the first ever awarded to a Marine.
• 16. In 1875, Marine NCOs were authorized to carry the 1850 version of the Army Infantry Officers sword used by officers during the Civil War. The sword is known today as the NCO sword. This marked the first issue of the Marine NCO Sword and Marine NCOs are the only NCOs in any branch of the US Armed Forces authorized to carry a sword today.
• 17. 1868
• 18. The Marine Corps emblem consisted of an eagle with spread wings sitting on top of a globe of the Western Hemisphere, with an anchor in the background. The eagle is the symbol of the nation. The globe stands for worldwide service and the anchor stands for sea or Naval traditions.
• 19. The Marine Corps emblem was modified in 1950 with the anchor being fouled (the addition of the rope).
• 20. In 1883, Colonel Charles G. McCawley, officially adopted the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis,” which is a Latin term meaning “Always Faithful.”

Marine Corps History II:

• 1. What is the significance of the Spanish American War?
• 2. Who are the two Marines to be awarded two Medals of Honor?
• 3. In what year did Marine Aviation begin?
• 4. Who was the first Marine Aviator?
• 5. Where did the term, “First to Fight” originate?
• 6. What is the significance of the Battle of Belleau Woods?
• 7. Where did the term “Devil Dogs” originate?
• 8. Where did the term “Shock Troops” originate?
• 9. Who was the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps?
• 10. What are the accomplishments of the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps?
• 11. Who was the first female to enlist in the Marine Corps?
• 12. What was the date the first female enlisted in the Marine Corps?

Marine Corps History II: Answers

• 1. In 1898 relations with Spain deteriorated over the poor treatment of Cubans by their Spanish Governor. On 15 February, 1898, the battleship MAINE was anchored in Havana Harbor when an explosion below the decks sent her to the bottom. A call to arms came: “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!” Admiral Dewey prepared a surprise for the Spanish Fleet in Manila Harbor. Taking the Spanish Fleet by surprise, Dewey completely destroyed it and landed the Marines to capture Fort Cavite in the Philippines. By taking the fort and routing our the Spanish defenders, the marines established a secure base of operations for Dewey’s Pacific Fleet.
• 2. Smedley Butler and Dan Daly
• 3. Marine Aviation began in 1912 when Second Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham was the first Marine to earn naval aviation wings.
• 4. Second Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham was the first Marine to earn naval aviation wings.
• 5. The Marine slogan, “First to Fight” made it’s first appearance on Marine recruiting posters at the beginning of World War I. The slogan points out the fact that Marines have traditionally been in the forefront of every American war since the founding of the Corps.
• 6. At Belleau Woods, the Fourth Marine Brigade suffered enormous casualties while saving Paris from the German armies.
• 7. German soldiers during World War I came to fear the Marines calling them fierce “Teufel Hunden” or “Devil Dogs,” a name which stick to Marines to this day.
• 8. The German high command classified the Marines as “Shock Troops,” a classification reserved only for the finest military organizations.
• 9. John A. Lejeune
• 10. Major General John A. Lejeune, as the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, guided the Corps toward the amphibious assault role, established the Marine Corps Institute, enhanced the officer corps through the Company Officer’s School and the Field Grade Officer’s School, and he organized Headquarters Marine Corps. Major General Lejeune was developing the Corps into a valid, professional armed force that could withstand the test of time.
• 11. The first woman to be officially sworn into the Marine Corps was Pvt Opha Johnson.
• 12. Pvt Opha Johnson was officially sworn into the Marine Corps on August 13, 1918.

Marine Corps History III

• 1. On what date did the Marine Corps become involved in World War II?
• 2. On what date and where did the first American outpost fall in World War II?
• 3. What Marine was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Battle of Midway?
• 4. On what date and where did the Marine Corps make it’s first amphibious landing on World War II?
• 5. What were the events of the Battle of Guadalcanal?
• 6. On what date did the Marine Corps attack Tarawa in World War II?
• 7. What is the significance of the phrase, “Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue?”
• 8. On what date did the Marine Corps land on Iwo Jima?
• 9. What were the events of the battle on Iwo Jima?
• 10. On what date and where did the Marine Corps make its last amphibious landing of World War II?
• 11. What were the events of the Battle of Okinawa?
• 12. On what date did World War II end?

Marine Corps History III: Answers

• 1. The United States was blasted into World War II by the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on 7 December, 1941. The next day, 8 December, 1941, the United States of America declared war upon the Empire of Japan.
• 2. On 10 December, 1941, Guam would become the first American outpost to fall.
• 3. Marine Captain Richard E. Fleming was awarded the Medal of Honor after he dove his flaming bomber into the Japanese cruiser Mikuma.
• 4. On 7 August, 1942, the First Marine Division made the first amphibious landing of World War II at Guadalcanal.
• 5. The airfield at Guadalcanal was captured and named Henderson Field after a Marine pilot killed during the battle of Midway. From Henderson Field, units of the First Marine Aircraft Wing, known as the “Cactus Air Force,” could now operate in direct support of the First Marine Division. By February of 1943, the Marines had full control of Guadalcanal and could now concentrate on the offensive in the Pacific.
• 6. On 20 November, 1943, the 2nd Marine Division attacked Tarawa.
• 7. On 19 February, 1945, the men of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed on Iwo Jima with the 3rd Marine Division held in reserve. In a struggle that lasted almost twenty-six days the Marines finally secured Iwo Jima and completely annihilated the enemy. This battle was described by Navy Admiral Chester A. Nimitz who said, “Among the Americans who fought and died at Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” It was during this battle that the Marines raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
• 8. 19 February, 1945.
• 9. On 19 February, 1945, the men of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions landed on Iwo Jima with the 3rd Marine Division held in reserve. The barren, rugged terrain was defended by 21,000 Japanese. There were some 1,500 caves and pillboxes. In a struggle that lasted almost twenty-six days the Marines finally secured Iwo Jima and completely annihilated the enemy. This battle was described by Navy Admiral Chester A. Nimitz who said, “Among the Americans who fought and died at Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” It was during this battle that the Marines raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi.
• 10. On 1 April, 1945, the final land offensive of the Pacific area was the invasion of Okinawa by the combined forces of the Marine Corps and three Army Divisions which made up the 10th Army.
• 11. On 1 April, 1945, as the invasion was launched, Kamikaze planes were sent against out fleet. Thirty-six American ships were sent to the bottom and an additional 368 more were damaged as a result of these attacks.
• 12. At 0615 on August 15, 1945, Fleet Admiral C.A. Nimitz ordered all offensive operations against Japan stopped at once. The war was over.

Marine Corps History IV

• 1. Who was the only Marine awarded five Navy Crosses?
• 2. On what date did the Marine Corps become involved in the Korean War?
• 3. What were the events of the amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea?
• 4. What were the events at the Changjin Reservoir?

Marine Corps History IV

• 1. Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller
• 2. 2 August, 1950
• 3. The city of Inchon was surrounded by mud flats with a tide difference of 33 feet. On September 15, 1950, using the morning tide the Marines would take the island of Wolmi-do. Then on the evening tide the main assault on the city would be made. As the bombardment of the city lifted the assault began. Using ladders and nets to scale the 8 foot wall, the Marines carried the day. The 5th Marines took the city while the 1st Marines swung south of the city to cut off the route to Seoul. After two days the Marines had captured Inchon and were ready for the push on Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
• 4. On the night of 2 November, just south of the Changjin Reservoir, the 7th Marine Regiment was attacked by the 12th Chinese Communist Division. On 27 November, eight Chinese Divisions flanked the Marines. After having been briefed on the situation Colonel Puller stated, “So they’ve got us surrounded, good, the bastards won’t get away this time.” After realizing the only option was fighting their way back down the supply lines to the sea, General Smith was quoted as saying, “We are not retreating, we are just attacking in a different direction.” The 1st Marine Division began their controlled withdrawal from the Changjin Reservoir and used a mobile 360 degree defense with Marine Air overhead. Colonel “Chesty” Puller was overheard to say, “Those poor bastards. You’ve got us right were we want them. We can shoot in every direction now.”

Marine Corps History V

• 1. On what date did the Marine Corps become involved in the Vietnam War?
• 2. What was the significance of Operation Starlite?
• 3. What were the events of the Battle of Hue City?
• 4. What was the significance of Operation Dewey Canyon?

Marine Corps History V

• 1. On March 8, 1965, the Ninth Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed, thus beginning our involvement in the Vietnam Conflict.
• 2. The significance of Operation Starlite was that the Marines dealt the Viet Cong their first major defeat of the war and denied the Viet Cong their sanctuaries along the coast.
• 3. Because of the presence of the large civilian population and because Hue City was the ancient imperial capital and cultural seat of Vietnam, there were no saturation bombings before the Marines moved in. The Marines attacked and fought house-to-house to retake the city. It was the first time since Seoul, Korea that the Marines had fought in this manner. After twenty-four days of fighting, the NVA were defeated and the city secured.
• 4. Operation Dewey Canyon was conducted from 22 January until 18 March 1969. This was a multi-battalion operation involving the 9th Marines and 2 battalions of the Vietnamese 1st Army Division.

Marine Corps History VI

• 1. On what date did the Marine Corps land in Beirut, Lebanon to help evacuate the P.L.O.?
• 2. On what date did the Marine Corps land in Beirut, Lebanon to become part of a multi-national peace keeping force?
• 3. On what date was the Marine barracks at Beirut International Airport bombed?
• 4. On what date did the Marines become part of Operation Urgent Fury?
• 5. On what date did Marines begin protection of shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf?
• 6. On what date did the Marines become involved in Operation Just Cause?
• 7. What were the events of Operation Urgent Fury?
• 8. What were the events of Operation Just Cause?
• 9. What were the events of Operation Desert Shield?
• 10. What were the events of Operation Desert Storm?

Marine Corps History VI: Answers

• 1. On 25 August, 1982, the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) landed in Beirut, Lebanon to help evacuate the Palestine Liberation Organization (P.L.O.).
• 2. On the 29th of September the 32nd MAU returned to Lebanon. Marines were to become part of a multi-national peacekeeping force in Lebanon in order to establish a presence which would allow the Lebanese Armed Forces (L.A.F.) to restore order and control over west Beirut.
• 3. At 0622 on Sunday, 23 October 1983, at Beirut Airport, a suicide terrorist drove a five ton truck laden with explosives into the lobby of the four story building being used as the BLT command post/operation center.
• 4. At 0500 on 25 October, 400 Marines from the 24th MAU, off the USS Guam, conducted a helicopter assault on Pearls Airport. This operation was called “Operation Urgent Fury.”
• 5. The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit’s Detachment 2 was deployed aboard the USS Guadalcanal to aid in the protection of shipping lanes in the international waters of the Persian Gulf on 5 October, 1987.
• 6. On 20 December, 1989 US forces were ordered to invade Panama to oust Noriega who was wanted in the United States on drug charges and also suspected of falsifying elections in his own country. This operation was dubbed “Operation Just Cause.”
• 7. At 0500 on 25 October, 400 Marines from the 24th MAU, off the USS Guam, conducted a helicopter assault on Pearls Airport. Within two hours the Marines had secured the airfield and the adjacent objectives. By 0712 the next morning the Marine force had secured the governor’s residence. Army Ranger elements arrived at Grand Ause where a number of Americans were attending medical school and in a joint effort the area was secure. The medical students were evacuated by six Marine helicopters. This operation was called “Operation Urgent Fury.”
• 8. At 0100 on 20 December, 1989 US forces were ordered to invade Panama to oust Noriega who was wanted in the United States on drug charges and also suspected of falsifying elections in his own country. This operation was dubbed “Operation Just Cause.” The Marines were to form task force “Semper Fidelis” and take up positions around Howard AFB and protect the Panama Canal Zone. The mission had several objectives: install the rightfully elected officials in the Panamanian government, bring Noriega to justice in the U.S., and restore peace to the Panamanian people. Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican embassy which was then surrounded by U.S. forces. After 12 days Noriega surrendered to American forces.
• 9. On 2 August, 1990, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered his armed forces to invade its southern neighbor Kuwait. Kuwait, not having a large military force of its own succumbed to the Iraqi onslaught in less than a day. Immediately, President Bush ordered a military buildup in the region in concert with the government of Saudi Arabia to halt further aggression by Hussein. This was to become known as operation “Desert Shield.”
• 10. U.N. forces, headed by the U.S. armed forces took up positions in the Persian Gulf and surrounding countries. This was to become the largest mobilization of the U.S. forces since the Vietnam War. Reserve and national Guard units were activated and sent to the Gulf region where over 400,000 U.S. troops were to build up against Hussein. The U.N. issued an ultimatum that Hussein must effect a complete and total withdrawal from Kuwait or it would endorse military action. The U.N. deadline was set for January 15th, 1991. That use of force was to be known as Desert Storm. On January 16, 1991, the war began with the largest air campaign in history. The war would be quick and powerful. It would last only 43 days. On March 3, 1991, a cease fire agreement was reached.

Marine Corps History VII

• 1. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Comfort?
• 2. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Guantanamo?
• 3. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Garden Plot?
• 4. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Water Pitcher?
• 5. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Promise?
• 6. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Relief?
• 7. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Hurricane Andrew?
• 8. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Typhoon Omar?
• 9. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Hurricane Iniki?
• 10. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Restore Hope/Continue Hope?
• 11. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Rwanda?
• 12. What was the significance of the role of the United States Marine Corps during Operation Provide Promise/Sharp Guard/Deny Flight?

Marine Corps History VII: Answers

• 1. In the Spring of 1991 Iraq began a campaign to suppress dissident factions in the areas of northern Iraq. This campaign resulted in human rights abuses against the civilian population. The 24th MEU (SOC), while conducting a six month deployment, was called upon to assist U.S. relief efforts to refugees in Turkey.
• 2. As a result of a political upheaval in Haiti, thousands of Haitians fled Haiti by boat for the U.S. On 22 November the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issued an executive order for Operation Safe Harbor, later to be changed to Operation Guantanamo. This operation would provide temporary emergency humanitarian assistance and increased security in support of the Haitian boat people at Naval Base Guantanamo.
• 3. In May 1992, civil law and order seriously deteriorated in Los Angeles, California, following the Rodney King trial verdict. On 1 May, elements of I MEF (SPMAGTF Los Angles (LA)) began deploying as part of Joint Task Force (LA), to assist in reestablishing law and order to Los Angles.
• 4. In May 1992, Chuuk Island inhabitants found themselves facing severe drought conditions. III MEF deployed 72 Marines and with the aid of a Maritime Prepositioning Ship (MV Lopez), provided much needed water to the island.
• 5. In early July 1991, the U.S. began the transportation of relief supplies from Germany to the city of Sarajevo in what is now Bosnia/Herzegovina.
• 6. As part of a global effort to ease mass starvation in Kenya and Somalia, the U.S. commenced Operation Provide Relief in August 1992.
• 7. On 26 August 1992, Hurricane Andrew hit the east coast of Florida. The marine mission was to construct and maintain two 2,500 man tent compounds, establish a self-supporting twenty bed clinical facility for triage and immediate medical care, and to provide security and protect government property.
• 8. Two days after Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, Typhoon Omar passed over the north end of the Island of Guam. Initial relief efforts to Guam concentrated on the restoration of power and water services. In addition, Navy and Marine engineers constructed a tent city, repaired schools and aided in general clean-up of the island.
• 9. On 12 September 1992 Hurricane Iniki struck the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. The USS Belleau Wood (LHA) transported Marine and Army heavy equipment from Oahu to Kauai, provided command and control capability and medical augmentation to the relief effort.
• 10. On 9 December 1992, I Marine Expeditionary Force began Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, a humanitarian relief effort. The mission was to provide security for the delivery of relief supplies.
• 11. In April 1994 a Marine task force evacuated 142 U.S. citizens from Rwanda in response to civil unrest in that country.
• 12. In Provide Promise, the Sarajevo airlift and Eastern Bosnia airdrops continue. In Sharp Guard, ships from various nations including the U.S., enforce the U.N. embargo against the former Yugoslavia. In Deny Flight, land and carrier-based Marine Corps fighter-attack squadrons and electronic warfare aircraft supported the operation in the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina.