6TH Marine Regiment Research Paper

At the height of the U.S. Navy’s involvement in the Vietnam War, the Navy’s coastal and riverine forces included more than 30,000 Sailors and over 350 patrol vessels ranging in size from riverboats to destroyers. For the Navy’s personnel, Vietnam was a watershed in many ways. It represented the first time since the Civil War that large numbers of sailors experienced riverine warfare in small boats—a combat experience more akin to that of an infantry soldier

The Marine Corps Experience, pp. 12 – 31 The Corps today, pp 318 – 335

“There are only two kinds of people who understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else just has a second-hand opinion.” (Gen William Thornson, U.S. Army) For decades, the United States Marine Corps has established an identity as a unique and fearless war fighting machine.

The formidable force known throughout the world today for their courageous acts of bravery, started out from two battalions raised with the early continental navy on November 10th 1775. These battalions were started for amphibious landings with the naval fleets, the first of which was conducted by Captain Samuel Nicolas who later on became the Marines first Commandant. After the Revolutionary War though, the Marines were disbanded as the naval war ships were sold to deal with the crippling debt the new nation had gained fueling its Armies and Navies during the 8 years of fighting for independence from the British Empire. Almost 20 years afterwards the USMC (United States Marine Corps) was reinstated and have seen almost every major and minor engagement that has involved the United States of America’s assets and people (USMC History Division Web).

Just before World War 2 the Marines and in general the United States armed forces saw a revamping of its war machine. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the Marine Corps was sent with the Navy to capture key points in the Japanese Imperial Empire also known as the “Island Hopping campaign.” The Marines saw extensive combat during its amphibious landings throughout the Pacific on many islands such as Guadalcanal, Pelelui, Tarawa, Okinawa and numerous others. On some of the landings, no other than the Lewis B “Chesty Puller” commanded these brave men to victory, he would later lead countless men during the Korean war six years later (USMC History Division Web).

Marching approximately 600 miles across the hot Libyan Desert O'Bannon and his Marines would storm past the fortifications and enter the city of Dema and the crew of the USS Philadelphia Born November 10, 1775, the United States Marine Corps are split into two main forces one part land one part Navy fleet. This unique capability would allow the Marines to operate in multiple situations. The following paper has highlighted what the author considered cynosure moments in the Marines history that has allowed the corps to signify its place in U.S. history.

During this time, Marines received the nickname ‘Leathernecks’, after the high collar they wore as protection against pirates’ saber cuts.

3).The early life of the Continental Marines was not an exciting one, nor was it very sought after. In all, there were 131 Colonial Marine officers and probably no more than 2,000 enlisted Colonial Marines (para. 3). In 1765, the Colonial Marines took part in their first war that was the American Revolution. Merrill Fabry, writing for Time Magazine, states that the newly formed Continental Marines soon launched a successful mission on the British fort Nassau in the Bahamas, and according to a 1921 Marine Corps Gazette article, they participated in the battles of Trenton and Princeton (para. 4).

William Mark Mrs. Jones British Literature 17 December 2015 The United States Marine Corps Thesis: The title of United States Marine is not only a title men and women receive; it is also a lifetime commitment of sacrifice to keep the American people safe. I. About the Marines A. History B. Traditions C. Mission D. Impact II.

Over the course of the history of man there have be many great military units. The Egyptian Medjay, Thebes of Theban, the Immortals of Persia, and even the Ninjas of Japan were some of the best fighting men of their time. These units were created for one purpose; to win at all cost. King Charles II of England also created his own special unit. “Formed in the reign of King Charles II on October 28, 1664 as the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot (or Admiral’s Regiment), the name Marines first appeared in the records in 1672” (Museum, RM, and Charles Stadden). This unit is now called the Royal Marines. On June 14th 1775 the Continental Congress created the Continental Army of the thirteen colonies in order to fight the British in the upcoming Revolutionary war. The Army was just an Army, it was not a special unit. Continental Congress needed something more, something Amphibious. In response, Continental Congress created the Marine Corps. The birth of the Marine Corps played a key role in American history prior to 1877 due to their perfection in tactics, and grit.

The Marine Corps historical characteristics after the Civil War could be based in part on survivability and the need for the Marine Corps to prove its worth to the United States as a Military Force. The Marine Corps part in the Civil War had been small and not altogether impressive. Both the Army and the Navy did not regard the Marine Corps as useful. This paper will in effect touch on the Marine Corps history from after the Civil War to World War I. It will then converge on a discussion with regards to the fight against the disestablishment of the Marine Corps. (Simmons/Moskin 1998)

Since July 4th, 1776, the United States have been a formidable foe on the battlefield. Taking on forces at home, and abroad, the United States emerges victorious time, and time again. This is not attributed to one person alone. This strength can be attributed to the brave souls of the United States military. We have the Army, and Airforce. Yet, there is one branch that sets itself apart from them both. One that emerged out of the womb of the Navy. That branch, is the United States Marines. From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, the Marines have been there and conquered it. Though, The Marine Corps was not always known as the tough band of guns the United States had. Like all things, the Marines had a beginning. And quite a beginning it was. This is the story of how the United States Marines changed, and grew over the years.

“ 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” (148) Father Kevin Kearney, 1st Marine Division Chaplain Korean War gives his opinion on how well developed and trained the United states Marines truly are. Marines are held to the highest standards of society, each Marine knows in his/her heart they are the the best of the best and no one is superior to them. The U.S. Marines are “ The Few, The Proud”, because not just anybody can become a Marine, it takes guts, courage and motivation. Each Marine is rewired in the brain to be the ideal warrior and to have the brotherhood of the Marine Corps instilled

The United States Marine Corps has served in nearly every conflict with the United States. It attained prominence when its practice of amphibious wars, and ultimately formed a cornerstone of the Pacific Theater of World War II. By the early 20th century, the Marine Corps would become one of the dominant theorists and practitioners of amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises has made and continues to make it an important tool for U.S. foreign policy. During the U.S. Civil War, their most important task was blockade duty and other ship-board battles, but were mobilized for a handful of operations as the war progressed. The remainder of the 19th century would be a period of declining strength and introspection about the mission of the Marine Corps. Under Commandant Jacob Zeilin's, many Marine customs and traditions took shape. During the Spanish–American War, Marines would lead U.S. forces ashore in the Philippines, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, demonstrating their readiness for deployment. Between 1900 and 1916, the Marine Corps continued its record of participation in foreign expeditions. Between the world wars, the Marine Corps was headed by Major General John A. Lejeune, another popular commandant. In World War II, the Marines played a central role, under Admiral Nimitz, in the Pacific War, participating in nearly every significant battle. The Marines also played an important role in the Vietnam War. The Marines went to Beirut during the 1982 Lebanon War on 24 August. On 23 October 1983, the Marine barracks in Beirut was bombed, causing the highest peacetime losses to the Corps in its history. The I Marine

“Right after World War I, when John A. Lejeune was appointed commandant of the Marine Corps, there was a push by General Pershing and President Wilson to