Show marines are fighting hard after years of loyal service they have been always faithful and ever present in every war since early colonial days when they first served under george washington gallantry of the marines at wake island was the world war II 11 chapter in continuance of years of marine corps service that is wholly and actively embodied in the deserved motto semper hsemper fidelis faithful on november 10 1775 the conti cental congress passed a resolution organizing a marine chips corps ol of two battalions intended mainly to be ships gunnery and boarding squads they soon performed illustrious and efficient service on land and sea while some marines fought with washington others played important roles in the victory of the bon homme homine richard over the british it was a marine aboard john paul jones ship who threw a grenade into the hold of the and was responsible for its sinking soon distinguished themselves soon after the ending of the revolution the marine corps like the army and navy was disbanded when however in 1799 this country came into conflict with france on the seas the marine corps wis was reestablished by president john adams in immediate service as boarding parties or as defense against enemy boarding marines soon distinguished themselves and earned the respect of the enemy for the deadly accuracy of their musket fire it was during these days that the term leatherneck was applied to marines in order to protect themselves during battle the marines in early days wore a heavy piece of leather around their necks and hence the nickname in the early century marines began to lay foundation for cor the outstanding reputation which the present corps has inherited they fought in the war of 1812 they were in the thick of the successful campaign against the barbary pirates they were with commodore perry in the far east lest marines be considered naval attachments solely and though they were created as a component part of the naval service to support the fleet marines may in national emergency be detached for service with the army as in france during world war I 1 marine civil war action in the civil war the corps served on the blockading ships ot of the navy and participated in naval attacks on the coastal fortifications of the confederacy they also made many landings from ships patrolling the mississippi river in the spanish american war the marines landed at guantanamo bay cuba to secure after severe fighting the harbor as a base for the united states fleet in its operations against santiago marine detachments took part in the naval battles batties oil oft santiago and in manila bay during the latter half of the last century and the early years of the century the marines saw much service in the west indies and central america notably in nicaragua and haiti sent to fu forestall possible european intervention and to provide protection against bandits and other lawless elements the marines achieved a notable record of governmental administration when america entered the last world war there were approximately officers and men in the corps more th than in half this number however Lo wever were scattered over the face ot of toe the earth within five weeks marines got into the battle the fifth regiment sailed for france first and soon was followed by the sixth these groups were cited for conspicuous action in the chateau thierry sector the aasne aisne bearne offensive and the aleuse argonne fighting in its long glorious history the corps has landed and had the situation well in hand for the protection of lives and the property of american citizens in many countries four tasks the marine corps is under the command of gen thomas holcomb it has four distinct tasks 1 to maintain a mobile force in immediate readiness as a part of the U S fleet for use in shore operations 2 to maintain marine de tach a part of the ships crew on cruis cruisers aircraft carriers and battleships 3 to provide garrisons for the safeguarding of navy yards M 4 W A p w I 1 V bl y 1 A 41 1 I rt 0 PJ e t ji x the marines have landed that was the shout that again went around the world when the leathernecks Leather necks took the solomon islands away from the japs this scene here shows just how thick the sky was with antiaircraft anti aircraft shells to shoo away any jap plane that might have wanted to set get in on the party and naval stations at home and in outlying possessions of the U S 1 to provide forces lor for the protection of american lives and property abroad during its existence the strength of the corps has varied from its original two battalions to more than at present there are arc many stories told among the old timers in the marine corps about the fighting that took place in nicaragua and haiti not so long ago there is the story that tells about A small group of marines surrounded by bandits were fighting desperately in the village of in january 1928 several of the marines had been killed many A V 0 t W ek I 1 v these marines in training are ready to fight any kind of fight that the enemy may decide to make there a technique of present day warfare that these rough and ready up and get em two alsted fight ers been acquainted with |