The Top Ten Moments in Marine Corps History

[Mickie Johnson]

The Top Ten Moments in Marine Corps History

• Nov 10, 2015

In order to help celebrate the Marine Corps 240th birthday, we'd like to remember the top ten moments in Marine Corps History. Without further ado...

1. Barbary Wars: Derna
The first offshore threat to US interests came from North Africa, where Muslim Barbary pirate states would enslave American crews and impose a tribute for American vessels who no longer enjoyed the protection of the Royal Navy. A small detachment of Marines, leading Greek and Arab mercenaries, set on a long march across the desert until they captured the Barbary city of Derna. This was the first US land victory outside of the Western hemisphere.

2. Mexican American War: Chapultepec
In the final stages of the Mexican-American War, US Marines were the first to storm the Chapultepec castle, at a very high cost in lives. The capture of the castle meant that Mexico City had fallen, handing a critical victory to the US, ultimately ensuring its dominance in North America.

3. Pre-Civil War Conflict: Harper’s Ferry
A little known fact is that the Federal troops that ended John Brown’s rebellion at the Harper’s Ferry Arsenal in 1859 were Marines, led by none other than Robert E. Lee. Regardless of Brown’s motivations, Marines quickly ended any further destruction of US military property with little loss of life.

4. Spanish American War: Guantanamo
Marines were the ones who seized Guantanamo Bay from the Spanish in Cuba, laying the way for the Naval base that is still operated by the US today. This was the first in many operations in the Caribbean, where Marines regularly intervened to protect US interests in the region.

5. WWI: Belleau Wood
Belleau Wood was the first large battle in World War I for American forces. The Marine Corps had little experience in fighting large, industrial wars against first rate European powers, and the Germans thought that US troops would be a push-over. Belleau Wood was the center of the German offensive, but Marines repelled German advances with aggressive bayonet charges and superior marksmanship. The German commander, shocked and impressed by the Marines’ performance, nicknamed them “Devil Dogs”.

6. WWII: Iwo Jima
World War II was the toughest war for the Marine Corps. The Corps expanded to almost half a million Marines, and faced a determined enemy. Iwo Jima exemplified these tough battles, where Japanese troops hid in a cave system – cutting down Marines with machine guns and artillery while they attacked from a beach with little cover. Marines then had to clear the cave systems with no outside support, often involving close quarters combat. Their nerves of steel and courage enabled them to secure the island and bring Japan one step closer to surrender.

7. Chosin
Not long after its horrific campaign in the Pacific against Japan, the Marine Corps was soon called again to defend US security in Asia. Flanking the North Koreans at Inchon, Marines slowly rolled back the Communists, until China intervened and swamped Korea with its endless supply of troops. Caught between the Chinese flood and a brutal winter, Marines fought a delayed action back to the US lines, buying vital time for Allied forces to reorganize and stand their ground against the Communists.

8. Vietnam: Khe Sanh
The Vietnam War was the last of the Marine Corps’ wars in the Pacific. Being stationed near the border with South Vietnam, Marines had to contend with both regular North Vietnamese troops as well as Vietcong insurgents. The Marines bore the brunt of the Tet Offensive, being surrounded at their Khe Sanh base and constantly attacked from North Vietnamese infantry and artillery barrages. US Aviation dropped the equivalent of 5 Hiroshima bombs on the numerous Vietnamese defenders, enabling the Marines to hold on until a relief effort pushed the Vietnamese back.

9. Gulf War – Desert Storm
Once Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, the US deployed troops to Saudi Arabia, including US Marines. The Marines were positioned on the right flank, assigned the recapture of Kuwaiti oil fields. There was little fighting itself, but Marines had to constantly train for Iraqi gas attacks – all while being stationed in one of the hottest parts of the planet.

10. War on Terror: Fallujah
Marines have been, and still are, deployed all over the globe to fight terrorism. One of the toughest battles for the Corps was in Fallujah, Iraq, where insurgents controlled the entire city. Marines went block to block and house to house, clearing rooms of insurgents and terrorists while minimizing civilian casualties. It is said that the Marine consistently scored headshots at long distances thanks to their great marksmanship, leading to rumors of possible war crimes. Those rumors were disproved as false.  Source: AAN

- See more at: http://americanactionnews.com/articles/the-top-ten-moments-in-marin...

 

[Virginia Foulk]

Thanks for posting this information.  My son-in-law (since deceased) talked a lot about the Marines and their fighting strength. He also talked about the lack of chemical masks (he was a military police charged with guarding the toxic dumps in Iraq and later succumbed to Cancer which was considered due to the Toxic dumps. And he was very concerned because the masks were inferior, and there weren't enough, so many times soldiers went without. 

 

[Mickie Johnson]

Yes, a lot of time our soldiers do not have the proper equipment.  That is why it is important to get the right people in office that will take care of our Military.  I am so sorry about your son-in-law.  He gave and we didn't help him.