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 TWENTYNINE
PALMS, Calif. - The Marine Corps Hymn was adopted as the official
hymn of the Marine Corps in 1929 during Gen. John Lejeune's tenure
as the Corps' 13th Commandant. When The Marines' Hymn is played,
Marines stand at attention as a gesture of respect, expressing
reverence in their fellow Marines, their Corps, their country, their
heritage, and their hymn.
From the halls of Montezuma
The Mexican-American War began in 1845. In September 1847, U.S.
Marines and Army troops battled Mexican forces in Mexico City. It
was during the Battle of Chapultepec when American forces captured
Chapultepec Castle, a site known as the Halls of Montezuma.
To the shores of Tripoli
During the First Barbary War in
1805, Marine Lt. Presley O'Bannon and eight other Marines led a band
of mercenaries to conduct a surprise attack that began the Battle of
Derna, on “the shores of Tripoli.” The battle was a major victory in
the conflict.
We fight our country's battles
The
Marine Corps' role is to be a fighting force always ready for
crisis. As our nation's force of first responders, the Marine Corps
is uniquely suited to meet today's and tomorrow's security
challenges. Marine Expeditionary Units train rigorously prior to
deployment, to serve as a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based
Marine Air-Ground Task Forces capable of conducting amphibious
operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations.
Marines also maintain a global presence as U.S. Embassy security
guards in 125 countries.
In the air, on land, and sea
The Marine Corps started as naval infantry, but has evolved over the
centuries to serve as the nation's expeditionary fighting force,
employing the Marine Air-Ground Task Force skilled in effectively
combining ground and air components to defeat adversaries. In 1942,
the 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Thomas Holcomb,
changed, “On the land as on the sea,” to the current wording, to
recognize the addition of aviation in the Marine Corps' arsenal with
fighters like the Grumman F4F Wildcat and Chance Vought F4U Corsair.
First to fight for right and freedom
Marines are first to
fight because they maintain a forward-deployed presence around the
world, particularly in places where conflict has been known to
arise. Even in peacetime, Marines uphold mission readiness by
maintaining the 11th, 13th and 15th MEUs on the West Coast; the
22nd, 24th and 26th MEUs on the East Coast; and the 31st MEU based
out of Okinawa, Japan.
And to keep our honor clean
Personal integrity, strong moral character and adherence to ethical
principles define honor. Marines have been present in every American
conflict to date. Notable Marines and units, such as Lt. Gen. Lewis
“Chesty” Puller, recipient of five Navy Crosses, and 5th and 6th
Marine Regiments, known for their tenacity during the Battle of
Belleau Wood in World War I, remain revered by Americans and foreign
militaries alike for their distinguished display of honor.
We
are proud to claim the title of United States Marines
Marines
are proud to be the nation's elite fighting force. The title of
Marine is earned and never given and will stay with a Marine for the
rest of their life. The Marine Corps is often seen as a brotherhood
between all generations, past and present.
By USMC LCpl. Paul Martinez
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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