The mid-1970s saw the Marine Corps assume an increasingly significant role in defending NATO’s northern flank as amphibious units of the 2d Marine Division participated in exercises throughout northern Europe. The Marine Corps also played a key role in the development of the Rapid Deployment Force, a multi-service organization created to insure a flexible, timely military response around the world. The ability of the Corps to respond quickly has always been essential to its mission. The necessity for an instantly available, rigorously trained force of relentless fighters was always there. (Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 90) The seeds of this characteristic were planted early on this century with the Missions in the Caribbean, and Pacific.
The 1980s brought an increasing number of terrorist attacks on US embassies around the world. Marine Security Guards, under the direction of the State Department, continued to serve with distinction in the face of this challenge. In October 1983, Marines took part in the highly successful, short-notice intervention in Grenada. As the decade of the 1980s came to a close, Marines were summoned to respond to instability in Central America. ?Operation Just Cause? was launched in Panama in December 1989 to protect American lives and restore the democratic process in that nation. Once again the role of the Marines was the protection of American interests, in this case American interest became maintaining democracy. (Alexander, 365)
Less than a year later, in August 1990, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait set in motion events that would lead to the largest movement of Marine Corps forces since World War II. Between August 1990 and January 1991, some 24 infantry battalions, 40 squadrons, and more than 92,000 Marines deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Desert Shield. Operation Desert Storm was launched January, 16 1991, the day the air campaign began. The main attack came overland beginning February 24 when the 1st and 2d Marine Divisions breached the Iraqi defense lines and stormed into occupied Kuwait. By the morning of February 28, 100 hours after the ground war began, almost the entire Iraqi Army in the Kuwaiti Theater of operations had been encircled with 4,000 tanks destroyed and 42 divisions destroyed or rendered ineffective. (Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 107)
Overshadowed by the events in the Persian Gulf during 1990-91, was a number of other significant Marine deployments demonstrating the Corps’ flexible and rapid response. Included among these were non-combatant evacuation operations in Liberia and Somalia and humanitarian lifesaving operations in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and northern Iraq. In December 1992, Marines landed in Somalia marking the beginning of a two-year humanitarian relief operation in that famine-stricken and strife-torn nation. In another part of the world, Marine Corps aircraft supported Operation Deny Flight in the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. During April 1994, Marines once again demonstrated their ability to protect American citizens in remote parts of the world when a Marine task force evacuated US citizens from Rwanda in response to civil unrest in that country. Closer to home, Marines went ashore in September 1994 in Haiti as part of the US force participating in the restoration of democracy in that country. During this same period Marines were actively engaged in providing assistance to the Nation’s counter-drug effort, assisting in battling wild fires in the western United States, and aiding in flood and hurricane relief operations. The Marines of yesterday set the precedent of being more than just soldiers, but to be peacekeepers, to be humanitarians, to be Marines. (www.usmc.gov)
“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. Marines don’t have that problem.” –President Ronald Reagan, 1985
The role of the Corps of the early 1900?s is still a substantial one. Humanitarian and disaster relief operations were also conducted by Marines during 1998 on Kenya, and in the Central American nations of Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. In 1999, Marine units deployed to Kosovo in support of Operations Allied Force.
“The Marines have landed and have the situation well in hand.” (Parker, 250) This phase illustrates the job of to Corps, and the legacy that it must life up to. As we enter into the new millennium, the Marine Corps has continued its tradition of innovation to meet the challenges of a new century.
Today’s Marine Corps stands ready to continue in the proud tradition of those who so valiantly fought and died at Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, and Khe Sanh. Combining a long and proud heritage of faithful service to the nation, with the resolve to face tomorrow’s challenges will continue to keep the Marine Corps the “best of the best.”
The Marines go about their business in a different and possibly more efficient manner than the other branches. The Marines are the only branch of the military defined by Congress; therefore their mission is a mandate. The Army’s mission could be considered “to win wars,” but that is not the (only) Marine’s job. Granted, the Marine’s will continue to be very involved in any war that America wages; yet wartime is not the specific duty.
The Marines’ historic mission has been to be ready to respond to international disaster, emergency, crisis, and when necessary, war. Marines are considered the international 911 force.
During the Cold War, the Marine Corps responded to 139 tasks from the National Command Authority — an average of one every 15 weeks — ranging from military attacks against America or our allies, to stopping acts of political violence against Americans abroad. Marine operations other than war include providing disaster relief and evacuating American citizens from hostile areas. The Marines were the first in on the scene, first to fight, and first the find a solution in a majority of these cases. In present day, the Marines are more active in this role than ever. Since 1990, Marines have responded once every 5 weeks. (www.usmc.gov)
Because the Corps is consistently aware of their global readiness mission, it stays focused and operates most efficiently as a small powerhouse. The Marines are the smallest of the armed forces and the least expensive. But America gets more for the money from the Marine Corps than any other service branch. Currently, the 6% of the Defense Budget allotted to the Corps buys 12% of active U.S. forces, 23% of active ground divisions, and 14% of all available tactical aircraft. (http://home.globalfrontiers.com/jpu/)
There are many specialty forces within the U.S. Military. Navy Seals, Army Green Berets, Army Airborne and other specialty units comprise the elite forces of U.S. Military. Only the United States Marine Corps stands out as an elite force in and of itself. Marines have a history. They have fought in every major and minor engagement in which the United States has ever been involved. Marines are the Presidents, Ambassadors, and Embassy guards. Marines have a tradition. Marines do not surrender. Marines do not leave their dead on the battlefield. Marines have an honor. Marines die for that honor. (Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 16,17)
The honor and pride of the USMC inspired me and sparked my interest in learning about the history of the corps and what makes a Marine? The history I researched through many books and internet sources but what impressed me the most was in my personal interview with Corporal Webster of the USMC.
Webster contacted me at home because I had responded to some recruiting brochures in the mail. His attitude and tenacity were evident in one phone call. My mother was afraid the Marines would come and take me away in the night. (Webster) He asked me some real pointed questions that enabled me to focus on my personal goals and my future professional career path.
The attitude of the Corps can be observed in other recruiting methods. When Marines go to speak at High Schools along with other services, he will opt to go last. After the other services have presented the benefits, education opportunities, job selection and pay incentives, the Marine recruiter will get up and say, ?There may be one or two of you good enough to be Marines. If you think you are, I?ll talk to you.? This is the pride of the Marine Corps. Marine posters challenge rather than guarantee. The challenge is to become one of them, to become one of ?The few, The proud, The Marines.? It is this challenge that inspires people like myself to join the Marines. The reason why I choose this topic is due to my respect and admiration for the Marines. They aren?t ?promising you a rose garden? but they do promise that you will never be the same.
?Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.? Ralph Waldo Emerson
?Here?s health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we?ve fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven?s scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines. The Marine?s Hymn
1.
Allen, Gardner W. A Naval History of the American Revolution. 2 vols. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1913.
2. Alexander, Col. Joseph H., Horan, Don, Stahl, Norman C,. The Battle History of the U.S. Marines, A Fellowship of Valor. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1997
3. Ellsworth Capt Harry A., One Hundred Eighty Landings of United States Marines, 1800-1934. Washington: Historical Section, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1934.
4.
http://home.globalfrontiers.com/jpu/
5.
Historical Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. A Chronology of the United States Marine Corps 1775-1934. Washington, D.C. 1965
6.
?www.marines.com
7.
Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, The Marines. Editor-in-Chief Simmons, Edwin Howard. Editor Moskin, J. Robert. Quantico, Virginia: Hugh Levin Associates, Inc., 1998
8.
McClellan, Maj. Edwin N. History of the United States Marine Corps. 2 vols. Washington: Historical Section, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, 1925-37
9.
Metcalf, Lt. Col Cldye H. History of the United States Marine Corps. New Youk: G.P. Putnam?s Sons, 1939.
10.
Parker, Captain William D., USMCR, A Concise History of the United States Marine Corps, 1775-1969 Washington: Historical Division, U.S. Marine Corps, 1970
11.
?www.parrisisland.com
12.
Ringler, Jack K. U.S. Marine Corps Operations in the Dominican Republic, April-June 1965. Washington, DC: Historical Division, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, 1992.
13.
Shoup, David M. USMC., The Marines in China 1927-1928, The China Expedition which turned out to be The China Exhibition, A Contempouraneaus Journal. Hamden, Connecticut: The Shoe String Press, Inc. , 1987
14.
www.usmc.gov
15.
Webster. Corporal Steven. Interview by Steven Towler, 15 March 2000, North Andover. Phone Call.
United States Marine Corps
Steven Towler
A.P. United States History
Mr. Strobel
North Andover High School
March 27, 2000