Marine Corps Birthday - MiltiaryTimes.com

Happy Birthday Marine Corps

Each autumn, over the course of several weeks, Marines don their dress blues and gather to celebrate the Corps’ founding on Nov. 10, 1775.

In hotel ballrooms, casinos and base clubs around the world, they feast and dance and listen to tales of war – and of those who have died in service to their country. In every clime and place – from windowless offices and grassy parade decks, to ships at sea and combat zones in Afghanistan and Iraq – leathernecks will pause and celebrate their Corps. And in the tradition established 88 years ago by the 13th commandant, they will recall the birthday message delivered by Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune to mark the Corps’ 146th birthday.

“From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne,” he wrote, “Marines have won foremost honors in war. …In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term ‘Marine’ has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.”

The following five stories of combat heroism, carried out by Marines who’ve fought in Afghanistan, celebrate that same tradition today, as the Corps marks its 234th year. And as their medal citations confirm, these Marines espouse the service’s “highest traditions” and possess the virtues promoted throughout its history by legendary leathernecks such as Lejeune.

Happy birthday, Marines.

History

Bravery

MAJ. JAMES W. EAGAN III

Bronze Star with combat ‘V,’ received Aug. 29.

SGT. JOHN NIZNIK

Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat ‘V,’ received June 11.

1ST LT. REBECCA TURPIN

Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat ‘V,’ received Sept. 4

CPL. ANDREW CONTE

Bronze Star with combat ‘V,’ received Oct. 30

GUNNERY SGT. CHRISTOPHER J. CLOOKEY

Bronze Star Medal with combat ‘V’ received Sept. 24.

Find more Marine Corps heroism at the Hall of Valor

 Hall of Valor

Traditions

Seven USMC birthday traditions – comtemporary and historic

  • 1) At annual birthday ceremonies, Marines hear the words of 13th Commandant Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune's message, issued in 1921 as Marine Corps Order No. 47.
  • 2) The current commandant's annual birthday message is also read or watched on video.
  • 3) During the formal cake cutting ceremony, after the guest of honor gets the first piece, the next piece, cut by a Mameluke sword, goes to the oldest Marine. The third piece goes to the youngest Marine.
  • 4) At home and at some overseas posts, Marines don their dress Alphas for fancy birthday balls where they dine, dance and hear battle stories from combat vets.
  • 5) Indoor or outdoor birthday pageants bring alive the Corps' traditions of battle and uniforms.
  • 6) Aboard ships and at base chow halls, leathernecks worldwide will enjoy a special birthday meal.
  • 7) The least traditional, but most gung-ho – of birthday traditions is the birthday run. This year, a group of Camp Pendleton Marines are running a 234-mile course.

– Gidget Fuentes

Lore of the Marine Corps

Selected columns from Robert F. Dorr and Fred L. Borch highlighting the history of the Corps