The Marine Corps owes its existence to the accomplishments of generations of officers and men who have served under its colors, the Marines who made its history. That history is an integral part of the sense of pride and tradition that pervades the present-day Marine Corps. Each of us holds in trust the deeds of those who manned the fighting tops of Continental frigates, who earned a new name for Belleau Wood in France, who stormed ashorc through withering fire on many beaches of the Pacific, who fought their way to the sea against overwhelming odds in the bitter winter at the Chosin Reservoir, and who held the combat base at Khe Sanh against the North Vietnanìese. For this reason, every Marine officer and enlisted man in his basic training is made aware of his military heritage.
For most Marines, and for many Americans, exposure to some facets of Marine Corps history leads to the desire to know more of the subject. The purpose of this monograph is to present in concise form the full sweep of that history through narrative, art, and photographs. It highlights significant events, and, for those whose interest is aroused, provides an extensive guide for further and more detailed reading. Most of all, this history provides on introduction to the brave and trusted men who gave our motto Semper Fidelis its meaning.
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