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History of the Marine Corps Episodes
WWII E136 Marines Capture Roi-Namur
WWII E136 Marines Capture Roi-Namur

At Kwajalein and Roi-Namur, months of rehearsals, better intel, and hard-earned Tarawa lessons came together. The 4th Marine Division, fresh off the boat from Pendleton, made its combat debut alongside Army units already blooded in the Aleutians. They landed under real air cover, backed by real logistics, and fought smart, clearing bunkers with tanks and torches instead of charging into fire…

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WWII E135 Lessons of Tarawa Marines Adapt in the Marshalls
WWII E135 Lessons of Tarawa Marines Adapt in the Marshalls

After the brutal learning curve at Tarawa, the Marine Corps came into this fight prepared, equipped, and determined to lead the next phase of the war. For the first time, their landings were backed by meaningful fire support and rehearsed coordination. The chaos of earlier battles gave way to calculated strikes. This episode follows their path from…

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WWII E134 Chaos at Dawn: Tanks and Flamethrowers at Tarawa
WWII E134 Chaos at Dawn: Tanks and Flamethrowers at Tarawa

The initial assault was chaotic—coral reefs slowed the approach, landing craft were wrecked, and units came ashore under heavy fire. But by the second and third days, the situation began to change. Officers like Shoup, Edson, and Jones made key decisions, reinforcements came in, and tanks managed to cross the reef. Despite exhaustion and limited ground…

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CMC Cates found himself in an uncomfortable position two months after taking office. Senior military leaders convened to discuss roles and missions, but Cates was excluded. The conference resolved that the US would likely go to war against the Soviet
In 1855, Francis M. Scala became the first Marine to hold the title “Leader of the Band.” He was paid $16 per month for this prestigious role. In 1865, on New Year’s Day morning, Scala surprised Colonel Commandant Jacob Zeilin at
Last year, I picked up a replica of an enlisted Marine's hat plate circa 1812. The scroll in the eagle's beak reads "Fortitudine," the original motto of the Corps. The details in the replica are impressive. During the War of 1812, Marines
The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, claiming the lives of nearly 6,800 US service members. Twenty-seven Marines and sailors earned the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions. #wwii #iwojima #moh
Iwo Jima is a Japanese name that translates to "Sulfur Island." This name comes from the island's volcanic origin and high sulfur content. Before WWII, one of the island's primary exports was sulfur. Roughly 25% of Japanese troops garriso
The first African-Americans to enlist in the Marine Corps trained at Camp Montford Point in Jacksonville, NC, from August 26, 1942, until the camp was decommissioned on September 9, 1949. During World War II, 19,168 black Marines served in the Corps
@thehistorychick1941 shared a fascinating post. During part 4 of Defense of the Philippines, I briefly discuss Allied POW casualties on board Japanese hellships. It's unlikely U.S. Marines were on this vessel, but the discovery helps highlight the
The Battle of Belleau Wood forever changed the purpose of the Corps. No longer were Marines a force specializing in small-scale skirmishes against light infantry units, rebel groups, and pirates. They now faced armies. This sudden change came at a c
The first documented standardized test for Marines was issued by President Teddy Roosevelt on December 9, 1908. Roosevelt found that many older cavalry officers were unable to trot their horses. He felt, "In battle, time is essential, and gr