United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Division of Public Affairs
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C. 20380-1775
Telephone: 703-614-4309 DSN 224-4309 Fax 703-695-7460
Contact: CONTACT: Elaine Krackau, ekrackau@austin.rr.com, (512) 733-5145

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Release # 0421-05-0650
April 21, 2005

Vietnam Vets finally welcomed home

BRANSON, Mo.--When troops arrive from Iraq after being deployed for a year, they are welcomed home to fanfare, television cameras and large parties. However, the Vietnam War was the only war in American history whose participants were never welcomed home. For the most part, the soldiers were deployed as individuals, not as units, and they came home alone - not to a welcome, but to bricks, taunts and protests.

This summer, as American soldiers fight the Iraqi war overseas, there will finally be a true homecoming for Vietnam veterans. Branson, Missouri, a town with a history of honoring veterans, is hosting Operation Homecoming USA June 13-19. With seed money provided by Ross Perot and other generous corporations, this event, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, will host many of the USO acts who performed in-country, including The Beach Boys, Creedence Clearwater, Tony Orlando and a dozen more.

Decorated Vietnam veteran, Robert Vaughan, is a spokesperson for the event . Vaughan is the author of Brandywine's War: Back in Country (Skyward Publishing, April 2005, $19.95), an iconoclastic novel about helicopter flying inVietnam. This book is a sequel to his 1971 best selling novel, Brandywine's War, which he wrote while serving in Vietnam.

"This will be a true homecoming for those of us who carried the flag through the longest war in America's history - then came home to radical groups of people who threw bricks and spat upon us," says Vaughan. "Through the welcome home celebration we will finally be able to say out loud that we, too, served our country with dignity, pride and honor."

Vaughan is a sought-after speaker and author of more than 250 books. He is currently writing a documentary film about the Vietnam veteran for The History Channel.

For more information on the event, please visit www.operationhomecomingusa.com.

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
Marine Corps Systems Command; ; Marine Corps Systems Command,
Capt. J. Landis
2200 Lester Street
Quantico, Virginia 22134-6054
Comm: 703-432-3794/3785; DSN 378-3794/3785; Fax: 703-432-3486
Contact:

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Release # 0510-05-1435

Body Armor Concerns
May 9, 2005

QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps’ first concern is the safety and physical protection of our individual Marines.

The facts as presented in the Marine Corps Times article published on May 9 regarding the Outer Tactical Vest have been taken out of context and misrepresent the actual capabilities of the OTVs in question. This article casts doubt on whether or not the OTV can stop a 9 mm round fired from a standard pistol such as the M-9 Berretta. The United States Marine Corps maintains that the OTV system is capable of defeating the 9 mm and other ballistic threats, in addition to providing protection from shrapnel and fragmentation.

Additional facts on the OTV system follow:

The lots in question were urgently needed and fielded when Marines were ordered back into Iraq in spring and fall of 2004. The OTVs in every instance are a significant improvement in protection from the outdated Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops flak jacket they replaced. The decision to waive these lots was made in order to provide the best available individual protection equipment as Marines were rotating back into harm’s way. The OTV is the base component of the Interceptor Body Armor System that also includes Small Arms Protective Inserts that protect against direct fire from assault rifles, and the Armor Protection Enhancement System that guards the neck, arms, and groin.

Because we knew this article was forthcoming and could potentially sow seeds of doubt in the minds of Marines in active combat, we concluded the only way to rapidly remove these doubts was to recall the lots in question. However, we maintain these vests are effective at meeting the threat posed by 9 mm pistol rounds. Present combat operations preclude us from retesting at this time to prove to our Marines these vests are effective. Therefore, we initiated the recall.

Of the approximately 19,000 vests the Marine Corps Times addresses, 5,277 vests are subject to recall. Additionally, of the then remaining 14, 000 vests questioned by the article, 10,000 vests are from lots that have never been accepted or fielded by the Marine Corps. In turn, of the remaining 4,000 vests, approximately 3,000 vests passed all quality and testing standards without requiring a waiver. The remaining 992 vests (two lots) also passed all quality and testing standards but were held for release by the Natick contracting officer because they were in the same production run as the recalled lots. Consequently, in order to get these 992 vests (two lots) released they had to be fielded with a perfunctory waiver to expedite their delivery to the Operating Forces.

Operation Iraqi Freedom casualty data gathered from the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner and the Navy/Marine Corps Combat Trauma Registry proves that the OTV, a part of the Interceptor Body Armor System, is highly effective in reducing the number of lethal and non-lethal wounds to the chest and abdomen. This system is the most revolutionary personal protection system fielded to warriors in the past several decades.

To date the Marine Corps has fielded more than 181,000 OTVs to Marines in the fleet. The recalled 5,277 OTVs in question represent less than three percent of the total number fielded.

We would expect the concerned mothers and fathers of America to want their sons and daughters to have the best possible protection available when they deployed and entered into combat. Consequently, we don’t believe that they would have wanted their Marines to deploy to Iraq with the obsolete PASGT vest while we wait for a 100% solution when a 99.9% solution was at hand.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf...ev1TextOnly.doc

A well informed individual is ignorance's worst enemy.

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
Multi-National Force-West;

cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
Contact:

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Release # 0518-05-0630

Fallujah Holds Its First City Council Meeting

May 17, 2005

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- The first democratically-elected city council of Fallujah held its inaugural meeting today at the Civil-Military Operations Center in Fallujah.

The 20-member council met for approximately two hours, during which time they elected the chairman, vice chairman and secretary of the council. Imams, sheiks, engineers, lawyers, educators, administrators and businessmen are among those who make up the council.

Sheik Khalid Hammoud Mahal al-Joumaily, newly-elected chairman, said “We are happy with the free democratic process which led to a successful election.”

Mohamed Hussain Alzobai, representative of the Provincial Council, attended the meeting and offered words of encouragement to the Fallujah City Council. “You are the ones selected to represent the people of Fallujah and we hope your intent is good for the people of Fallujah,” said Alzobai. “You must do what you can to encourage the people to vote in the upcoming election.”

I'll bet these are the same articles they send to Stars and Stripes.

Muxsters keep communications flowing throughout Iraq
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200552175934
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis


AL ASAD, Iraq (May 21, 2005) -- In today’s Marine Corps, communication between the separate entities is essential for planning and executing operations. The ability of units to communicate across the vast expanses of Iraq becomes crucial to operations throughout the country.

The Marines of Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28’s multi-channel radio
operators platoon ensure the constant flow of data throughout the 2nd Marine Aircraft
Wing (Forward) area of operations.

The multi-channel radio, or MUX, operators allow service members at outlying
posts to communicate with higher headquarters here and throughout the area of
operations.

“We provide the ability for everything from tactical data transfer to non-secure
telephone,” said Lance Cpl. Ryan J. Tower, multi-channel radio operator and native of
Parsippany, N.J. “We allow the distant ends to communicate.”

Basically, communications Marines in a forward operating base combine all the
forms of communications, internet and phones, into one signal through a process called
multiplexing.

Satellite transmitters then bounce the signal off the troposphere, a layer of the
atmosphere that extends 46,000 feet above ground. The MUX Marines here receive the
combined signal and route it to another section in MWCS-28 who decodes it and passes it
on to the agencies within the wing who need it to plan and coordinate the mission.

“Because the MAW is spread throughout Iraq, open lines of communication are
essential,” said Sgt. Michael T. Fitzgerald, multi-channel radio operator and native of
Owensboro, Ky. “Without the capabilities we provide, Marines out there could not
coordinate air and ground support, plan and track missions or even make a phone call
home.”

One of the challenges the Marines face is the fact that the troposphere adjusts
throughout the day. In order to get maximum efficiency for transmission the equipment
must be able to reach the troposphere.

“The troposphere lowers each night,” said Lance Cpl. Bradley E. Ellis, multi-
channel radio operator and native of Bismark, Ill. “We have to adjust the signal and the
equipment to ensure the data continues to flow.”

In addition to providing communication to remote areas, the Marines of the MUX
platoon allow units across Al Asad to communicate with the command center here.

The communications Marines use the transmitters to provide wireless
communication here.

“Instead of having to run miles of wire or fiber optic cable, our equipment
provides wireless avenues of communication across the air base,” Tower said. “Not only
do we ensure Marines hundreds of miles away can communicate with the command
center, but Marines on the other side of the base too.”

As operations continue throughout the Marine Corps’ area of responsibility, the
efforts of the communications community remain paramount to the success of the
mission. From MUX and wire, to radio, data and maintenance — each section ensures the
communications light is green.

“[In communications,] everyone has their part,” said Staff Sgt. JohnDavid S.
Acuff, MUX staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge and native of Kings Mountain,
N.C. “Each part is equally important — because without each piece, the entire chain will
go down.”

“The whole point is to support the Marines on the ground,” Ellis said. “We take
great pride in our job, knowing that what we do allows the MAW to perform like it does
each day.”

*For more information about the Marines or news reported on in this
story, please contact Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis by e-mail at defilippisrc@acemnf-
wiraq.usmc.mil*



I see a couple of names of folks I used to work with, glad they are doing such a fine job. OOOOOHHHHRAHHH!

Field radio operators are division’s information foundation

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story by: Computed Name: Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio
Story Identification #: 200551933157




AR RAMADI, Iraq(May 19, 2005) -- In the age of information, emerging technology is ever more present in the military’s combat theater. But sometimes it’s old tech that keeps the tempo high – especially for Marines of Radio Platoon, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division where Sgt. Janna Klehm works.

Klehm, a 20-year-old field radio operator from Brenham, Texas, and her platoon of approximately 40 Marines are responsible for the exchange of information between units outside the camp’s wire and the command post here. Their jobs aren’t just limited to speaking over a radio handset though. These Marines are integrated within many of the units working out of Camp Blue Diamond.

The platoon has a main cell that monitors all radio traffic and feeds it to the combat operations center. The transmissions come from all over the division’s area of responsibility in the Al Anbar Province. In turn, the Marines, sailors and soldiers who work in the COC can use the information to shape their battle plans.

“Radio platoon is just a small piece of the communications pie,” said Klehm, a 2002 Brenham High School graduate. “But we’re one of the most needed,” she added.

Her Marines are scattered throughout the camp filling jobs as radio operators for convoys that pick up personnel and equipment from other bases. The journeys take them along dangerous highways often lined with improvised explosive devices and insurgent attackers.

Some of the Marines are trained to venture into that dangerous territory to reestablish communications should the computer network shut down. These Marines are part of a subunit of the platoon simply called the ‘Forward.’ It is comprised of radio operators who set up a provisional communications section wherever the commander needs it on the battlefield.

It may be dangerous, but her Marines are constantly learning. Some of them have even been through combat situations in the past, which makes her unit well suited for the job.

“The MOS (military occupational specialty) has slightly evolved recently,” said Klehm. “We use a system that is half radio, half computer to retrieve and send information – rather than the traditional VHF or UHF radio transmissions that are often fuzzy and slow to use.

“Email is faster and more efficient – and that seems to be where everything is going.”

Despite the need for quickness and efficiency, Klehm believes that radios are the foundation for battlefield communications. When email is out of commission, radios are always operable, according to Klehm.

“Even when people are sleeping, the radios are always up,” said Klehm. “And Marines are always with those radios, whether they’re on a convoy, a quick reaction force or any other company operating from here.”

With the mix of new and old technology, the Marines have been recently cross-training with their counterparts in the data sections, who manage the computer network that connects the entire division.

“We naturally become proficient in different MOSs within the communications field as we work together,” said Klehm. “We also extend that opportunity to all Marines here with weekly classes teaching radio operation. Email is great, but radios are the base for all of the division’s lines of communication.”

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Division of Public Affairs
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C. 20380-1775
Telephone: 703-614-4309 DSN 224-4309 Fax 703-695-7460
Contact: Sara Grosvenor, Saragro@aol.com
202-255-1318

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Release # 0525-05-1301
May 24, 2005

TAPS helps military families cope with loss during Memorial weekend

WASHINGTON--The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors holds its 11th Annual TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar and its companion program, the Doof Grief Camp for young survivors May 26 to 30.

Located at the Double Tree Hotel in Arlington, Va., the seminar assists families facing the loss of loved ones who served in the Armed Forces.

With the survivor seminar as an integral part of its mission and services, TAPS is the sole, nonprofit organization to provide any military survivor with outreach assistance and companionship. Recognized by the Departments of Defense and Veterans’ Affairs as a Veterans Service Organization, TAPS is a 501c3, charitable corporation. TAPS receives referrals from government agencies, but no federal funding; it relies instead on corporate and private donations.

Expecting more than 100 children and 350 participants, the 2005 seminar will provide trauma and loss experts, counseling workshops, coping strategies, mentoring instruction, peer support and special events.

Chairman Bonnie Carroll founded TAPS in 1994 after gaining solace from other military wives. Her husband, Brig. Gen. Thomas Carroll, along with seven others, recently had died when their Army C-12 transport plane crashed in Alaska. Grateful for the support she’d found, Carroll, along with the TAPS team, is passionate about providing round-the-clock access to a network of peers, grief counselors, benefits’ information and crisis intervention.

Many seminar participants like Shelly Hall return annually to mentor others in bereavement. Hall had been left to raise five children under seven when her pilot husband perished in a C-12 accident in Germany The entire Hall family plans to attend, including eldest daughter Tyler, who connects with old friends while mentoring newly bereft children.

A member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Association of Death Education and Counseling, and Military and Patriotic Service Organizations, TAPS provides support 24/7 at 1-800-959-TAPS (8277). At its online site, www.taps.org, TAPS hosts a weekly grief-support group. TAPS sponsors include CACI, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Intellidyne, Militec-1, DoubleTree, Stewart and Stevenson.

St. Augustine native is back for more
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 2005524113827
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis



AL ASAD, Iraq (May 24, 2005) -- His whole life, James C. Saurman knew he wanted to be a military man — shoot guns, play in the mud, go to war.

After graduating from Alan D. Nease High School in May 2002, the St.
Augustine, Fla., native chose a path for his future that would allow him to do just that.

Saurman was a part of his high school’s Junior ROTC program and through the
mentorship of his instructors, chose to join the Marine Corps in early September 2001.

“I always knew I was going to be in the armed forces,” Cpl. Saurman said.
“However, after meeting my ROTC instructor, who was a retired Marine first sergeant, I
knew I wanted to be a Marine.”

Drawn to the history, discipline and traditions of the Corps, Saurman walked into
a Marine Corps recruiting office, a recruiter's dream.

“I told them I wanted to be a Marine and I wanted to be in the infantry,” he
recalled.

A bold and focused leader from the start, Saurman had a goal while at Marine
Corps recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.

“I told my recruiters from the start, that I was going to become company honor
man, and graduate with a meritorious promotion,” Saurman said. “I said I wasn’t leaving
that island until I did.”

That is exactly what he did. On October 4, 2002, Saurman graduated Marine
recruit training as the honor man for Company F and earned a meritorious promotion to
the rank of lance corporal.

Later that month, he reported to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he spent three months learning the basics of infantry tactics,
techniques and procedures.

“The School of Infantry was a fun time, but learning was behind it all,” he said. “I
learned a lot from the instructors and staff.”

Saurman earned a Meritorious Mast after graduating from infantry training and
reported for duty with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment on December
6, 2002.

After a few short days of settling in and learning the ropes from the
noncommissioned officers and senior men in the company, the men of Company L found
out they were going to war.

“We found out during Christmas leave that we were going to Iraq,” he recalled.
“At the time, we were doing cold-weather training. So, we turned in all of our cold
weather gear for desert gear.”

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Saurman was a light machine gunner for L Co.
first platoon. The company rolled out of Kuwait and into the Iraqi desert on March 20,
2003 in the back of 7-ton trucks.

Fresh from the School of Infantry, Saurman said it wasn’t his training he relied on
as much as it was the Marines he fought with.

“Training from SOI kicked in a little, but it was the leadership that got us
through,” he said. “Our NCOs and staff NCOs shared their knowledge and experience
with us.”

Pushing up from Kuwait through An Nasiriyah and finishing up in An
Numaniyah, Saurman said it was amazing to be a part of the historical operation that
toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein.

“It was a great experience, we made history,” he said. “Not many people can say
they were part of something like that.”

After six months in Iraq, his unit returned home to North Carolina for a well-
deserved but brief rest. Saurman’s battalion became designated as an anti-terrorism
battalion, and the men of Company L were packing for a deployment to Afghanistan.

According to Saurman, their tour in Afghanistan was the complete opposite of
their tour in Iraq. Saurman and the Marines of Company L guarded the American
Embassy in Kabul for six months as part of their new anti-terrorism role.

“It was definitely a change,” he recalled. “In Iraq, we were always on the move,
on the road or in combat. There, we were manning a tower or post. It was a different task,
but as our mission, we gave it our all.”

Returning home from his second deployment to support the Global War on
Terrorism, Saurman was chosen to attend the Advanced Infantry Squad Leaders School
at the School of Infantry. The two-month course is designed to teach and reinforce
leadership skills to infantry Marines preparing for the squad leader position.

“It was an awesome opportunity,” Saurman said of the course. “The instructors
taught us everything we needed to know to be a small unit leader and a leader of
Marines.”

After the course, Saurman and his company got word of a second deployment to
Afghanistan. However, Saurman would not go on this deployment due to a knee injury
from a motorcycle accident.

“I was in crutches, with all my gear and my pack, ready to go,” he said. “They
wouldn’t let me go, and it was hard to see everybody leave without me.”

In September, when his company returned from their third combat tour, a fully
recovered Saurman and his Marines began training for yet anther combat deployment. In
November, Saurman was promoted to his present rank.

Before the Marines shipped out, they were told that they would be serving a non-
traditional infantry role here in Al Asad.

That role was to augment the base defense operations center here. Since his
arrival, Saurman, and the Marines of Company L, have been conducting patrols through
the areas surrounding the base, guarding the ammunition supply point and serving as the
base’s quick reaction force.

Currently Saurman is serving with the quick reaction force, a team of Marines that
respond to emergencies on the base. The Marines are also the designated tactical recovery
of aircraft and personnel team in the event that an aircraft goes down.

“We are ensuring that the Marines here can do their job,” Saurman said. “The job
they do supports the Marines on the ground, and we allow them to do that without the
worry of base defense.”

“Those guys in the air are awesome,” he said. “Having air support is one of your
best assets. The air side is the infantrymen’s best friend, always has been, always will
be.”

Now half-way through his third deployment, Saurman said he is focusing on the
tasks at hand and training Lima’s next generation of leaders.

“We are focusing on doing our job the best we can,” he said. “This is also a great
environment to pass on the knowledge and experience we gained in the previous
deployments to the new Marines in the company.”

A solid leader, and overall good Marine, Saurman has earned the respect of his
peers and leadership.

“[Saurman] is a good Marine, extremely solid mentally and physically,” said
Capt. Sean M. Hankard, Lima Co. commanding officer. “As a man and a leader, he is
well respected by the Marines in his squad.”

This deployment should be the last for Saurman, who is planning to finish his four
year enlistment and become a firefighter in Martin County, Fla.

*For more information about the Marines or news reported on in this
story, please contact Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis by e-mail at defilippisrc@acemnf-
wiraq.usmc.mil*

Two Marines get big bucks, big news coverage for reenlisting
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story by: Computed Name: Cpl. Tom Sloan
Story Identification #: 2005524235555




CAMP HURRICANE POINT, AR RAMADI, Iraq(May 20, 2005) -- A reenlistment is a high point in a Marine’s career because it means they continue their dedicated service to Corps and country. A fat check and coverage by major TV news makes raising that right hand and swearing to support and defend even more special.

Such was the case for Lance Cpl. Michael P. Neal and Cpl. Nathan S. Southwick during their reenlistment ceremony here.

The two warriors with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, each received a bonus of approximately $20,000 and time on Fox News with Oliver North.

Oliver North and his two-man camera crew happened to be on their base – living here briefly while covering military operations in Ramadi – and got wind of their reenlistments.

The cameramen eagerly squeezed into the conference room, which was filled by more than 50 Marines who’d gathered to honor their comrades, set up their equipment and recorded the entire event. Both Marines had their photo taken shaking hands with the celebrity war correspondent after taking their oath of reenlistment.

Neal and Southwick are both machinegunners on their third deployment with the infantry battalion supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Money and 15 minutes of fame aside, both combat veterans were pleased to sign on for four more years and continue wearing the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

“I love my job,” said Neal, a 21-year-old from Country Club Hills, Ill., who serves in the battalion commander’s Jump Platoon, which regularly travels about the urban battlefield in a convoy of humvees.

The 2001 Hillcrest High School graduate rides in the turret of an armored vehicle and is in charge of providing security with his M240G machinegun.

“I’m doing something very few people have a chance to,” said Neal. “At my age, I have a lot of responsibility. In the civilian world it’s rare for a 21-year-old to be trusted with the same level of responsibility.”

Neal was working as a freelance computer programmer designing web pages for small businesses when he decided to change professions in 2001.

“I literally woke up one morning and said to myself, ‘Hey, I’m going to join the Marines,’” he recalled. “I was getting bored with my job and wanted to do something the total opposite.”

Neal enlisted as a machinegunner and transitioned from typing on computers to pulling triggers. “I chose the infantry because I wanted to be in the action.”

Neal will leave his present unit and serve as an instructor at Edson Range on Camp Pendleton, Calif. when he returns stateside in September.

Neal collected $19,692 in tax-free bonus money, which will be paid in a lump sum. He plans to use it to support his family, he said.

Neal and his wife, Ciera, are expecting a girl in less than a month. “Her name is McKenzie Rose.”

Southwick shared Neal’s pleasure in reenlisting.

“I want to continue being an infantryman,” said the 21-year-old from El Cajon, Calif., who serves as a team leader in 1st Squad, 4th Platoon, Company A. “I like the fighting, the action and the brotherhood. The camaraderie with my fellow Marines is great.”

United States Marine Corps
Press Release
Public Affairs Office
2nd Marine Division Camp Blue Diamond, Ar Ramadi, Iraq; 2nd Marine Division

Camp Blue Diamond, Ar Ramadi, Iraq


cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
Contact:

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Release # 0525-05-0927

Operation New Market update
May 25, 2005

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq -- Marines and sailors from Regimental Combat Team 2 and members of the Iraqi Security Forces are continuing operations in and around the city of Haditha.

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines are conducting operations in and around the city. The current operation, New Market (Souk Jadeed), is focused on disrupting insurgent activity in the vicinity of Haditha and maintaining the pressure on insurgents begun with Operation Matador, conducted in Western Iraq May 7-14.

Today, insurgents attacked Marines and ISF forces with small arms fire at 4 a.m. in central Haditha. Six insurgents were killed in the battle and two Marines were reported wounded. Local citizens identified one of the attackers killed as an imam. The imam was firing on Marines and ISF with an AK-47 assault rifle.

During separate engagements throughout the area four more insurgents were killed. Marines and ISF searched targeted areas, buildings and businesses in an effort to locate insurgents, weapons and ammunition caches. Checkpoints have been established around the city to interdict insurgents leaving the city.

One weapons cache consisting of a RPG launcher, machinegun and ammunition was discovered buried in a palm grove north of the city.

Neither Marines nor Iraqi Forces have entered or damaged any mosques in the course of the operation.

Insurgent presence and activity has recently increased in the area. Over the course of the three months of the Marines’ presence, numerous roadside bombs have been discovered in the vicinity of Haditha and numerous indirect fire attacks have been launched against Coalition forces assigned to protect the Haditha area.

Approximately 1,000 Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces are participating in Operation New Market.

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
Multi-National Force-West;

cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
Contact:

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Release # 0524-05-0850

Iraqi Police, U.S. Soldiers repel attack on police station
May 24, 2005

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq -- Iraqi Police and Soldiers from the 155th Brigade Combat Team, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) repelled an attack by insurgents on an Iraqi police station in Jurf As Sakhr, Iraq Saturday.

155th BCT Soldiers responded to a report of a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) at the police station. The VBIED exploded when they arrived and an exchange of small-arms fire erupted between insurgents and the Iraqi Police.

The Soldiers stopped two vehicles and a motorcycle attempting to flee the area and detained 10 suspected insurgents.

An explosive ordinance team investigated the scene and found four 160mm artillery rounds wired with timed fuses as well as an Iraqi Police vehicle that appeared to be tampered with. The building was evacuated and secured. The explosive ordinance team moved the munitions and vehicle to a secure area and destroyed them.

No U.S. Soldiers were injured during the attack. Very little damage was done to the police station.

The 155th BCT is assigned to II MEF (Fwd) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
Multi-National Force-West;

cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
Contact:

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Release # 0524-05-0847

Coalition Forces capture Ramadi-based insurgent leader
May 24, 2005

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Coalition Forces dealt a serious blow to insurgent activities in Ramadi and throughout Iraq Monday, capturing the Ramadi-based insurgent leader of Al-Naman Brigade, an extremist organization that targets the citizens of Ramadi and Coalition Forces.

Multiple intelligence sources and tips from Iraqi citizens led Multi-National forces to a location in Baghdad, resulting in the capture of Muhammad Daham Abd Hamadi.

Intelligence sources have confirmed his criminal activities in Ramadi directly support terrorist operations.

Daham is responsible for numerous attacks against coalition and Iraqi forces and has provided weapons, funds, and foreign fighters to numerous small cells operating under his control. He has been linked to several kidnappings in the Ramadi area. Daham and his organization kidnap local businessmen and governmental officials to fund terrorist operations.

He is also the suspected leader of several insurgent groups that have been linked to the smuggling of weapons and money into Iraq, from neighboring countries. He has ties to other highly sought after insurgent and terrorist leaders and is possibly linked to the AMZ network.

Daham is being detained for questioning.

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Division of Public Affairs
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C. 20380-1775
Telephone: 703-614-4309 DSN 224-4309 Fax 703-695-7460
Contact: Charlie Roakes
Team Rensi Motorsports
704-906-5466

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Release # 0525-05-1052
May 25, 2005

Team Rensi motorsports reminds race fans to join in for national moment on remembrance on monday

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--Team Rensi Motorsports has joined forces with the White House Commission on Remembrance to help honor our fallen heroes.

The two Team Rensi Motorsports NASCAR Busch Series Fords, the No. 25 Team Marines Ford driven by Ashton Lewis, Jr. and the No. 35 McDonald’s Ford driven by Jason Keller will carry decals this weekend reminding race fans of the National Moment of Remembrance.

Congress passed Public Law 106-579 in 2000, establishing The White House Commission on Remembrance as the sole coordinating authority for the National Moment ofRemembrance. The Commission honors America’s fallen and recognizes our veterans and those who continue to serve our country to preserve our liberties. Its purpose is to promote the values of Memorial Day by acts of remembrance throughout the year and encourage Americans to demonstrate their gratitude by giving back to our Nation.

The National Moment of Remembrance is an act of national unity to honor America’s fallen. All citizens, alone or with family and friends, wherever they are at 3 p.m. are asked to pause for a Moment of Reflection honoring those who dies for our country. The goal is to put “Memorial” back into Memorial Day and rededicate the nation to giving back to our country – recently a Gallup Poll indicted that only 28 percent of Americans realize the meaning of this noble holiday.

On Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time train whistles around the nation will blast, trumpets will resonate, baseball games will be stopped and Americans throughout the country will fall silent to pause for the National Moment of Remembrance in honor of those who gave their all to America. Other participants include thoroughbred racing, military institutions, The National Constitution Center, Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority, hospitals, The Liberty Bell, United Spinal Association, retirement communities, shopping malls, National Parks, grocery stores, airports, bus lines and The International Space Station.

"It's a real privledge for Team Rensi Motorsports to be asked to be a part of creating awareness for the National Moment of Remembrance,” said Team Rensi Motorsports Co-owner Sam Rensi. “With our long standing relationship with the United States Marines Corps, we continue to learn about the dedication of our fallen heroes and give thanks for their service to our great country. Our entire organization will participate in helping to put the "Memorial" back in Memorial Day on Monday."

All three Armed Services cars (Unites States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard and the United States Navy) participating in the NASCAR Busch Series will have a National Day of Remembrance Decal on their cars in the Car Quest Auto Parts 300 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on Saturday.

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
Multi-National Force-West;

cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
Contact:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Release # 0516-05-0829

Coalition Forces destroy insurgent command center
May 14, 2005

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Coalition aircraft today bombed two unoccupied buildings outside Fallujah that had been used as an insurgent command center, weapons hide site and detention and possible torture facility.

The two structures were located approximately 30 kilometers northwest of the city, in an agricultural area. The buildings were destroyed by precision-guided munitions to prevent future use by anti-Iraqi forces.

Coalition forces discovered the site during routine operations.

Weapons and munitions found and subsequently destroyed include:

(34) 155mm mortar rounds

(25) Rocket accelerant tubes

(10) 155mm warheads

(10) 120mm warheads

(8,000) rounds, machine gun ammo

In addition, assorted rifles, sights, detonation cord, explosives, detonators, and IED-making materials were found and destroyed.

Coalition forces also collected training manuals, anti-Iraqi force documents and anti-coalition propaganda.

MSSG Marines maintain 26th MEU capabilities
Submitted by: 26th MEU
Story Identification #: 20055255233
Story by Capt. Will Klumpp



CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (May 25, 2005) -- Intense heat, blowing sand, miles of unimproved roads... these conditions would spell disaster for the hardiest equipment if not for the efforts of the Maintenance Platoon, MEU Service Support Group 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

The MSSG maintenance Marines have been working 16 hours a day or longer here to keep the MEU's equipment in proper working condition and ready for operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. But, if you think their work is limited to keeping vehicles rolling, think again. The Maintenance Platoon is comprised of about 40 Marines spanning more than 22 military occupational specialties.

"We fix everything from telephones to tanks," said Chief Warrant Officer Samuel D. Hammonds, Maintenance Platoon commander.

At any given hour of the day, Marines can be found repairing items such as floodlights, small arms, optics systems and armored humvees. Hammonds said the Marines are at work by 7 a.m. and continue at their jobs until about midnight. Although they are given the opportunity to take a break from the 100-plus degree heat in the middle of the day, many Marines opt to continue working straight through to ensure equipment is back "on line" as quickly as possible.

Most of the vehicle and heavy equipment maintenance is conducted in the shade of a steel "garage", while work on more sensitive equipment requiring diagnostics or special electronic tools is done in "maintenance vans." These vans are large air-conditioned shipping containers with surge-protected electrical outlets.

Each van serves a specific maintenance specialty. These include an infantry weapons van for repairing every weapon in an infantry company's inventory; a van for repairing electrical components of tanks, light armored vehicles, assault amphibian vehicles and missile systems; and a van for repairing radio and communications equipment.

The conditions in the desert here pose a challenge to keeping each type of equipment in good working order. "Sand gets into everything," said Hammonds.

The most physically challenging maintenance for the Marines may be that required to the keep the MEU's vehicles in top operating condition. They are susceptible to the combined effects of the harsh Kuwaiti desert and the weight stress from recently installed Marine Armor Kits.

"We are fighting three different elements... austere environment, heat and the added weight of the armor," said Hammonds. He stated that the sand slows airflow to the engine and gets into the transmission. Factor in the weight of the armor, and the humvees get pushed to their limits, he said.

The maintenance Marines have been able to keep vehicles up and running through hard work and the availability of replacement parts at nearby Camp Arifjan, a U.S. Army base in southern Kuwait.

The base is a retrograde point for damaged equipment and has proven a valuable source for items such as humvee motors and transmissions. MSSG has Marines pulling useable parts for shipment here. Hammonds said that the maintenance Marines have been able to complete about 60 percent of their repairs with supplemental parts from the salvage inventory at Camp Arifjan.

The repair rate for equipment coming to the maintenance platoon has been impressive. Hammonds said that in the previous 48 hours, the maintenance Marines were able to get seven of nine "hard-down" vehicles back up and running.

Although there are designated specialists such as heavy equipment mechanics, tank mechanics and motor transport mechanics within Maintenance Platoon, there are no lines drawn when it comes to making needed repairs to broken equipment.

"We all help each other out," said Cpl. Andrew T. Cain, a motor transport mechanic from East Liverpool, Ohio.

"He's not even a humvee mechanic - he's a heavy equipment mechanic," said Cain, referring to Cpl. Christopher H. Miller from Pelion, S.C.

Miller, busy installing an alternator on a nearby armored humvee undergoing engine replacement, said they can handle any maintenance thrown at them.

MSSG 26 and the 26th MEU (SOC) will continue training at the Udairi Range until the end of the month in preparation for follow-on operations as the theater reserve for U.S. Central Command.

For more information on the 26th MEU (SOC), log on to http://www.usmc.mil/26thmeu.

Springfield native helps keep aircrews safe in Iraq
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200552833433
Story by Sgt. Juan Vara



AL ASAD, Iraq (May 28, 2005) -- An intelligence specialist with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, Lance Cpl. Liz S. Rohrer doesn’t let the "Groundhog Day effect" of serving here interfere with the quality of her work. Skipping over even the smallest detail could cost several lives.

As an intel specialist in an assault support helicopter squadron, Rohrer keeps track of enemy movement and passes that information to pilots and crewchiefs. The aircrews use it to plan their routes throughout the Al Anbar province and either fly around or push through certain regions, depending on the level of enemy activity.

After the mission she receives information from the pilots and crewchiefs and shares it with the rest of the intel specialists in the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) to track what the enemy is doing and help aircrews avoid flying over danger zones.

“Somebody told me once ‘the pilots are your pilots,’” she said. “Every time I brief them my main goal is to make sure I give them all the information they need. I want to brief them on everything they need to know so the flight is safe and I want to have them come back so I can debrief with them.”

A native of Springfield, Mo., Rohrer thought of joining the military or becoming a missionary after graduating from a private Christian school two years ago. Her long-term plan during that time was to become an FBI agent.

Serving in the intelligence field of one of the armed forces looked like a good stepping-stone and after researching the Internet to learn about the military, Rohrer decided on becoming a Marine. “I like to be the best at whatever I do,” she said. “The Marines are the best.”

In November 2003 Rohrer reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., and left after enduring 13 weeks of arduous physical and mental training. Having completed Marine Combat Training and intelligence specialists’ school, Rohrer joined her current unit, based at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif., in August 2004.

The squadron deployed here seven months later to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom, bringing Rohrer among its ranks. “It’s part of the job,” she said. “Some of the cool things about being a Marine are that we get to travel a lot and learn about other people. We also learn a lot about ourselves and how to deal with certain situations.”

To deal with the stress of working a 12-hour shift every day, Rohrer lifts weights and does cardiovascular exercises regularly. As a child she played basketball, soccer, Futsal (indoor soccer), ran and studied martial arts. “I love to work out,” she said. “It releases natural endorphins and becomes addictive.”

Working on getting as much of her education completed while in the Corps, Rohrer is taking a sociology class here, which she juggles with work and the limited free time she has. Her plans of working for the bureau have changed and now she wants to become a doctor and help those in need.

“I still want to complete the mission and being a doctor is one of the things I think would be good,” she said. “I’d like to study sports medicine or something like that.”

Whether as a Marine in a combat zone or as a missionary, Rohrer’s focus stays the same, doing her best to help save the lives of those around her.

Having been a radioman for thirty years in the Marines this young man's accomplishment really means something to me. Few people appreciate the radioman until they need him. Back when I started in radios the radios where bigger and the aeriels were taller and no one wanted to be any where near the radioman because in a firefight guess who they try to shoot first.


Combat meritorious promotion for division radio operator
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story by: Computed Name: Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio
Story Identification #: 2005528121325




CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq(May 28, 2005) -- Corporal Tyrone Richmond wanted a challenge when he joined the Marines. When he made it to Iraq for his second tour he found it.

Richmond recently received a combat meritorious promotion to the noncommissioned officer rank of corporal. He was awarded the rank from among his peers who were vying for the promotion.

Richmond’s experience was well beyond his years in the Corps, which are surprisingly few. The field radio operator and 2002 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School joined the Corps nearly two years ago. There, he was a percussionist with the school’s band.

“I enlisted to make my mother proud and to give myself a challenge,” said Richmond. “After high school, I was just looking see what my options were.”

And he’s had plenty so far.

“When we arrived here in March, we had a lot of work to do setting up the communications network, rewiring the radios and organizing the gear. No matter how much work there is, it’s always a challenge just being here.”

The 21-year-old East Bank, New Orleans, La. native is part of the camp’s quick reaction ‘Forward,’ responsible for setting up communications outside the camp’s perimeter or in a combat situation. His job is part of the foundation for information entering and leaving the combat operations center where the battle plans are made before they’re put to action. Without Marines like Richmond, the command would be in the dark.

Unlike many of the Marines in his platoon, this isn’t Richmond’s first time in Iraq. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom last year and served in the insurgent-held city of Fallujah with Marines of 1st Marine Division.

“I was the only radio operator for an army battalion that supported the division during the fight,” said Richmond. “We also patrolled through Iskandariyah to the south.”

Richmond’s combat experience helps him train his fellow Marines in Radio Platoon for what they may experience during the coming months of their deployment here. While some of them remain on camp, monitoring the radio transmissions that go in and out of the division, others like him are attached to smaller subunits.

“We have a lot of Marines pushed out to places like Truck Company and the quick reaction force,” said Richmond. “There are a lot of great people here who volunteer to go out on convoys as radio operators for the companies and I like to be part of that kind of unit.”

Though Richmond isn’t spending as much time outside of the wire, he plans to make the most of his newest experience in Iraq. He’s recently been cross training with Marines from other sections in Headquarters Battalion’s Communications Company in the realm of computers and networking.

“If nothing else, you can always learn something new,” said Richmond. “I plan to do as much as I can out here and when I get back, enroll in some college courses. Above all else, I’m just proud to serve my country.”

Heritage, find some Marines and tell them you think their government "bribes" them to do their duty. Do it face to face with them

Thanks for you guys kind thoughts here on the day before memorial day.

Several off-topic posts have been moved to this thread:
http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/for...T&f=103&t=26548

A couple of very derisive posts have been removed completely.

Civil Affairs provides medical aid escorts Iraqis to medical facility
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story by: Computed Name: Lance Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos
Story Identification #: 200552774034

CAMP DELTA, Iraq(May 27, 2005) -- The siren went off at the medical facility down the road and the Marines from 5th Civil Affairs Group, working with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment quickly put their gear on and headed out into the night knowing one of the citizens needed aid.

Marines in a Civil-Military Operations Center provided convoy security for the local ambulance drivers who made stops at Iraqi homes for patients in need of urgent medical care.

“We took the ambulances to the people who needed help and I was one of the Marines who provided security during the escorts,” said Lance Cpl. John E. Fleming, a motor transportation operator and Salisbury, Md., native working with the CAG.

The ambulance security was part of Operation Clear Decision, an operation consisting of cordon and knock missions to root out weapons caches and insurgents throughout the city. The ambulance security allowed local citizens – who were concerned with traveling to medical facilities during the operation – to be transported to hospitals and medical facilities in an expedient manner.

The siren signaling the first medical run was also a herald for the future. Medical cases requiring escort through the city by the CAG Marines increased as the operation continued.

As word of the ambulance escort spread, more people came to the medical facility in need of medical attention. Some needed to be moved to a hospital and were seen by the local doctor.

“I am one of the Marines who drives and provides security when we are out in the cities doing our jobs,” said the 2003 Parkside High School graduate. “Being a reservist, I volunteered to go with CAG when they deployed here.”

Fleming and the rest of the Marines in the group pushed forward as the escorts continued in to the morning hours. Many of the houses that had patients were spread throughout the city and it took much of the morning to get the patients escorted to where they needed to go.

After completing the escorts, the Marines returned to the CMOC where they formed a group that handed out soccer balls to children. The Marines then walked the streets to speak with adults about other services the CMOC provided during Operation Clear Decision.

Maj. Mark Fuller, Team 2 commander, Detachment 2, 5th CAG and his Marines walked through the somewhat empty streets stopping to spread the word about the medical aid, claims assistance, and food service available at the CMOC

When Fuller and his Marines came across children along their patrol route, they would give them toys and soccer balls.

“Giving out soccer balls and toys to the children is a fun thing to do,” Fleming said. “I enjoy getting out and doing things like that. I love being in the Marine Corps and getting to be here doing our job.”

Museum hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00AM to 3:30PM. Enter the base through the North Gate and tell the Sentry that you want to visit the Museum and have a photo ID ready. For additional Museum information please call 858.693.1723.

War of the American Revolution

American Revolution 1775-1783
President: George Washington
Commandant of the USMC:
Capt. Samuel Nicholas 1775-1781
Manning of the USMC: 131 officers, 2000 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead- 49, wounded-70
Weapons Used:
.75 cal. Brown Bess musket

In Congress, Resolve of 10 November 1775
"Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, Consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that special care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or inlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so aquatinted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required: that they be inlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of."

Marine Actions of this period are:

New Providence, Nassau, The Bahamas, 3 March 1776 (First Landing made by Marines.)
USS Cabot & Alfred vs. HMS Glasglow, 6 April 1776.
Second Battle of Trenton, 2 January 1777.
Battle of Princeton, 3 Jan 1777.
USS Reprisal vs. HMS Swallow, 5 February 1777.
USS Hancock vs. HMS Fox, 27 June 1777.
USS Raleigh vs. HMS Druid, 4 September 1777.
Defense of the Delaware Forts, October – November 1777.
Second Nassau Expedition, 27 January 1778.
USS Randolph vs. HMS Yarmouth, 7 March 1778.
USS Boston vs. HMS Martha, 11 March 1778.
Raid with John Paul Jones on Whitehaven, England, 22 April 1778.
USS Ranger vs. HMS Drake, 24 April 1778.
Penobscot Expedition, 26 July-13 August 1779.
USS Bon Homme Richard vs. HMS Serapis, 23 September 1779.
Defense of Charleston, SC, 12 February – 12 May 1780.
USS Trumbull vs. HMS Watt, 2 June 1780.
USS Alliance vs. HMS Atlanta &Trepassy, 28-29 May 1781.
USS Hyder vs. HMS General Monk, 8 April 1782.
USS Alliance vs. HMS Sybylle, 20 January 1783.
Significant Events:

First USMC Amphibious landing
First time American Flag raised on a facility captured by the Marines
Captain S. Nicholas was the first officer of the Sea Services who's Commission was ratified by Congress
The mission of the Corps of that time was to provide Boarding Parties, Landing Forces and internal security aboard the ship.

1775-1783
Several of the colonies maintained “State Navy’s and attached marines as part of their militias. These men served all along the coastal and Great Lakes regions against the forces of the Crown.

The Continental Marine Corps was established by an Act of Congress on November 10, 1775, patterning the Continental Marines after the Royal Marines of England, the Continental Marines were authorized 2 battalions with the following manpower: One Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors with other officers and men “…as usual in other regiments…”

General Washington opposed the establishment of the battalions of Marines as impractical as a result of manning difficulties. He suggested that the Marines be raised in New York and Philadelphia where there were, according to him, “… many unemployed men familiar with the ways of the sea…”.

On 30 November the Colonial Congress informed Washington that they would oversee the stand up of the Marine Battalions.

On November 28, 1775, 31 year old Captain Samuel Nicholas was commissioned as the first officer of the Corps. (Captain Nicholas was also the first officer of the Naval Service whose commission was ratified by Congress on 28 Nov. 1775.

John Hancock, then President of the Continental Congress signed the commissioning warrant.) Legend has it that the first recruiting station was at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. However, that has never been successfully documented.

The first fleet of 8 ships with Marines on board sails on 17 Feb 1776 for Nassau in the Bahamas with 234 Marines. The first Colonial Marine causalities were suffered on the return voyage off of Rhode Island when the British Warship Glasgow attacks the USS Alfred. Two officers and 2 enlisted were lost. The first Marine to die in the service of the country was 2ndLt John Fitzpatrick.

During the American Revolution, The Corps would loose 33% of its officers in combat and 25% of the enlisted men.

Marines raided England. With John Paul Jones on US Ship Ranger 22-23 April (1st time since 1667 foreign troops on British soil) ,

Originally, the Marines raised 5 companies, which were stationed at barracks in Philadelphia while they were trained, armed and equipped.

Colonial Marine Corps Missions consisted of service afloat supporting naval operations, service as snipers in the tops, conduct of raids and landings in the Caribbean and England, and service ashore with the Continental Army.

In 1775, the strength of the Continental Marines was 525 men. At the close of the war, the Marines had 25 men. Colonial Marine casualties during the war were 49 killed and 117 wounded.

The average age of the Continental Marine was 25.5 years old, and he stood at an average of 5’ 5” tall.

The monthly pay for a Captain of Marines was established at $26 2/3, while a Private earned $6 2/3. His daily rations consisted of 1 lb. of bread, 1 lb. of meat, 1 lb. of potatoes, turnips or 1⁄2 lb. of peas and 1⁄2 pint of rum.

Black men served in the Continental Marine Corps, but after the war, it would not be until World War II that Black U.S. Marines would again serve.

On January 3, 1776, the first 230 Continental Marines boarded ships and sailed into history, beginning the legacy which lasts to the present day.

Quasi War with France (French Naval War 1798-1801)

French Naval War 1798-1801
President: John Adams
Commandant of the USMC:
William Ward Burrows 1798-1804
Manning of the USMC: 131 officers, 2,131 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-6, Wounded-11
Weapons Used:
.75 cal. Brown Bess musket
.69 Cal. Charleville musket
Some new Model 1795's


In 1797 France, believing that Jay's treaty showed favoritism to Britain begins to interfere with U.S. ships on the high seas. By 1798 with more than 500 American ships being either captured or harassed: Congress repealed all treaties with France, and ordered the U.S. fleet to capture French armed ships and recapture American ships seized by the French. The majority of American/French actions occurred in the Caribbean. By 1801 President Adams had reopened negotiations with France and avoided widespread war with Napoleon. Part of the negotiated terms was the purchase price of the Louisiana territory bought from Napoleon in 1803. Marines served on both gun crews and as snipers in the "tops" plus boarding parties during this conflict.

Campaigns and dates:

Constellation vs French L'Insurgente Feb. 1798
Experiment vs Haitian Picaroons Jan 1800
Constellation vs French La Vengeance Feb. 1800
Landing party from U.S. ship Patapsco Vs French troops on Curacao Sept 1798
Naval blockade of city of Jacmel, Haiti Feb. 1800
Marine boarding party captures former British ship H.M.S. Sanwich and the port for Santo Domingo spring 1800.

War with Tripoli or Barbary Pirates War 1801-1805

Barbary Pirates War 1801-1805
President: Thomas Jefferson
Commandant of the USMC:
Lt. Col. Franklin Wharton 1804-1818
Manning of the USMC: 26 officers, 453 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-4, Wounded-10
Weapons Used:
.69 Cal. Flintlock Musket

At this point in American history, the Barbary states, Algiers, Morocco, Tripoli, and Tunis were exacting tribute, (bribes) from American merchant class ships sailing into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Barbary ports were heavily fortified with numerous corsairs manning well armed, swift ships. By 1785, American ships were being captured regularly and their crews enslaved. America was paying the Pasha of Tripoli $100,000 to ensure the safety and unimpeded passage of her ships.

In June of 1801 the Pasha declared war on the U.S. An early American expedition succeeded in landing a combined force of Marines and sailors which burned several Tripolian ships. In Oct. of 1803, The U.S. frigate Philadelphia, while on a punitive raid was captured after running aground with 43 Marines and the crew taken. (Later, this ship was destroyed in the harbor during a daring raid by U.S. Marines.)

Approx. 400 Marines (4/5ths of the Corps) was embarked upon Naval ships to eliminate Barbary threat to American shipping. Marine Operations aboard naval ships continued through 1804.

A plan was submitted by William Eaton, (to replace the belligerent Pasha Yusuf Karamanti with his brother Hamet,) and was approved by President Jefferson. Eaton sailed for Alexandria aboard USS Argus, which had a detachment of Marines commanded by Lt. Presly Neville O'Bannon.

On 29 Nov. O'Bannon, a Sergeant, and 6 Marines landed with Eaton and by March 8, set out with Hamet, and 500 men, some Greek mercenaries paid for with American gold: along with 107 camels overland through the desert to capture Tripoli and install Hamet as the new ruler.

After a march plagued by mutinies (which the Marines repeatedly suppressed,) and, with the additions of native tribesmen the army of now nearly 1200 set out for Derna. Supported by U.S. ships which proceeded to bombard the city Eaton, O'Bannon the Marines and other troops attacked the city of Derna. By 3:30 the American flag was raised over the captured citadel.

Campaigns and dates:

Enterprise vs Tripolian Tripoli Aug. 1, 1801
Raid on Tripoli May 20, 1803
Capture of Philadelphia by Tripolians Oct. 31, 1803
Constitution, Siren, Argus, Scourge, Vixen, Nautilus, & Enterprisevs Tripolitian vessels Aug. 3, 1804
Capture of Tripolian fortress at Derne-Triploi Apr. 25-27, 1805
Significant Events:

This was the first time the Stars and Stripes flew in victory over captured territory in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Legend states that Hamet, as a measure of gratitude, presented O'Bannon with a saber 32 1/2 inches long with a distinctive, jeweled "Mameluke" hilt. This style of hilt has remained to this day the pattern of the Marine Officer's saber.
It was during this campaign that part of the first verse of the future Marine's Hymn was written : "...to the shores of Tripoli..."

War of 1812-1815


War of 1812-1815
President: James Madison
Commandant of the USMC:
Lt. Col. Franklin Wharton 1804-1818
Manning of the USMC: 93 Officers, 2,622 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-46, Wounded-33
Weapons Used:
.69 Cal. Charleville muskets

As a result of a failed foreign and defense policy, a desire for American territorial expansion, the assumed preoccupation of Britain with the Napoleanic war, and continuing problems with both France and Britain in regards to American shipping: war was declared with England on 12 June 1812.
When arguing the ability of U.S. Naval ships to successfully carry the naval campaign, two prominent naval officers indicated that a primary advantage held by the U.S. Frigate ships was the Marine detachment embarked which served as snipers in the rigging which would provide deadly service in close action. On Aug. 19 1812 Marines aboard the USS Constitution tested this theory against H.M.S. Guerriere. Marines would serve with distinction in several additional naval battles before the end of the war.

However, there were others campaigns facing the Sea Soldiers before the close of this conflict.

By 1813, there were better than 375 Marines serving on Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, and Lake Ontario. Marines participated in the capture of the British Fort George in Canada and aboard ships of the Great Lakes Fleet commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry. This important campaign for control of the Great Lakes was fought with Marines in the front and ended effective English and American Indian hostile actions; which eventually allowed American expansion into the northwest.

In 1814, British forces landed in an attempt to capture the American capitol at Washington. American militia forces fell before the English assault. However, Capt. Samuel Miller, then Adjutant to the Commandant, led a small unit of Marines attached with disembarked sailors Commanded by Commodore Barney, USN. The Marines and sailors formed an artillery line of 12 Lb guns and temporarily halted the British advance near the town of Bladensburg. After a sharp exchange where the Marine and Navy men gave better than they got, they retired in good order and the Brits marched to Washington and burned the majority of the Federal Government buildings with the exception of the Commandants Home and Marine Barracks at 8th and I streets; often it is said, out of professional respect for the hard fighting Marines.

By the end of 1814, the Treaty of Ghent officially ended the war but, due to slow communications not the fighting. Marines still had work at hand. Several additional naval battles were fought but the most important action was the land battle fought in defense of New Orleans.

Major General Andrew Jackson, (who would later parley his martial success into an effective bid for the American presidency,) commanded a mixed bag of Marines, Tennessee Cavalry, Militia, Pirates and Regular Army troops in the defense of New Orleans. On Christmas Day, 8000 Brit troops began the assault on New Orleans. Several minor battles were fought for one week until the English forces attempted a final assault on Jan 8. After fierce fighting with the forces of the crown losses at 2100 to American casualties of 71, the British left the field.

Campaigns and dates:

Essex vs H.M.S. Alert 13 Aug. 1812
Constitution vs H.M.S. Guerriere 19 Aug. 1812
Wasp vs H.M.S. Frolic 18 Oct. 1812
Constitution vs H.M.S. Juan 29 Dec. 1812
Hornet vs H.M.S. Peacock 24 Feb. 1813
Battle for Fort George (Canada) 27 May 1813
Chesapeak vs H.M.S. Shannon 1 June 1813
Battle of Craney Island (Norfolk VA.) 22 June 1813
Essex & Greenwich vs H.M.S. Seringapatam 14 July 1813
Enterprise vs H.M.S. Boxer 4 Sept. 1813
Battle of Lake Erie 10 Sept. 1813
Peacock vs H.M.S. Epervier 29 Apr. 1814
Battle of Bladensburg (Maryland) 24 Aug. 1814
Battle of Lake Champlain 11 Sept. 1814
Battle of New Orleans, 8 Jan. 1815
President vs H.M.S's Endymion, Majestic, Pomona, & Tenedos 15 Jan. 1815
Constitution vs H.M.S. Cyane & Levant 20 Feb. 1815
Hornet vs H.M.S. Penguin 23 Mar. 1815
Significant Events:

This war saw the Origin of the USMC fire team, with 6 Marines in the tops. One shooting and five reloading.


Uniform Guide Reprinted here by author’s permission. Our respectful thanks to Mark Hilliard for his deep personal commitment to the history of the United States Marine Corps. Please note the link on this web site for the 1812 Ships Guard Detachment, U.S.S. Constitution.

Clothing for Five Years
Original Regulations for Clothing Issued to Enlisted
U. S. Marines During the War of 1812
2000 by Mark Hilliard


Mark V. Hilliard
Historical Advisor, U.S.S. CONSTITUTION, 1812 Marine Guard
markhilliard@post.harvard.edu
© 2000 by Mark Hilliard

Introduction
Part I: The Marine Guard of 1812
Part II: Clothing and Equipment
Conclusions
Consultants
Notes
From the Commandant's Desk: A Sample of National Archives RG 127
"Corps" Used in 1812 Period


"This, I am informed, is not a new regulation, but an old one much neglected."
-- Lieutenant Bacon, U.S.M.C. Quarter Master, October 30th , 1813.


The 1812-era United States Marine Corps is one of the under researched gems of America history. This site will be updated as new information surfaces. If you have any research to share or questions to ask about the USMC during the War of 1812, please do not hesitate to contact us.



Introduction
This article began when, in my capacity as historical advisor to U.S.S.Constitution's 1812 Marine Guard, I was reading through the original United States Marine Corps correspondence of the War of 1812 period the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and came across the original Circular "Clothing for Five Years." This document, the 1812 equivalent of a modern inter-office memo, was written by Marine Quarter Master [sic] Lieutenant Samuel Bacon, October 30, 1813, under the direction of Marine Corps Commandant Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Wharton. The importance of this hand written letter tucked in Commandant Wharton's correspondence notebook lies in the fact that it is the only original document seen by the author that specifically states what items of uniform and equipment were issued to Enlisted Marines during the War of 1812.

The circular appears to have been, in part, a response to hoarding and/or pilfering of existing stocks by various Marine Guard commanders, in particular Captain Hall of the New York Guard and possibly Lieutenant Gale of the Philadelphia Guard. Gale was responsible for forwarding clothing and equipment shipments from the U.S. Arsenal at Schuylkill, Pennsylvania to various Marine Guards. Due to his position in New York astride the supply route to the "eastern [coast] stations," Hall was often asked to forward clothing and equipment to the Newport, Boston (Charlestown Navy Yard), and Portsmouth Guards, to the various vessel Guards who were resupplied through these ports, and on occasion to Lieutenant Brooks' Marine detachment on the Great Lakes, as well as to various officers sent inland on recruiting duty. It must be stressed that during the War of 1812 all U.S. Marine Corps units, no matter how far afield, received U.S. Marine Corps clothing and U.S. Army equipment, captured British equipment, and specially made USMC belts slightly narrower than the standard U.S. 1808 belts.

Part I: The Marine Guard of 1812

Approximately 3,000 men served as United States Marines during the War of 1812. At its peak strength in 1814, the corps of Marines totaled 750, in all ranks and duties.

According to the United States Department of Defense:

"The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. The recruiting headquarters was set up by Capt. Samuel Nicholas in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birth-place of the Marines.

After success in many campaigns, the Corps was abolished at the close of the Revolutionary War for reasons of economy. On July 11, 1798, Congress ordered the creation of the Corps, named it the United States Marine Corps and directed that it be available for service under the Secretary of the Navy.

The Corps celebrated its birthday, or Marine Corps Day, on July 11 from 1799 until 1921 when the date was permanently changed to November 10 to commemorate the establishment of the Corps to aid in the Revolutionary War.

The day is still observed by U. S. Marines worldwide. Special exhibits, parades, drill team performances, and speeches typically mark the occasion. The Birthday Ball, which culminates in the cutting of the birthday cake, is held that evening in Washington, D.C.

It is not possible to determine precisely when the first cake ceremony was held, but the first on record took place at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., in 1937. Major General Thomas Holcomb, the Commandant, presided at an open house for Marine Corps officers, including the cutting of a huge cake in the shape of Tun Tavern."

In 1812, United States Marine Corps units were officially referred to as a "Marine Guards," e.g.: Frigate Constitution Guard; Charlestown Navy Yard Guard; Baltimore Barracks Guard. The familiar modern term 'detachment' was used in 1812-period Marine Corps correspondence to describe Marines not assigned to a specific station or vessel, or on detached duty. It was also used in 1812 much as we today would use the word 'unit' 4 Thus Lieutenant Brooks' Marines could be considered a "detachment," whereas The Marines aboard Frigate Constellation comprised a "Guard."

Internal correspondence within the Marines and the 1812 period U.S. military establishment frequently refers to "your Corps," the Corps of Marines," Marine Corps," and officers often signed their rank and name followed by "M. Corps." U.S. Marine correspondence frequently refers to "the Corps of Marines," the "Marine Corps," & many officers signed their correspondence with their name, rank & "M. Corps." The letters show that civilians often confused the Marines with the Army, and rarely used the word "Corps." U.S. Marine officers, including Commandant Wharton, usually referred to Marine Privates as "soldiers" rather than as "Marines" (which could also mean an Officer or Musician or Armourer).

Marines were stationed either in Navy Yard Marine Barracks or aboard a Navy vessel. Individual Marines were drafted from barracks to vessels as needed. It was not intended that Marines operate outside this barracks-vessel system. A typical Marine Guard of 1812 is described in Captain Samuel Nicholson's 1797 newspaper advertisement recruiting the original crew complement for the Frigate Constitution: "...three Sargeants [sic], three Corporals, one Armourer, one Drummer, one Fifer, and fifty privates...." Such a large Guard was typically commanded by a 1st and 2nd Lieutenant, or a 1st Lieutenant and a Captain of Marines.

Officers and Men
While it is the intention of this paper to focus on the clothing and equipment issued to Enlisted Marines, it may be useful to briefly illuminate these men and their officers.

Most Marine officers of 1812 did their duty professionally and without occurrence -- itself remarkable considering wartime shortages of men and materials, the near impossibility of promotion within their tiny corps, the low status of Marines within American civil and military society, and strong public anti-war sentiment in the northeast United States. As in any military hierarchy, some Marine Corps officers placed themselves boldly beyond classification. There were the black sheep of respectable families, like Lieutenant John Brooks, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, who suddenly quit practicing medicine with his father (later Governor of Massachusetts) and got himself a commission in the Marines, where he was accused of cheating at cards and subsequently sent to the Great Lakes with a Marine detachment to redeem himself or die. He did both.6 Others were seeming daredevils, driven into the abyss of combat by personal motivations, then standing their ground to the very last. Witness the duel held within the Battle of Bladensburg between Marine Captain Samuel Miller and a British sniper, or the Frigate Constitution's ,

"Gallant [Marine Lieutenant] Bush, who, mounting the Taffle [taffrail: the stern bulwarks], sword in hand, and as he exclaimed !Shall I Board Her! received a fatal ball on the left cheek bone which passed thro' the back of his head. Thus fell that brave and illustrious officer, who, when living, was beloved, and, now gone, is lamented by all."

Why did these educated men from middle and upper class families join a service of low status where there was virtually no possibility of meaningful promotion and, in wartime, a good possibility of death or disfigurement? To suggest that they were motivated solely by patriotic zeal simplifies their lives and insults their memories. No doubt the then-living memories and legends of the Revolutionary War -- our first "good war"--were strong motivations for some of the generation who came of age at the turn of the century, eager to prove themselves against a demonized British foe. Yet the War of 1812 was vastly unpopular in New England, giving rise to a strong anti-war (to the point of secession) movement supported by members of all social classes from both the farms and ports who saw the war as a shameful land grab against a Britain weakened by fighting the despotic Bonaparte and (perhaps more practically) as a hindrance to booming international trade and war-profiteering. The jingo "Free Trade and Sailor's Rights" fooled few New Englanders: Anyone from a seacoast town knew that no one, least of all the government or merchants, cared about the rights of sailors--and the merchants of New England were staunchly opposed to the war as an impediment to international trade. Were the educated upper and middle class men who formed the officer corps of the Marines oblivious to political and economic realities? Were they blindly patriotic, powered by a thirst for military glory and vengeance against Britain -- or were their perceptions simply different from others of their social station? Clearly career and rank were not among their primary motivations. Perhaps each man had his own unique reasons for joining a service that demanded so much and returned so little. We may never really know the U.S. Marine officers of 1812, but in their motivations lies a fascinating story, yet to be told.

The motivations of individual Enlisted Men were, of course, equally as complex as their officers. Simple patriotism and stories of the Revolution must have played a role--as did the private's base pay of approximately $7.00 per month added to the initial $10.00 enlistment bounty and the $10.00 muster bounty, and the potential for a share in prize money from enemy ships and goods sold at auction through government agents -- all of which no doubt appealed to underemployed unskilled young men seeking a steady income.8 United States recruiting speeches of the period emphasize (1). Military glory, (2). Pay and bounties, and (3). A free suit of cloth (wool-rather than the farm boy's homespun linen) issued free "not once but every year" of the five-year enlistment. Little to nothing is said of politics or war: There has always been much truth to the old British saying that "Jack Frost is the best Recruiting Sergeant." And after all, what farm boy could resist a gallant and worldly Lieutenant of Marines, with his Fifer and Drummer beating out martial airs bedecked with streaming recruiting ribbons, accompanied by his Marine Sergeant, whom Herman Melville, himself a Seaman in one of Constitution's sister frigates, described as "....generally tall fellows with unyielding spines and stiff upper lips, and very exclusive in their tastes and predilections."

Yet through research several deeper patterns seem to develop. It was very difficult, at least in New England, to recruit Marine Enlisted Men from seaports. This was in part because of strong anti-war sentiment and a traditional American distain for professional soldiery, but primarily because young men inclined to enlist found that the Navy offered better pay, higher status, and the opportunity to learn or practice a valuable trade. The Revolution was only thirty years past, a time when, as General Arnold complained bitterly to General Gates, "The marines ['volunteered' for service on Lake Champlain are] the refuse of every regiment."10 1815 regulations even go as far as to specifically forbid Marines serving aboard any vessel of war from being discharged from the Marines and then entering the Navy as seamen. Despite official pronouncements that put Marines "in all respects, upon the same footing as seamen," in truth Marines never had the status of sailors, ashore or afloat.11 An Ordinary Seaman received $10.00 a month to the Private Marine's $8.00; a Navy Bosu'n was paid $20.00 a month, a Marine Sergeant $18.00.12 Marine Lieutenants were forced to scour the countryside far inland to lure farm-boys into the service.13 Charlestown (Boston) Navy Yard was even forced to hire un-uniformed civilians to supplement their under-manned Marine Guard. By 1812 the original five foot, six inch height requirement had been lowered to five feet, four inches to take advantage of the large pool of immigrant Irish applicants. British deserters and prisoners who eagerly joined the United States Marines were disappointed to find that, unlike the brutally low condition of sailors in the Royal Navy, in republic-minded America sailors held far higher social status than Marines. U.S. Marine Drummers did not even carry the ubiquitous cat-of-nine-tails whip, as all flogging was meted out to both Navy and Marine defaulters by Navy Boatswains. Tensions occasionally flared when Naval officers asserted control over their Marine Guards. Naval orders enjoined Navy Captains that Marine officers were to be treated "with respect, decency, and regard due to the commissions they bear," and that "they are to possess the cabins or births (cabins) erected for them." The regulation that Marine N.C.O.s are not "to be struck on any account, by any of the officers, petty officers, or seamen" speaks volumes.14 It was in this environment and under the constraints of blockade and the tensions of imminent combat that American sailors and American Marines put to sea together against the powerful Royal Navy.

Battle
As a guard for Navy property and vessels, the wartime Marine could expect to be ordered to defend his station or vessel from attack, attack and board an enemy vessel, or perhaps join a landing party or detached expeditionary force. At sea, the first sign of impending battle was the rattle and squeal of the Marine Fifer and Drummer beating "To Quarters" at the main hatch (presumably Marine Drummer Charles Ashworth's "To Arms" as dictated by the United States Manual of 1812).15 In naval actions, Marines were formed up on the quarterdeck at the rear of the vessel from where they would be used by the ship's captain as a mobile infantry counter-force to defend or attack as needed. The author has seen no evidence that United States Marines guarded the ladders to prevent desertion during battle-perhaps this was deemed unnecessary, as all U.S. Sailors were volunteers. Period illustrations typically show Marines in linear formation volley firing over the bulwarks, bows, or taffrail at point blank range. It was in such circumstances the Lieutenant Bush of the Frigate Constitution lost his life. It seems likely that U.S. Marines, like their British counterparts, would be ordered to aim for "the Tops, Port-holes, upper Decks, and where-ever they see the enemy."16

Aboard ship, Marines were also responsible for a number of what today would be called "special weapons," including blunderbusses, rifles, and the Chambers Gun of 1814, a large multi-shot flintlock mounted on the capstan, manned by Marines, and firing center-bored lead sabots like a roman-candle. Recent experiments aboard U.S.S. Constitution with a Chambers Gun mock-up indicate that the gun was capable clearing enemy decks in a series of fullauto minigun-like sweeping blasts-if you didn't mind chopping through your own rigging in the process! More likely it was intended as a weapon last-resort for use against an enemy boarding party already swarming over the gunnels and advancing across the deck. In this scenario the Chambers Gun must have been a terrifying and awesome weapon.17 A few Marine sharpshooters armed with muskets and/or rifles might be stationed in the "tops," platforms where sailors gathered before spreading out on the yards to handle sail (period naval documents do not use the term "fighting tops"). One common strategy was for the handful of Marines in each top to load rifles-a time consuming process-- which were then passed forward to the best marksman among them as needed. Marines aloft were to target enemy officers and the adolescent boys-the "powder monkeys"-- used to carry powder to the great guns. However, casualty figures indicate that U.S. Marines often ignored the carnage below to engage the enemy tops in bitter protracted firefights.18

Aftermath
Contrary to the neatly sanitized and glorified presentations of war typically fed to the public by popular magazines, museums, historic sites, historic vessels, and "living history" reenactments, actual naval combat in 1812 was horrifying beyond belief. On February 20, 1812, off the African coast 180 miles W.S.W. of Madeira, Frigate Constitution met and defeated H.M.S. Levant. 3rd Lieutenant William Branford Shubrick boarded the smaller British vessel to accept the surrender. Coming aboard the struck vessel, a Midshipman accompanying Shubrick noted that,

The mizen [sic] mast for several feet was covered with brains and blood; teeth, pieces of bones, fingers and large pieces of flesh were picked up from off the deck. It was a long time before I could familiarize myself to these and, if possible more horrid scenes that I had witnessed. 19

Official records state that during the war of 1812 more than 46 men and boys serving in the United States Marines were killed or mortally wounded, 33 were wounded in action, and approximately 100 were taken prisoner. However, original after-battle returns indicate that these official casualty figures may be far too low. In either case, the ratio of dead to wounded tells much about the after-action medical care given to Marines.


Part II: Clothing and Equipment

Non-issue Clothing
Some items of clothing not mentioned in the "Clothing for Five Years" circular may have been unofficially made or bought by individual Marines with the approval of their commanding officers (e.g.: forage cap made from old uniform coat; oilskins for heavy weather at sea, flannel drawers, mittens, etc.). The U.S. Navy had abolished the hated purser's slop chest system where clothing was deducted from the men's pay, and sailors were given a specified regular issue (albeit still called "slops") of government contracted, standardized, uniform clothing: Blue wool in "cold weather"; linen duck in "warm." The author has found no evidence to suggest that Marines ever wore Navy issue seaman's clothing during the war of 1812.20 To the contrary, both services received a regular issue of clothing specific to their branch. Sailors, but not Marines, were issued the ribbon necessary to "dress" the long qued hair then still in vogue among conservative men. Were these and other common items of clothing officially purchased by Marines as "contingent expenses"? Were some items bought or made by the individual Marine? Perhaps all three. The answers to these questions await further research.

The Watch Coat
The only item of clothing found in the 1812-period Marine Corps correspondence in National Archives, but not mentioned in this circular, is the watch coat. The Q.M.M. ordered this item to be made of baize (heavy felted) wool, which would have been moderately water-resistant. Watch coats, or watch cloaks, as they were sometimes called in Marine correspondence, were not issued to individual Marines, but "a few" were given to each vessel or port Guard (unit), and only in very small quantities to be used as needed by those Marines actually on guard during inclement weather. 21

Mess Items
U.S.Q.M. records clearly show that no U.S. Marines of the War of 1812 (including Lt. Brooks' Militia-come-Marines) were ever issued either haversacks or canteens. As field items strictly regulated to carry only rations and approved beverages, these would have been unnecessary for Marines, who as vessel or shore Guards received regular rations and had access to either water butts or wells. Lieutenant Colonel Cureitan of the U.S.M.C. Historical Center at Quantico has pointed out that while original Marine Corps records indicate that Marines of the period were not issued either item, it is possible -- although not documented by any period source -- that individual Marine unit commanders may have signed out canteen/haversack combinations from local Army stores as needed for extended inland operations. If this was the case, one can only speculate to what extent these items were returned to their original owners. Like sailors, Marines afloat clubbed their rations and messed in small groups ("messes"), and may have done the same in barracks. Plates, bowls, utensils, kids, cups, spices, tinned sheet iron camp kettles, and related items would have been found in mess chests both in barracks and aboard ship.

Weapons
United States Marine of 1812 could expect to be issued with a Harper's Ferry or Springfield Musket with bayonet. Between 1803 and 1813 2,549 muskets and 100 rifles had been charged to the United States Navy (it is interesting to note that this is 549 more muskets than were reported delivered during the same period). After-action reports by Marine officers also refer to "Springfield" muskets. It seems likely that earlier stocks of U.S. marked French Charlevilles were also re-issued. It is also clear from USMC documents that pre-existing stocks of India Pattern and the similar but different "Tower" (presumable "Short Land") British muskets were issued to US Marines during the War of 1812, along with captured British naval muskets. In all, a total of four musket types are known to have been issued. US Marines did not have "japanned" muskets.

During 1799 and 1800 the United States imported 9,400 British Muskets. In 1805, Marine Adjutant Fenwick recommended to Commandant Wharton that these be selected for use by Marines. Consequently, that same year approximately 500 "Short British Muskets" of the 1794-97 India Pattern were delivered to Marine Corps Commandant Wharton from Samuel Annin, military storekeeper at the Harpers Ferry Armory. By the War of 1812, however, these British muskets were not commonly in use by United States Marines due to their condition, scarcity, and the fact that they used ammunition different from that in general U.S. service. During the War the Marine Guard at the Charlestown (Boston) Navy Yard was once issued muskets of two different calibers. The larger caliber weapons, presumably "Tower" ship's muskets, were returned.22 The only issue of these "Tower" muskets to United States Marines during the war found by the author is documented on the 12 November 1813 list of re-supplies sent to the late Lieutenant Brooks' Marines after the Lakes Battle, which included the following entry: "25 Stand of (Tower) Arms/ 25 Stand of Arms (Tower)"23 Although scarce, the Tower muskets were popular. In 1813, Lieutenant Thomas Legge, commanding the Marine Guard of the U.S.S. Macedonian, wrote to Commandant Wharton from the New London, Connecticut Barracks asking that Marines be issued with Tower muskets:

The necessity for marines using Tower muskets must appear obvious to you, particularly in Boarding, as they can use them with more facility and with better effect, than they can the Springfield. The Barrels of the latter being much longer, the Calibre smaller, and with shorter bayonets, than the English [sic] muskets generally used by Marines [when allowed to use Ships Arms, as in this case].

On that account I have been induced, through the favor of Capt. Jones, to exchange those I received from Capt. Hall, for his Ship Muskets, which are not in the order I would wish them. They are old and much worn. However, I prefer them to the American muskets received in New York. It is uncertain how long I may be allowed to use the Ships Muskets. I there fore hope you may see the necessity of forwarding to this place 40 Tower muskets. 24

Lieutenant Legge's words are important because he is telling us that he preferred even the worn Tower muskets being used by the Navy as Ship's Muskets to the new "Springfield" and "American muskets" commonly issued to Marines.

In August 1809, Lieutenant Miller, Adjutant of Marines, received delivery from the Harpers Ferry Arsenal of "100 Short Rifles [Model 1803; 33" barrel], molds and chargers." The 1811 general inventory of naval ordinance does not differentiate between Marine and Navy arms, and it is important to bear in mind that each Navy vessel had its own store of arms, separate from those issued to Marines. The 1811 inventory does, however, specifically list the arms found at the Marine Barracks, Washington: 262 muskets, 201 bayonets, 22 rifles, and 40 blunderbusses. Although appealing and romantic to modern minds, the rifle and blunderbuss were contingency weapons only, and the "Tower" muskets, though perhaps preferred by Marines, were in poor condition and in limited supply as ship's stores-the primary weapon found in the hands of the War of 1812 U.S. Marine was the standard issue American manufactured musket.25

Equipment
With his musket and bayonet, the Marine's primary equipments were the two-piece 1808 bayonet belt of white leather with U.S.M. plate, and 1808 cartridge box with white leather belt. It is interesting to note that period portraits often show U.S. Marine Corps officers using enlisted bayonet belt plates on the larger officer's sword belt. Officer's two-piece belt plates were small and weak compared to the enlisted model, and in wartime may have been hard to come by.26 In a letter dated October 11, 1813, Commandant Wharton stated that "buff" (white) belts for Enlisted Men had "been positively for many years directed as part of our accoutrements" and insisted that early-issue 1808 black belts be converted to match the majority of post-1810 issue white belts. As a result, frustrating attempts to whiten earlier model black 1808 bayonet and box belts to conform to the more common 1810 white belts are a reoccurring theme in 1812-period USM correspondence.27 In addition to the items noted in the circular, a standard U.S. 1808 sheath with the bayonet's socket (as always in U.S. service) pointing in toward the body, "pricker"-brush set attached to the front center of the cartridge box belt, and flour for powdering the hair and sideburns (worn by all men in the 1812 period) completed the Enlisted Marine's issue of clothing and equipment.28 Sergeants received heavy bladed, brass-hilted curved swords with brass 'D' guards and fluted wooden grips29 as well as two large yellow epaulets, referred to by their 18th century name: "knots" or "shoulder knots."30 No reference was found to specific Corporal's knots or to any other specific enlisted Marine insignia other than uniform cap (shako) plates (often referred to as "eagles"), Marine issue brass buttons, and the brass eagle-and-anchor bayonet belt plates. Medals were not issued to or worn by Enlisted U.S. Marines in 1812.

Musics
Sadly, entertainment-oriented 1920's "ancient" style fife and drum clubs have effectively hijacked the both public's and the reenactment community's perceptions of true 18th and early 19th century military fife and drum music. As a result, some explanation of the role of military musicians is needed.

Until the mid 19th century Military Musics were the radiomen of their units. The Navy equivalent was the Bosun's pipe. United States military musicians -- no more than 1 fifer and 1 drummer per 40-man company -- played duty signals and ceremonial tunes from the official United States Government issue music book by Charles Ashworth, coincidentally a former Marine Corps Drummer. By regulation and on command of an officer ("By the quick step! Forward, March!"), Musics in all United States services played one of three marching speeds: "slow step" (50 beats/steps per. minute), "common step" (75 beats/steps per minute), and "quick step" (90 beats/steps per minute).31 In battle the Drummer was to relay signals by "beating low behind his company." Since the Revolutionary War, Company Musics did not play music on route marches or in actual combat (how could signals be transmitted if they did?).32 For the same reason, music was never massed except for daily morning and evening parades, and the rare ceremony or town parade -- the "parade" as we know it today.33 Fifers and Drummers were forbidden to practice near camp or barracks for fear of "mixed signals" or "false alarms."

It is worth noting that drum muffles -- a piece of cloth stretched and tacked under the top batter head of a drum--were invented for the "Ancient Fife and Drum" clubs of the 1890s and are still used today by all reenactment/fife-and-drum clubs. Prior to the 1890s, drums were not permanently muffled and military fifes were more commonly tuned to C instead of today's B flat.34 Standardized modern tunings allowed military musicians to play with the brass bands that came into vogue in the mid-1800s. No doubt the ringing rattle of the true military snare drum and the shrill scream of the military fife offended some Victorian sensibilities! As a result -- and because very few if any modern 're-created' fifers and drummers are interested in actually recreating historical music -- the true sound of 18th and early 19th century military music is now apparently extinct in the United States.35

Marine Corps Musics were issued either a regulation fife with case, or one standard regulation United States Drum, "complete." Regardless of branch of service, all U.S. drums were issued with vermilion hoops and an eagle painted on a blue ground with thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. After 9 April 1814, Commandant Wharton ordered 24 new Marine Corps drums with a smaller eagle bearing a scroll reading "United States Marines."36 All U.S. drums were issued with an "osnabrig" (osnaburg: a coarse linen) case, a one-size "white worsted web" sling without stick holders "finished with leather and button"37 and "Drum Sticks 18 in. long [approximately 3 ½ inch diameter] of heavy west India wood" to be cut to size to fit the drummer. The original 1812 U.S.M. sticks in the collection of the U.S.M.C. Museum were cut to fit the drummer and balanced at the large end with brass sleeves. Marine Fifers were given standard U.S. issue fifes of "finest East Indian Rosewood" 15 inches long with 1 inch brass ferrules, the leading edges of which were scored with a pattern of 2,1, and 1 groves.38 Marine Fifers were issued a 17 ¼ x 2 ¾ inch fife case of tinned iron, having a hinged cover with a 1 inch lip, unpainted, with a sling of cloth rope cord.39 Both Fifers and Drummers were issued standard enlisted coats in reversed colors and "music swords," though it would seem that the quality of these was sometimes lacking.40

Economy Measures
Economy was the rule in the United States Marines, especially during the British blockade. Commandant Wharton wrote to Lt. Henderson, commanding the Boston Marines, September 21, 1813:


You will also, if any man of your guard can do it, have your belts & noblons [?] & cartridge boxes repaired in barracks; if not, have them repaired wherever they can be done Cheapist & best. 41

On October 13, 1813, Quartermaster Bacon wrote to Lieutenant Gale in Philadelphia asking:

Is there any sheet Brass to be had in Phila either new in sheets; or wrought in to kelttes [kettles], new or old. If so please inform me & also of what price. We need it much for sword and scabbard mounting. 42

"Congress have not, as yet, deigned to turn an eye upon us" wrote Quartermaster Lieutenant Samuel Bacon on January 26, 1814, "and I fear we shall as usual pass without notice."43

Conspicuously Absent
As we have seen, common military items such as canteens and haversacks, plates, cups, utensils, drawers, and hair ribbons were not issued to Marines. Musket slings are not found in Marine correspondence or on re-supply lists, perhaps because there would be no reason to sling arms on barracks guard or aboard ship: On the rare occasions Marines were sent aloft, their arms and ammunition were "swayed up" after them. Oilers are not found, neither are worms or musket tools. Both were presumably unnecessary as Marine armorers were present both in barracks and aboard ship.44 To date, the author has seen no record of any items, other than those noted in this paper, having been issued to Enlisted U.S. Marines during the War of 1812.45

Colours
By law, the Stars and Stripes were not carried in parades or battle by any units of the United States Military until 1834.

Months of research in USMC Record Group 127 at the National Archives show that no Marine Corps units contracted for, bought, or were issued flags, flag poles, flag cases, battle streamers, flag carriers (not yet invented), flag eagles or pike heads, or any other object or item pertaining to flags.

The United States Marines first carried the Stars and Stripes in the Battle of Mexico City in 1847.

In "The Stars and Stripes, the Story of our Flag" Historian Irving Werstein writes:

"General George Washington repeatedly asked that the troops be allowed to carry the national colors, but for some reason Congress refused to grant permission until March of 1783, more than a year after the last land battle of the Revolutionary War. Even then, the use of the Stars and Stripes was limited to display at forts, camps, and to the military instillations. It was only after 1834, when Congress at last gave its approval, that [military] units could legally carry the flag in parades or battle.(p. 31)"

Prior to the vague flag law of 1794, there was no set pattern for the United States flag. The first standardization of the national colors was Wendover-Reid flag law, passed by Congress on July 4, 1818. Even as late as 1847, the Dutch government asked the American government for "the exact pattern of the U.S. national colors so we may pay it proper respect."

All historical sources, researchers, and serious living history groups agree: With the documented exceptions of Bennington (1777) and Cowpens (1781), no United States National marching colors were ever carried by or even issued to any United States military units before the 1840s. Instead, one or two regimental flags were carried.

During the War of 1812, United States Marines were thought of as a single unit under the command of the Commandant, and his Washington, D.C. office Head Quarters was made the permanent location of the U.S. Marine colors. The United States Marine Corps historical Center confirms this. The use of either unit or national flags by Marines in 1812 would be a moot point in any case, since it was expected that Marines would always be posted to either a vessel or Navy Yard under whose national colors the Marine Guard would do their duty. Historically, it was in fact a large U.S. Naval Pennant that Lieutenant O'Bannon raised over Tripoli in 1804. One reason marines did not have "regimental" colors was that it was never anticipated that the day would come when Marines would or could be used as infantry. Prior to 1812, such a dire national emergency was unthinkable-and unplanned for. And when the time came, a lack of flags was the least of their problems.46

It was in large part because the U.S. Marines had proved themselves in the War of 1812-with out flags, haversacks, surgeons, that in 1847 Watson's Marine Battalion at the Battle of Mexico City became the first United States Marine unit to carry the Stars and Stripes.

As a member of the U.S.S. Constitution Marines, and as a person who cares about history, I recognize that what we do in front of public has a great and lasting impact. We must start somewhere to disppel the historic myths


United States National Colors were never carried by or even issued to U.S. Army regiments before the 1840s. Instead, one or two regimental flags were carried. Since Marines were thought of as a single unit under the command of the Commandant, his Washington, D.C. office Head Quarters was made the permanent location of the U.S. Marine Corps colors. The use of either unit or national flags by Marines would be a moot point in any case, since it was expected that Marines would always be posted to either a vessel or Navy Yard under whose national colors the Marine Guard would do their duty. It was never anticipated that the day would come when Marines would or could be used as infantry. Prior to 1812, such a dire national emergency was unthinkable-and unplanned for. And when the time came, a lack of flags was the least of their problems.47

Conclusions
It must be remembered that the U. S. Marine of 1812 was literally a "Guard," either to his Navy Yard barracks with all its amenities or to his vessel, itself a complete fortress put to sea. Marine vessel Guards were taken directly from the nearest Marine Corps Barracks. The concepts of "sea" Marine, "land" Marine or "amphibious forces" did not yet exist Before 1812, an Enlisted Marine ashore was usually a Marine not yet assigned to a vessel. All Enlisted Marines or Musics were issued the same uniform and equipment, and though he seems in retrospect under-equipped, the Marine of 1812 had on or about him all the tools and clothing he needed to do the jobs for which his force was originally designed: to guard Navy property and vessels.

Yet the War of 1812 completely changed the way Americans perceived their Marines: Sent into desperate land engagements as infantry or light artillery, without a flag to rally around, or even the comfort of a canteen, a haversack, or a regimental surgeon, the Marines of 1812 often held the line when better-supplied and fully-supported units failed against the greatest military force the world had yet known. Under such conditions these boys and men, of low social status and under-equipped for combat on land even by the standards of their day, earned a reputation for loyalty, determination, aggressiveness, and victory in the face of privation, blood, and horror--though at what cost only those who are now dust or coral can say for sure.


U.S.M.Q.M. Circular, October 30, 1813, Letters Sent. Sept. 1813-Aug. 1814;
Records of the United States Marine Corps, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Transcribed here in full by the author from 1813 original at the National Archives, Washington, D.C. Spelling and punctuation and emphasis are original; author's notes are in brackets.


Circular
Q M Office HQM Corps Wash.n. oct 20 1813

Sir, I have been directed by the Lt. Col. Commanding to state to you the quantity of clothing which in future will be allowed to each marine during his five years' enlistment.

The Deduction, which is made in some articles, of which neither the comfort nor appearance of the soldier requires one in each year, is made up to him in his fatigue suit, which adds to his comfort & enables him to preserve his uniform. This, I am informed, is not a new regulation, but an old one much neglected.

5 caps [shakos]
5 bands [hat cords, "Hat-band of yellow cord, with a Tassel of the same colour" ]
5 plumes [Privates"red plush"; Sergeants "Scarlet" ; Musics "plume" or"feather" ]
2 plates [U. S. Marine shako plates]
5 U.coats [uniform dress wool coats]
10 Ln. Overalls [linen overalls for "summer establishment" ]
10 W. Overalls [white kersey wool overalls for "winter establishment" ]
20 Shirts [linen; after April 1813, cotton. No ruffles found in U.S.M. Letters Sent. ]
3 Stocks
20 Shoes [laced, straight-last shoes, issued individually as needed ]
5 Blankets
3 Knapsacks
10 Socks [originally "15" written over to "10"; "Half Hose" ]
5 Gaiters [originally "4" written over to "5"; "black gaiters...to the knee" ]
3 Caps [folding leather fatigue USM model of 1811 ] }
5 Coats [prob. linen, whether short jacket or banyan (smock) type is unknown] } Fatigue
5 Trowsers [prob. linen] }
I have the honour to be respectfully your obt. servt
L. Bacon
Lt. Q.M.

Battle of Twelve Mile Swamp (Florida) 1812

Battle of Twelve Mile Swamp (Florida) 1812
President: James Madison
Commandant of the USMC:
Lt. Col Franklin Wharton 1804-1818
Manning of the USMC: 93 Officers, 2,622 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-1, Wounded-8
Weapons Used:
.69 Cal. Charleville Musket

A little known Marine action occurred during the War of 1812 which reflected America's desire for additional territory.
On March 17, 1812 Sailors and Marines assisted an irregular unit of Georgia militia in the seizing of Amelia Island at the mouth of St. Mary's River. Ostensibly, the raid was an effort to reduce smuggling.

The army and a detachment of Marines garrisoned the island. Then, the Georgians and an army unit began the advance on St. Augistine FL. Part of the Marine Corps mission was to provide security for the wagon train convoys which supplied the front line of the American advance.

During the summer, the American forces drew back to the line of St. John's River in East Florida and the position at Davis Creek became the "forward" position. On Sept. 2 a group of 20 Marines and volunteers departed with a resupply train of wagons. Outside of St. John's the party was ambushed by Indians and escaped Negro slaves. The action went poorly for the wagon train and required a return to Davis Creek for reinforcements while several troops remained behind with the wagons and wounded. Soon there after, Marines located and destroyed the village which had initiated the attack.

Battle of Quallah Batto (Sumatra) 1832


Battle of Quallah Batto (Sumatra) 1832
President: Andrew Jackson
Commandant of the USMC:
Col. Archibald Henderson 1820-1859
Manning of the USMC: 38 Officers, 830 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-1, Wounded-3
Weapons Used:
.50 Cal. Flintlock Rifle

By the 1830's American merchant ships were a common sight on the world's oceans, and to protect those commercial interests went also the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
On Feb. 7 1831, the merchant ship Friendship was attacked in Sumatra by pirates who killed 3 of the ship's crew and plundered her cargo.

The USS Potomiac, disguised as a merchant man, was dispatched on a punitive raid. On Feb. 4 1832 she arrived at Quallah Batto.

A landing party of Marines and sailors attacked one fort, carried it and proceeded inland to reduce the remaining two forts.

The first was stiffly defended until Marine Lt. Edson finally seized the drawbridge and gained entrance for the assaulting troops. All the defenders were either killed or retreated into the surrounding jungle. The Marines then assisted in the assault on the remaining position.

Shortly thereafter, the remaining pirates escaped into the jungle with the Marines in pursuit. After inflicting casualties upon the sea rovers, the Marines and sailors withdrew to the ships which began shelling the remaining strong point until it's surrender.

Florida Indian War 1836-1847


Florida Indian War 1836-1847
President: Andrew Jackson
Commandant of the USMC:
Col. Archibald Henderson 1820-1859
Manning of the USMC: 58 Officers, 1,086 enlisted
USMC Causalities*: Dead-8, Wounded-1
Weapons Used:
.50 Cal. U.S. Rifle Model 1819
*Other sources show a total of 64 dead and wounded.
In 1830, President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act which mandated the removal of all Indians including the Seven Civilized Tribes, to land west of the Mississippi River.
While the Supreme Court noted that the removal was unconstitutional, President Jackson is quoted as saying, "...they made the decision, let them enforce it..." Jackson then proceeded to send U.S. forces to effect the eviction.

The American Army, at 4000 strong was not able to comply with the presidential desires and the Marine Commandant offered the Corps. Mustering better than 400 regular troops, fully equipped and combat ready from various posts and stations around the Corps; the offer was readily accepted and the Marines departed for operations in Florida.

In 1834 the Supreme Court reversed it's earlier stand, and on 23 May 1836 Marine folklore states that the Commandant nailed a note on the door of Headquarters Marine Corps stating: "...have gone to Florida to fight Indians. Will be back when the war is over. A. Henderson, Commandant."

On 21 May, Army General Order 33, in part, directed the deployment of 2 detachments of Marines for active duty with the army in the field.

By June 23, Henderson and 462 Leathernecks reported for duty with Army General Winfield Scott. Following a 224 mile march in 14 days the Marines turned to to operations as ordered.

Most USMC operations were company sized efforts to gather and deport the Indians. Marines also guarded crucial mail and supply lines. One Marine, 2nd Lt. John T. Sprague was the Officer in Charge of a prisoner detachment of Creek Indians on the Trail of Tears.

1836 saw the Marines involved in the suppression of Seminole warriors fighting a guerrilla war in the swamps and hammocks of Florida. By 1838 the campaign, as far as the Marines were concerned, was finished and the Sea Soldiers returned to their accustomed posts.

Campaigns and dates:

Relief of Fort Brook (FL) 22 Jan 1836
Battle of Wahoo Swamp (FL) 2 Nov. 1836
Campaign in the New River Country (FL) 22 Oct. thru 15-Dec. 1836
Battle of Hatchee-Lustee (FL) 27 Jan. 1837
Significant Events:

This was the first combat action precedent of the 1798 act which, along with section 6 of 1834 established, "...that the Marine Corps, established by this act, shall, at any time, be liable to do duty in the forts and garrisons on the United States, on the seacoast, or any other duty ashore, as their President, at his discretion, shall direct..."
This was also the last time that the Commandant led a significant portion of the manning of the Corps personally in combat.

War With Mexico 1846-1847


War With Mexico 1846-1847
President: James K. Polk
Commandant of the USMC:
Col. Archibald Henderson 1820-1859
Manning of the USMC: 71 Officers, 2,170 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-11, Wounded-47
Weapons Used:
Jenks .54 Cal. "Mule Ear"

As early as 1814, America was looking to the lands west of the Mississippi River for inclusion as territories and sources of natural resources.
With tensions between Britain and the U.S. rising over the Northwest territories and possible English incursions into Mexican held lands, an American fleet departs Peru and heads north to California, determined to prevent England from establishing a foothold on the West Coast of North America.

On Oct. 18 the fleet arrives off Monterey Ca, (then governed by Mexico), and lands 150 Marines and sailors. Ashore, the commander runs up the Stars and Stripes over the surrendered Mexican garrison. Learning that there was no war, the Navy and Marines reembark and depart.

In 1845, President Polk dispatches a young Marine officer, 1st Lt. Archibald Gillespie, on a secret mission to ensure that in the event of war between Mexico and the USA, America would immediately gain and hold possession of California. Monterey eventually again saw Marines garrison the city, this time to stay.

By 1846, the Mexican/American War had begun. A provisional battalion of Marines deployed to fight with Army Gen. Winfield Scott in the overland campaign. Assisting in the storming of the citadel of Chapultepec in Mexico City in Sept. 1847, Marine officers and troops carried the gate under fire.

It was during this time period that the Marine Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) rose to the position of leadership importance from which he has not since departed.

Marines also assisted in the 12,000 troop landing at Veracruze in 1847, commanded by Commodore Matthew C. Perry. This was America's first major amphibious action. In addition, Marines also performed landings and assaults at Alvarado, Tuxpan, Frontera, and San Juan Bautistia.

Campaigns and dates:

Battle of San Pasqual (CA.) 6 Dec. 1846
Battle of Santa Clara (CA) 2 Jan. 1847
Battle of San Gabriel (CA) 8 Jan. 1847
Battle of La Mesa (CA) 9 Jan. 1847
Battle of Veracruz (Mexico) 9 Mar. 1847
Battle of Tabasco (Mexico) 15 June 1847
Battle of Chapultepec (Mexico) 13 Sept. 1847
Battle of Guaymas (Mexico) 17 Nov. 1847
Battle of San Jose (CA) 19 Nov. 1847
Significant Events:

During the Mexican/American War, the other half of the first line of the future Marine's Hymn was written and became complete: "From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli..."

Harper's Ferry & The Capture of John Brown, Virginia, USA. 1859


Harper's Ferry, Virginia, USA. 1859
President: James Buchanan
Commandant of the USMC:
Col. John Harris 1859-1864
Manning of the USMC: 47 Officers, 1,804 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-1, Wounded-1
Weapons Used:
.58 Cal. U.S. Rifle Musket Model 1855

In 1856, President Pierce recognized pro-slavery legislature in Kansas. Abolitionist Missouri settlers move to Kansas in droves sparking anti slavery guerrilla actions. (Bloody Kansas) John Brown participates in the massacre of pro-slavery residents.
October 17, 1859, with America on the brink of civil war over the primary issue of States Rights, Secretary of the Army detaches Col. Robert E. Lee (U.S. Army), with Lt. J.E.B. Staurt to put down an abolitionist uprising at Harpers Ferry, Virginia led the fanatic John Brown in an attempt to start a slave rebellion.

Brown and his followers had captured the arsenal and armory, then barricaded themselves in a brick firehouse along with 13 hostages. One of the hostages was the grand nephew of George Washington. They had successfully withstood repeated assaults of the town militia and had killed several residents including the Mayor.

The Marines (85), commanded by Lt. Israel Greene, were tasked to quell the rebellion under the Command of Lee.

Originally, Lee asked the town militia if they wanted to assault the position held by Brown and several of his followers. The militia refused, and Lee detailed the Marines to reduce Brown and his men. Concerned with safety of the hostages, Lee ordered that the assault would be bayonet work only.

The Marines tried to batter the doors with sledge hammers, to no avail. Shortly there after Lt. Greene spotted a ladder and ordered that it be used as a battering ram on the engine house doors. The doors gave way under the pounding and Greene led the assault into the brick building.

Two Marines were shot following Greene who was the first to enter the building. Subsequently, one, Private Luke Quinn died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Greene attacked Brown with his saber, however, in his rush to answer the call to arms, he had belted his dress sword as opposed to his service weapon. Upon striking Brown, the sword bent and while Brown was down he had not been killed.

In the three minute action, the Marines had killed 4 of the insurgents with bayonets and captured 2 others at a loss of one Marine. That one Leatherneck definably the first causality of the Civil War.

Several weeks later, Brown was tried and hung. But, not before his bold statements inflamed supporters of the Abolitionist cause.

Of historical interest: Lee, Stuart, and Greene all resigned their Federal Commissions and reported to the Confederacy for duty at the onset of hostilities. Greene with the Confederate States Marine Corps.

American Civil War (USMC) 1861-1865


American Civil War 1861-1865
Federal Marines

President: James Buchanan
Commandant of the USMC:
Col. John Harris 1859-1864
BGen. Jacob Zeilin 1864-1876
Manning of the USMC: 48 Officers, 2,338 enlisted
USMC Causalities: Dead-148, Wounded-131
Weapons Used:
.58 Cal. U.S. Rifle Musket Model 1855
.52 Cal. Sharps Percussion Rifle

1860 sees the election of Abraham Lincoln as President with 33 states in the Union. The Southern states seeing this event as the expiration of their last hope for continued attachment to the Union began to declare succession.
On 20 Dec. 1860, South Carolina succeeds. By the inauguration of Lincoln, seven states had left the Union. Before long South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina had left.

On Feb. 18th Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States. At 4:30 on 12 April the shelling of the Federal fort in Charleston Harbor, (Fort Sumter) begins.

This conflict was one of the most pivotal in American history. It changed America from a "we will" to "we are" status in the eyes of world, made America a country-not a grouping of states, abolished slavery, left 600 thousand Americans dead, introduced the world to modern warfare- with railroads supporting military operations, naval mines, submarines, trench warfare, introduced electronic warfare communications, land mines, machine guns, and total war.

While the U.S. Marine Corps was but a small part of the Federal forces arrayed against the Confederacy, as a result of the Northern strategy of blockade of the Southern sea ports,; it was destined play a minor but important role in the successful end to the Civil War.

Just as emotions associated with the Civil War tore the country apart, so did the Marine Corps fracture. While few enlisted men left the Corps; the officer ranks were decimated with more than 20 of 63 men resigning their commissions and "going south." Many of these were the best field officers of the Corps of the time. (Interestingly, even today, the majority of the Corps is composed of Marines from the south and south eastern United States.)

Leathernecks promptly garrisoned forts and batteries around Washington and Leathernecks assisted in holding Fort Pickens outside of Pensacola Fl., which prevented the Confederates from making full use of the captured Federal facilities and Naval Yard.

Marines sabotaged Federal ships, buildings and equipment at the Navy Yard at Norfolk Va. to prevent them from falling into Confederate hands.

However, the Marine's first combat action was not among it's most shining. A battalion of 12 officers and 353 enlisted men, commanded by Brevet Maj. John Reynolds marched south in Jul. of 1861. While some of the officers were well tried with experience in the Mexican War and other Marine Corps deployments, the majority of the enlisted men had less than 3 weeks in uniform and little training.

Along with the rest of the Federal troops, the Marines advanced to Bull Run (or Manassas). Original Federal advances went well, but reinforced by rail, the Confederate line held upon the crest of Henry House Hill. Faced with a cavalry charge led by Col. J.E.B. Stuart the Federal forces folded.

Marines saw service aboard naval ships, and as security at naval stations, plus boarding parties, landing forces and as crew at shore based artillery batteries.

The Corps' first Medal of Honor would be won in action, (as luck would have it against Confederate Marine Corps forces) at Drewry's Bluff on the James River in VA south of Richmond, by Cpl. John Mackie.

Marines assaulted positions along the coast and participated in the Mobile Bay, New Orleans and Mississippi River campaigns.

Marine boarding parties assisted, as noted earlier, in blockade interdiction and were part of an incident which almost drew Britain into the war on the side of the south. On 8 Nov. 1861, Marines boarded the Royal Mail Steam Packet ship Trent to capture Confederate envoys to England and France. Marines escorted Confederates Mason and Slidell to captivity. Britain demanded their release and to avoid an opening for the English to enter the war, Lincoln released the men to a British ship.

Leathernecks were also involved in two ill fated operations, the attempted recapture of Fort Sumter and the amphibious/land assault on Fort Fischer.

Campaigns and dates:

First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas VA) 21 Jul. 1861
Destruction of Confederate Privateer Judah (off Pensacola FL) 14 Sept. 1861
Destruction of Confederate schooner Royal Yacht (off Galveston TX) 7-8 Nov. 1861
Battle of Port Royal (SC) 8 Nov. 1861
Battle of Hatteras Inlet (NC) 7-8 Feb.1862
Battle of Fort Cobb (near Elizabeth City, NC) 10 Feb. 1862
Battle of Winston (NC) 19 Feb. 1862
Cumberland vs. Confederate ironclad Merrimac 8 Mar. 1862
Minnesota vs. Merrimac 9 Mar. 1862
Battle of Slocum Creek (NC) 13 Mar. 1862
New London vs. 2 Confederate steamers (near pass Christian, VA) 25 Mar. 1862
Battle of New Orleans 24-28 Apr. 1862
Battle of Fort Macon (NC) 25 Apr. 1862
Battle of Drewry's Bluff (near Richmond VA) 15 May 1862
Expedition up the Santee River 24 June 1862
Admiral Farragut's fleet vs. Confederate batteries 28 June 1862
Admiral Farragut's fleet vs. Confederate ram Arkansas (near Vicksburg) 15 Jul. 1862
Keystone State vs. two Confederate ironclads (near Charleston) 31 Jan. 1863
Expedition up Red River (Louisiana) 10 Mar- 14 Apr. 1863
Battle of Port Hudson (MS) 14 Mar. 1863
Attack on Fort Sumter 8 Sept. 1863
capture of Stono (SC) 28 Dec. 1863
Wabash vs. Confederate torpedo boat (off Charleston) 18 Apr. 1864
4 Federal vessels vs. Confederate ram Albermarle (near New Bern NC) 5 May 1864
Kearsarge vs. Confederate Alabama (off Cherbourg, France) 10 June 1864
Battle of Mobile Bay 5-23 May 1864
Battle of Boyd's Neck & Honey Hill (SC) 28-30 Nov. 1864
Battle of Derang's Neck or Tullifinney Cross Road (SC) 6-9 Dec. 1864
Battle of Fort Fischer (NC) 23-25 Dec. 1864
Capture of Fort Fischer 13-15 Jan 1865.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Confederate States Marines


President: Jefferson Davis
Commandant of the CSMC:
Colonel Commandant Lloyd J. Beall
Manning of the CSMC: 58 Officers,1,200 enlisted
CSMC Causalities: Unknown
Weapons Used:
British Enfield caliber .59, with sword bayonets
US Musket caliber .69
Maynard breech loading rifle
Primary sources of information for this Battle History has been: The Confederate States Marine Corps: Rebel Leathernecks, written by Ralph Donnellly, and Nofi's book of Marine Corps Lists, and an article published in "America's Civil War" written by Civil War USMC authority David M Sullivan.

Established by legislation on March 6 1861, the CSMC was authorized a battalion strength with 6 companies. After Fort Sumter, an amendment passed on May 20 1861 which expanded the authorized strength to Regimental size. However, it is not thought that the CSMC ever truly reached its full authorized strength.

The CSMC, not surprisingly, mirrored the Federal Marine Corps in regulations and laws. Commanded by Colonel Commandant Lloyd James Beall a former soldier, West Point graduate and Quartermaster in the US Army, 21 officers of the USMC resigned their commissions and "went south" with 18 of them ending up in the CSMC. Two of these were of particular interest, 1Llt Israel Greene of Harper's Ferry fame, and the son of late Commandant Archibald Henderson, USMC 1 Lt. Richard H. Henderson. Only 4 known USMC enlisted men deserted for the Confederacy and the CSMC.

Originally, enlisted training was conducted at Pensacola, FL. The first two ship's guard detachments were deployed aboard the CSS Sumter and McRae almost immediately.

By 1861, CS Marines were being transferred to other Confederate posts in Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Virginia., with a heavy concentration at Drewry's Bluff on the James River, protecting the riverine approach from the Hampton Roads into Richmond.

The CSMC served on the following CS Navy ships: Atlanta, Alabama, Baltic, Charleston Chicora, Columbia, Dalman, Drewry, Fredricksburg, Gains, Gallego, Huntress, Indian Chief, Isondiga, Jamestown, Macon, McRae, Morgan, Nashville, North Carolina, Palmetto State, Patrick Henry, Raleigh, Resolute, Richmond, Sampson, Savannah (Steamer) Savannah (Ironclad), Tennessee, Guard Ship Time, United States, Virginia (Merrimack) Virginia II also, Chickamauga, Sumter, Tallahassee, Shenandoah, Georgia, Rappahannock, Stonewall, Floating batteries Artic, and Georgia.

Shore stations for the CSMC were: The Navy Yards at Richmond VA. Drewry's Bluff VA., Navy Yard Gosport (Norfolk) VA., Wilmington (Fort Fischer) NC., Savannah GA., Pensacola FL., Mobile AL., and possibly at the Navy Ordnance Works, Charlotte NC., The CSMC also maintained a battalion organization at the Headquarters in Richmond VA. as a ready reactionary force.

The CSMC would provide disciplined and loyal service just as the Federal Marines did, fighting hard at places like Ft. Fisher and Drewry's Bluff, aboard the blockade runner Alabama, and were among the last Confederate forces to surrender after a hard fought battle at Sayler's Creek in 1865 after acting as a component of the rear guard of the fleeing Confederate States Army. The last organized Confederates to surrender after General Lee surrendered in Virginia was a group of CS Marines around Mobile, AL. on May 10th, 1865.

Little is known about the CSMC in comparison to the USMC of the same period. Col. Commandant Beall took most of the documentation of the CSMC to his home after the war, and they were subsequently destroyed in a house fire. However what does exist points to an almost mirror organization with training, missions, discipline and uniforms (gray) all similar to that of the Federal Marines, those scraps also allow a view of what the CSMC members were issued and how they operated.

Basic uniform issue for 4 years for a CS Marine 1861:
1 Uniform Cap
2 Uniform Coats
1 pair epaulettes or counter straps
8 pair linen overalls
4 pairs woolen overalls
16 shirts
2 stocks
24 pairs of brogans
2 blankets
8 pairs socks
3 fatigue caps
4 fatigue jackets
8 flannel shirts
1 Great Coat
3 pompons
2 knapsacks
6 fatigue overalls
5 linen jackets. (note that the brogan shoe issue allows for a life use of only two months per pair!) Today, the only known existing example of an original period CSMC uniform is maintained at McElreath Hall, Atlanta, GA. at the Headquarters of the Atlanta Historical Society. This uniform is documented to have belonged to 1 Lt. Henry Lea Graves and according to Donnely, "..appears to conform to the 1859 USMC regulations..." in regards to cut and style with Army type rank devices. The CSMC did not wear the white buff cross belts of the USMC of the period, rather they wore a black leather waist belt with cartridge box, bayonet scabbard and cap box all of black leather attached to the belt by slides with a back pack also in black, all on the British pattern.

Of the quality of service of the men of the CSMC, the following gives evidence that they were true Marines, in the tradition of the Federal Marines:

GENERAL ORDER. Confederate States of America ) Headquarters Department No. 1 ) New Orleans, La., July 12, 1861) The Major General commanding this department, thankfully acknowledges the valuable and efficient services rendered by the officers, seamen and marines of the C.S. Navy, on the late expedition which resulted in placing Ship Island in our possession, and driving off the vessels stationed there. Their gallantry in volunteering for the service, the prompt manner in which they executed it, the patience and cheerfulness with which they submitted to labor and exposure, and the coolness and courage displayed by them in the action with the enemy, call for unqualified admiration. To Lieutenant commanding. T.B. Huger, of the Confederate Steamer McRae, for his hearty cooperation in allowing his officers and men to join the expedition, the Major General tenders his special thanks. By order of Major General Twiggs. EDWARD HIGGINS, Captain La. Artillery C.S.A., and Aid-de-Camp

The CSMC and USMC tangled at least 3 times, with one action leading to the first Medal of Honor for a US Marine, (see Cpl. John Mackie.). These actions were:
• Battle of Drewry's Bluff, VA., 15 May 1862
• USS Kearsarge vs. CSS Alabama, Cherbourg, France, 19 June 1864
• Battle of Mobile Bay, 5 August, 1864.


Major operations of the CSMC:
• Defense of Ship Island, LA., 9 July 1861
• Battle of Hampton Roads (CSS Virginia against the USA squadron and the USS Monitor, 8-9 March 1862
• Defense of Drewry's Bluff VA., 15 May 1862
• Cutting out of USS Underwriter, New Bern NC., 2 February 1864
• Defense of Drewry's Bluff, VA., 12-16 May 1864
• Battle of Mobile Bay, AL. 5 August 1864
• Defense of Fort Fisher, NC., 24-27 December 1864 and 6- 15 January 1865
• Battle of Sayler's Creek, VA., 6 April 1865

Spanish-American War, 1898

.......
source

President: Grover Cleveland and William McKinley
Commandant of the USMC:
MGen Charles Heywood 1891-1903
Manning of the USMC: 4,200
USMC Causalities: 35 killed, 20 wounded
Weapons Used: .30/40 KRAG JORGENSON MAGAZINE RIFLE


Events began on the international stage which would soon firmly place America on the road of International Imperialism. These events, beginning shortly after the American Civil War, (outlined below) would also see the USMC catapulted into a new place of importance within the United States Armed Forces.



1868

10 October

Carlos M. Céspedes issued the Grito de Yara and initiated the Ten Years' War in Cuba (1868-1878), the independence movement that served as the forerunner of the 1895 Insurrection and the Spanish American War.



1887

March

Publication in Berlin, Germany, of Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) by José Rizal, the Philippines' most illustrious son, awakened Filipino national consciousness.



1890

U.S. foreign policy is influenced by Alfred T. Mahan who wrote The Influence of Sea Power upon history, 1600-1783, which advocated the taking of the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, and the Philippine Islands for bases to protect U.S. commerce, the building of a canal to enable fleet movement from ocean to ocean and the building of the Great White fleet of steam-driven armor plated battleships



1895

7 December
President Cleveland says that the United States may take action in Cuba if Spain fails to resolve crisis there.



1896

William Warren Kimball, U.S. Naval Academy graduate and intelligence officer, completed a strategic study of the implications of war with Spain. His plan called for an operation to free Cuba through naval action, which included blockade, attacks on Manila, and attacks on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.


29 March
The United States Government issued an ultimatum to the Spanish Government to terminate its presence in Cuba. Spain did not accept the ultimatum in its reply of April 1, 1898.

4 April
The New York Journal issued a million copy press run dedicated to the war in Cuba. The newspaper called for the immediate U.S. entry into war with Spain.

11 April
The U.S. President William McKinley requested authorization from the U.S. Congress to intervene in Cuba, with the object of putting an end to the war between Cuban revolutionaries and Spain.

13 April
The U.S. Congress agreed to President McKinley's request for intervention in Cuba, but without recognition of the Cuban Government. The Spanish government declared that the sovereignty of Spain was jeopardized by U.S. policy and prepared a special budget for war expenses.

19 April
The U.S. Congress by vote of 311 to 6 in the House and 42 to 35 in the Senate adopted the Joint Resolution for war with Spain. Included in the Resolution was the Teller Amendment, named after Senator Henry Moore Teller (Colorado) which disclaimed any intention by the U.S. to exercise jurisdiction or control over Cuba except in a pacification role and promised to leave the island as soon as the war was over.

20 April
U.S. President William McKinley signed the Joint Resolution for war with Spain and the ultimatum was forwarded to Spain.

25 April
War was formally declared between Spain and the United States

30 April
The Spanish Governor General Blanco ordered hostilities resumed with the Cuban insurrectionists.

1 May
Opening with the famous quote "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley" U.S. Commodore George Dewey in six hours defeated the Spanish squadron, under Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón, in Manila Bay, the Philippines Islands. Dewey led the Asiatic Squadron of the U.S. Navy, which had been based in Hong Kong, in the attack. with the cruisers U.S.S. Olympia, Raleigh, Boston, and Baltimore, the gunboats Concord and Petrel and the revenue cutter McCulloch and reinforcements from cruiser U.S.S. Charleston and the monitors U.S.S. Monadnock and Monterey the U.S. Asiatic Squadron forced the capitulation of Manila. In the battle the entire antiquated Spanish squadron was sunk, including the cruisers María Cristina and Castilla, gunboats Don Antonio de Ulloa, Don Juan de Austria, Isla de Luzón, Isla de Cuba, Velasco, and Argos.

4 May
A joint resolution was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives, with the support of President William McKinley, calling for the annexation of Hawaii.

10 May
Secretary of the Navy John D. Long issued orders to Captain Henry Glass, commander of the cruiser U.S.S. Charleston to capture Guam on the way to Manila.

18 May
Prime Minister Sagasta formed the new Spanish cabinet. U.S. President McKinley ordered a military expedition, headed by Major General Wesley Merritt, to complete the elimination of Spanish forces in the Philippines, to occupy the islands, and to provide security and order to the inhabitants

27 May
U.S. Navy, under Admiral William Thompson Sampson and Commodore Winfield Scott Schley, formally blockaded the port of Santiago de Cuba.

June-October
U.S. business and government circles united around a policy of retaining all or part of the Philippines

3 June
First contact of the commanders of the U.S. Marines and leaders of the Cuban Liberation Army, aboard the armored cruiser U.S.S. New York at which the revolutionary forces provided detailed information for the campaign.

11 June
McKinley administration reactivated debate in Congress on Hawaiian annexation, using the argument that "we must have Hawaii to help us get our share of China."

12 June
Philippines proclaim independence. German squadron under Admiral Diederichs arrives at Manila.

Congress passed the Hawaii annexation resolution, 209-91. On July 6, the U.S. Senate affirmed the measure.

American Anti-Imperialist League was organized in opposition to the annexation of the Philippine Islands. Among its members were Andrew Carnegie, Mark Twain, William James, David Starr Jordan, and Samuel Gompers. George S. Boutwell, former secretary of the treasury and Massachusetts senator, served as president of the League.

Admiral Dewey's defeat of the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay on May 1, 1898 ignited impassioned nationalistic feelings in Spain. Spanish Admiral Manuel de la Cámara y Libermoore's squadron received orders to relieve the Spanish garrison in the Philippine Islands. His fleet consisted of the battleship Pelayo, the armored cruiser Carlos V, the cruisers Rápido and Patriota, the torpedo boats Audaz, Osado, and Proserpina, and the transports Isla de Panay, San Francisco, Cristóbal Colón, Covadonga, and Buenos Aires.

3 July
The Spanish fleet’s attempt to leave the bay was halted as the U.S. squadron under Admiral Schley destroyed the Spanish destroyer Furor, the torpedo boat Plutón, and the armored cruisers Infanta María Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Vizcaya, and Cristóbal Colón. The Spanish lost all their ships, 350 dead, and 160 wounded.

7 July
U.S. President McKinley signed the Hawaii annexation resolution, following its passage in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.

8 July
U.S. acquired Hawaii.

18 July
The Spanish government, through the French Ambassador to the United States, Jules Cambon, initiated a message to President McKinley to suspend the hostilities and to start the negotiations to end the war. Duque de Almodóvar del Río (Juan Manuel Sánchez y Gutiérrez de Castro), Spanish Minister of State, directed a telegram to the Spanish Ambassador in Paris charging him to solicit the good offices of the French Government to negotiate a suspension of hostilities as a preliminary to final negotiations.

2 August
Spain accepted the U.S. proposals for peace, with certain reservations regarding the Philippine Islands. McKinley called for a preliminary protocol from Spain before suspension of hostilities. That document was used as the basis for discussion between Spain and the United States at the Treaty of Peace in Paris.

12 August
Peace protocol that ended all hostilities between Spain and the United States in the war fronts of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines was signed in Washington, D.C.

13 August
Manila falls to U.S. troops.

14 August
Capitulation was signed at Manila and U.S. General Wesley Merritt established a military government in the city, with himself serving as first military governor.

10 December
Representatives of Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of Peace in Paris. Spain renounced all rights to Cuba and allowed an independent Cuba, ceded Puerto Rico and the island of. Guam to the United States, gave up its possessions in the West Indies, and sold the Philippine Islands, receiving in exchange $20,000,000

23 December
Guam placed under control of U.S. Department of the Navy.

1899

1 January
Emilio Aguinaldo was declared president of the new Philippine Republic, following the meeting of a constitutional convention. United States authorities refused to recognize the new government. U.S. claims Wake Island for use in cable link to Philippines. U.S. Commander Edward Taussig, U.S.S. Bennington, landed on the island and claimed it for the United States.

4 February
The Philippine Insurrection began as the Philippine Republic declared war on the United States forces in the Philippine Islands, following the killing of three Filipino soldiers by U.S. forces in a suburb of Manila.

Marine Corps Operations

Several minor Marine Corps operations transpired prior to the Spanish American War; China in 1866, Japan, Formosa and Nicaragua in 1867, Uruguay in 1868, and Mexico in 1870. These deployments were followed by operations in Korea in 1871, Alexandria Egypt in 1882 and Panama in both 1873 and 1885 to secure the railroad across the isthmus.

The Marines of this period were deployed for three primary reasons;

a) the deployment of Marines has historically NOT been seen as an overt act of war internationally, due to the temporary nature of their deployments;

Because they were already forward deployed with the U.S. Navy and could serve along with Blue Jackets as the core of Naval Landing Parties;

c) Marines could be landed without the lengthy and costly process of mobilizing and transporting units of the Army.



Several “post Civil War” issues were of importance, such as the Corps getting its 1st Promoted General Grade Officer, Commandant Jacob Zeilin, (General Henderson had held a Brevet Rank).

The survival in 1866 of another attempt to disband the Marine Corps by an insurgent group of Navy and Army officers.

Officers of the Corps began to be drawn from the Naval Academy, along with the establishment of the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal for enlisted Marines.

In 1868, the Marine Corps Emblem as it is recognized today was adopted replacing the Army hunting horn with a block “M” in the center.

1880 would see John Phillip Sousa assigned as the Leader of the Marine Corps Band in Washington D.C., where he would write many of his world famous marches and would bring a new level of professionalism and international acclaim to the Band.



The Corps’ survival was again threatened by President T. Roosevelt’s attempt via Expectative Order to remove the Marines from the ships of the Navy (Countermanded by Congress).



The new, Naval Advanced Base Force concept, pushed Leatherneck development of new equipment and tactics for the coal powered, steam and steel Navy. The requirement for coaling stations and a new theory of Naval Warfare (Mahan) coupled with the strong support of many Naval Officers of impeccable reputation also served to help keep the Marines around for a bit longer.

The involvement of the Marines in the Spanish American War began at 9:40 on the 15th of February 1898, when the U.S. warship Maine, in Havana Harbor, Cuba was rocked by an explosion which blew off her bow and killed 250 Americans, 28 of them Leathernecks as she sank to the bottom.

Enraged and calculating, America declared war and the Marines expanded to a strength of 117 officers and 5,214 enlisted men as headlines screamed, “Remember The Main!” further inciting popular opinion in America.

A Marine battalion for expeditionary service was rapidly assembled by raping East Coast posts and stations and subsequently placed under the command of Lt. Col. Robert Huntington.

Departing from Key West FL, “Huntington’s Battalion” landed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Shortly thereafter its arrival, Marines commenced combat operations against the Spanish forces ashore in Cuba.

Within three days, Marines attacked and secured a critical water source at Cuzco Well about 6 miles east of the landing beaches.

Sgt. John Quick would earn a Medal of Honor in this battle (see “To Honor” section of this web site for bio.)

The critical cutting of the cable protecting the harbor at Cienfuegos, Cuba was a Marine Corps show, under fire the entire time and earning 11 more Medals of Honor for the men who wore the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem on their uniforms.

By August 9th land operations by the Marines were completed, however embarked Marines and ships detachments would see additional action against the Spanish Fleet and gun batteries in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and at Manila Bay in the Philippine Islands.

Spanish American War Marine Corps Operations:

1 May 1898, Battle of Manila Bay

3 May 1898, Capture of Caviti R.P.

11 May 1898, Cable Cutting Expedition, Cienfuegos, Cuba

10-14 June 1898, Occupation and defense of Guantanamo Bay

11 June 1898, Fisher’s Point Raid

14 June 1898, Battle of Cuzco Well

15 June 1898, Cainanera Raid

30 June-1 July 1898, Manzanillo Raid

3 July 1898, Naval Battle of Santiago

25 July 1898, Capture of Guanica, Puerto Rico

27 July 1898, Capture of Ponce, Puerto Rico

9 August 1898, Raid at Cape San Juan, Puerto Rico

Total USMC during the war 4,200. 1,000 Marines saw action in the Spanish American War with 35 being killed, (Counting USS Main’s Ships Detachment Marines) with an additional 20 Leathernecks wounded in action.

It is important to note the seeds of the Corps’ next major action, the Philippine Insurrection in this war, also as of this period, the US Marine Corps actively begins to serve as America’s colonial fire brigade and tool of choice for enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine with the Roosevelt Corollary in this hemisphere.

At the conclusion of this war, America was in possession of an empire in fact, consisting of Cuba, Guam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Wake, and the Philippine Islands, all of which would become pivotal to the Nation and Marine Corps from the period immediately following this operation through World War Two.

Philippine Insurrection, 1899-1902

After centuries as a Spanish colony, a revolution in the Philippine Islands, then a colony of Spain was led in part by Emilio Aguinaldo, a believer in democratic government who had been brought back from exile in Hong Kong by U.S. Navy Admiral Dewey to rally the Filipinos against the Spanish. Revolution broke out in 1896 in the Philippine Islands. After fighting a savage guerilla war for two and a half years, the Filipinos, over 6.7 million people suddenly found themselves in a seemingly advantageous position as allies of the United States.

In 1898, Spain fought a losing war with the United States in which her colonies of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam were overrun with relative ease by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Spain lost her Atlantic Fleet which was destroyed outside of Santiago, Cuba. Similarly, Spain's antiquated Pacific Fleet was wiped out in the Battle of Manila Bay by Admiral Dewey, USN, ("You may fire when ready Gridley"). American troops landed on the outskirts of the capitol city of the Philippines, Manila. (Later Dewey was quoted as stating that had he had more U.S. Marines, the Philippine Insurrection would have never occurred.)

After defeating Spain in Cuba and in the Philippines in 1898, the U.S. purchased the Philippines, Puerto Rico and several other islands from the Spanish, thereby denying independence to the Filipino people. Aguinaldo and his army of nearly 80,000 veteran troops realized that their "allies" in the Spanish War would soon become foes. This would be America's first true colonial war as a world power. However, the Filipinos had no intention of becoming a colony of another imperialist power . U.S. and Filipino forces faced off as a tense situation became worse. American forces held the capitol of Manila, while Aguinaldo's army occupied a trench-line surrounding the city.

On the evening of February 4, 1899, an Army Private of the Nebraska Volunteers fired the first shot in what would turn out to be a very bloody war. The soldier shot at a group of Filipinos approaching his position, initiating an armed response.

Shooting soon spread up and down the ten-mile U.S.-Filipino lines, causing hundreds of casualties.

Upon the outbreak of hostilities, U.S. troops, supported by shelling from Admiral Dewey's fleet, quickly overwhelmed the Filipino positions while inflicting thousands of casualties. Within days, American forces spread outward from Manila, using superior firepower, mobile artillery and command of the sea to full effect.

By November of 1899, the American Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris ending the War With Spain and annexing the Philippines. Aguinaldo and his forces had been pushed further and further into central Luzon (the main Philippine island) and he realized he could not fight the Americans with conventional military units. At this point, he ordered his followers to turn to guerilla tactics to combat the American forces.

From this point on, the war became a savage, no-holds- barred guerilla conflict made up of ambushes, massacres and retribution.

Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in March, 1902, and organized opposition from his followers soon faded. Despite the official end to hostilities proclaimed on July 4, 1902, individual tribes on the main island of Luzon and the Muslim Moros of the southern islands launched further uprisings for another decade or so, (Last major combat operation for the Corps in the Philippines prior to WWII was the Philippine Moro War of 1911).

The Marines began large scale operations in the Philippines at Novaleta in October 1889 when two Battalions of Marines landed at Cavite and joined the U.S. Army troops already mixed in combat with the Filipino guerrillas. This landing force consisted of 916 enlisted and 30 officers under the command of Lt. Col George F. Elliot. Attacking an entrenched enemy position, the Leathernecks drove back the Filipino troops with a loss of 3 dead and 9 wounded.

As more Marines arrived at Subic Bay, Cavite and in the southern islands, problems in China (The Boxer Rebellion) required the transfer of the First Marine Regiment in the Philippines to China. This unit returned to the Philippines and resumed action after the ending of that crisis. The 1st Rgt went to Subic Bay and the 2nd and the Brigade Headquarters to Cavite.

After the surrender of Alginaldo in 1901, the “war” officially ended, however, the fierce guerrilla war became even more heated. A U.S. Army unit was massacred at Balangia on the southern island of Samar.

Marine Major, L.W.T.“Tony” Waller was placed in command of the retaliation force and went into the jungle with a full battalion of Marines. During this campaign, the Marines would successfully assault a nearly impregnable enemy strong point, routing the insurgents.

Many other small unit actions by the Marines would take place along with the cross island patrol on Samar led by Waller with Gunnery Sgt. John Quick. During the operation, native guides would turn on the lost and bedraggled patrol of Marines, and Waller would convene a drum head courts martial and subsequently execute 11 of the Filipinos. Upon returning to Manilia, Waller would be court martialed in his own right as would his Army commander whose orders he was following. While Waller would be found not guilty and acquitted in 18 days, the Army Officer was tried and convicted. Outcry in America over the brutal nature of this war on both would sides ultimately cost Waller his chance at the Commandancy of the Corps. Liberal news papers stateside took to addressing him as “The Butcher Of Samar”.


However, the valiant attempt of Waller and his patrol would not be forgotten inside the gates of the Marine Corps installations to this day. Although the Brigade was disbanded in 1914, it became customary in the Corps for all to stand when a member of that patrol entered a room and say, “Stand gentlemen! He served on Samar”.


The lessons learned in the Philippines would stand the Corps in good stead as they continued their march through history as the triple canopy jungles of the Philippines taught harsh lessons that would be remembered as Marines went into other like environments in the Caribbean and even later, Vietnam.

The Marine Corps presence in the Philippines would continue, with a short break during the occupation of that country by the Japanese during World War II until the early 1990’s when changes in American policies and the politics of the Philippines would finally see the Corps roll its colors and depart. Currently, Marines still train annually in the Philippines and the Marine Security Guards at the American Embassy stand watch over he same areas that Marines marched upon more than 100 years ago.

Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901


Contents:
I.Backround
II.Boxer Forces
III.Allied Forces
IV.Boxer Losses
V.Allied Losses
VI.Conclusion
VII.Pictures

I.Backround

In 1900 an alliance between eight major powers, who would be fighting each other in a World War fourteen years down the road, was formed. The nations of Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States, fought to defeat a common enemy, the Boxers. The Boxers were a secreat Chinese society bent on driving the "foreign devils" out of China once and for all. No one seems to to know the exact origin of the Boxers (I Ho Ch'uan, which means Righteous Harmonious Fists), they may have been around in the 1700s, because Jesuit missionaries were expelled in 1747 due to Boxer influence. Why in 1900, the Boxers were able to raise so much power has never been answered.
The rise in Boxer support could be attributed to the amount of imperial support for the movement. Most notably, Prince Tuan and to a certain extent, the Dowager Empress, Tzu Hsi. This "unofficial" imperial support of the Boxer society was not the only contribution. China had recently suffered natural disasters, military, political, and economic sactions placed on them by the Western powers. China was defeated in 1894-1895 by Japan, with Japan emerging as the most powerful of the Asian powers. In 1896, Germany seized the ports of Kiaochow and Tsingtao after two German priests were killed. Russia demanded and recieved a lease on the ports of Port Arthur and Darien, Britain obtained Wei-Hai-Wei, and France seized Kwangchowwan. Additionally, the completion of the Tientsin-Peking railroad put thousands of Chinese workers out of work.

Chinese people began to turn to the secreat societies, which had always preached hatred of the western foreigners. Between 1898 and 1899 the Boxers began to emerge from the undreground and began preaching in the open. The Chinese government started off being Anti-Boxer, but eventually stopped. Military commanders and governors, who were Anti-Boxer were removed from command and replaced with Pro-Boxers. Between 1898-1899 the Boxers focused on attacking Chinese Christians, but on December 30, 1899 they killed a British missionary. The British and German governments immediatly issued strong protests, resulting in two Boxers being executed and a third imprisoned. The situation continued to worsen in early 1900, the Dowager Empress released an imperial edict. In this she stated that secreat societies were part of Chinese culture and were not criminal.

In the spring of 1900 the Boxers were out of control, they killed seventy Chinese christians and riots broke out all around Peking. On May 29, 1900 two British missionaries were attacked, with one being killed. The foregin ministers in Peking issued strong protests. The diplomats told the Chinese that they had twenty-four hours to put down the Boxers or they would call troops up from the coast. Before the Chinese government could reply, the diplomats learned that the telegraph line between Peking and Pao Ting Fu had been cut. The foreign diplomats ordered troops up from the coast, but were halted by the Chinese. On May 31 the troops were allowed to advance into Peking. Three hundred and forty troops arrived in Peking that night, followed by another 90 four days later. These were the last troops to enter Peking until August 14, 1900.
II.Boxer Forces




Chinese Empress Tzu Hsi
Boxer & Chinese Forces 1900-1901

Forces Troops Artillery
Guns
Boxers 140,000 --
Chinese 10,000 60


A secret society, known as the Fists of Righteous Harmony, attracted thousands of followers. Foreigners called members of this society "Boxers" because they practiced martial arts. The Boxers also believed that they had a magical power, and that foreign bullets could not harm them. Millions of "spirit soldiers," they said, would soon rise from the dead and join their cause.


Their cause, at first, was to overthrow the imperial Ch'ing government and expel all "foreign devils" from China. The crafty empress, however, saw a way to use the Boxers. Through her ministers, she began to encourage the Boxers. Soon a new slogan: "Support the Ch'ing; destroy the foreigner!" appeared upon the Boxers' banner.
III.Allied Forces




Legation Guards Commander: Sir Claude MacDonald
Seymour's Expedition Commander: Adm. Sir Edward Seymour
International Relief Expedition Commander: Gen. Alfred Gaselee
Allied Forces 1900-1901

Country Legation Guard
Troops Seymour's Expedition
Troops International Relief Expedition
Troops Total Artillery
Pieces
United States 56 111 2,000 2,167 --
Great Britain 82 915 3,000 3,997 --
Russia 81 312 4,000 4,393 --
Japan 25 54 10,000 10,079 --
Germany 51 512 200 763 --
France 48 157 800 1,005 --
Italy 29 42 53 124 --
Austria-Hungary 35 26 58 119 --
Total 507 2,129 20,111 22,747 *92
* Artillery pieces were divided as foolows: 5 Legation Guards, 17 Seymour's Expedition, and 70 Internation Relief Expedition.


The international troops were mostly highly trained Marines. These troops were also better armed than their Chinese counterparts. The Legation Guard troops, 507 strong, came under siege in Peking (Beijing) by some 20,000 Boxers. With superior weaponry they were able to repel the Chinese until a the International Relief Expedition arrived.
IV.Boxer Losses



Boxer Losses 1900-1901
Country Troops
Killed Troops
Wounded
Boxers ?? ??
Chinese ?? ??


Boxer and Chinese troop losses are unknown but are well into the tens of thousands. Thousands of Boxers were killed while they repeatedly tried to overtake the garrison in Peking defended by 507 men. The Chinese troops were easily routed by the International Relief Expedition at Tientsin where thousands met their death. The Chinese forces suffered a humiliating defeat and their international military prestige only continued to lower.
V.Allied Losses



Allied Losses 1900-1901
Country Killed Wounded
International
Force *250 ??
* This includes all foreigners killed during the conflict not just the soldiers. American losses were 9 Marines Killed and 17 wounded.


The Allied Force suffered low casualties and easily defeated the larger Chinese troops. These defeats of such superior numbers of Chinese forced the empress to sign a humiliating peace treaty giving away Chinese land to foreign powers and having to pay money to all the countries involved in the conflict.


The Chinese Christians were killed and hated just like foreigners. An estimated 30,000 Chinese Christians were killed by the Boxers.
VI.Conclusion



The Boxer Rebellion, just like the two opium wars before it, was an excuse for the powerful countries of Europe, American and Japan to interfere with and take over partial control over China. Because it was being fought over by so many powerful countries, no one country could take it over completely. Japan made a good try years later with precipitated World War II. Today, China is it's own country, a power in it's own right, with a huge say in world affairs. No doubt it's experience in the Boxer rebellion as well as the two opium wars kindled it's nationalistic feelings and sent it on it's long road to independence and power.


After taking Peking, the international troops looted the capital and even ransacked the Forbidden City. Disguised as a peasant, the empress dowager escaped the city in a cart. She returned to the Forbidden City a year later, but the power of the Ch'ing dynasty was destroyed forever.


The Boxer Protocol of 7 September 1901, negotiated by the Great Powers with China, included provisions for a fortified legation quarter, foreign garrisons along the Tientsin-Peking railway, and a large indemnity. The Western powers and Japan agreed—mainly because of U.S. pressure to “preserve Chinese territorial and administrative integrity” and because of mutual jealousies among the powers—not to carry further the partition of China. Nevertheless, China was compelled to pay an indemnity of $333 million, to amend commercial treaties to the advantage of the foreign nations, and to permit the stationing of foreign troops in Beijing. The United States later (1908) used some of its share of the indemnity for scholarships for Chinese students. China emerged from the Boxer Uprising with a greatly increased debt and was, in effect, a subject nation.


Mark Twain, the anti-imperialist, said the following about the Boxer Rebellion:


"China never wanted foreigners any more than foreigners wanted Chinamen, and on this question I am with the Boxers every time. The Boxer is a patriot. He loves his country better than he does the countries of other people. I wish him success. The Boxer believes in driving us out of his country. I am a Boxer too, for I believe in driving him out of our country."

More to come.......

New howitzer makes thunderous debut
Submitted by: MCAGCC
Story Identification #: 200566175730
Story by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen



MARINE CORPS BASE TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (May 24, 2005) -- While artillerymen Corps-wide have been expecting the M-777 Lightweight Howitzer to be fielded, for 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, it was history in the making during the new cannon’s debut in the Combat Center desert last week.

Fortunately for Guns Platoon, Battery K, 3/11, the Marines had the opportunity to fire the lightweight howitzer during its weeklong firing exercise.

“The battalion firing exercise was the first time the M-777 has been shot as a fielded howitzer,” said Lt. Col. Douglas H. Fairfield, 3/11 commanding officer. “3/11 is the first battalion in the Marine Corps, as well as the Army, to receive the new howitzer.”

Prior to 3/11 receiving their three new lightweight howitzers a month ago, it was put through extensive operational testing before the M-777 began full-rate production and distribution, according to Fairfield.

Considering the lightweight 155-millimeter gun stands up to its name weighing approximately 6,500 pounds less than the aging M-198 howitzer (16,000 pounds), Master Gunnery Sgt. Hector Herrera said the new gun would speed things up on the battlefield.

“This new weapon will definitely speed up our shoot, move and communicate because it’s lighter and more technologically advanced,” said Herrera, the field artillery chief for 11th Marines. “The most significant is the mobility because we’ll be able to position the howitzer in extensively less time and still be able to transport the gun with breaking it on rough terrain.”

As opposed to the M-198 howitzer currently in use, the lightweight howitzer has its very own suspension system, which provides for a smoother ride that will prevent bouncing and buckling.

Because of the M-777 weighs noticeably less than its predecessor, artillerymen can expect a less physically demanding labor when maneuvering the lightweight.

“There really isn’t much difference in running a gun, but it’s a whole lot less lifting, which is better, and more pushing down,” said Sgt. Eric R. Lowinski, a battery section chief responsible for one of three newly fielded howitzers. “Because of that, it speeds up the emplacing and displacing the howitzer.”

The M-777 has been designed with cannoneer ergonomics in mind such as a primer feeding mechanism and a hydraulic-assisted projectile loading system, said Fairfield.
Because of a digital fire control system, that is scheduled to be built into the M-777 howitzer in fiscal year 2006, positioning a howitzer will decrease the time it would take to shoot artillery shells into the distance.

The digital system will allow the howitzer to determine its own location and send that information to the Fire Direction Center, said Capt. Joshua B. Chartier, battery commander of Kilo Battery.

The Fire Direction Center is a hub that computes and configures information, and quickly translates and relays that information to individual gun sections chosen for fire missions.
“The hydra-pneumatics of the new gun just makes it a lot easier to [position] the gun, load and shoot the gun,” added Chartier.

“We’re scheduled to receive the digital upgrade next year,” said Fairfield. “The upgrade
will include an integrated [global positioning system] and an inertial navigation system that will enable each howitzer to independently emplace and get safely laid in position. The bottom line is better artillery support to the maneuver commander.”

While last week’s firing exercise is scheduled to extend until early July, said Herrera, his concern right now is not being able to shoot extremely fast, but to ensure his artillerymen become aware of the ins and outs of the M-777.

“My main focus as the regimental artillery chief is to make sure we become as proficient and smart as we are with the M-198,” said Herrera. “We need as much experience as we can get because this new weapon could find itself in a combat zone within a year.”

Pfc. Sean C. Bradford with Gun 3, is getting all the experience needed while on-the-job training with the M-777, only after recently graduating from military occupational specialty school at Fort Sill, Okla.

“I had to learn about a whole new gun when I got to my new unit,” said Bradford, the number one man Gun 3, who has been a Marine for six months. “I’m very excited to learn and train with the new howitzer that no one else in the Corps has. I’m ready to deploy with the new lightweight.”

Bradford is responsible for pulling the lanyard, which triggers off a loaded artillery shell, and is responsible for checking pressure gauges after a round has been shot.
While Battery K can expect themselves in and out of the field in the coming weeks resonating the air with artillery booms with their new gun, Fairfield said his men are doing a great job adapting to the new weapons system that will soon be fielded to all artillery regiments.

“The Marines did an outstanding job shooting the howitzer this past week,” said Fairfield. “They quickly grasped their cannoneer duties and safely put more than 1150 artillery rounds down range.”

Marine makes it his business to bring smiles to coworker

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story by: Computed Name: Sgt. Stephen D'Alessio
Story Identification #: 20056633347




CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq(June 6, 2005) -- Granted, living conditions are not the greatest and meals are not home cooked, but many Marines have seen worse. Combat is what the Marines trained for, planned for, but they don’t wish for. One Snyder, Texas Marine with the 2nd Marine Division accepts his role and is never seen without a smile. He takes his positive attitude and makes it infectious by inspiring those who pass his post.

Lance Cpl. Paul Jones, a 20-year-old Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System operator and sentry on the combat operations center (COC) guard force is well-known by all Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and civilians who work here. That’s because they can’t get past Jones without a holler and a specialized greeting like -- “Good afternoon gunnery sergeant!”

The first half of Jones’ job requires him to process fire related information from the artillery batteries supporting the division’s infantry troops. The information he monitors in the combat operations center (COC) shapes the battlefield picture for those commanders planning various missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The AFATDS system Jones uses, coordinates artillery and mortar fire, attack helicopters and close air support.

The next part of his job is to provide physical security for the service members who work for the division staff in the COC. Jones is one of those Marines who declares he’s just doing his job – but he’s doing a lot more than that.

“He’s always motivated, no matter what time of day,” said Gunnery Sgt. Ron Atkinson, G-1 administration section chief. “If we’re taking fire or if it’s hot and nasty outside, it doesn’t matter – he’ll always put a smile on your face.”

Jones wasn’t always all smiles and motivation, though. In 2002, Jones decided to join the Corps after learning some tough life lessons. Boot camp was nothing new to him because Jones had already been through something like it at Hobbs High School in Snyder.

“I was truant from school for a long time, working on my own and trying to make ends meet,” said Jones. "My mother stopped by my apartment one day and asked me, 'Are you ready to go to court?'

“Because I was truant for so long, the county wanted to prosecute me and put me in jail, and possibly her too, if I didn’t go back to school. I couldn’t have that. So that’s when I made the decision to turn my life around,” he said.

Jones attended a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps which was a boot camp for teenagers who had trouble getting through high school. The instructors shaved his head, he was issued a uniform and attended class just like a recruit – sitting on the floor like a Marine at boot camp. He had to work his way up the ladder to graduation, which required more than academic achievement, it included physical discipline as well.

“I remember the first day they told me to pick a rock on this rock wall. I had to stand at the position of attention and stare at it for a long time,” said Jones. “It was the first step in changing my way of life.”

Eventually Jones graduated and decided the strict regiment he received during high school was the way he wanted to accomplish the rest of his goals. So he joined the Corps just after graduating from Hobbs.

Now, Jones has experience in field artillery surveying and operating the AFATDS. He’s served with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., and 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines in Okinawa, Japan.

While overseas, he had the chance to deploy to Mt. Fuji with his artillery battery and participate in bilateral training with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force.

Since his first meeting in the recruiter’s office, the experiences offered to him by the Corps have changed his life dramatically - for the better.

“When the recruiter asked me what I wanted to do, I just told him I want to blow things up,” said Jones. “It was as simple as that. Even though I’m usually many kilometers away from the explosion, it seemed like the safe bet.”

Jones has a son who is about to turn two-years-old in September. Jones’ aspiration is to reenlist for another four years in the Marines and provide a secure life for his son through a career in the Marines.

“It’s dangerous work out here, but the thing that scares me most is when my son or my mother get sick,” said Jones. “I just want the best for him and I’m so close with her.”

Although he and his fellow Marines and sailors are engaged in combat operations and constantly in the line of indirect fires, he believes there’s a reason for being here and it’s best to just be happy. He believes in the simple life – waking up, eating chow, doing his duty and then going to bed. Everything in between is just inspiring others to enjoy life as much as he does.

“Rather than hate life over here, I like to think of the good things and make the best of the situation I’m in,” said Jones. “Besides, everything in life is better with a smile.”

Black Widow awarded for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom
Submitted by: MCAS Yuma
Story by: Computed Name: Cpl. Natasha S. Rawls
Story Identification #: 20056718343

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz.(May 27) -- Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-13 sergeant major was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a gold star with combat distinguishing device and a Meritorious Service Medal with gold star during a ceremony on the station parade deck May 27.

Sgt. Maj. Joe L. Vines Sr. received the commendation medal for his actions while serving in the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force from March to June 2003, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the medal citation, the Franklinton, N.C. native, "set the example for Marines throughout combat operations." Vines cleared bunkers and buildings leading the way for his Marines, on multiple occasions, and aided in the capture of multiple enemy insurgents and the recovery of enemy weapons.

Vines was also awarded for his actions while his convoy was under attack March 25, 2003.

"The convoy came under attack from mortar, rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire," according to the medal citation. "During this attack, he noticed a gap between two companies, and immediately rushed forward with three other Marines to fill the gap. Furthermore, he personally assisted in carrying a wounded Marine to a medical evacuation site."

April 4, 2003 the battalion came under sniper fire; although he was under fire, he assisted in the medical evacuation of two other Marines.

Vines also received a Meritorious Service Medal for his role in guiding and mentoring his Marines, which resulted in the meritorious promotion of two Marines to gunnery sergeant, one to staff sergeant, two to sergeant and one to corporal. In addition, two of his Marines won Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter and one Marine of the Quarter, according to the medal citation.

"He bestowed his wisdom of Marine Corps history, customs and courtesies upon the Marines under his command," according to the medal citation.

Vines' professional demeanor and love of the Marine Corps has impacted many Marines in the squadron.

"Sergeant Major Vines is a leader that we can approach and ask about any problems, and will answer them," said Pfc. Bryan Malnburg, aircraft engine technician. "He is always there for us as far as someone we can go to for any kind of emergency, whether it is about the Marine Corps, financial or our family life."

In his three years of being a member of MALS-13, Lance Cpl. Jimmy Rubu, ordnance technician, said he has noticed a change in the squadron since Vines had come into command.

"When I returned from a (deployment to Iraq) and he was here, the squadron was a lot more motivated," said Rubu . "He has a distinctive way of bringing Marines together and motivating them to that next level. Before, we felt a lot more like we were just going to work; now it is more like, in his own words, 'an organization.' He has this way of making you take pride in what you do, although sometimes you feel it doesn't have a big importance in (the overall mission)."

"Sergeant Major Vines is the type of Marine that can take the most demotivated Marine, one that has been in trouble, and motivate them," said Cpl. Crista Banet, production control NCO, a Floyds Knobs, Ind. native. "He really cares about this unit. Once he stepped in, he put us back in our place as Marinses. He came from a combat unit to the air wing. Things here were more relaxed; he squared us away."

"He's a Marine's Marine," said Staff Sgt. John Chatham, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit detachment NCIOC, and native of Austin, Texas. "He has bought the Esprit de Corps, unit camaraderie and overall morale of the Marines in this unit to a peak level."

Houston native drives, strives for success
Submitted by: 2nd Force Service Support Group
Story by: Computed Name: Cpl. C. J. Yard
Story Identification #: 200567134149




CAMP HIT, Iraq(June 7, 2005) -- “You can’t tell at all this is his first deployment can you?” asked Gunnery Sgt. Aaron L. Barthelmas, mess chief for Service Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group (Forward), speaking about Sgt. Daniel Johnson.

Johnson, a Houston native is not only a food service specialist, but has a secondary Military Occupational Specialty as a military policeman.

“I was assigned with Military Police Company, [Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.],” said Johnson. “I was with them for about a year-and-a-half and worked my way up from standing at the gate to patrolling in a squad car. They taught me quite a bit there. I saw a lot of stuff too that I wish hadn’t ever. I went to suicides, homicides, pulled people over for drinking and driving. I even found narcotics in a car on its way through the gate.”

Remembering one of the calls he received, Johnson said he felt very disturbed by what he had seen.

“I was sent out to look for a guy,” said Johnson. “He was on his way out of the Marine Corps. He was on terminal leave and we found him on the highway. His car had flipped and his infant had been thrown from the car. That messed with me when I went home that night.”

Johnson said he spent so much time with MP Co. because he had slipped through the proverbial cracks of the administrative system.

“I was MPs for so long because Food Service Company had basically forgotten about me, but now I’ve been back with them for about a year,” continued the 24-year-old. “I came to this company and some of the sergeants that I work with now were my sergeants when I was a [private first class]. We have a really tight group here and we all take care of each other.”

Responsible for the maintenance of the Marine Corps’ Field Food Service System at Korean Village, Iraq, Johnson has learned new skills including operating machinery not normally driven by a food service specialist.

“He can drive pretty much any vehicle asset needed to get the job done,” said Barthelmas. “He’s very flexible and dynamic. He’s got a whole slew of skills.”

“Normally, he wouldn’t drive a [Tractor, Rubber-tired, Articulated-steering Machine] if we weren’t in a deployed situation,” said Sgt. Juan C. AguilarRichard, a Mission, Texas, native and Camp Hit mess manager. “We would have somebody else drive the TRAM for us, but because the mission requires us to use it, and he knows how to operate it we get the job done. He knows how to work hard and gets done what needs to be done.”

Johnson attributed his work ethic to his leaders at Food Service Company, and his maturity level to some times of trouble as a teenager, kicked out of his parents house.

“I went back and talked with my dad when I was 17,” said Johnson. “I wasn’t a 15-year-old kid doing drugs and drinking beer anymore. I had learned I needed to grow up”

Now, with a wife, Jessica, and two-year-old daughter, Lezlie, Johnson realizes the importance of hard work.

“’Pappy’ knows how to get the work done,” said Johnson, referring to himself with his nickname given to him by Barthelmas.

“He always calls everybody else that, so I thought it was fitting to give it right back to him,” commented Barthelmas. “He’s a hard worker and won’t settle for anything less than success. Always out in front, he leads by example.

“He was a key player in us receiving the W.P.T. Hill Award, being selected as the best field mess in the Marine Corps,” continued Barthelmas.

Johnson said he will be leaving the Marine Corps after his four-year enlistment, looking forward to moving back to Texas and working with his dad.

“I’d like to see him reenlist,” said Barthelmas. “He’s a great Marine, but he’s got a job lined up for when he gets out. I know that he’s going to go out there and do great things.

For more information about the Marines or news reported in this story, contact by e-mail cssemnfpao@cssemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil.

Grosse Ile, Mich., Marine fights in Iraq
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005690338
Story by Cpl. Tom Sloan



CAMP HURRICANE POINT, AR RAMADI, Iraq (June 09, 2005) -- A year ago, Ray M. Ranger was serving as a deputy sheriff in Platte County, Mo., when, after watching the war unfold on TV, he decided to go back to being a Marine infantryman.

“I saw my Marine brothers over here in Iraq,” said Ranger, now a sergeant who’s currently a squad leader for 2nd Squad, 4th Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, during a recent mission in the city here. “I wanted to join them in the fight and do my part.”

Exemplifying true patriotism, the 28-year-old from Grosse Ile, Mich., put his law enforcement career, which spans two years, on hold and reenlisted in the Corps in 2004 for a second tour of duty.

Ranger previously served as a rifleman in the Marines from 1995-1999 and left with an honorable discharge.

Replacing his sidearm and badge with an M-16 and the Eagle, Globe and Anchor was an easy choice for Ranger to make.

“It was something I had to do,” said the 1995 Grosse Ile High School graduate. “I felt compelled to serve my country and help my fellow Marines. I like the camaraderie, too.”

Shortly after his reenlistment, he received orders to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. He deployed to Iraq with the infantry battalion early last March to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ranger knows well the duties of a Marine squad leader in a combat environment.

“I maintain accountability of my Marines and ensure they’re properly trained and equipped,” he explained. “Physical and mental preparedness is important out here.”

Ranger and his fellow 4th Platoon warriors aren’t strangers to hard work. They conduct operation such as combat foot and vehicle-mounted patrols for hours on end in temperatures of more than 100 degrees in the insurgent infested city for four consecutive days. Then, they man an observation post in the city for four more days.

“The hours are different from those of a police officer,” he said. “Where I was doing eight hours in the States, we’re always on the go here. Sometimes for 24 hours. We accomplish our missions by giving 110 percent all of the time.”

Ranger has two years left on his contract, and he plans on returning to the sheriffs department when it’s up.

“I’d like to do a full 20 in the Marines, but I have to get out after this enlistment due to personal reasons,” he explained. “Law enforcement is another passion of mine. It’s something I’ll definitely be going back to.”

Fighting crime and helping civilians back home appeals to Ranger.

“I love putting bad guys in jail and helping people in the community,” said Ranger, who has a two-year-old son named Brendan.

For the time being, Ranger’s squad car is an up-armored humvee, and the bad guys he and his comrades stop are insurgents.

The fact that he’ll be 30 when he puts the badge back on doesn’t bother Ranger.

“The nice thing about law enforcement is that age doesn’t matter,” he said. “As long as you can take care of yourself, your partner and accomplish the mission.”

Tucson native moves Seahawks forward
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 20056964829
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis



AL ASAD, Iraq (June 9, 2005) -- Sgt. Aaron E. Spivack can’t really talk about his job. He can tell you it’s important, and he can give you the basics, but don’t expect details, you’re on a need-to-know basis.

The Tucson, Ariz., native is the intelligence chief for Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4, and the work he and his fellow intelligence analysts do helps keep service members one step ahead of the enemy.

After graduating from Tucson High School in May of 2000, Spivack joined the Marine Corps as the first step in working with a federal intelligence service, a life long goal of his.

“I have always been fascinated by military intelligence, and joined for my future,” he said. “Since I was young, I have wanted to work for the FBI or the CIA, and I knew the Marine Corps would be a good start.”

Spivack arrived at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for basic training Sept. 4, 2000, and after completing recruit training and Marine Combat Training he reported to Basic Military Intelligence Analysis school in Virginia Beach, Va.

In Virginia, he learned the basics of intelligence, both ground and aviation, as well as the other intelligence agencies within the armed forces.

After school, he reported to the Air Combat Intelligence Office of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C.

During his first year in the Air Combat Intelligence Office, Spivack worked in various areas of the wing’s intelligence community. Rotating through each cell, he experienced and learned each aspect of his job.

With constant training exercises and hands-on experience, Spivack and his fellow intelligence analysts, would soon be using their talents in the War on Terror.

After the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Spivack began working target intelligence in Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom from Cherry Point, and in July of 2002, he deployed with VMAQ-4 to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia to support Operation Southern Watch.

“We were doing all we could to feed our 2nd MAW assets that were either preparing to deploy or already in country,” he said. “In that environment there were a lot of things that posed a threat to the aircraft that patrolled the no-fly zone. Our work gave the pilots and aircrews intel on what type of things they were up against.”

Returning home from Operation Southern Watch, Spivack was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division’s Task Force Tarawa for duty with Marine Aircraft Group 29, the aviation combat element of the task force.

The day he reported in at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C., he, and the majority of the Marines in the task force boarded a bus for Naval Station, Norfolk, Va., and he soon sailed on the USS Siapan for the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The entire time, from the second we pulled out of port, we ran 24-hour operations,” he recalled. “Intelligence fuels operations. From the very beginning, we prepared the intelligence picture for battle planners.”

When the operation commenced in March 2003, Spivack joined the rest of the task force as they began the push towards Baghdad. Leap-froging from forward operating posts, Spivack and the intelligence team provided vital information for Marines, sailors, soldiers and pilots operating in southern Iraq.

“We were analyzing intelligence from all the agencies,” he said. “Our products not only helped Marines, but many units in southern Iraq.”

The task force halted in Al Kut, and it was there Spivack had the chance to go out into the city during humanitarian missions. On several occasions, he helped to bring food, water, doctors, blankets and supplies to the people of Al Kut.

“It was an amazing feeling,” he recalled. “It was great to know that you are helping people who have nothing.”

At that early stage in the war, Spivack said the Iraqi men and woman were hesitant to approach the Americans. As time went on however, he said they were well received.

“At first only the children would approach us— running up to our vehicles laughing and waving,” he said. “In time, most of the Iraqis warmed up to us, and it was great to help them.”

In late May 2003, Spivack returned to North Carolina and after working the summer and fall with the Air Combat Intelligence Office, received permanent orders to VMAQ-4 in November.

As Operation Iraqi Freedom continued, the Seahawks of VMAQ-4 continued to train and prepare for their upcoming deployment. Similar to his time in ACI, Spivack continued to train and advance in the intelligence field.

“The intel field changes at a rapid rate,” he explained. “If you are not continually training and working with the other agencies and units, when it comes time to do your job for real, you are not going to be able to do it.”

After a deployment to the western Pacific, where the Seahawks trained in Japan and Thailand, the squadron found out in July 2004 that they would be deploying to Iraq. In August, Spivack was meritoriously promoted to his present rank, sergeant.

The squadron arrived here in January, and have been flying missions in support of U.S. forces on the ground since. Serving as the squadron’s intelligence chief, Spivack said due to the nature of the squadron’s mission, the Marines of VMAQ-4 have been busy.

“We know we are having an affect out there,” he said. “Our aircraft play a vital role in protecting those Marines, sailors and soldiers on the ground.”

In addition to his duties as intelligence chief, Spivack also serves as the anti-terrorism, force protection chief, overseeing the security of the southern part of the airfield.

“It’s a good change of pace,” he said. “Our Marines are happy to be out there doing their best to keep our area as safe as possible.”

His work in the aviation, and specifically, the EA-6B Prowler intelligence community has not only allowed his squadron to continue to provide air ground support, but is helping to improve the strategical employment of the Prowler’s capabilities.

“Our work here has had a significant impact on the strategic level,” he said. “Our work has been seen by many generals in top organizations. Our assessments have helped shape the role of the squadron in a tactical environment.”

As he prepares to return with the squadron in July, Spivack said he is proud to do his part in this operation and looks forward to moving one-step closer to his life-long goal of working in federal intelligence.

“I have been fortunate to work in a variety of units, in almost every aspect of the Marine Corps,” he said. “If it was a six-month deployment or just a week or two, it’s been awesome to see all the sides of the intelligence cycle.”

*For more information about the Marines or news reported on in this story, please contact Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis by e-mail at defilippisrc@acemnf-
wiraq.usmc.mil*

Idaho Statesman
Edition Date: 06-10-2005


Idaho Marine dies in Iraq explosion

Lance Cpl. Dustin V. Birch, 22, died in a bombing in Iraq that killed five U.S. Marines near Haqlaniyah, Iraq, Thursday.

Birch, from St. Anthony, is a Marine reservist assigned to the 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, based at Boise's Gowen Field.

The five Marines were killed while conducting combat operations 90 miles north of Baghdad in the volatile Anbar province.

Marine Corps retires 8th Tank Battalion colors, re-designates unit

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--The Marine Corps will retire the colors of 8th Tank Battalion and re-designate its Headquarters & Service Company during an official ceremony here June 12.

After operating for more than a half century as a tank unit, the Marine Corps’ 8th Tank Battalion, headquartered in Rochester will retire its colors and go into the history books – marked by a ceremony presided over by Maj. Gen. Douglas O’Dell Jr., commanding general of the 4th Marine Division.

H&S Co. is the last unit within 8th Tank Battalion to be re-designated. On June 12th H&S Co. will ‘stand-up’ as A Co., Anti-Terrorism Battalion, 4th Marine Division, with a new mission – “To detect, deter and defend against terrorist threats worldwide”. Rochester will continue to have a strong Marine Corps presence.

The newly designated Anti-Terrorism Co. will become the first unit in the Marine Corps, active or reserve, to perform their mission in a real-world scenario. Rochester Marines have been incrementally deployed as a part of the security element at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Horn of Africa in support of The Global War on Terrorism. Some sixty Rochester Marines and Sailors are currently performing this vital mission and are expected to return later this summer to their newly re-designated organization.

As part of the unit’s deactivation, 8th Tank Battalion’s A Co. in Fort Knox, Ky., and D Co. in Eastover, S.C., were recently re-designated as E Co. and F Co. of 4th Tank Bn. respectively. B Co. in Syracuse and C Co. in Tallahassee, Fla., were also re-designated as E Co. and F Co., 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., respectively. The TOW/Scout Platoon was transferred to 4th Tank Bn. as the same unit with their new parent command.

The ceremony will be held June 12 at 4:00 pm at the Navy & Marine Corps Reserve Center, 439 Paul Road, in Chili.

For additional information, an electronic press kit, and media wishing to attend this event, please contact Staff Sgt. Tom Woo at woots@mfr.usmc.mil or call (585) 247-3330.

Brad Kasal - A US Marine First Sergeant You Should Know
The terrorists didn't think the US Marines would come into Fallujah because they thought US Marines were cowards. All of the terrorists around the world have thought Americans were cowards, meet one of the men who are teaching them the hard deadly lesson of how wrong they were. Far from being soft cowards today's Marines are every bit as brave and audacious as those who fought on Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. 1st Sgt Kasal is one of those Marines and his story should send you to your knees to thank god we have such men defending us. It is very possible that this man will win the Medal of Honor, the first Marine since Vietnam to win the MoH and one of the rare servicemen to win one and be able to accept it himself.

Brad Kasal - A US Marine First Sergeant You Should Know
Many of you have seen the picture of the Marine First Sergeant - shot in the legs and holding his pistol (properly) - being carried out of a house where he just saved many of his Marines.

When I received the picture days ago, I was asked not to post it as the good First Sergeant didn't want any stories about him. But now, his amazing heroics are making their way into the media - below is the article from Soldiers for the Truth. His name is now associated with the picture and story forever. So, I'll share it with you now (since it's out there already).

Ladies and Gentlemen - meet a true American hero. US Marine First Sergeant Brad Kasal.

Kasal may never join the pantheon of Marine Corps legends with colorful names like “Manila John” Basilone, or “Ol’ Gimlet Eye” Smedley Darlington Butler, who won two Medals of Honor, or Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland “Lou” Diamond, who sported a non-regulation goatee and once raised chickens behind his barracks. But he is every bit in their league.

During his three tours of duty in Iraq and Kuwait, Kasal has been wounded multiple times, including being shot seven times, peppered with grenade fragments on several occasions, and wounded by shrapnel during the Iraqi invasion in 2003 and again last August during the Marines’ deadly street fights against Iraqi insurgents in the Sunni Triangle.

According to highly placed Marine Corps sources, Kasal and another Marine who was killed in action at Fallujah, may become the first Marine Corps recipients of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Kasal declined any comment on the report and Capt. Daniel J. McSweeney, a spokesman at Marine Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., said the Corps’ policy is to not comment on such matters before they happen. The other potential recipient is the late Sgt. Rafael Peralta, who was killed after using his wounded body to shield his comrades from an exploding hand grenade thrown by an insurgent.

“I appreciate your interest in this issue and that the story and photo speak volumes about the courage and commitment of our deployed Marines,” McSweeney said Thursday. “I'm sorry to reinforce that CMC (Commandant, Marine Corps) and other members of HQMC do not offer comments of any kind on awards that are working their way through the system.”

Kasal joined the Marine Corps in 1984 from rural Afton, Iowa - population 941 - when he was fresh out of East Union High School and fresh off the family farm. Nineteen years later, he was a Marine first sergeant leading a hard-pressed company of infantrymen in a desperate fight for an Iraqi city named Fallujah, a place as foreign to most Americans as Iwo Jima was sixty years ago.

“I always wanted to be a Marine, to see the world and make a difference,” Kasal said in an interview this week.

Linda Haner, the deputy city clerk of Afton and someone who watched Kasal and his family grow up, remembers him as a nice boy who did well on the high school wrestling team. “He was quite athletic,” she said.

Haner said the whole town is proud of Kasal and all his brothers who served in the armed forces. Brother Jeff is a retired Army paratrooper who fought in Desert Storm with the 82nd Airborne and now works in Iraq for Halliburton; Kelly, who was in the Army four years and Kevin, who served four years as a Marine, are all known and respected around the Iowa town.

“If you could see all the yellow ribbons and all the red, white and blue ribbons you would understand about this place. People around here are proud of the boys in the service and what they are doing,” Haner added.

Currently Kasal isn’t doing too much except recovering. The 38-year-old bachelor is confined to a wheelchair while he endures a painful medical procedure to put his right leg back together. His lower leg is connected to a metal device called a halo brace that is full of pins and screws that doctors manipulate each day to stretch his battered lower leg a millimeter at a time, trying to extend it to the length it used to be before an insurgent blew it in half with a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

“They turn the screws so many notches a day,” he explained matter-of-factly from his home in Oceanside, Calif. “It would be easier if I had someone to take care of me, but I have lots of friends and they help.”

Despite his terrible wounds, Kasal has no regrets. He has seen plenty of the world and made a world of difference to a lot of young Marines placed in his charge during three combat tours in the Middle East as First Sergeant of Kilo Company, and then Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. If he has his way he will be doing it again as soon as he heals.

“I believe in leading from the front,” Kasal explained. “It eases their [young Marines] minds and concerns to see me up their with them. That is where I belong.”

His father Gerald, a retired farmer and six-year veteran of the Iowa Army National Guard in the 1950s and early 1960s, said Brad was a great kid who never posed any problems except his propensity for fighting the boys from an adjacent town who seemed to take a pleasure in beating up the boys from Afton – a practice that came to an abrupt end when Brad and his brothers beat the hell out of some of them.

“After Brad and his brothers showed up a few times, they quit thinking they could beat up the boys from Afton,” Gerald Kasal remembered. “Brad’s oldest brother used to be a bully and pick on his younger brothers and I guess Brad just decided nobody was going to pick on him anymore.”

Whatever the reason for his bravery and resolve, Kasal displayed it in the proudest tradition of the Marine Corps on Nov. 13, 2004 during Operation Phantom Fury, the American attack on Fallujah that began five days earlier with the mission of destroying the insurgents’ stronghold in what was considered the center of their territory in Iraq.

“We were moving down the street, clearing buildings,” Kasal recounted. “A Marine came out wounded from a building and said there were three more wounded Marines trapped in there with a bunch of bad guys (insurgents). As we entered, we noticed several dead Iraqis on the floor and one of our wounded.”

Kasal said there was no question of what to do. “If I was a general I would still think my job was to get the wounded Marines out of there,” he said. “So we went in to get them.”

As soon as he entered the two-story stucco and brick building, Kasal found himself in mortal combat. It was fighting to the death, and there was no quarter expected or given, Kasal said.

“An Iraqi pointed an AK-47 at me and I moved back. He fired and missed. I shot and killed him. I put my barrel up against his chest and pulled the trigger over and over until he went down. Then I looked around the wall and put two into his forehead to make sure he was dead.”

While Kasal and a young Pfc. Alexander Nicoll were taking out the insurgent behind the wall, another one with an AK hiding on the stairs to the second floor began firing at the Marines on full automatic. “That’s when I went down, along with one of my Marines (Nicoll). Then I noticed the hand grenade.”

It was a green pineapple grenade, Kasal said. It flew into the room out of nowhere and landed near the two downed men. Kasal now believes that other Marines who were watching their back left the room for reasons he still doesn’t know and an insurgent was able to somehow get behind him.

Kasal said his first instinct was to protect the young Marine lying bloody beside him. He covered the young man with his body and took the full brunt of shrapnel to his back when the grenade exploded. Kasal’s body armor and helmet protected his vital organs but the shrapnel penetrated the exposed portions of his shoulders, back, and legs, causing him to bleed profusely.

“I took my pressure bandage and put it on his leg,” Kasal remembered. “Then I tried to put Nicoll’s pressure bandage on a wound on his chest but it is very hard to get a flak jacket off a wounded man and I was bleeding and fading in and out.”

Nicoll survived the grenade blast and his previous bullet wounds but lost his right leg. “An artery was cut and they had to amputate his leg,” Kasal said. “I have seen him and talked to him several times since we got back to the States. He is doing OK.”

The grenade blast stunned Kasal. He floated in and out of consciousness. But in the back of his mind a voice kept telling him he had to stay alert or the Iraqis were going to come back and finish him and Nicoll off. “They weren’t going to let us live if they knew we were alive. It was kill or be killed,” he said.

Kasal wrestled his 9mm automatic out of its holster and lay on the floor waiting for help. It was thirty or forty minutes before other Marines arrived.

“That’s when I got shot in the butt,” Kasal recalled. “It was the shootout at the OK Corral – point-blank range. I was lying there shooting and somebody shot me through both cheeks. It smarted a bit.”

Kasal did not know the exact extent of his wounds until much later; all he knew was that he was badly hurt. He was floating in and out of consciousness, ultimately losing 60 percent of his blood before he was rescued. After first aid, Kasal and Nicoll were transported to a field hospital in Iraq, then flown to Landstuhl, Germany, where Kasal was hospitalized for a week before arriving at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

“I took seven rounds; five in my right leg, one in my foot and one to the buttocks area. When the grenade went off I got 30 to 40 pieces of shrapnel in my back,” Kasal said he later discovered.

Doctors are still fighting to save his leg, Kasal said. By the time this story appears, he will be back at Bethesda for more treatment, but the doctors won’t know for six months whether the Marine will every be 100 percent again. “I know I will walk again, but I don’t know if I will fully recover.”

Meanwhile Kasal experiences almost constant pain.

“I'm missing four and a half inches of the fibula and tibia bones,” he said. “They put that halo brace on my leg to try and make the bone grow together. But there’s no guarantee that will work.”

Despite everything that has happened to him, Kasal still believes America’s mission is Iraq is both important and terribly misconstrued. He harbors special venom for the so-called “mainstream” media reporters who portray the war as a failure and American policy as a gross mistake. He says he has heard reporters say their job is to make President George W. Bush and his policies seem a failure. “The insurgents are oppressing normal people,” Kasal said. “The press never reports the good things. When we open a school or fix a sewer, the things that make normal Iraqis happy, they never report it. There are plenty of Iraqis, thousands of them, who want to live normal lives. If we can help them it will be all right. The people just want peace and freedom.”

U.S. Marine Pfc.
Jeremiah Strong

An Unlikely Cowboy


By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christina Bhatti
11th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - A lump forms in his throat. “Eight seconds, I have to hold on for just eight seconds,” are the only words he hears in his head over the roar of the crowd.

Then the moment of truth arrives. Head down and hanging on for dear life the gate opens and the bull is released. A wave of adrenaline rushes and replaces the nervousness. In seconds the ride is over.

Marine Pfc. Jeremiah Strong, 21, gets up after being thrown from the 2,000-pound bull and brushes off the dirt while simultaneously getting out of the angry animal’s way.

“ It’s such a rush,” Strong said. “There is nothing like it in the world.” Strong, who is with the Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, 29 Palms Marine Corps Base, Calif., started riding bulls only two years ago.

Strong, a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, said that he would try anything and has tried a lot of different activities that most would categorize as “a little nuts.” But his true passion now is bull riding.

As a child growing up in Paola, Kan., this mid-western boy centered his life around sports, but never really gave much thought to rodeos even though he had been exposed to the sport by his neighbor.

“ They had a huge ranch. I would go over there and help break in the horses or groom them. The sport looked cool back then, but I was doing too much else and couldn’t risk a sports injury.”

“ (Back home,) I played sports to get away,” he said. “Home sometimes was just too much.”

Strong described his family life as “less than normal.” His mother and father divorced when he was young leaving him and his two siblings with his father, while his mother moved on.

“ It was hard sometimes,” he said, his easy smile fading for a moment. “I mean, my dad is great and I love him, but there was a lot of conflict.”

His only escape was school and sports-both of which came easily for him.

After high school, Strong was banking on making sports an even larger part of his life.

But life didn’t turn out the way he planned.

He gave up full-ride scholarships to three Division II schools to join the Marine Corps.

“ School and sports were what my dad really wanted, but not me. I needed something to kick my butt into shape-mentally and physically.”

He was a reckless youth, who spent a lot of time in trouble and knew he needed to straighten himself out.

“ If it wasn’t for the Marines I would be in jail or dead by now. My life was going nowhere,” he said.

He left that troubled life behind Sept. 2000 to start his new life as an Aircraft Recovery Specialist, whose main job is to be in charge of a runway.

But Marine Corps life doesn’t leave much time for a personal life. Between deployments and training, it is difficult to have time for the simple pleasures.

“ I am always in the field, so anytime that I have I enjoy it to the fullest,” Strong said.

After joining the Marine Corps, Strong decided that he would no longer play baseball or football, but heard about the Military Bullriding Association, of which he is now a member.



U.S. Marine Pfc. Jeremiah Strong on duty in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army photo

“ It is an aggressive sport and I am a very aggressive person, so it fit. Plus it sounded really fun and it was something new,” he said.

Most weekends and some Wednesday nights Strong and a group of friends load up into his gas-guzzling truck and travel an hour and a half to Riverside, Calif., to enjoy their passion.

“ When I first get on, I’m nervous,” he said. “But once the gate is released, it’s just adrenaline taking over. There is no way to really describe it. Adrenaline is the best drug out there.”

Despite the rush of riding, there are real risks involved. In the short time Strong has participated in the sport, he has suffered three dislocated shoulders, has been stepped on and kicked buy the huge animals.

“ Considering what could happen, I have been extremely lucky,” he said. “People have been seriously injured or killed in riding incidents.”

To lessen some of the danger, there are specific articles of clothing and gear he has. “I always wear some sort vest - almost like a flak vest and spurs to help keep me on the animal.”

Getting his company commander to let him participate was another challenge he had to overcome. “Since it is not sponsored by the Corps, I had to sign a waiver, but my CO was against it,” he said.

So he did what anyone else would do. He was persistent. He made full use of his aggressive nature.

“ I made a Power Point presentation and showed it to the commander. I went over all of the safety precautions, about bullriding and the competitions,” he said.

The commander bit off on it and the next weekend he was at Riverside on the back of a bull.

The MBR sponsors competitions throughout the year, and Strong participates anytime that he can.

“ This sport can get really expensive,” he said. “Since it is not sponsored by the Marine Corps, I have to pay all of my entrance fees and practice fees. So I go whenever I have money.”

Judging consists of two factors. The first is the bull. The judges are looking at how the bull moves. “The more twists and turns makes that animal more difficult, and that is a factor in the final score,” Strong said.

The second is how well the rider rides. “It’s all about balance and how well a rider can read the bull. Eight seconds doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but it’s a lot when you are out there. There is so much to concentrate on,” he said.

He has only won one event, but has placed in several.

“ I am not doing this for profit or glory. Most of the time I end up in the hole or the winnings are just enough to cover my gas expenses,” he said. “I do it because it’s addicting and it’s a pure adrenaline high.”

U.S. Marine Corps
Lance Cpl. Mischelle R. Johnston

Hydraulics Mechanic Impresses Troops, Commander with Artistic Talent


By U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

AL ASAD, Iraq, Marine Lance Cpl. Mischelle R. Johnston stepped up when her commander wanted a sign painted for the containers where Marines in her unit live. And she's been painting ever since -- everything from signs to T-shirt designs.

"I was on guard when the question was asked, 'Who knows how to draw?'," said the Mile City, Mont., native. "I sketched out a design and (my commander) liked it. Since then I have been asked to draw maps, other signs for the living area and other things for individual Marines."

Joining the Marine Corps shortly after graduation from Custer County High School, Johnston did not know the Marine Corps had a use for artists of her caliber.

"I have been drawing since I was old enough to hold a crayon," the a 21-year-old hydraulics mechanic with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 said. "I did not know the Marine Corps had the combat illustrator (military occupational specialty) until I was already in boot camp. I would have gladly done that MOS if I would have known it was around."

As a recruit in boot camp, Johnston said she did things that would normally get someone in trouble with Marine Corps drill instructors.

"I would wake up in the middle of the night and draw," she said. "After the drill instructors saw some of my artwork they made me the 'art recruit.' I drew on my study books and anything else I could get my hands on.



Lance Cpl. Mischelle R. Johnston paints a sign in Al Asad, Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III

"I would even draw when we were supposed to be studying military knowledge," she added.

Johnston's passion for art did not start with the idea she could be a successful artist, she just knew that drawing and painting is something she likes to do.

"My grandmother was an artist and worked at an art studio," she added. "I grew up realizing that without recognition, an artist would go nowhere with their talent. So I sort of gave up with art after a while, but then realized art was my life."

Now, in the middle of the largest province in Iraq, the Marine has made a decision to make the most of her experiences here.

"Since I arrived here, I feel like I haven't done anything that is (typically) me," she said. "Doing these drawings and paintings for the squadron makes me feel like I am really making a contribution."

Marine Corps Maj.
Dana Arenson

Marine Pilot Reflects On Role In Operation Iraqi Freedom


By Master Sgt. Robert Cargie / U.S. Marine Corps

During the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Maj. Dana Arenson, a Marine Corps Reserve C-130 transport pilot, and his crew provided a lifeline transporting supplies to the Marines fighting the enemy. Arensen, a reservist from Baltimore and assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing in Iraq, logged hundreds of hours in the C-130 during the Marines movement north towards Baghdad.

“I felt that I was a direct part of the operation,” Arenson said. “When items like water, ammunition and food were needed quickly, we were employed to ferry that stuff up to where it was needed most. It was very fulfilling”

Now, after the hostilities have diminished, he is still ‘behind the stick’ of the C-130. His job remains the same but the supplies he transports are different.

While planning for combat operations in Iraq, the Defense Department needed to consider numerous contingencies, including humanitarian supply assistance for the Iraqi people. In the event of a breakdown in food and water distribution throughout the country, the military was prepared to provide these supplies in the fastest way possible. This included flying in supplies by air.

The 3rd Marine Air Wing was to have a major role in that operation. As it turned out, the need for food and water was limited but the need for medical and other essential supplies became critical. Working with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force [1st MEF] Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Center, the air wing transports thousands of pounds of supplies to cities and towns throughout southern Iraq, weekly.

Lt. Col. Christopher Buescher of Pleasanton, Calif, is the HACC’s air operations officer. He is a Marine aviator and understands the importance of air transport capabilities.

“It’s a matter of time. We will work with non-governmental organizations to get critical or perishable supplies to where they are needed,” Buescher said. “What could take one or two days to transport by truck we can get there by air in one to two hours.”



Maj. Dana Arenson, a C-130 transport plane pilot with the 3rd Marine Air Wing, flies supplies over southern Iraq. Arenson, a reservist from Baltimore, said his involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom has been “very fulfilling.” U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Robert Cargie

As an example, Buescher related an incident where insulin was critically needed in the town of An Numimanayah. The HACC located an NGO that had the medicine available and Buescher coordinated air transport with the 3rd MAW. Within 24 hours of the identified need, the medicine was delivered to health care professionals for distribution to those in need.

“The NGO welcome the fact we can get supplies to where they’re needed, quickly,” Buescher said. “It allows them to compress their timelines and create an almost instant impact on any critical situation.”

Arenson said that if his involvement has a direct impact on any of the people involved in the operation - Marines or Iraqis - he has made a contribution.

U.S. Marine Corps
Chief Warrant Officer 4
Tom Cierley

Bulk Fueler Brings
Bulk of Experience to Iraq


By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeff Hawk
1st Force Service Support Group

LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA VIPER, Iraq — More than three decades ago, Marine Pvt. Tom Cierley pumped fuel for trucks and helos heading off to fight enemy forces in Vietnam. Today, the 55-year-old bulk fuel chief warrant officer 4 finds himself engaged in another conflict, far in time and place from the jungles of Southeast Asia.

"The sand here is so fine," said the Bakersfield, Calif., reservist as he surveys the lunar-like terrain surrounding him. Cierley works as the operations officer for Tucson, Ariz.,-based Bulk Fuel Alpha, a 4th Force Service Support Group asset tasked with providing bulk liquids in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He joined the Marines in 1967 and served 12 months in Vietnam in 1969-70 as a bulk fuel specialist before leaving active duty in 1970. Cierley exited the Marine Corps entirely in 1973, but seven years later, he re-entered the Marine Corps Reserves, picked up meritorious sergeant and was selected as a warrant officer in 1983.

The Iraqi landscape is one of the many contrasts Cierley draws as he harkens back to his days on Hill 55 near Da Nang. Back then, Marine bulk fuelers used 350 gallon-per-minute pumps to draw fuel from 10,000-gallon bladders, the largest in the Corps' inventory. Now, Marines use 600 gpm pumps to draw fuel from 50,000-gallon bladders that, at their largest, composed a 1.8 million-gallon fuel farm here. Cierley says he believes the trend toward larger storage units will continue. "We're getting bigger, better and more efficient. We may go to the Army's (210,000 gallon) bags," he said.

The biggest change Cierley sees in the past 34 years is the means of transporting fuel. In Vietnam, trucks transported fuel to outlying areas. In Iraq, Cierley witnessed the first combat application of the Marine Corps' expeditionary "hose reel system," a 6-inch fire hose-like fuel line deployed from large truck-loaded reels like fishing line from a spool.



Chief Warrant Officer 4, Tom Cierley, 55, Bulk Fuel Alpha Co operations officer from Bakersfield, Calif., stands in front of 50,000 gal. fuel bladders at a Marine Corps fuel farm in Iraq. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jeff Hawk

Marines from 6th Engineer Support Battalion assembled nearly 90 miles of hose reel, roughly nine times more than ever deployed by Marine forces. "It's a way of transporting fuel without mechanized support," Cierley said. He added that a "permanent pipeline" similar to the U.S. Army's Inland Petroleum Distribution System is a preferable asset.

"You'll always have the necessity for trucking but this permanent pipeline is the way to go." Still, he added, "when you're in a hostile environment, it's not practical."

Sixth ESB Marines assembled the Corps' expeditionary fuel line in days, while the Army's IPDS system was still under construction three weeks into the conflict.

Cierley said he tells his young Marines that while the bulk fuel field may not be glamorous or dynamic, it is essential. "The war effort would not succeed without fuel," he said.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Michael D. Fay

Combat Illustrator
Draws On Marine Life


U.S. Army Pfc. Samuel A. Soza

CAMP BABYLON, Iraq -- Three Marines, weighed down with combat gear, walk in the dry heat of the day along their usual patrol route. Their eyes are open to protect against the hazardous terrain, when a booted footfall freezes, the swirling dust stops, and a tick in time is captured in ink.

An individual whose job is to tell a thousand words with a drawing, Marine Staff Sgt. Michael D. Fay, 49, a reservist from Fredricksburg, Va., can be best described as one of a kind. Classified as a combat illustrator, he is the only one in the Marine Corps Reserves with his occupation.

Fay is serving in Iraq, and carrying on the long linage of modern combat illustrators, beginning with artist Winslow Homer, who captured the intensity of the Civil War on canvas.

He expressed that his goal in Operation Iraqi Freedom is, "to provide art that first and foremost stands alone as art."

Fay enjoys doing this unique job for the Marine Corps. He enjoys his job more when he is out in the field with the troops.

"As an artist, (if you) put aside the pistol and dirt and stuff, this is great," said Fay, who earned his bachelor's degree in art education from Penn State University.

Different from a combat artist who is assigned what he draws, Fay has total freedom to portray whatever subject he wants.

"Art is art," Fay said. "Sometimes you don't know ahead of time what you're going to do."

However, within this freedom Fay has tied his subjects to a single theme: the life of the Marines.

When working in the field, Fay does mainly watercolor and ink drawings. By adding careful detail to such colorless sites as a fuel point blackened with oil or a dusty airstrip, he can create a watercolor drawing to convey the gritty conditions of his surroundings.

However, since his watercolor drawings are completed in only a few hours, they do not require the technical detail that more intricate pieces boast. These drawings involve the rough shape of the object.

Trying to draw all the parts of the Humvee, for example, and how they go together "would drive an artist crazy," Fay said.

Fay explained that his technique for drawing intricate objects such as vehicles is to simply lift his glasses onto his forehead. Since he is nearsighted this causes subjects far away to be blurred so he can focus on just simple shapes and not the technical aspects.

When Fay begins a detailed piece, his technique is to photograph his subject and then reproduce it on canvas.

In September the Marine Corps magazine, Leatherneck, had planned to have its cover page feature Fay's charcoal drawing of a Marine coming off a patrol in Afghanistan. Snapping a photograph of the exhausted Marine after he had just taken off his rucksack and helmet, Fay later was able to capture on paper the bone-numbing effort that was routine there.

"That one is absolutely my favorite piece," Fay said. "I think it captures his whole presence."

Unfortunately, another cover was chosen for that issue at the last minute.

Fay currently has had a total of 52 pieces hung in permanent collection since becoming a combat illustrator in January 2002.

More elaborate drawings, such as the one displayed in Leatherneck magazine, are sent to the Combat Art Museum, where Fay helps the curator when he is not mobilized.



Staff Sgt. Michael D. Fay, a combat artist with the Marine Corps History Division, does a preliminary pencil sketch of a group of humvees,which will later be transformed into a watercolor painting. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Samuel A. Soza



Staff Sgt. Michael D. Fay, a combat artist with the Marine Corps Historical Division, sketches a humvee, subject of a watercolor drawing. U.S. Army photo bySpc. Melissa Walthe

The museum holds more than 7,000 works of other combat artists and illustrators that are reproduced in books and magazines, and are loaned to other museums around the world.

One piece of Fay's artwork, titled "All Eyes Down" is currently hanging in the Quantico, Va.-based Heritage Foundation, which raises money that will go toward a building for housing historical Marine Corps artifacts.

The piece depicts a Marine patrol in Afghanistan with all the patrol members scanning the terrain around their feet for mines; again expressing what it is to live in places where Marines must tread.

Fay theorizes that by drawing Marines, he helps with their morale. It makes what they are doing at the moment seem even more important, he said. At various times, troops tell Fay how glad they are his art documents the hardships they've endured.

He has not always been an artist for the Marine Corps. On active duty, he has served far different capacities, from an indirect fire infantryman to a helicopter crew chief.

In Operation Desert Storm, he did a few sketches in his spare time and ended his active duty service time in 1993. Those sketches would help him in the future.

Merely five years later, Fay met Marine Col. Donna Neary, a combat artist with whom he shared his work from Desert Storm. Neary told Fay that his talent is exactly what is sought in a combat artist.

"It's very serendipitous that I'm doing this," Fay said. "It's not a predictable path."

When Fay reenlisted in the reserves last January, he was deployed to Afghanistan as a combat illustrator.

Now, in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Fay continues to convert Marine Corps life into art. The hardest part is getting into the feel of everything, he says.

Fay already realizes that his work goes far in capturing the ordeal of fellow Marines.

"I'm out here living in the dirt. (My) skin's dry from the sun, and hopefully my art will convey that experience."