USMC History

USMC History The USMC is a world wide fighting force, a force in readiness. We are the toughest force on earth and we are forever.

11/11/2013

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served and thank you

12/29/2012

2009: SGT DAKOTA MEYER
NEVER LEAVE A MARINE BEHIND
When the forward element of his combat team was hit with intense fire in the Kunar Provence of Afghanistan on September 8, 2009, Dakota Meyer (then a Corporal) mounted a gun truck, enlisted another man to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers. During a six-hour firefight, Meyer returned four times, single-handedly turning the tide of the battle and personally evacuating 12 wounded Marines and soldiers, providing cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape. For his actions, he became the first living Marine to earn the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.

Meyer said of his citation, "The main thing that we need to get from that day is that those guys died heroes, and they are greatly missed. This isn't about me."

The men in his unit who lost their lives were: 1stLt Michael Johnson of Virginia Beach, VA; SSgt Aaron Kenefick of Roswell, GA; Hospital Corpsman Third Class James Layton of Riverbank, CA; and GySgt Edwin Wayne Johnson Jr. from Columbus, GA.

12/29/2012

2007: MAJ DOUGLAS A. ZEMBIEC
THE LION OF FALLUJAH
Major Zembiec was nicknamed the "Lion of Fallujah" as a result of his heroic actions during Operation Vigilant Resolve in 2004. As a rifle company commander, he lead Echo Company 2/1 in the first conventional ground assault into Fallujah, Iraq. He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device and two Purple Hearts due to wounds incurred in action. His brave actions are detailed in the book No True Glory: A Front-line Account of the Battle of Fallujah by Bing West.

Major Zembiec was killed by small arms fire while leading a raid during his fourth combat tour in Iraq. Zembiec warned his Marines to seek cover before doing so himself and was hit by enemy fire. Zembiec's warning saved his men and the initial radio report of the incident said there were, "five wounded and one martyred."

History's war birds
12/29/2012

History's war birds

12/29/2012

2006: MV-22 OSPREY ENTERS THE FIELD
FIRST TO FIELD A TILT-ROTOR AIRCRAFT
The potential for tilt-rotor aircraft, an aircraft which can combine the vertical takeoff and landing ability of a helicopter with the speed and long-range capabilities of a fixed-wing plane was patented as far back as 1930, but no workable prototype was created until 1954. A series of experimental models followed, but it wasn't until 1981 that work began on developing the first tilt-rotor aircraft for military use: the MV-22 Osprey.

The Marine Corps began crew training on the MV-22 Osprey in 2000, and in 2006, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) became the first operational MV-22 Osprey Squadron in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In 2009, the MV-22 Osprey saw its first combat mission in Afghanistan, transporting over 1,000 Marines and 150 Afghan troops to the Now Zad Valley, and in 2010, the aircraft was deployed to Haiti in its first humanitarian mission.

In 2011, two MV-22s participated in the recovery of a downed Air Force crew member during Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya, proving the aircraft's usefulness in a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) mission.

12/29/2012

2005: HURRICANE KATRINA
AIDING THE HOME FRONT
Hurricane Katrina became the costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States when it slammed into Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle in 2005. The deadliest hurricane since 1928, Katrina left tragedy and chaos in its wake as failed levees caused 80% of New Orleans and the surrounding parishes to flood. Mississippi was also hard hit with 90% of beachfront towns flooded with waters that reached up to 12 miles inland.

The Marines' first priority was to search for and rescue survivors. From an initial staging base at Stennis International Airport, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Marines spread out using a hub-and-spoke approach, steering Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) through flooded areas to rescue those trapped by the water.

Once the floodwaters had receded, Marines supported clean up and rebuilding efforts in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

12/29/2012

2004: INDONESIA TSUNAMIS
PROVIDING FOR RECOVERY
Hundred-foot waves swept the shores of Indonesia, Thailand and India in a series of tsunamis that proved to be one of the deadliest natural disasters ever. While the world was in shock, the Marines mobilized.

Along with a number of United States and international relief efforts, three Marine Corps disaster relief assessment teams were immediately deployed to the region.

Seven ships from the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group arrived with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to help produce critically needed fresh water. Marines also provided additional supplies for survivors.

After providing much-needed supplies and assistance, the Marines left the region, allowing local governments to take over.

12/29/2012

2004: CPL JASON DUNHAM
WITHOUT HESITATION
During a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, Corporal Jason Dunham and his men heard gunfire erupt nearby. Cpl Dunham ordered his squad toward the fighting, receiving enemy fire as they moved.

At the scene, they discovered seven vehicles scrambling to depart. As they halted the vehicles to search for weapons, an insurgent leapt out. He attacked Dunham and then released a gr***de. Without hesitation, the corporal tore off his Kevlar helmet and used it to cover the gr***de. He bore the full force of the fatal explosion, saving the lives of at least two other Marines in his squad.

Dunham's brave actions distinguished him as the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.

12/29/2012

2003: OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
TOPPLING A HARMFUL REGIME
One of the key objectives of Operation Iraqi Freedom during 2003 was the capture of Iraq's capital, Baghdad. A convoy of 30,000 Marines advanced 500 miles from the border of Kuwait in just 10 days.

On April 9, 2003, Marines secured the center of Baghdad. That same day, Coalition forces declared an end to the dictator's rule.

12/29/2012

2003: COL MATTHEW BOGDANOS
RECOVERING HISTORY
As a Marine, Colonel Matthew Bogdanos did more than just make history - he helped preserve it.

After several years in the Reserves, Col Bogdanos returned to active duty following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In 2003, when the National Museum of Iraq was looted, he was chosen to lead the investigation.

Bogdanos and his team are responsible for recovering approximately 5,500 artifacts from humanity's earliest civilizations. They also exposed the link between the black market art world and terrorist funding.

In 2005, Bogdanos received a National Humanities Medal for his leadership in recovering the stolen artifacts. He returned to his previous work for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and published a book about the looting in Iraq. Proceeds from the book go to the Iraq Museum.

12/29/2012

2002: DESIGNATED MARKSMAN
A NEW KIND OF SNIPER
During ground combat missions, sniper teams cover long-range targets, while rifle squads provide short-range fire. In 2002, the Marine Corps found a way to increase the effectiveness of the team with the addition of a Designated Marksman to cover mid- to short-range targets.

The best rifleman in each squad is assigned to the Designated Marksman position. This Marine uses an M14 automatic rifle or M16 assault rifle with telescopic sight to provide fire on mid-range targets at two to five hundred yards.

With the accuracy of a sniper and the rapid-fire capabilities of a rifleman, the Designated Marksman is able to adapt to various conditions and increase the efficiency of the ground combat team.

12/29/2012

2002: MARPAT CAMOUFLAGE
CAMOUFLAGE GETS A DIGITAL UPGRADE
Marines wore the same camouflage as other armed forces for years—until identifying a need for concealment from new surveillance technology.

In 2002, the Marine Corps developed a new pixelated camouflage pattern for use in utility uniforms.

The Marine Pattern (MARPAT) is made of a computer-generated pattern of overlapping squares. The green and brown woodland pattern provides the best concealment for forest areas; the khaki desert pattern works best in urban or sandy environments. Both feature the Eagle, Globe and Anchor insignia embedded within the pattern.

This patented innovation represents the most significant change to the Marine Corps uniform in more than 30 years. It is the first military camouflage designed to avoid detection by both human eye and digital lens, and has become the standard for all Marine Combat Utility uniforms and gear.

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