USMC Museum Parris Island

06/08/2026

Chow and Mess Duty
Platoon 3036 c. 1968

06/06/2026

On This Day in Marine Corps History
1918 – The U.S. Marine Brigade launched a defining assault in the Battle of Belleau Woods. U.S. Marines under Brigadier General James Harbord, U.S. Army, and Allied forces lead the attack against the four German divisions positioned in the woods and by the end of the first day suffer more than 1,000 casualties. The Marine forces launch a desperate close combat assault against German soldiers and completely shred the defensive counterattack. The Marines' tenacity inspired the myth that surviving German soldiers nicknamed their adversaries “Devil Dogs." Legendary Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly reputedly leaps from a trench bellowing to his platoon: “Come on, you sons of bi***es! Do you want to live forever?”

Learn More at the Link Below:
https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/The%20United%20States%20Marine%20Corps%20in%20the%20World%20War.pdf?ver=2018-10-30-084433-457

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

The Parris Island Museum and the Parris Island Heritage Foundation had a great time yesterday participating in the Discover the Lowcountry Exhibition at Sun City. Taking time to share with the residents our passion for Parris Island and Marine Corps History.

06/01/2026

On this Day in Marine Corps History
1942 – Recruiting of African American Marines begins. While African Americans had been serving alongside the Marine Corps since the Revolutionary War in the other branches or as volunteers in 1942 Colonel Samuel A. Woods, Jr. launched the training program for African American Marines at Montford (originally Mumford) Point.

Learn More at the Link Below:
https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/The%20Right%20to%20Fight%20African-American%20Marines%20in%20World%20War%20II%20PCN%2019000313200.pdf

05/30/2026

On this Day in Marine Corps History
1918 – The 2nd Division begins moving up to check the Germans in the Marne region. The 9th Infantry and the 5th Marines, the lead elements, are initially spread across the entire rear of the retiring XXI French Corps. As the 6th Marines and the 23d Infantry arrive, they are fed into position and the thinly held line becomes 11 miles long. The orders are: “No retirement will be thought of on any pretext whatsoever.” By 4 June, most French units will withdraw through the lines, and the Marines and soldiers will hold the front. Their frontage will be shortened to 9,000 yards by fresh French units, which fall in on their flanks. While the French retire through the Marines’ lines, Captain Lloyd W. Williams, USMC, who will be killed in the subsequent battle, snorts, “Retreat Hell, we just got here!” His famous comment (June 3, 1918) is directed at a French officer who urged the Marines to retreat. After his death Williams is posthumously awarded the rank of Major.

Learn More at the Link Below:
https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/The%20United%20States%20Marine%20Corps%20in%20the%20World%20War.pdf?ver=2018-10-30-084433-457

05/29/2026

On This Day in Marine Corps History
1991 – Elements of a joint task force that include the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade depart the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Bangladesh after nearly two weeks of disaster relief operations following a devastating cyclone. The joint task force delivered tons of relief supplies using helicopters, C-130s, and landing craft in Operation Sea Angel.

Learn More at the Link Below:
https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/ANGELS%20FROM%20THE%20SEA%20-%20RELIEF%20OPERATIONS%20IN%20BANGLADESH%201991%20PCN%2019000316400.pdf?ver=2018-10-29-074800-310

05/28/2026

This is My Rifle…taken from Platoon 208 book c. 1970

05/27/2026

Medical exams Platoon 208 c. 1970

05/25/2026

The Parris Island Museum will be closed today in honor of Memorial Day.

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we hold dear and their legacy lives on through the generations they protected.

This Memorial Day, we remember the fallen, honor their families, and reflect with gratitude on the true cost of freedom.

Semper Fidelis