The United States Marine Corps Birthday is celebrated every year on 10 November with a traditional ball and cake-cutting ceremony.
(Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald Green speak to Marines and Sailors about the importance of teamwork to the success of our Corps. Courtesy of the Marines and YouTube. Posted on Nov 1, 2017)
10 November 2017
A Message from the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Seventy-Five years ago today, after months of fighting at Henderson Field and along Edson’s Ridge, Marines on Guadalcanal spent the night of 10 November 1942 planning and preparing.
Although the Battle of Guadalcanal would continue for three more months, the plans laid on our Corps’ most sacred day became integral to the amphibious campaigns that followed.
Success at Guadalcanal proved to be the turning point that ultimately paved the way for Allied victory in the Pacific.
Those warriors defended their positions in brutal conditions against a formidable enemy – and triumphed.
Through every major conflict our Nation has seen since the Revolution, Marines performed their duty with utmost courage, devotion, and raw determination.
Their valiant deeds in the face of overwhelming challenges give us confidence and inspire us to meet the trials of today.
As we pause to celebrate the birth of our Corps this year, we honor the legacy that was passed down to us and we recommit ourselves to carrying those traditions into the future.
This November 10th marks 242 years of warfighting excellence.
(Learn more about the Battle of Guadalcanal, the Allies’ first major offensive – and a decisive victory – in the Pacific theater during World War II. Courtesy of History and YouTube. Posted on Oct 13, 2016)
At places like Trenton, Tripoli, Chapultepec, Belleau Wood, Guadalcanal, Chosin, Khe Sanh, Fallujah, Sangin, and so many others, Marines have fought with an inner spirit – a spirit that bonds us, binds us together as a cohesive team.
It’s that intangible spirit that has formed the foundation of our warfighting reputation for the past 242 years.
Now it’s our responsibility to ensure we honor and carry on that legacy.
The American people expect a Corps of men and women who are committed, selfless, willing to sacrifice, who epitomize honor, courage, commitment, virtue, and character. We owe our Nation and our predecessors no less.
Today, as we celebrate our 242nd birthday, we must remember who we are, where we came from, and why we’re here.
We must remember the past, honor those who are no longer with us, focus on today’s battles, and get ready for tomorrow.
We can and will prevail as we always have, in any clime and place.
But we must prevail together, united by the unyielding spirit in each of us that makes our Corps unique – that willingness to put our Corps and fellow Marines ahead of ourselves.
Victory in battle comes through the integrated efforts of many – teamwork.
We value the sacrifices and contributions of every Marine and Sailor, as well as our family members without whose support we would not be able to accomplish our mission.
And we remain committed to being our Nation’s Expeditionary Force in Readiness that sets the standard for honor, discipline, and courage.I am proud of each and every one of you.
Happy Birthday, Marines!
Semper Fidelis,
Robert B. Neller
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
(General James Mattis (Ret.) served in the United States Marine Corps from 1969 to 2013. During this time he was the 11th Commander of United States Central Command. We sat down with him and asked him your questions. Courtesy of the Marines and YouTube. Posted on Oct 13, 2016)
General John A. Lejeune’s Birthday Message (1921)
On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress.
Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine.
In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
The record of our Corps is one which bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history.
During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes.
From the Battle of Trenton to the Argome, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres, and in every corner of the seven seas so that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
In every battle and skirmish since the Birth of the Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps.
With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation and has long been the distinguishing mark of Marines in every age.
So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the me of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps.”
John A. Lejeune
Commandant
