By Jeff Schogol, The Marine Corps Times
Nov. 10, 1775, marks the beginning of the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen.
To celebrate the Marine Corps’ 241st Birthday, we looked at the top 10 things that make the Corps awesome.
1. “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.” — One of retired Gen. James Mattis’ rules to live by.
2. Knife hands. These are so sharp they could slice birthday cake.
3. Guns, shouting, battle rattle. Just another day at the office.
4. All Marines remember that day when they finished the Crucible and earned the honor to wear the eagle, globe and anchor.
5. “We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.”
Marines are the heirs to the relentless grit and courage of Lewis “Chesty” Puller, who as a colonel led his forces in inflicting huge casualties against the encircling Chinese forces in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, for which he received his fifth Navy Cross.
He retired as a lieutenant general and the most decorated Marine in history.
6. The Ka-Bar is part Marine Corps, part Klingon, all bad-ass.
7. On Nov. 13, 2004, then 1st Sgt. Bradley Kasal fought to clear Fallujah’s infamous “House of Hell” and rescue Marines trapped inside.
He was shot seven times by insurgents and took shrapnel when he used his body to protect a wounded Marine from a grenade blast.
A picture of him with two Marines helping to carry him out of the house became one of the most iconic pictures from the Iraq war.
Now a sergeant major, Kasal received the Navy Cross in 2006.
8. Chuck Norris approves of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
9. The Marine Corps offers even the most junior person frequent opportunities for face-time with senior leaders.
10. “Are you allowed to eat jelly doughnuts, Pvt. Pyle?” When retired Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey played the drill instructor in “Full Metal Jacket,” he inspired countless Marines to see if they are tough enough to make it through recruit training.
Original Post https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/articles/marine-corps-241st-birthday
Happy 241st Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! May God Bless and Keep You!
(Courtesy of The Marines and YouTube)
This year is the 241st Marine Corps Birthday.
What others wouldn’t do, we have done.
“You will sweat for each other, you will bleed for each other if you need to, that’s what true family is.” — Capt. Charles Broun.
(Marines aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., celebrate the 241st Marine Corps birthday Nov. 10. Courtesy of MCAS Miramar and YouTube)
