The Evolution of the Marine Corps’ Light Tactical Vehicle
For more than three decades, the unmistakable shape of the Humvee was a familiar sight wherever American Marines deployed. It carried troops, weapons, communications equipment and …
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The “Walking Dead”: The Story of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines
Few unit nicknames in the Marine Corps carry the weight of “The Walking Dead.” It belonged to the Marines and sailors of 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment—a battalion tha…
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The Marines in France: How World War I Forged a New Corps
When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, the Marine Corps was a small service with experience in shipboard security, expeditionary landings and fighting in places …
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The AH-1 Cobra: From Vietnam to the Modern Viper
Long, narrow and heavily armed, the AH-1 Cobra looks like a weapon even while sitting motionless on the ground. Its tandem cockpit places the pilot and gunner along the aircraft…
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Montford Point Marines: The Men Who Broke the Corps’ Color Barrier
They arrived in the pine forests of coastal North Carolina wearing the uniform of the United States Marine Corps—but they were not treated like other Marines. Beginning in 194…
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John Basilone: From Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima
John Basilone had already done more than his country could reasonably ask of one Marine. He had survived Guadalcanal, held his position against a Japanese assault and received t…
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The Raid on Makin Island: Carlson’s Raiders Strike Behind Japanese Lines
During the early morning hours of August 17, 1942, more than 200 United States Marine Raiders climbed out of two submarines and entered rubber boats off a small Japanese-held islan…
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Khe Sanh: 77 Days Under Siege
For 77 days in early 1968, approximately 6,000 United States Marines and allied troops held an isolated combat base in the mountains of South Vietnam while surrounded by a much lar…
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A Woman Marine in the Control Tower During World War II
During World War II, thousands of women stepped forward to serve in the United States Marine Corps, taking on jobs that allowed more Marines to deploy overseas. Among them was *…
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The LVTP-5: The Giant Amphibious Tractor of Vietnam
It was nearly 30 feet long, almost 12 feet wide and weighed close to 40 tons when loaded for combat. Its enormous steel hull could carry more than 30 Marines, transport cargo acros…
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Beirut 1983: “They Came in Peace”
At 6:22 on the morning of October 23, 1983, a yellow Mercedes-Benz truck entered the parking area outside the headquarters of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines at Beirut International…
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The MV-22 Osprey: The Aircraft That Changed Marine Corps Aviation
Few aircraft in Marine Corps history have inspired as much admiration, criticism and debate as the MV-22 Osprey. It takes off and lands like a helicopter, but flies with the spe…
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