Table of COntents

Foreword

Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Eric M. Smith; and Sergeant Major of the Marines Corps, Sergeant Major Carlos A. Ruiz

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part 1. Arms and Armor

Chapter 1. The Korean War of 1871

By Jonathan Bernstein, Arms and Armor Curator

Chapter 2. The First Shots of World War I: Marines in Guam

By Jonathan Bernstein, Arms and Armor Curator

Chapter 3. Ghost Rifle of Makin Island

By Jonathan Bernstein, Arms and Armor Curator

Chapter 4. The M60’s Last Hurrah

By Kater Miller, Curator

Part 2. Art and Culture

Chapter 5. The Baggage of War: A China Marine’s Valet Bag

By Kater Miller, Curator

Chapter 6. Seagoing Art: A Marine Tradition of Seabags

By Kater Miller, Curator

Chapter 7. The Real Hollywood Marines: Tarawa Oscar

By Jennifer Castro, Cultural and Material History Curator

Part 3. Aviation

Chapter 8. The Birth of Marine Combat Aviation: Talbot and Robinson

By Laurence M. Burke II, PhD, Aviation Curator

Chapter 9. The Last Stand of Captain Henry T. Elrod

By Laurence M. Burke II, PhD, Aviation Curator

Chapter 10. In the Highest Tradition: Captain Stephen Pless’s UH-1E

By Laurence M. Burke II, PhD, Aviation Curator

Part 4. Awards and Citations

Chapter 11. A Gag Down Under: The 1st Marine Division’s George Medal

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Chapter 12. Front-Row Spectators to the Start of World War II: The Soochow Creek Medal, 1937

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Part 5. Marines and Units

Chapter 13. A President’s Marine: Jimmy Roosevelt

By Kater Miller, Curator

Chapter 14. Marine Life in Magic China

By Jennifer Castro, Cultural and Material History Curator

Chapter 15. Mini Marines of China

By Jennifer Castro, Cultural and Material History Curator

Chapter 16. Bloody Relic of Belleau Wood: Albertus Catlin 

By Gretchen Winterer, Uniforms and Heraldry Curator

Chapter 17. From the Halls of Montezuma: The Collection of Major Levi Twiggs 

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Chapter 18. A Marine Less Ordinary: The Life of Major General Smedley Butler 

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Chapter 19. The Golden Years of “Chesty” Puller 

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Chapter 20. From an-Nasiriyah to Tarawa: Living the Motto

By Jonathan Bernstein, Arms and Armor Curator

Chapter 21. Colonel Peter J. Ortiz: An OSS Marine in Europe

By Jonathan Bernstein, Arms and Armor Curator

Chapter 22. The Chosin Few, Holding Toktong Pass: Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines

By Kater Miller, Curator

Part 6. Uniforms, Flags, and Heraldry

Chapter 23. Civil War Commandant: Leading the Corps amid a Country Divided 

By Gretchen Winterer, Uniforms and Heraldry Curator

Chapter 24. One Uniform, Many Stories: The Marines of Montford Point 

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Chapter 25. “Barefoot Marines”: American Samoans in World War II 

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Chapter 26. A Flag’s Journey: From Mount Suribachi to the National Museum of the Marine Corps 

By Owen Linlithgow Conner, Chief Curator

Chapter 27. Wake Island Flag: The Fall of the Pacific Alamo

By Laurence M. Burke II, PhD, Aviation Curator

Chapter 28. A Photograph that Touched a Nation

By Gretchen Winterer, Uniforms and Heraldry Curator

Conclusion

Appendices

Appendix A. Map of the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Appendix B. A Brief History of the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Select Bibliography

About the Authors

Foreword

From the early days of the American Revolution to countless battles across our nation’s history, U.S. Marines have always been the First to Fight. Throughout our storied history, Marines have proven they are always ready when the nation is least ready to engage the nation’s foes or help those in need in every clime and place.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps preserves and exhibits the material history of the United States Marine Corps to honor the commitment, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Marines and provide the public with universally accessible platforms for the exploration of Marine Corps history. Housed within this building are the stories of Marines who shaped history, and who built the ethos that defines our Corps and is the legacy of every Marine currently serving.

As a warfighting organization with a rich history, it is with immense pride that we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps and recognize its critical role in national defense. This book chronicles the exploits of Marines through artifacts not previously on display. Each story was selected by museum curators to highlight fascinating and lesser-known facts about those who have served. Congratulations to all Marines, both past and present, and we look forward to another 250 years of warfighting excellence.

Eric M. Smith
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps

Carlos A. Ruiz
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Preface

The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) opened its doors on 10 November 2006. However, the U.S. Marine Corps’ earliest documented museum was established as early as 1940. Located in a small section of Little Hall on board Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, this inauspicious assortment marked the beginning of nearly 85 years assembling a collection of artifacts spanning 250 years of Marine Corps history. From the Revolutionary War to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, these artifacts bear witness and preserve the remarkable stories of the men and women who make the Corps what it is today.

This year, the Marine Corps celebrates 250 years of achievement and history. In commemoration of this event, the curators of the NMMC are dedicating a special exhibit to highlight rare and previously unseen artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection. In addition, other carefully curated stories from the long history of the Corps can be seen throughout the rest of the museum. These artifacts can be identified by the unique 250th anniversary graphics placed nearby.

At the center of this effort are 28 remarkable stories associated with each individual section and its corresponding artifacts. These stories were selected by curators from each of the NMMC’s curatorial sections: Arms and Armor, Art, Aviation, Cultural and Material History, and Uniforms and Heraldry.

The artifacts and stories presented here are among the best documented pieces from the museum’s collection. Some feature the personal tales of individual Marines, while others are more representative of significant events or relate to broader Marine Corps traditions. This book serves as the companion piece to the NMMC’s special exhibit.

For all visitors to the NMMC, it is important to note that this exhibit is not intended to rank or rate the “top” artifacts of Marine Corps history. Rather, the purpose of the exhibit is to honor and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Corps through a single lens of the museum’s collection.

Unfortunately, the use of artifacts to cover all aspects of the Marine Corps story can be an imperfect process. Collections relating to modern concepts of race and gender were not always curated in the past, and technological achievements in aviation and battlefield technology are relatively new chapters of the Marine Corps story, particularly when viewed within the full context of 250 years of history. As a result, the collection of stories presented here is not always balanced or representative of a complete history of the Service, though all efforts were made to highlight at least some elements of these stories.

The NMMC relies on a vast array of donors and methods to acquire the artifacts that illustrate the history of the Marine Corps. Perhaps the greatest tool in this process is the concept of Semper Fidelis—“Always Faithful.” Whether donations come from Marine veterans or their families, their pride in service and appreciation for Marine Corps history is undeniable. Many objects selected for this 250th anniversary celebration are a result of direct contributions from the families of notable Marines, such as Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, Smedley D. Butler, Peter J. Ortiz, and William E. Barber. But not all donations come from famous names in Marine Corps history. Artifacts belonging to Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, who was killed in action during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, were donated by her grieving family soon after her death. Families of the first Black Marines, who broke racial barriers during World War II, lovingly contributed their family histories to the museum, preserving the story of Marines who may have otherwise been forgotten to time. Often a primary source of artifacts are the souvenirs of Marines in foreign lands who recognized the cultural value of distinct items from exotic service locations in China or the Far East. In one case, an artifact comes from the family of a deceased Japanese soldier who preserved the last American flag flown over Wake Island before its capture by the Japanese in December 1941. In the case of other artifacts, their importance and history were immediately recognized and curated by the Marine Corps. The most obvious example of this are the American flags flown atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima during World War II. Another example is the preservation of Medal of Honor recipient Major Stephen W. Pless’s Bell UH-1E Iroquois helicopter gunship from the Vietnam War.

In celebration of 250 years of Marine Corps history, this exhibit and the companion text Always Faithful serve as the NMMC’s tribute to all Marines—past, present, and future. We hope these remarkable stories honor their unique service and memory.