The original incarnation of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) was born in 1775 during the Continental Congress in a resolution sponsored by John Adams. The USMC fought diligently throughout the American revolution but, after the Treaty of Paris in April 1783, it was dissolved only to be reestablished in 1798. Following this reestablishment, the USMC was involved in military actions against France and Barbary pirates.
During the War of 1812, the USMC participated in many naval operations and fought with Andrew Jackson in New Orleans. After the War of 1812, the USMC spent the next few decades protecting a variety of American interests all over the world. During World War I, the USMC had over 30,000 members actively serving and fighting. Of those, one-third were either injured or killed in combat. It was during WWI that the 4th Brigade earned the title of "Devil Dogs" because of their heroic and patriotic actions at a number of battle sites.
It was within the two decades prior to World War II that the USMC began to prepare for amphibious battle, which they used with high degrees of success during the war. Notable points of battle include Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After World War II, the USMC participated in post-war occupations of Japan and Northern China. Although the USMC took part in all of the wars, and many smaller skirmishes, after World War II, they weren't engaged in numbers similar to WWII until Operation Desert Storm.
However, the USMC has proven itself to be as effective in small and specialized operations as it is in massive military engagements. As the war on terrorism continues to grow and spread around the world, they are likely to be one of the first lines of defense for America. Together with other specialized squads, America can use them in the war against terror.
The U.S. Marines have already been used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other areas in the war on terror. The Marines have a unique combination of speed, skill, and power that allows them to fight in a variety of conditions. They aren't as "good" as special forces like the navy SEALs, and they don't have as much power as the Army, but they strike a happy balance that makes the Marines one potent fighting force.
The U.S. Marines have proudly defended out nation for many years, and I trust that they will continue to do so for many more.
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