Marine Corps Part In The Civil War example essay topic

SURVIVAL OF THE MARINE CORPS The Marine Corps historical characteristics after the Civil War could be based in part on survivability and the need for the Marine Corps to prove its worth to the United States as a Military Force. The Marine Corps part in the Civil War had been small and not altogether impressive. Both the Army and the Navy did not regard the Marine Corps as useful. This paper will in effect touch on the Marine Corps history from after the Civil War to World War I. It will then converge on a discussion with regards to the fight against the disestablishment of the Marine Corps. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) The Marine Corps found its mission in the amphibious landings of several countries "to protect American lives and property'. Some of these countries included China, Formosa, Japan, Korea, Samoa, Hawaii, Panama, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Haiti, and Egypt.

The United States, having conquered much of North America, was expanding overseas. Marines made small-scale landings in response to real or perceived affronts to U.S. diplomatic or economic interests. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) In 1883 the motto of the Marine Corps, 'Semper Fidelis' ("always faithful"), was adopted as the official motto of the Marine Corps. Since 1812 the motto, although unofficial, had been 'Fortitudine' ('with courage'). The Marine Corps adopted this motto in part because of the fact that there has never been a mutiny, or even the thought of one, among U.S. Marines. (Website For Young Marines, Online) When America became involved in the "splendid little war" against Spain when they landed in Cuba.

The Marine Corps involvement was again modest with their major feat being the taking of a coaling station for the Navy. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) The day after the war with Spain ended, August 12, American troops began the occupation of Manila. Two battalions of Marines were involved in the attacking the fortified town of Nova leta. After a third battalion arrived in December the pacification of the Philippines continued. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) The Marine Corps continued to justify its means through World War I. The Marine Corps was involved in the Boxer Rebellion in China, Columbia, Cuba, Nicaragua and once again in the Philippines. Although most were minor scuffles, Marines were about to make their first significant mark in World War I. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) The United States declared war against Germany on 6 April 1917.

By 14 June the Marine Corps recruited enough Marines to make up three oversized battalions which became the 5th regiment commanded by Colonel Charles A. Doyen. They were joined by the 6th regiment and in March of 1918 were subsequently fed into the fighting front near Verdun, now a quiet bit of the front. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) This set the scene for one of the most famous Marine battles of WWI. The German Offensive was too much for the tired French Divisions and only thing between the Germans and the road to Paris was the Fourth Marine Brigade (made up of the fifth and sixth regiments) and the 2nd Infantry Division.

It was also the sight for one of the most famous quotes in Marine Corps History. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) The 2d Battalion, 5th Marines had just arrived at its position when an automobile skidded to a stop and a French officer dashed out and approached the commanding officer. He explained that a general retreat was in progress and that orders were for the Marines to withdraw. The Marine officer, Captain Lloyd Williams exclaimed in amazement, 'Retreat Hell! We just got here!' (Website For Young Marines, Online) Soon after the Germans learned a lesson in marksmanship they would not forget. A line was formed across the road to Paris along a wooded area known as Belleau Woods.

As the Germans approached, they came under rifle fire that was accurate at ranges beyond their comprehension, up to 800 yards. The deadly fire took the heart out of the German troops, and the attack was stopped. (Simmons / Moskin 1998) The Battle of Belleau Woods was also the birthplace of a nickname for Marines and a mascot. Many official German reports had called the attacking Marines '-hun den,' meaning Devil-Dogs.

These beasts were the ferocious mountain dogs of Bavarian folklore. (Sturkey 2003) Soon afterward a U.S. Marine Recruiting Poster depicted a snarling English Bulldog wearing a Marine Corps helmet. Because of the tenacity and demeanor of the breed, the image took root with both the Marines and the public. The Marines soon unofficially adopted the English Bulldog as their mascot. (Sturkey 2003) Although the Marine Corps has established itself as a premier fighting force, there were still rumbles among officials. The original culprits of the war against the Marines were the senior officers in the US Army.

This started immediately after WW I. During the build up for WW II Army General George C. Marshall was quoted as saying that his job was to keep the Marine Corps, small, very small. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was quoted as making similar comments. They were not the only ones. (Online) Both the Army and Army Air Force were making plans as early as 1943 to gut the Marines.

Marine Lieutenant Colonel Merrill Twining was visiting his brother, Brigadier General Nathan Twining during that year and he was flabbergasted to learn that the Army officers there were outwardly proclaiming that they weren't going to allow the Marines to command any Corps sized units. Admirals Halsey and Nimitz made short shrift to that, by designating Marine Corps generals to command their amphibious Corps. (Online) President Harry S. Truman was also an adversary of the Marine Corps. Truman's resentment was set in motion during WWI. After the war, the French were lavish in their praise of the Marines, awarding the Fuer De Guerre to the 5th and 6th Marine Regiment. This caused tremendous jealousy amongst some Army men, and Truman was one of those who carried his resentment through the intervening years, viewing the Marines as nothing more than 'the Navy's police force'.

To add to his resentment, during that intervening period, Marines were always the first Military Unit in National Parades, primarily because they were the Nations only First Reaction Force. (Online) Truman had gotten burned with his comments about the Marines being the police force of the Navy; and his comment about the Marines having the best propaganda machine next to Stalin's. The former observation brought about a great commotion from the American public, and various supporters of the Marine Corps in Congress and many organizations that supported the Marines. This resulted in an apology to the Marines in the form of an address to the Marine Corps League. (Online) The period from 1946 to early 1950 was marked by strategic uncertainty, the development of new thinking about how future wars would be fought, drastic defense budget reductions, and fierce inter-service rivalry.

All of this threatened to reduce the Marine Corps and U.S. amphibious power to a mere shadow of its World War II capability. (Millet 1991) The Marine Corps did win a major legislative victory with the passage of the National Security Act of 1947. It gave the Corps primary responsibility for developing amphibious doctrine. But continuing budget cuts threatened to make the service completely ineffective as a war-fighting force. This effort to gut Marine Corps force structure culminated in the fiscal year 1951 budget, which called for reductions that would leave the service with a peacetime strength of just six battalions and 12 aircraft squadrons.

(Millet 1991) This effort was due in large part to Truman's Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson who wanted to reduce the Marine Corps to an ineffectual military organization. As it was, Johnson was sacked shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War. The Marine Corps under the guidance of the then Commandant General Clifton B. Cates, finagled its way into the war, by going directly to MacArthur, and offering its service to him. (Millet 1991) The Commandant ordered Lemuel Shepherd, Commanding General of Fleet Marine Force Pacific, to go to Tokyo and offer General MacAuthor a division and attached air wing. MacArthur immediately agreed and asked the Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) to order this. The JCS, still in their dithering mode about the Marine Corps' position in the military services, waited for a couple of weeks before the order was issued.

(Online) The Amphibious landing at Inchon Korea during the Korean War put to rest the theories of many anti Marine Corp individuals. In October of 1949 Army General Omar Bradley argued that there will be no more large-scale amphibious landings. He stated, "I predict that large-scale amphibious operations will never occur again". during a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff House Armed Services Committee testimony. (Millet 1991) Due to the draw down of forces following World War II, the Korean War left the nation ill prepared to meet the challenge. To ensure this would not happen in the future, in 1952 Congress passed the Douglas-Mansfield Act. The Douglas-Mansfield Act was enacted to make sure the nation had an expeditionary force in readiness, ready when the nation generally is least ready.

The Act also set the Marine Corps force structure to be no less than three divisions with corresponding air and combat service support. Without a doubt it also guaranteed a Marine Corps for years to come. (Warfighting Planning Course Online) It seems from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the Korean War, there were always certain affiliations that did not see a need for a Marine Corps. In theory this would be correct as even today you can make that argument. Aviation we have the Air Force, for Naval Power we have the Navy and for ground assaults we have the Army. Being a Marine myself I am a bit sensitive on the subject.

Although I think there are a multitude of reasons I believe there will always be a Marine Corps, but only one reason makes all the others seem mute. There will always be a Marine Corps because the American People want a Marine Corps.

Bibliography

Millett, Allan R., Semper Fidelis: A History of the United States Marine Corps (New York: The Free Press, 1991).
Simmons, Edwin Howard, ed. and Moskin, J. Robert, ed. The Marines: The Marine Heritage Foundation, Levin Associates, 1998.
Sturkey, Marion F., Warrior Culture. Heritage Press International, 2nd Ed., 2003.
RE: Macauthor, Online. Warfighting Planning Course: USMC in National Military Strategy Website for Young Marines: Common Sayings and Quotations, Chad duck Enterprises. 1999.