HAPPY BIRTHDAY U.S.M.C

The United States Marine Corps was established 10 November 1775 as the Continental Marines to provided infantry support to the Navy. Today, USMC stands as our amphibious force-in-readiness capable of rapid deployment as first responders to international incidents. As of Oct 2009, there are currently 203,000 active duty Marines, with another 40,000 in the reserves.

Marines have seen action in the Revolutionary War, Quasi-War, Barbary Wars, Ware of 1812, Seminole Wars, Mexican-American War, American Civil War, Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, Boxer Rebellion, Banana Wars, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War I, Kosovo War, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 234 years of history, Marines have been decorated by the governments of France, the Philippines, Korea, and Vietnam. Marines have been awarded nearly 300 Medals of Honor and scores of other decorations for valor in action.

The current Commandant of the Corps is General James T Conway. The Assistant Commandant is General James F Amos. Sergeant Major of the Corps is SgtMaj Carlton W Kent.
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