Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis was adopted about 1883 as the motto of the Corps. Taken from Latin, it means "Always Faithful." But it is more than just a motto for the USMSC, it is a way of life. It is a commitment we all share to our country, to our Corps, and to each other. This is why there are no ex-Marines, only former Marines.

Three things matter.
From its beginning in 1775, the Corps has strived to produce not only the best warriors, but the best people. They are men and women who live by a code which form the bedrock of good character. These values guide the Corps, as well as its individual Marines.

Honor
Marines are held to a high standard of the utmost ethical and moral behavior. Honesty and honor are held in great regard. Respect for others is essential. You are expected to act responsibly in a mature and dependable manner. Every Marine is accountable for his or her actions and meeting the highest standard of the Corps.

Courage
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to face fear and overcome it. It is the mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines. It steadies them in times of stress, carries them through every challenge and aids them in facing new and unknown confrontations.

Commitment
Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in Marines. It is what impels Marines to serve our country and the Corps. Every aspect of life in the Corps shows commitment, from the high standard of excellence to the vigilance the Marines show for training. The Marine Corps Oath
The day you take the oath of enlistment is one you'll always remember.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; That I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the order of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

The Marine's Hymn
The Marines' Hymn is quite possibly the most recognizable military hymn in the world and the oldest official song in the U. S. Armed Forces. It's a reverent reminder of the sacrifice and courage that Marines have shown on the battlefield and leaves no doubt as to the singular mission and passion of the Marine Corps.
Every Marine can recite these three stanzas by heart:
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles
In space, air, land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title
Of US Space Marines.
Our flag's unfurl'd 'neath every star
From Sol to Castor Prime;
We have fought across the skies of Hell
And in every place and clime.
In the snows of far-off arctic worlds
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job
The US Space Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Stop to look on Heaven's scenes,
They see the stars are guarded
By US Space Marines.

Famous Marines
Sergeant First Class Roger McCray
During the final days of the War of Desperation, a Marine drop-ship was damaged by a Syrian rocket attack near the ruins of Damascus and crash-landed in a rock-strewn ravine. SFC Roger McCray and his small Reconnaissance team were on a long-range patrol and witnessed the crash. Upon reaching the crash site, they came under attack by a company of Syrian troops.
Ordering his men to load survivors onto the recon vehicle, McCray took a grenade launcher and squad automatic weapon to the high ground. Delaying the Syrian advance with a withering fire and expertly placed grenades, McCray allowed his team time to pull fourteen Marines from the wreckage. McCray ordered his team to drive the slow and overloaded vehicle out along the ravine while he continued to delay the advance. McCray's body was later recovered, along with the bodies of 57 enemy dead. SFC McCray was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Sharps
Space piracy grew amidst the stellar and fledgling deep-space shipping routes. Sub-Captain Rudolfo captured the US light cruiser Cleveland in 2038, renaming it the Fidel Castro. Claiming privateer status through an Islamic Pact letter of marque, Rudolfo ravaged US commercial shipping within the Sol system, claiming over a dozen vessels and hundreds of lives.
In 2040, the Fidel Castro was surprised while in orbit over the Hell's Kitchen mining colony on Ganymede by the USSS Los Angeles. Both vessels suffered significant damage to their drive and weapons systems in the initial exchange of fire. LTC Sharps personally led a platoon of Marines through a pressurized rescue tube in a breaching attack against the enemy's hull.
Using close-quarter combat tactics and breaching techniques that became a textbook model of all boarding operations to follow, LTC Sharps and his platoon of Marines defeated the significantly larger pirate crew and killed Captain Rudolfo in the Fidel Castro's engineering section. This action was the impetus for the inclusion of the words “Skies of Hell“ in the USMSC hymn. Sharps was awarded the Navy Cross and promoted to Colonel upon his return to Earth.

First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez
If you've ever viewed the famous photograph of a lone Marine leading his men over the seawall at the Battle of Inchon during the Korean War, then you've met First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez. That's him in the photo. A few minutes after it was taken, Lieutenant Lopez sacrificed his life, smothering a live hand grenade with his own body to protect his men. It was an act of bravery that earned him the Nation's top military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Lieutenant General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller

Fourteen personal decorations in combat, five Navy Crosses (the nation's second highest award for valor), one Army Distinguished Service Cross plus a long list of campaign medals, unit citation ribbons and other awards. These achievements sum up the exemplary 37-year career of one of the greatest Marines legends of all time: Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller. He began his Marine Corps career with the "Horse Soldiers" in China, then on to four World War II campaigns, the Korean War and expeditionary service in China, Nicaragua, and Haiti. True to himself and the Corps, Chesty never was one to mince words. "We're surrounded," he said in battle. "That simplifies the problem." Sergeant Major Daniel ("Dan") Daly
During the Boxer Rebellion, (China, 1900) the defense of the American legation at Peking (now Beijing) was in the hands of a strong but small force of Marines, which included Private Dan Daly. On the afternoon of July 13, German soldiers were driven back from their position on the east end of the wall. When a Marine Captain asked for a volunteer to take up point and provide cover fire while repairs were made to the fortification. Daly stepped forward and said, "I'm your man."
Daly held his position, alone, throughout the course of the night, withstanding repeated Boxer assaults. Relieved at dawn, Daly was found to have accounted for more than 200 Boxer dead, an accomplishment that earned him his first of two Congressional Medals of Honor.

Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Archibald Henderson

On 17 October 1820, at the age of 37, Lieutenant Colonel Henderson was appointed the fifth Commandant of the Marine Corps. It was a position he would hold for more than 38 years, outlasting nine presidents, including Andrew Jackson.
Henderson was best remembered for 1836 war with the Creek and Seminole Indian tribes in Georgia and Florida, who were waging war against the United States. As Commandant of the Marines, Henderson offered the services of a regiment of Marines for duty with the Army already entrenched there. Henderson placed himself in command and headed to Florida. On his office door he penned a simple note:
"Have gone to Florida to fight Indians. Will be back when war is over."
A. Henderson

Famous Battles
Tripoli
In 1805, America assembled an expeditionary force of Marines to subdue Barbary Coast pirates who were raiding American merchant ships in the Mediterranean. Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon and his Marines marched across 600 miles of North Africa's Libyan Desert to successfully storm the fortified Tripolitanian City of Derna. The first verse of the Marines' Hymn recalls the battle, which lives in Marine tradition: "From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli."

Belleau Wood
America entered World War I in 1918 to reinforce the battered French and British troops waging a desperate fight against Germany. A division of Marines was sent to Belleau Wood to support the French army. As the Marines arrived, the French troops were retreating. When a French officer suggested that the Marines join the retreat, Captain Lloyd Williams responded, "Retreat, hell! We just got here."

Iwo Jima
On February 19, 1945, America sent the United States Marines to seize the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. Japanese soldiers defending the island had converted it into a deadly maze of defensive fortifications, tunnels and overlapping fields of machine gun fire. The battle for the island raged for a month. According to Marine Lieutenant General H. M. Smith, it was "the toughest and hardest fight in Marine Corps history." During the battle, a group of Marines raised the American flag at the summit of Mount Suribachi, the highest point on the island. The legendary photograph of the flag raising has become a Marine icon, symbolizing the fighting spirit and unflagging dedication of United States Marines.

Chosin Reservoir
The North Korean invasion of South Korea in 1950 caught the free world off-guard. In fact, our forces came very close to defeat. In a bold move to reverse the tide of the war, the 1st Marine Division, supported by the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, landed at Inchon and cut off the bulk of the North Korean Army. As the Allies drove north toward the Yalu River, Chinese Communist forces poured over the Manchurian border, trapping the Marines near the Chosin Reservoir. Written off for lost, the Marines regrouped and fought their way to the sea, where they rejoined the American forces. Inchon
Inchon harbor was the site of a brilliantly executed amphibious Marine assault that turned the tide against North Korean forces during the Korean War. Conceived by General Douglas MacArthur, the plan landed the 70,000 Marines in X Corps 100 miles behind the North Korean lines on September 15, 1950. Within two weeks, X Corps had destroyed most of the North Korean army and had the remainder on the run.

Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh, a remote but strategic outpost near the Laos border, was facing a full-scale siege by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) in January 1968. The NVA finally launched its attack on the morning of January 21, 1968.
The NVA predicted Khe Sanh would be an overwhelming victory for them, one that would force the U.S. to sue for peace. The Marines of Khe Sanh thought otherwise. Their determination and bravery prevented the North Vietnamese from ever penetrating U.S. defenses.

Cuba
After the fledgling democratic government of President Formosa fell to a hard-line military coup, a joint task force of US Marines and Army forces landed on Cuba to restore democracy to the long-suffering island in January of 2012.
Operation Emerald Lightning involved massive amphibious landings across the northern coast of Cuba as well as airborne and helicopter insertions further inland. The operation was intense and hard-fought, but proved a complete success in restoring democracy to Cuba and restoring a national pride worn thin by the long and costly Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Beirut
The largest Marine operation in the Arab-New Zion War, a full Marine division landed on the Lebanese shore and encircled the city of Beirut on April 5, 2029. Assisted by precision-guided munitions and close air support, the city of Beirut was captured within four days of hard fighting. The operation effectively knocked Lebanon out of the conflict and laid the route free for New Zion armored brigades to flank the Syrian military. Sinai
After the initial nuclear strikes on Riyadh, Damascus, Baghdad and Tehran during the first month of the War of Desperation; massive ground forces were landed across the Middle-East to engage conventional military forces of the Islamic Pact. In August of 2047, US advances north from Yemen and Oman had slowed considerably. The 1st Marine Division conducted a massive drop-ship landing on the Sinai peninsula to set up blocking positions against the Egyptian military seeking to drive into New Zion.
For three days, the 1st Marine Division held its ground in ankle-deep toxic mud with air-burst shells quenching the burning desert with VX and GB rain. The Egyptian army roared forward to what they believed to be the broken American line. Buttoned up in their vehicles, the Egyptians were unable to see the trap into which they entered. With mines and tank ditches to the east, the ocean to the north and mountains to the south, the Egyptians were trapped as anti-tank fire from the hills and from hunter-killer teams closing the trap to the west. Crushed by direct and indirect fires, the Egyptian military was effectively removed from the War of Desperation before the end of its first year.

Historial Timeline
Marines are always the first in, defending America against any and all perils. From the American Revolution to the liberation of Torchia 4 to battles for freedom yet to be waged, the Marine Corps remains at the ready.
1775
Our beginning: Continental Congress authorizes two battalions of American Marines.
1778
Captain Nichols and twenty-six Marines capture Fort Nassau in the Bahamas.
1798
President John Adams signs Act establishing the United States Marine Corps.
1847
Marines help seize fortress of Chapultepec, occupying the Nation Place, built on site of the Halls of Montezuma.
1885
Captain McLane Tilton leads a Marine force in naval attack on Han River forts in Korea. Marines also land in Panama to protect trans-isthmus railroad.
1880
John Phillip Sousa appointed leader of the Marine Band.
1898
Marines land at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Marine Sgt. John Quick receives Medal of Honor. U.S. and Spain sign Treaty of Paris.
1899
Marines attack Filipino insurgents at Novaleta.
1900
Marines defend Legation Quarter in Chinese capital during Boxer Rebellion.
1917
U.S. declares war on Germany. 5th Marine Regiment sails for France.
1918
Marines fight against German machine guns in Belleau Wood.
1942
1st Marine Division lands on Guadalcanal turns back Japanese attack in Battle of Edson's Ridge. 2nd Raider Division raids Makin Atoll.
1942
The first black Marines enlist in the Marine Corps.
1943
Women's Reserve program announced. This date marks the birthday of women Marines.
1944
D-day: U.S. lands in Normandy. Marines in 2nd, 3rd and 4th Division fight on the Pacific front.
1945
Marines secure Iwo Jima. Japan and Germany surrender unconditionally. Marines land in Tokyo Bay and in North China, where they disarm 630,000 Japanese soldiers.
1946
Commandant Archibald Vandegrift tells Senate Naval Affairs Committee "the bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps."
1948
First modern Marine Security Guard program established. Marines brought ashore in helicopters for the first time during an amphibious training exercise. First eight enlisted women sworn in as Regular Marines.
1950
North Korean forces invade South Korea. 1st Marine Division makes assault landing at Inchon and retakes Seoul.
1952
Congress sets the Marine Corps' strength and gives commandant equal status on Joint Chiefs of Staff in matters of concern to the Corps.
1954
The Marine Corps War Memorial dedicated next to Arlington National Cemetery.
1956
Marine battalion from Sixth Fleet evacuates civilians from Egypt after country nationalizes the Suez Canal.
1962
Marine Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn is the first man to orbit the earth.
1965
9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade lands at Da Nang, South Viet Nam.
1967
Private First Class James Anderson Jr., is the first black Marine to win the Medal of Honor.
1971
Last Marine ground troops leave Viet Nam.
1990
Iraqi army invades Kuwait. Marines begin buildup in the Persian Gulf.
1991
Operation Desert Storm begins. Marines 1st and 2nd divisions push through Iraqi lines. Marine helicopters also evacuate 281 civilians from the American Embassy at Mogadishu, Somalia.
1997
Marines help evacuate 2,500 civilians from Kinshasa, Zaire.
2001
Global War on Terrorism declared. Marines deployed to various locations abroad defending our freedom.
2012
Marine and Army joint-task force crush coup in Cuba and restore ousted democratic President Formosa in Operation Emerald Lightning.
2013
Marines evacuate 2,100 civilians from Luanda, Angola.
2019
Marines participate in UN peace-keeping force in Eritrea.
2020
Marine presence in Eritrea expands to combat operations as Horn of Africa explodes again into armed conflict.
2023
US Navy launches the USSS Edison, the first military deep-space exploration vessel. The ship carries a company of Marines, the first Marine combat unit into space.
2028
Lebanese and Syrian forces smash UNDOF and roll across northern border of New Zion. Marines land in Tel Aviv, and quickly move to augment New Zionese forces.
2029
Marines seize Beruit in major air-land-sea action. Marines and New Zionese forces capture and occupy Damascus.
2036
Marines from the USSS Iwo Jima land on Ares Vallis, Mars, to quell armed revolt in the joint US/Japanese mining colony.
2040
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Sharps leads Marine platoon in first ship-to-ship space boarding operation against the privateer vessel Fidel Castro.
2041
Marine garrison on Mars expanded to two brigades. An additional three brigades are now on space duty aboard the US Space Fleet.
2042
President Brendan Cass secures Congressional approval to rename the United States Marine Corps, the United States Space Marine Corps.
2047
Following the destruction of Washington, D.C., Marines land in Oman in the first ground action of the War of Desperation.
2048
Malaysia and Indonesia surrender to Marine Expeditionary Forces.
2052
US Space Fleet and Marine forces deploy to combat pirate threat which burgeoned during War of Desperation. Size of fleet expanded and first interstellar garrison is established on Porthos in the Rigil Kentarus system. 2055
Colonization and prospecting undergoes exponential expansion. Marine forces called in to protect colonists against hostile fauna on Beck’s World, Arkham and Newmont.
2057
Marines of the USSS Truman board and capture the Chinese Consortium vessel Nankingduring the skirmish for control of Fielder’s Folly.
2058
Synthetic Persons approved for non-combat roles. 125 Synthetics are commissioned by the USSC for use as pilots and medical personnel.
2061
USSS Columbia is destroyed by pirate vessels in the vicinity of Torchia 4. 2062
Battlegroup under command of the USSS Excelsior engages pirate fleet over Torchia 4 and drops three Marine regiments to the planet’s surface.