Marine Corps Birthday

Marine Corps Birthday
November 10, 1775 - November 10, 2026
Semper Fi

First and second place photos from the
International Picture of the Year

First Place

Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News

When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport , Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.

During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport , Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.

Second Place

Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted.

Reckless, the only horse to become a Marine Sergeant!

This is a life-size statue of Reckless
at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA.

‘Reckless ! Let’s call her Reckless!" a voice cried out from the crowd of Marines gathered around their newest recruit. The name might have seemed ill-suited for a small, chestnut-colored horse with a blaze down her forehead and three white stockings. But to the Recoilless Rifle Platoon of the 5th Marines, the moniker was perfect — it was their radio call sign and captured the toss-caution-to-the-wind attitude of men who relied on the "reckless" rifle.

She officially joined the Marines on Oct. 26, 1952, not as a mascot, but because the unit desperately needed help hauling heavy guns and artillery over Korea’s rugged terrain.

Because it had no wheels and sat on a tripod, the 75mm recoilless rifle, at 6-feet-10 inches long and weighing nearly 115 pounds, was awkward and challenging to carry; moving it in the field usually required three and at times four men, though sometimes two could manage.

It could throw a 75 mm shell several thousand yards with extreme precision.

Recoilless Rifle Platoon of the 5th Marines found Reckless could safely and easily carry six rounds of recoilless rifle ammunition in canisters without much trouble. Yet in the heat of battle, they found she could tote eight to 10 rounds, if necessary.

Two legs or four legs, a Marine is "Always Faithful"

Two Medals Of Honor
His Famous Battle Cry;
"Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?"

'Greatest of all Leathernecks'

Established November 10, 1775

Smedley Butler, a two time Medal of Honor holder, is considered the "Gold Standard" for Marine Corps courage, honor, duty and outspokenness.

Medal Of Honor

'Held off 3,000 man attack on Guadalcanal.'

5 Navy Crosses

'No Words Needed.'

Every Marine is duty bound to "leave no man behind". During WWII, some engagements impeded body retrieval and Marines did their utmost to ensure that those brothers in arms would not be forgotten. The video below is a testimony to the commitment that every Marine shares with his fellow Marines.

Semper Fi

Marine Corps Birthday
November 10, 1775
Semper Fi

To Honor The Fallen Marines Who Gave Their Lives In Iraq