On November 10, 2024, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 249th birthday—a day that resonates not just with the few who have earned the title of Marine, but with all Americans who know the price of freedom.
The Marine Corps is more than just a branch of the military; it is a relentless force, a brotherhood forged in battle, feared by enemies and revered by allies. With the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblazoned on their hearts, Marines embody a tradition that has made them the tip of the spear for nearly two and a half centuries.
This year’s celebration is not only a nod to history but a call to reinvigorate the fierce spirit that has defined the Corps. General Eric M. Smith, the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, captured this perfectly in his birthday message:
“For 249 years, Marines have served as our Nation’s sentinels of freedom. As we celebrate our Corps’ birthday this year, I encourage all Marines to reflect on our legacy forged in blood on battlefields since 1775, and to rededicate ourselves to carrying that legacy untarnished into the future. Collectively, we who wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor have an obligation to uphold the ideals of self-discipline, warfighting proficiency, professionalism, and personal conduct that define what it means to be a Marine. I know you are all up to the task.
Twenty years ago this month, Marines fought and won the Second Battle of Fallujah, a brutal, grinding house-to-house fight, whose victory ultimately paved the way for the stabilization of the Republic of Iraq. Often in Iraq there were no true front lines, and by necessity, Fallujah was a battle in which every Marine fought, demonstrating once again our cornerstone philosophy that Every Marine is a Rifleman.
Our history bears witness to Marines of all stripes picking up their rifles and fighting for Corps and Country when the call came. From Wake Island to the Chosin Reservoir to Khe Sanh to Camp Bastion, every Marine fought. Our future battles will be no different. Our rear areas will be as vulnerable as our front lines, and every Marine from our infantry battalions to our aviation squadrons to our headquarters and support elements will have to stand-to when called.
Preparing for the threats of the future requires the same exceptional standards and ironclad discipline that are the hallmarks of our Corps. Twenty years ago in Fallujah, our predecessors staunchly adhered to these virtues, earned our Nation’s trust, and ensured the U.S. Marine Corps would remain the most feared fighting force in the world. It is our sworn duty to uphold those standards and stay true to our Core Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Though technology and equipment change, the Marine Corps’ culture of excellence must not. The road ahead is far from certain, but our ethos will never change—Every Marine a Rifleman and Everyone Fights.
As I’ve said before, it is the honor of my lifetime to be a Marine and serve as your Commandant. I’m proud to stand alongside each of you, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for our Corps. When I travel to visit Marines here at home and deployed around the globe, I find absolute confidence that this generation of Marines has what it takes to uphold our Corps’ legacy and prevail in any conflict we face. Happy Birthday, Marines!”
Semper Fidelis,
Eric M. Smith
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
General Smith’s words are a clarion call to every Marine, past and present, to remember that the title they hold was earned in places like Belleau Wood, where Marines became known as “Devil Dogs,” and on the blood-stained sands of Iwo Jima, where victory seemed impossible until it wasn’t. Sgt. Major Dan Daly, a two-time Medal of Honor recipient, captured the unbreakable spirit of the Corps when he roared, “Come on, you sons of b*****s, do you want to live forever?”—an invitation to charge into the fray, embodying the courage that defines every Marine.
In the modern era, legends like General James Mattis—the “Warrior Monk”—have reinforced what it means to be a Marine with his clear-eyed leadership and quotes that Marines still echo today. “Demonstrate to the world there is “No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy” than a U.S. Marine,” the dual nature of the Marine—peaceful but lethal when provoked.
As the Corps marks its 249th year, Marines across the globe will toast not just to their history, but to their brothers and sisters who stood before them. This birthday is not only a celebration; it is a testament that while technology evolves, the Marine Corps’ ethos of Honor, Courage, and Commitment remains unchanged.
To every Marine, past, present, and future: Semper Fidelis.
1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton
“The 1st Marine Division is the oldest, largest and most decorated Marine division. Headquartered at Camp Pendleton, California, the Division is a force of 20,000 men and women organized to conduct combat operations. The 1st Marine Division is an adaptable expeditionary force in readiness; generating, deploying and returning forces in support of global force management. The Division stands ready to conduct contingency response requirements and is prepared to deploy as a scalable ground combat element to defeat peer, near-peer and hybrid threats across the range of military operations.” ~USMC Online
About our Military Veterans in California
California has many Marine veterans, and the state is home to the largest concentration of veterans in the United States:
Total number of veterans: California has about 1.5 million veterans, which is about 8% of the total number of veterans in the United States.
Los Angeles County: About 25% of California’s veterans live in Los Angeles County, which is about 281,000 veterans.
San Diego County: San Diego County has about 240,000 veterans, which is one of the largest concentrations of military personnel in the country.
World War II veterans: California has about 54,000 World War II veterans.
