LORE OF THE CORPS Starting in boot camp, all Marines study the actions of those who have served before them. The history of the Marine Corps is a rich tapestry weaving together the contributions of all Marines. Over the past two centuries, certain aspects of the Corps’ history have taken on an almost legendary status. Below are examples of some of the stories, terms, and traditions that have come to be known as the “Lore of the Core.”
THE BLOOD STRIPE Marine Corps tradition maintains that the red stripe worn on the trousers of officers and noncommissioned officers, and commonly known as the “blood stripe,” commemorates those Marines killed storming the castle of Chapultepec in 1847. Although this belief is firmly embedded in the traditions of the Corps, it has no basis in fact. The use of stripes clearly predates the Mexican War.
LEATHERNECK In 1776, the Naval Committee of the Second Continental Congress prescribed new uniform regulations. Marine uniforms were to consist of green coats with buff white facings, buff breeches and black gaiters. Also mandated was a leather stock to be worn by officers and enlisted men alike. This leather collar served to protect the neck against cutlass slashes and to hold the head erect in proper military bearing. Sailors serving aboard ship with Marines came to call them “leathernecks.”
“DEVIL DOGS” According to Marine Corps tradition, German soldiers facing the Marines at Belleau Wood called them teufelhunden. These were the devil dogs of Bavarian folklore - vicious, ferocious, and tenacious. Shortly thereafter, a Marine recruiting poster depicted a dachshund, wearing an Iron Cross and a spiked helmet, fleeing an English bulldog wearing the eagle, globe and anchor.
“SEMPER FIDELIS” The Marine Corps adopted the motto “Semper Fidelis” ... in 1883. Prior to that date three mottoes, all traditional rather than official, were used. The first of these, antedating the War of 1812, was “Fortitudine.” The Latin phrase for “with courage,” it was emblazoned on the brass shako plates worn by Marines during the Federal period. The second motto was “By Sea and by Land,” taken from the British Royal Marines “Per Mare, Per Terram.” Until 1848, the third motto was “To the shores of Tripoli.” Inscribed on the Marine Corps colors, this commemorated Presley O’Bannon’s capture of the city of Derna in 1805. In 1848, this was revised to “From the halls of the Montezuma’s to the shores of Tripoli.” “Semper Fidelis” signifies the dedication that individual Marines have to “Corps and country,” and to their fellow Marines. It is a way of life. Said one former Marine, “It is not negotiable. It is not relative, but absolute…Marines pride themselves on their mission and steadfast dedication to accomplish it.”
THUMP'S song:
Hooooo Agggghhhh! Der’s blood on de flag! (What de hell was dat?) Hooooo Agggghhhh! Der’s blood on de flag! (What de hell he say?) Dems boys `n girls a comin’ home- in dem body bags!
Ten hut! Semper Fi, chesty puller, let’s get it on! I gots ta go, duty call me `neath de whirlin’ ground! No time for love `r plans. No time at all for thinkin’, Marine Corp `n country done got my full attention!
Hooooo Agggghhhh! Der’s blood on the flag! (What de hell he say?) I say, dem’s boys `n girls comin’ home in dem body bags!
LORE OF THE CORPS
Starting in boot camp, all Marines study the actions of those who have served before them. The history of the Marine Corps is a rich tapestry weaving together the contributions of all Marines. Over the past two centuries, certain aspects of the Corps’ history have taken on an almost legendary status. Below are examples of some of the stories, terms, and traditions that have come to be known as the “Lore of the Core.”
THE BLOOD STRIPE
Marine Corps tradition maintains that the red stripe worn on the trousers of officers and noncommissioned officers, and commonly known as the “blood stripe,” commemorates those Marines killed storming the castle of Chapultepec in 1847. Although this belief is firmly embedded in the traditions of the Corps, it has no basis in fact. The use of stripes clearly predates the Mexican War.
LEATHERNECK
In 1776, the Naval Committee of the Second Continental Congress prescribed new uniform regulations. Marine uniforms were to consist of green coats with buff white facings, buff breeches and black gaiters. Also mandated was a leather stock to be worn by officers and enlisted men alike. This leather collar served to protect the neck against cutlass slashes and to hold the head erect in proper military bearing. Sailors serving aboard ship with Marines came to call them “leathernecks.”
“DEVIL DOGS”
According to Marine Corps tradition, German soldiers facing the Marines at Belleau Wood called them teufelhunden. These were the devil dogs of Bavarian folklore - vicious, ferocious, and tenacious. Shortly thereafter, a Marine recruiting poster depicted a dachshund, wearing an Iron Cross and a spiked helmet, fleeing an English bulldog wearing the eagle, globe and anchor.
“SEMPER FIDELIS”
The Marine Corps adopted the motto “Semper Fidelis” ... in 1883. Prior to that date three mottoes, all traditional rather than official, were used. The first of these, antedating the War of 1812, was “Fortitudine.” The Latin phrase for “with courage,” it was emblazoned on the brass shako plates worn by Marines during the Federal period. The second motto was “By Sea and by Land,” taken from the British Royal Marines “Per Mare, Per Terram.” Until 1848, the third motto was “To the shores of Tripoli.” Inscribed on the Marine Corps colors, this commemorated Presley O’Bannon’s capture of the city of Derna in 1805. In 1848, this was revised to “From the halls of the Montezuma’s to the shores of Tripoli.”
“Semper Fidelis” signifies the dedication that individual Marines have to “Corps and country,” and to their fellow Marines. It is a way of life. Said one former Marine, “It is not negotiable. It is not relative, but absolute…Marines pride themselves on their mission and steadfast dedication to accomplish it.”
THUMP'S song:
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Der’s blood on de flag!
(What de hell was dat?)
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Der’s blood on de flag!
(What de hell he say?)
Dems boys `n girls
a comin’ home-
in dem body bags!
(Whhhhooooooo done it?)
Aggggghhhhh,
but, George, it’s you!
Ten hut!
Semper Fi,
chesty puller,
let’s get it on!
I gots ta go,
duty call me
`neath de whirlin’ ground!
No time for love `r plans.
No time at all for thinkin’,
Marine Corp `n country
done got my full attention!
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Der’s blood on the flag!
(What de hell he say?)
I say, dem’s boys `n girls
comin’ home in dem body bags!
(Whhhhooooooo done it?)
Aggggghhhhh,
but, George, it’s you!
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Der’s blood on de flag!
(What de hell you say!)
I say, dem's boys `n girls
comin’ home
in dem ghastly body bags!
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Der's blood on de flag!
Yer with us
`r agin us
so join up `r carry on!
Hey! Ho!
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Semper Fi!
Chesty puller!
Bring `em on!
Af-gan-ee-stan then to I-rack,
`n now we gots E-ron!
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Semper Fi, chesty puller
bring em on!
You wit’ us `r agin us,
lock `n load `n carry on!
Semper Fi,
chesty puller
`n now ya bring `em on!
Af-gan-ee-stan on to I-rack,
`n next into E-ron!
Hooooo Agggghhhh!
Old Glory's bleedin' through
in red `n white `n blue!
Body bags wait on no one
when der’s killin’ to be done…
Copyright © 2007 mrp / thepoetryman
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