The U.S. Marine Corps is a long-standing American institution. Today’s Marine medals awarded for service originate from the World War I era, but the history of Marine valor dates back much further. The Marine tradition is, in fact, older than the country it protects.
The Marine Corps was technically founded twice and the Corps considers 1775 as the official founding date. As the motto states, “Semper Fidelis,” Marines are always faithful, particularly to all those who came before.
The First Founding
The first iteration of what was to become the United States Marine Corps came on November 10, 1775. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress called for the conscription of two companies of men who had sufficient knowledge of the sea. They were to serve as landing forces and participate in ship-to-ship combat for the recently established Continental Navy. These battalions were the forerunners of today’s Marine Corps.
