History Of The Marine Corps

In this episode, we cover the lead-up to one of the most infamous mornings in American history—December 7, 1941. Japan, starved for oil and cut off by embargo, saw only one option: strike first. We follow the secret build-up to Pearl Harbor, the pilots preparing for the attack, and the Marine detachments stationed across Oahu as everything changed in an instant. From torpedo innovations to radar warnings ignored, this was a meticulously planned assault—and the Marines on the ground responded with grit, fire, and instinct. Pearl Harbor was more than just a wake-up call. It was the moment the United States entered World War II. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day tria

This is the second episode covering the global unraveling that led to America’s full entry into World War II. After Germany invaded Poland, Europe spiraled into chaos. Hitler pushed for control of Norway to secure critical resources and the lightning-fast German invasion of France exposed the flaws in Allied assumptions and defenses. With France collapsed and Britain barely holding on, Hitler turned east, launching the largest land invasion in history against the Soviet Union. At the same time, Italy entered the war, expanding the conflict to North Africa and the Mediterranean. While Europe burned, Japan eyed Southeast Asia’s oil-rich territories. Roosevelt’s oil embargo pushed Japan closer to war, and the U.S. began preparing its Pacific defenses. By the end of 1941, Axis forces held most of Europe and were advancing across Asia. This episode lays out how the global conflict widened and set the stage for Pearl Harbor, the fall of the Philippines, and the brutal Pacific campaign that followed. *************

This episode marks the beginning of our World War II series. This episode breaks down how the Great Depression wrecked economies, empowered dictators, and turned public desperation into political firepower. In Germany, that meant Hitler. In Japan, it meant military rule. In Italy, Mussolini. From Manchuria to the Sudetenland to Poland, we cover the flashpoints that pulled the world into war and why America couldn’t stay on the sidelines for long. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode is the final chapter in the story of Marine aviation—how it matured into one of the most advanced and reliable combat arms of the U.S. military. We’ll follow the journey from the skies over Guadalcanal to carrier ops, the Korean mountains, and the jungles of Vietnam. From humble beginnings, Marine aviation became a force that could strike anywhere, anytime, with precision, speed, and overwhelming firepower. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

In this episode, we follow how the Marine Corps went from doubting pilots to building one of the world’s deadliest air-ground teams. Aviation started as a sideshow—something most Marines didn’t take seriously. But by the 1930s, Marine pilots had revolutionized air tactics. Dive-bombing, close air support, even aerial resupply all came from this period. When WWII hit, Marine aviators weren’t just ready—they were ahead of the game. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This is our third episode covering how the interwar years quietly reshaped the Marine Corps into a force built for the future. We break down how the Corps invested in smarter training, structured leadership development, and built up aviation, artillery, and reserves from the ground up. This is where the Fleet Marine Force was born. This is when dive-bombing tactics were invented. And this is how the Corps made sure that when the next war came, it would be more than ready to fight. It would be ready to win. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.  

In this episode, we follow the Marine Corps through one of its most important transitions—one that set the stage for everything that followed in World War II. After WWI, Marines weren’t just pulling security in far-off places like China and the Caribbean—they were reinventing what it meant to be a Marine. This is where the Fleet Marine Force was born. We cover how combat lessons became doctrine, how Marines went from peacekeepers to a modern expeditionary force, and how leaders like Lejeune, Butler, Neville, Fuller, and Holcomb fought for the soul and future of the Corps. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

When Marines returned home after World War I, they stepped into a country ready to celebrate them as heroes. Parades filled city streets, families welcomed them with open arms, and it seemed like America couldn't thank them enough. But this enthusiasm was short-lived. Within months, a sense of disillusionment set in, replacing cheers and excitement with a stark reality check on what the war had truly cost. Soon, that collective sense of pride turned into doubt, questioning whether the glory earned in combat was worth the terrible price Marines paid. This shift deeply impacted the Corps, leaving it struggling to fill its ranks and maintain morale as America moved toward isolation. In this episode, we’ll explore how the Marine Corps fought to adapt in the face of a shrinking force, outdated promotion policies, and fading public support. From Hollywood's depiction of war's bitter realities to the Corps' desperate pivot toward sports and education, you'll see how the Marines grappled with a nation eager to leave

This episode closes the book on World War I with the moment Marines had been waiting for: the end. After years of brutal fighting, the armistice was real, and Marines on the Meuse were among the last to get the memo. Even as German officers crossed no-man’s-land with word of peace, Americans were still taking casualties. We walk through the confusion, the celebration, and the quiet bitterness that followed. Then came the long march into Germany, the occupation, and finally, the return home. But not everyone made it back the same. This is the story of how the war ended and what came after. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode covers one of the Marine Corps’ most overlooked, but bloodiest battles of World War I: Blanc Mont Ridge. After their success at Saint Mihiel, the 2nd Division was called up again, this time to break through heavily fortified German positions in Champagne. Lejeune fought to keep the division intact and led them into nightmarish terrain, even by WWI standards. We follow the 5th and 6th Marines as they charge uphill through open fields, tangled trenches, and relentless machine-gun fire. It was a brutal fight, with chaos, heroism, Medal of Honor moments, and a full-blown retreat.  This is the real story of Blanc Mont. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode covers how Marines rebuilt after Soissons and spearheaded a surprise assault that shattered German lines. We’ll look at how tight coordination, solid intelligence, and raw grit helped the 4th Brigade seize critical ground with minimal losses. From tank-supported charges to trench raids and honey-sweetened pancakes, this battle was different: calculated, efficient, and decisive.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode covers the Marines’ brutal second day at Soissons. After the 5th Marines took heavy losses on day one, the 6th stepped up to face entrenched German divisions across open wheat fields with almost no cover. What followed was chaos: shattered units, mounting casualties, and desperate pushes just to stay alive. We track Marines like Cates, Overton, and Gulberg as they navigate the worst combat they’ve ever seen. By the end of the battle, more than half the 6th Regiment was gone, but the line held. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode picks up after Belleau Wood, as the Marines shift from defense to offense in the Aisne-Marne Offensive. With hard-won respect from Army and Allied commanders, the 4th Marine Brigade joined the push to crush Germany’s last major offensive. Planning was a mess. Units were scattered, orders came late, and Marines headed into battle with missing gear and barely any water. Still, they hit the line right on time, under cover of a short but brutal artillery barrage. A chaotic, multi-national charge follows through open fields, tangled forests, and fortified German positions. It’s Belleau Wood all over again, just bigger. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode covers the battle that etched the Marine Corps into the history books: Belleau Wood. On June 6, 1918, Marines charged across open wheat fields into German machine guns, taking horrific losses. What followed was nearly a month of brutal, close-quarters fighting through tangled forest and fortified trenches. We’ll walk through the chaos, the hand-to-hand combat, the infamous gas attacks, and the heroic actions of Marines like Dan Daly, Alfred Noble, and Edward Cole. You’ll hear how Belleau Wood became a proving ground for the Corps, and how its legend was forged, even if some parts, don’t hold up to history. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). This episode is sponsored by Audible. Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode marks the beginning of the Marine Corps’ legendary role in World War I. After months of training and frustration, the 4th Marine Brigade was finally called into action. We follow them through the trenches near Verdun, into the chaos of the German Spring Offensive, and up to the doorstep of Paris. Outnumbered and outgunned, Marines held the line against Germany’s elite forces. As the Germans pushed hard toward Paris, the Marines dug in and counterpunched. What followed was Hill 142 and the opening of Belleau Wood, a brutal fight that would forever define the Marine Corps. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

In 1916, the Marine Corps was small, scattered, and barely on the Navy’s radar for large-scale war. This episode shows how that changed. We dive into the Corps’ explosive growth, the birth of its aviation wing, and the fight for combat relevance in Europe. From Parris Island tents to French trenches, we track how thousands of volunteers turned into hardened Marines. We also look at the tension between Navy leadership and the Corps over where Marines should serve, and how that tension shaped everything from battlefield assignments to post-war legacy. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode picks up as Germany’s rapid advance slows and trenches begin to dominate the Western Front. We’ll track the early battles that turned a fast war into a brutal deadlock: the Marne, the race to the sea, and the rise of trench warfare. We also look east, where Russia moved faster than anyone expected and forced Germany to divert troops. Meanwhile, new players entered the war, Italy switched sides, the Ottomans joined in, and the entire Middle East became part of the fight. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode breaks down the long fuse that burned for decades before 1914. Revolutions, collapsing empires, new ideologies, and a ruthless arms race made war inevitable. We follow the political dominoes from the Revolutions of 1848 to the Balkan wars and trace how Prussia, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire kept escalating tensions. By 1914, one shot was all it took to ignite the explosion. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

In our last episode, we wrapped up the story of the Marine Corps’ campaign in the Philippines. This week, we shift focus to another major deployment at the turn of the 20th century: China. As the Qing Dynasty collapsed under foreign pressure and internal unrest, a violent nationalist movement rose up to push foreign influence out. What followed was a brutal multinational campaign, with Marines at the tip of the spear. This episode covers the origins of the Boxer Rebellion, the first major engagement of Marines in China, and how the Corps carved out its early legacy in the Asia-Pacific region. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Marines played a key role in U.S. operations in the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. What started as a campaign to drive out Spanish forces quickly turned into a brutal insurgency, as Filipinos who had fought for independence under Spain now found themselves resisting a new occupying force. In this episode, we cover the early years of the Philippine-American War. This chapter explores tactical adaptation, challenging terrain, and the persistent reality that occupying conquered ground is far tougher than winning it. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.