History Of The Marine Corps

When we left off in our last episode, Colonel Joseph W. Knighton posed two critical questions to Commandant General Alexander Vandegrift. This episode picks up from that turning point. We’ll cover how the Marine Corps integrated women in the post–World War II years, how leadership resisted and adapted, and how women Marines steadily expanded their roles from clerks and administrators to instructors, technicians, and overseas support personnel. From the establishment of women’s recruit training at Parris Island to early integration milestones during the Korean War, this chapter marks the beginning of something new. ************* 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 marks a critical shift in the Marine Corps' story. One that recognizes the courage, determination, and professionalism of the first women to earn the title "Marine." From Opha Mae Johnson in World War I to the 18,000+ women serving in World War II, their legacy is undeniable. These women proved their value in every MOS available to them, challenged outdated norms, and opened permanent doors for future generations. While barriers remained, their service forced the Corps to redefine what it means to be a Marine.  ************* 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 closes out the Marine Corps' long and difficult involvement in Haiti, covering the final years of occupation, the death of rebel leader Benoit Batraville, and the ultimate withdrawal of Marines in 1934. While Marines restored order, built infrastructure, and trained local forces, their role in suppressing rebellion and enforcing harsh policies left lasting damage. Atrocities committed during the occupation, coupled with political manipulation and economic control, raised serious questions about U.S. foreign policy and the ethical boundaries of military intervention. ************* 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 tells the story of one of the most daring and cinematic missions in Marine Corps history: the assassination of Haitian rebel leader Charlemagne Péralte. Disguised as locals and guided by an undercover informant, Sergeant Herman Hanneken and Corporal William Button infiltrated six rebel outposts before reaching Charlemagne’s inner circle. In a sudden and precise strike, they killed Charlemagne and fought off repeated attacks to bring his body back as proof. Both men received the Medal of Honor for the operation. Charlemagne’s death was a major turning point in the U.S. occupation of Haiti. It shattered the morale of the Cacos and allowed the Marines to begin restructuring the country’s military and political institutions. But the price of victory was high. Button died shortly after from malaria, and the occupation continued for more than a decade. This mission highlights the complexity, intensity, and moral weight of U.S. intervention during the Banana Wars. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineC

In both the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, the U.S. moved from diplomatic oversight and economic leverage to full military occupations. Marines were running governments, rebuilding infrastructure, and enforcing American foreign policy at the ground level. In the Dominican Republic, the Corps faced years of ambushes, bandit warfare, and rising local resentment. Despite improvements in health, education, and roads, the legitimacy of U.S. control was questioned domestically and abroad. Marines were overextended, tired, and caught between nation-building and counterinsurgency. Their actions brought temporary order but left lasting political scars. As the episode transitions to Haiti, we see a familiar pattern emerging: instability, economic manipulation, forced intervention, and long-term Marine presence.  ************* 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

This episode highlights the peak of U.S. military intervention in Nicaragua, where the Marine Corps carried the burden of stabilizing a nation caught in continuous civil war and political breakdown. Initially sent to disarm warring factions and oversee fair elections, Marines were soon thrust into full-scale counterinsurgency against Sandino’s growing rebel force.  Political divisions in Washington, exhaustion among American troops, and the unreliability of Nicaraguan government forces complicated the mission. By the early 1930s, U.S. leaders began shifting responsibility to the Nicaraguan National Guard. The last Marines left in 1933, ending a two-decade-long intervention. Though the effort failed to deliver lasting peace, it solidified the Marine Corps’ identity as a rapid-response force and shaped its doctrine on small wars and irregular combat. Lessons that would carry forward into the next generation of global conflict. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explo

This episode tracks the deepening U.S. military involvement in Nicaragua during the early 20th century. What started as a limited response to protect American property evolved into a full-scale intervention. Under officers like Smedley Butler and Joseph Pendleton, Marines carried out combat operations, secured key infrastructure, and enforced U.S. foreign policy with both force and diplomacy. From retaking towns and railroads to battling entrenched rebels at Coyotepe Hill and beyond, the Marines showcased their rapid deployment and operational flexibility. Political corruption, civil unrest, and deep resentment toward U.S. influence continued to fuel revolution. As Nicaragua spiraled into deeper conflict, the U.S. increased its military presence, eventually committing thousands of troops, naval support, and air power.  ************* 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

What began as a limited intervention in Cuba escalated into a long-term pattern of rapid Marine deployments throughout Latin America. From the 1906 occupation of Cuba to repeated landings in response to political unrest, Marines proved capable of stabilizing volatile regions with limited resources. Their missions expanded from protecting American property to enforcing U.S. foreign policy, often in service of economic interests. The Corps also matured operationally, executing coordinated deployments, adapting to complex political situations, and managing civil-military affairs with discipline. By the time Marines were sent to Nicaragua in response to revolution and the execution of U.S. citizens, it was clear that the Marine Corps had become the tool of choice for fast, flexible, and forceful action abroad.  ************* 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 a

This episode covers a critical turning point for the Marine Corps and American foreign policy. After the fall of Mexico’s President Madero and the rise of Huerta’s regime, the U.S. launched a full-scale military response, culminating in the 1914 occupation of Veracruz. Marines led the charge, executing urban combat, securing key infrastructure, and even handling civil tasks like sanitation. The U.S. deepened its involvement in Cuba under the Platt Amendment, using Marines to stabilize a fractured political system and protect American interests. These back-to-back interventions marked the growing use of Marines as a flexible, fast-response force for U.S. foreign policy. It was the start of a new identity for the Corps, one shaped by intervention, occupation, and increasing global reach. ************* 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 (@marinehis

This episode marks the beginning of a new era for the Marine Corps. Between 1898 and World War I, Marines were no longer just a shipboard force. They were central to U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, especially during the Banana Wars. From Panama to Mexico, Marines became the go-to unit for rapid intervention, counterinsurgency, and stability operations.  Their efforts helped shape the U.S. role in the region and laid the groundwork for modern expeditionary doctrine. The Marine Corps had found its niche and over the next few episodes, we’ll break down how those missions played out, one country at a time. ************* 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.

As the 19th century closed, the Marine Corps transitioned from a small peacetime force into a rapidly growing expeditionary unit. The Spanish-American War was the catalyst. Marines executed the first amphibious assault in Cuba, secured Guantánamo Bay, and played a role in key operations across the Pacific. This episode tracks the shift on how the Corps went from being a marginal asset to a key player in America’s emergence as a global power. It wasn’t a long war, but its legacy reshaped the military, set new standards for combat readiness, and solidified the Marine Corps' identity as the nation’s forward-deployed force. ************* 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 covers an often overlooked period of Marine Corps activity during the Gilded Age. While the nation focused on industry and expansion, Marines were deployed globally, supporting U.S. interests, protecting trade routes, and enforcing treaties. In Panama, they were involved in repeated interventions to stabilize a region critical to future canal plans.  At home, the Corps faced low morale, slow promotions, poor infrastructure, and outdated equipment. The Corps stayed active, adapted when needed, and proved its value through consistent performance in uncertain conditions. ************* 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.

After the Civil War, the Marine Corps entered its quietest era. There were no major wars, little funding, and almost no growth. But quiet didn’t mean inactive. While the U.S. focused on rebuilding and chasing economic progress during the Gilded Age, Marines adapted. They manned ships, patrolled foreign ports, broke up riots at home, and took part in some of the earliest examples of U.S. global presence. At home, they helped enforce federal law and saw the beginnings of modernization in weapons, uniforms, and training.  ************* 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 covers the final months of the Civil War, focusing on the Marine Corps' role at Fort Fisher. It was the last major Confederate stronghold on the coast, and its fall marked the beginning of the end for the South. Marines were tasked with supporting a large-scale amphibious assault, but confusion, poor communication, and leadership breakdowns turned the operation into a disaster. After Fort Fisher, the Confederate Marine Corps all but collapsed. The war would end weeks later at Appomattox, followed by Lincoln’s assassination. In the aftermath, the Marine Corps faced serious challenges including desertion, low morale, and a changing national mission. Although often overlooked, Marines made a meaningful impact in the Civil War, and this episode highlights their contribution as the nation transitioned into a new era. ************* 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

This episode covers a critical turning point in the history of the Marine Corps during the Civil War. When Commandant John Harris died, Gideon Welles had to decide who would lead the Corps through one of the most chaotic moments in American history. Internal politics, personal rivalries, and competing visions for the Corps' future all played a role in the selection of Colonel Jacob Zeilin as the new Commandant.  The episode tracks the evolution of the Corps' role in major military operations, highlighting the actions of Marines during the battles of Mobile Bay, the defense of the railroads in Maryland, and the brutal fighting around Honey Hill and Fort Fisher. Marines were rarely the focus of Civil War history, but their contributions were vital. ************* 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 (@historyofthemarine

From the Union’s early success at Hatteras Inlet to the brutal battles involving the ironclads Monitor and Virginia, Marines played a direct role in both offensive and defensive operations along the coast. We’ll look at how the Corps supported naval campaigns, responded to Confederate innovation like the CSS David, and how Marines adapted to shifting priorities as the war dragged on. We’ll also touch on the leadership transition from Commandant John Harris to Jacob Zeilin, a battle-hardened officer who shaped the Corps through some of its toughest years. Whether in coastal assaults, riot control during the New York Draft Riots, or shipboard actions, the Marines remained a constant presence in a war that demanded everything. ************* 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.

As the country fractured over slavery, the Marines went from peacetime readiness to crisis response, supporting naval blockades, fort defenses, and coastal raids. From amphibious landings in North Carolina to nighttime raids in Florida, the Corps played a supporting but critical role in shaping the early war effort.  Their missions were small, fast, and dangerous. Most of the Marines who fought in these early actions were barely trained, yet they were sent straight into combat. Some of their operations succeeded. Others didn’t. But through it all, the Marine Corps built its wartime footing while facing losses, logistical challenges, and growing demands from a nation at war with itself.  ************* 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

This episode looks at the lead-up to the Civil War and the role the Marine Corps played during one of the most volatile periods in American history. We trace how the debate over slavery started long before Lincoln took office and how international pressure, domestic politics, and expanding territory pushed the country to the breaking point.  ************* 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 at the end of the U.S. campaign in California, as the military shifted from combat operations to controlling and organizing newly claimed territory. We follow the final actions of Commodore Stockton and Captain Archibald Gillespie as they transition out of California and back to Washington.  We also dig into the larger impact of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the growing global role of the Marine Corps, and the leadership legacy of Commandant Archibald Henderson.  ************* 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.

After losing Los Angeles to rebels, Archibald Gillespie sent word north, triggering a chain of events that brought Marines, sailors, dragoons, and militia into a series of brutal fights to retake the city. What followed were weeks of poor leadership, failed assaults, and hard lessons, culminating in the bloody Battle of San Pascual.  We’ll walk through the breakdown in command, the resilience of the troops, and how wounded men like Gillespie kept pushing forward. The campaign wasn’t clean, and it wasn’t pretty. Supplies ran out, morale broke, and the U.S. took more losses than they expected. But after weeks of regrouping and a final push through San Gabriel, American forces entered Los Angeles for a second time. ************* 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/marineh