FMF STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1775 - ANSWER The Marine Corps was formed on 10 November 1775 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Tun Tavern by a resolution of the Continental
Congress, which "raised two battalions of Marines." Captain Samuel Nicholas
became the commander of those two battalions and is by tradition considered
the first Commandant of the Marine Corps. In 1834, the Marines came under
the Department of the Navy. The National Security Act of 1947, amended in
1952, states the present structure
1776 - ANSWER The first Marine landing took place during the
Revolutionary War. Marines invaded New Providence Island in the Bahamas
and seized guns and supplies. The uniform of the day had a stiff leather stock
that was worn around the neck, thus the nickname "Leatherneck
1805 - ANSWER Marines stormed the Barbary pirates' stronghold at Burma
on the "Shores of Tripoli." Marines raised the "Stars and Stripes" for the first
time in the Eastern Hemisphere
1847 - ANSWER During the Mexican War, Marines occupied the "Halls of
Montezuma" during the Battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City. The royal palace
fell to invading Marines, who were among the first United States troops to enter
the capital. Marines also helped take California
1859 - ANSWER Under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee, U.S. Army,
Marines stormed the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry to put down an
attempted slave revolt lead by abolitionist John Brown
, 1868 - ANSWER The Marine Corps officially adopted an emblem bearing an
eagle, globe, and anchor. Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, 7th Commandant,
designed the emblem by modifying the British (Royal) Marine emblem to show
the Marines as both American and maritime. The globe and anchor represent
service worldwide and in the sea. The spread eagle represents the Nation itself.
1883 - ANSWER The official motto of the Marine Corps, "Semper Fidelis,"
(Latin for "Always Faithful") was adopted. The phrase is more commonly heard
as its abbreviation, "Semper Fi".
1900 - ANSWER In support of foreign policy, Marines from ships on the
Asiatic station defended the American Legation in Peking, China during the
Boxer Rebellion. The Marines were part of a multinational defense force that
protected the Legation Quarter against attack. This small defense force held out
against the Boxers until a relief force was able to reach Peking and end the
rebellion.
1913 - ANSWER The Marine Corps formed its aviation branch. Marine Major
Alfred A. Cunningham became the first aviator
1917 - ANSWER Marines arrived as part of the American Expeditionary
Force in France. Marines, fighting in eight separate battles, won acclaim and
were awarded many decorations including the French Fourragere still worn by
members of the 5th and 6th Marines
1933 - ANSWER The Marine Corps was reorganized into the Fleet Marine
Force, which formally established the "command and administrative relations"
between the Fleet and the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Equipment Board
was established at Quantico, Virginia, and Marines began to devote long hours
to testing and developing materials for landing operations and expeditionary
service.
ANSWERS
1775 - ANSWER The Marine Corps was formed on 10 November 1775 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Tun Tavern by a resolution of the Continental
Congress, which "raised two battalions of Marines." Captain Samuel Nicholas
became the commander of those two battalions and is by tradition considered
the first Commandant of the Marine Corps. In 1834, the Marines came under
the Department of the Navy. The National Security Act of 1947, amended in
1952, states the present structure
1776 - ANSWER The first Marine landing took place during the
Revolutionary War. Marines invaded New Providence Island in the Bahamas
and seized guns and supplies. The uniform of the day had a stiff leather stock
that was worn around the neck, thus the nickname "Leatherneck
1805 - ANSWER Marines stormed the Barbary pirates' stronghold at Burma
on the "Shores of Tripoli." Marines raised the "Stars and Stripes" for the first
time in the Eastern Hemisphere
1847 - ANSWER During the Mexican War, Marines occupied the "Halls of
Montezuma" during the Battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City. The royal palace
fell to invading Marines, who were among the first United States troops to enter
the capital. Marines also helped take California
1859 - ANSWER Under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee, U.S. Army,
Marines stormed the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry to put down an
attempted slave revolt lead by abolitionist John Brown
, 1868 - ANSWER The Marine Corps officially adopted an emblem bearing an
eagle, globe, and anchor. Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, 7th Commandant,
designed the emblem by modifying the British (Royal) Marine emblem to show
the Marines as both American and maritime. The globe and anchor represent
service worldwide and in the sea. The spread eagle represents the Nation itself.
1883 - ANSWER The official motto of the Marine Corps, "Semper Fidelis,"
(Latin for "Always Faithful") was adopted. The phrase is more commonly heard
as its abbreviation, "Semper Fi".
1900 - ANSWER In support of foreign policy, Marines from ships on the
Asiatic station defended the American Legation in Peking, China during the
Boxer Rebellion. The Marines were part of a multinational defense force that
protected the Legation Quarter against attack. This small defense force held out
against the Boxers until a relief force was able to reach Peking and end the
rebellion.
1913 - ANSWER The Marine Corps formed its aviation branch. Marine Major
Alfred A. Cunningham became the first aviator
1917 - ANSWER Marines arrived as part of the American Expeditionary
Force in France. Marines, fighting in eight separate battles, won acclaim and
were awarded many decorations including the French Fourragere still worn by
members of the 5th and 6th Marines
1933 - ANSWER The Marine Corps was reorganized into the Fleet Marine
Force, which formally established the "command and administrative relations"
between the Fleet and the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps Equipment Board
was established at Quantico, Virginia, and Marines began to devote long hours
to testing and developing materials for landing operations and expeditionary
service.
