“They’re on our right, they’re on our left, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us; they can’t get away from us this time.-Chesty Puller, USMC, Chosin Reservoir, Korean War
“We’re surrounded. That simplifies the problem!”
-CHESTY PULLER, USMC
“We’re not retreating, Hell! We’re just attacking in a different direction!”
GEN. OLIVER SMITH, USMC
Happy 236th Birthday to our United States Marine Corps!
Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary
-General A. M. Gray, USMC
Even with the mistake, this video is awesome…like watching a deadly Japanese tea ceremony, performed by professional badasses:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9q7b_2tkMo[/youtube]
“The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle!”
GEN. PERSHING, US.ARMY
Here’s a modern update to a classic joke:
A large group of Taliban soldiers are moving down a road when they hear a voice call from behind a sand-dune.
“One Marine is better than ten taliban”.
The Taliban commander quickly sends 10 of his best soldiers over the dune whereupon a gun battle breaks out and continues for a few minutes, then silence.
The voice then calls out “One Marine is better than one hundred taliban”.
Furious, the Taliban commander sends his next best 100 troops over the dune and instantly a huge gun fight commences. After 10 minutes of battle, again silence.
The voice calls out again “One Marine is better than one thousand Taliban”.
The enraged Taliban Commander musters one thousand fighters and sends them across the dune.
Cannon, rocket and machine gun fire ring out as a huge battle is fought. Then silence.
Eventually one wounded Taliban fighter crawls back over the dune and with his dying words tells his commander,
“Don’t send any more men, its a trap. There’s actually two of them.
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
Simper Fi and Happy Birthday my brothers.
and goodnight Chesty wherever you are.
My first Marine Corps Birthday was spent as a recruit on Parris Island. We were in the old wooden barns from WW II. Our Senior DI told us that Chesty Puller would be driven on the island that morning and we were now a part of history. He said they would be firing the naval batteries when he came aboard. I had no idea what that meant and was not about to ask.
Later on that morning, we heard those big ship’s guns and the old barns we lived in shook and rattled like they were coming down. I thought our rifle fire could be devastating; however, those big guns gave me a healthy respect for naval artillery and its’ awesome power.
I doubt that more than a few people remember that day or that we were really a part of history, but I have never forgotten.
Semper Fi (Waiting and Ready)
@Skookum: I was a Hollywood Marine Skook, 82-86, but like you my first Marine Corps birthday was spent in basic training. As I recall our DI’s celebrated that illustrious day by encouraging all of us boots to donate several ounces of sweat to the memory of those who had passed before us.
Good times…..good times….
Happy 236th Birthday US Marine Corps!
@Skookum: I was there in 1964. Third Btl. The brick buildings. Platoon 395.”Semper Fi”. By the way when is your book coming out?
Word Great post. To The Corps .Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to my fellow Marines!
Happy B-Day to the Marines from an Army guy.
My Dad was in the Marines during WWII. He saw the invasion of Okinawa and a lot of heavy fighting.
Happy Birthday Marines and thank you so much for being there for us all.
Poppa_T: Small world my friend. I too was at MCRD in Nov. ’82. Plt: 1107.
@Thor: Small world indeed Thor, I probably got there a couple of days before you I was in Plt 1105. Then eventually got assigned to VMFA 232 “Da Screw”