Marine Corps/ Navy History

Lieutenant General Chesty Puller

Became the most decorated Marine in US history with 5 Navy Crosses and the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, serving across Haiti, Nicaragua, WWII, and the Korean War. Admired by his men by showing great concern for their total welfare and disregard for his own.

LT Presley O'Bannon

Fought in the war against the Barbary Pirates, led the assault on Derna, and was gifted a Mameluke sword for his actions.

Battle of Chapultepec

Resulted in 90% officer and NCO casualties and established the origin of the blood stripe worn on Dress Blue trousers.

Opha May Johnson

Became the first female Marine by joining the Marine Corps Reserve on August 13, 1918.

Montford Point Marines

Became the first African Americans to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps following executive order 8802 which banned racial discrimination in defense. Over 20,000 trained at a segregated facility in Montford Point, NC form 1942 to 1949 to pave the way for military integration.

John Basilone

Became the first enlisted Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in WWII for holding off a massive Japanese assault for two days. As a Marine machine gun section leader, he repaired weapons and supplied ammunition through enemy lines at the Battle of Guadalcanal, securing a key Pacific victory.

Major Samuel Nicholas

First Commandant of the USMC.

Brevet Brigadier General Archibald Henderson

5th commandant "Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps"; served as the longest-commanding Commandant and expanded the USMC mission to resemble its modern "force in readiness" status.

Major General John A. Lejeune

Served as the 13th Commandant, founded the Marine Corps birthday ball, and led the Army's 2nd Infantry Division in WWI.

General Eric M. Smith

Serves as the 39th and current Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Cpl Kyle Carpenter

Received the Medal of Honor as the youngest and most recent living recipient by protecting fellow marines from a grenade by driving on it during the War in Afghanistan in 2010.

Sgt Dakota Meyer

Received the Medal of Honor for the Battle of Ganjgal in 2009 by repeatedly driving through heavy fire no less than 5 times to rescue trapped personnel despite being wounded in the arm for the last two trips. First living Marine in 38yrs to receive MoH.

Cpl Jason Dunham

Received the Medal of Honor posthumously for shielding his squad from a grenade in Iraq in 2004, saving at least two other Marines.

COMMO Stephen Decatur

Served as the youngest captain in US history, famous for hand fighting against North African pirates during Barbary wars and blowing up the USS Philadelphia. Known for always looking out for the welfare of those serving under him.

VADM William Simms

Served as President of the Naval War College and oversaw naval shipping to Britain during the First World War.

FADD "Bull" Halsey

Commanded US Naval forces in the Pacific theater, known for his strategy of "Hit hard, hit fast, hit often!"

National Security Act of 1947

Established the DoD, a separate Department of the Air Force, the National Security Council, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to restructure military and intelligence agencies after WWII.

Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948

Signed by Harry S. Truman in 1948; granted women the right to serve as permanent, regular members of the U.S. military rather than temporary wartime volunteers.

Lifting of the ban on women in direct ground combat units (2013)

Allowed women to officially serve in combat roles.

John Paul Jones

Conducted daring raids against the British during the American Revolution and defeated the British frigate Serapis as captain of the Bonhomme Richard. "I have not yet begun to fight!'

COMMO Oliver Hazard Perry

Fought in the War of 1812, heroically transferring to the warship Niagara when his flagship, the Lawrence, was damaged during the Battle of Lake Erie to route the British. His letter to General William Henry Harrison reads "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

ADM David Farragut

Appointed as the first Admiral in the US Navy and led a bold victory at the Battle of Mobile Bay (which was blocked by underwater mines: "torpedoes") during the Civil War.

"Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"

CDR Howard Gilmore

WWII recipient of the Medal of Honor who sacrificed his life so his submarine could escape a Japanese convoy escort.