The US Marine Corps, known for its storied history spanning over 200 years, holds its legacy of bravery and the cherished traditions of its iconic leathernecks in high esteem. Yet, like any long-lasting military organization, it has also become the subject of various myths and exaggerated tales. Here are some stories about the USMC that, when scrutinized, turn out to be nothing more than myths!
The 4th Marine Regiment isn’t banished overseas
Throughout the history of the US Marine Corps, there’s been a persistent belief that the 4th Marine Regiment’s deployment overseas was not a voluntary decision but rather a form of exile. According to the story, after Col. Sam Howard ordered the Marines to destroy their regimental and national colors following their surrender to the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942, the regiment was allegedly barred from returning to the United States.
Since the Second World War, rumors have circulated that the 4th Marines are doomed to traverse the Pacific as punishment for their perceived dishonor of surrendering. However, this claim is unfounded. The regiment has been reinvented, disbanded and reactivated many times over the years, always showcasing bravery. Additionally, they have incorporated battalions from the mainland United States into their ranks as part of their mission to protect maritime interests.
The ‘Devil Dogs’ nickname didn’t actually come from the Germans
The moniker “Devil Dogs” – or “Teufel Hunden,” in German – encapsulates much of what the US Marine Corps is about; it hints at the ferocity and toughness of the service. According to legend, German soldiers gave Marines the moniker during the First World War, having been impressed by their drive during Battle of Belleau Wood.
It’s undoubtedly impressive to receive this sort of nickname from an enemy combatant. However, upon further investigation, the rumors don’t appear to be true.
Patrick Mooney, a representative from the National Museum of the Marine Corps, is reported as saying, “We have no proof that it came from German troops though tradition says it came from German troops referring to Marines. There is no written document in German that says that the Marines are Devil Dogs or any correct spelling or language component of ‘Devil Dog’ in German.”
It also appears that the nickname for the USMC had appeared in print before the Battle of Belleau Wood.
Has the US Marine Corps ever surrendered to the enemy?
There is non-stop competition between all branches of the US military, and the US Marine Corps is often thought of as the fiercest group. To promote this idea, recruits and trainees are often told Marines have never surrendered on the battlefield. However, this is untrue.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, a small group of Marines fell under siege on Wake Island, a tiny atoll in the Pacific. For two weeks, the group fought tenaciously; they were able to sink enemy ships and destroy aircraft.
In the end, however, they didn’t have the numbers to compete with the Japanese, and the group’s commander, Maj. James Devereux, surrendered on December 23, 1941. A film about the heroism of these Marines on Wake Island was released the following year.
Commemorating the Battle of Chapultepec
The Battle of Chapultepec in 1847 is one of the most famous in US Marine Corps history. Occurring during the Mexican-American War, it saw US troops attempt to enter Mexico City, and the fight is an important part of American and Mexican history.
In Mexico, Niños Héroes, six cadets who refused to surrender to the Americans, are revered. The engagement was also legendary for the United States. Despite being outnumbered, the American forces were victorious. The battle’s memorialized in the opening lines of the Marines’ Hymn.
According to legend, the blood-red stripe on the USMC’s dress blues honors the battle. That story, however, is untrue. It turns out that Marines had sported the stripe years before the engagement happened, with Beth L. Crumley of the US Marine Corps History Division telling We Are The Mighty, “While a wonderful story, and one that is taught to incoming recruits, it is only a story.”
The US Marine Corps’ actually birthday
The date of the birth of the US Marine Corps is highly disputed. The service was formed for the first time in 1775. The Continental Congress created two battalions to serve in the Revolutionary War. However, once the conflict was over, they were disbanded.
Between 1783 and ’98, there was no USMC. On July 11, 1798, the service was officially formed through an act of Congress, and for the next century, this date was recognized as its birthday.
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In November 1921, however, Gen. John A. Lejeune issued an order making November 10, 1775, the USMC’s official creation date. While the order was technically correct, there are 15 years where Marines didn’t serve the United States.
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