"Resolved, that two Battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one
Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors & Officers as usual in
other regiments, that they consist of an equal number of privates with
other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be
appointed to office or inlisted into said Battalions, but such as are
good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to
serve to advantage by sea, when required. That they be inlisted and
commissioned for and during the present war with Great Britain and the
colonies, unless dismissed by Congress. That they be distinguished by
the names of the first & second battalions of American Marines, and
that they be considered a part of the number, which the continental
Army before Boston is ordered to consist of."

Resolution of the Continental Congress on 10 November 1775

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"Marines have a cynical approach to war. They believe in three things;
liberty, payday and that when two Marines are together in a fight, one
is being wasted. Being a minority group militarily, they are proud and
sensitive in their dealings with other military organizations. A
Marine’s concept of a perfect battle is to have other Marines on the
right and left flanks, Marine aircraft overhead and Marine artillery
and naval gunfire backing them up."

War correspondent Ernie Pyle, killed on Ie Shima, Ryukyu Archipelago,
1945

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"We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the
northern half of the island, and three Army regiments pinned down in
the southwest corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on?"

Gen John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman JCS, during the assault on
Grenada, 1983

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtorKpNdoqo

Semper Fi.