United States Marine Corps

#OTD in 1953, after three years of continuous conflict on the Korean Peninsula, an Armistice was signed between the United States on behalf of the United Nations Command, the People's Republic of China, and North Korea. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when 75,000 soldiers from North Korea crossed the 38th parallel, invading South Korea. Two days after the invasion, the United States officially entered the conflict. The United States fought alongside South Korea and a coalition of forces from the United Nations until the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement and the cessation of active conflict on July 27, 1953. 42 #Marines and 5 US Navy Corpsmen earned the #MedalofHonor for their exceptional valor during the conflict. Over 36,000 U.S. troops were killed in action. The efforts and sacrifice of the coalition troops led to a free and open democracy in South Korea that stands strong to this day. #USMCHistory

Good Luck, Team USA! 🇺🇸 Representing our nation is a weight that the #MarineCorps understands well, and we know that our team will continue our country's illustrious history of victory. Semper Fidelis! #Paris2024

Happy Birthday, Corporal Watkins! 🎉 📍 Dallas, Texas (July 19, 2024) #MarineCorps Corporal David S. Watkins, retired, celebrates his 100th birthday. He was joined in celebration by the #Marines of 8th Marine Corps District. David is a World War II veteran and has served in various campaigns in countries that include Guam, the Philippines, Japan, and the Marshall Islands. He was a tanker and displayed an overwhelming amount of courage and endured hardships to serve his country. 📷 Marine Sgt. Webster Rison #MarinesoftheCorps

Meeting with Marines 📍 Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, speaks to Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division during a visit. General Smith visited the battalion during a Command Post Exercise to observe their training, speak with Marines, and recognize their accomplishments. 📷 Marine Staff Sgt. Kelsey Dornfeld

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the United States Mint unveiled a trio of commemorative coin designs honoring the 250 years of Marine Corps service and sacrifice during a minting ceremony on July 17, 2024, at the National Museum of The Marine Corps. “Next year will mark 250 years of the Marine Corps making Marines and winning battles on behalf of our great Nation,” said the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith. “These coins represent the cultural significance of our Corps and will directly contribute to the telling of our history and preserving our institution in the hearts of future generations.” The last coin minted in honor of the Marine Corps was for the Corps’ 230th anniversary in 2005, and the generated funds enabled the construction of the NMMC, where the 250th commemorative coins were officially revealed. “This is a way for everyone in America to recognize the importance of 250 years of what the Marine Corps means to this country,” said retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James W. Lukeman, the president and CEO of the MCHF. The images on the coins, he said, cover 250 years of “every Marine is a rifleman.” The gold coin depicts the Marine Corps Color Guard while the flag raising of Iwo Jima is on the silver coin, and the clad coin features two Marines: one dons the continental uniform of 1775 with a musket, and the other in modern-day camouflage utilities wielding an M4 service rifle. On July 26, 2023, President Joe Biden signed into law the 250th Marine Corps Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act following its passing through Congress, authorizing the minting of over 1 million commemorative coins. “It’s so special for each of us, because there is so much care that goes into the design of these coins,” said Kristie McNally, the deputy director of U.S. Mint, regarding all the people involved in the design process of the coins. “It’s exciting to actually get to share them with the public.” All surcharges generated from coin sales will support the MCHF and the NMMC’s future educational, historical, and cultural programs that preserve, showcase, and educate the public on Marine Corps history, traditions, and culture. The commemorative coins become a part of next year’s national celebration of the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary, and this set will be the only commemorative coins minted in 2025. Specifically, the signed legislation authorized the U.S. Department of the Treasury to mint 50,000 five-dollar coins, 400,000 one-dollar coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. “I am grateful to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, congressional leaders, and all those who made this coin possible,” said Smith. “We are honored that they would bestow this symbol of appreciation upon us.”

A U.S. Marine Forces Reserve support squadron led repairs at the Marine Corps’ largest expeditionary landing airfield for Integrated Training Exercise 4-24 and other iterations of the same exercise for the active component at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, June 10-26. The #Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 471, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve endured the relentless desert sun and daily highs nearing 110 degrees to repair 6,400 square feet of the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field (SELF). The SELF is the Air-Ground Combat Center’s only airfield and is operated by Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC). Maintaining an expeditionary landing field in an austere environment is challenging but necessary to enable visiting Marine units to incorporate air operations into their ground maneuver for true combined arms training. “The SELF serves as the Marine Corps’ and really the United States Department of Defense's training venue for expeditionary flight operations,” said Lt. Col. Nathaniel Griggs, the deputy director for MAGTFTC. “It allows the #MarineCorps during each ITX to build an operable MAGTF in a training environment that can support all model series aircrafts and joint operations.” MWSSs are responsible for maintaining the SELF and ensuring it is operable for exercises such as ITX. ITX is a live-fire and maneuver exercise for both Active and Reserve Components designed to train battalion and squadron-sized units in the tactics, techniques, and procedures essential for maintaining an operational fighting force. This year more than 4,000 Reserve Marines gathered for ITX 4-24 to form MAGTF 23. “It takes specialized skills to build, operate and maintain an airfield,” said Lt. Col. Jason Smedley, commanding officer of MWSS 471, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "Having a unit with the sole purpose of maintaining the landing field creates a subject-matter expertise within the MAGTF and allows the tasks to be accomplished faster and with greater precision”.

Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will train and operate in and around the Hawaiian Islands during the exercise, which runs until Aug. 1. RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. “The Rim of the Pacific exercise has grown over the years to be the world’s largest and premier joint combined maritime training opportunity," said Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. "The exercise’s purpose is to build relationships, to enhance interoperability and proficiency and, ultimately, contribute to the peace and stability in the vitally-important Indo-Pacific region.” The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota will serve as the vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of the Royal Canadian Navy, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise DesJardins of the Royal Australian Air Force, who will command the air component. This year’s RIMPAC will host its largest humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise with eight countries, five ships, five landing craft, five aircraft, multiple land forces, and over 2,500 total participants including the statewide Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management exercise. During RIMPAC, participating forces integrate and exercise a wide range of capabilities, from disaster relief to maritime security operations, and from sea control to complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic preparation and training syllabus includes amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defense exercises, as well as military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations. With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multinational cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared, coalition partners. #Marines

106th Anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood #Marines, French, and German service members commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, France, May 26. The Battle of Belleau Wood was one of the largest and bloodiest battles Marines fought in WWI. 📷 Marine Cpl. Jacob Richardson

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 In the words of President Thomas Jefferson, "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance." Since our nation's founding, the U.S. Marine Corps has stood guard on the leading edge of our nation's defense, ensuring the safety and security that grant us the privileges of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. #July4th #USA #USMC

Marines, The 4th of July is the perfect time to really appreciate the great things we have as Americans, and you know full well that what we have here in this country is very precious. Cherish this holiday by having a great and safe time with your friends and family – keeping your honor clean. Happy Independence Day and Semper Fi.