How the Few Became the Proud


Book Description

For more than half of its existence, members of the Marine Corps largely self-identified as soldiers. It did not yet mean something distinct to be a Marine, either to themselves or to the public at large. As neither a land-based organization like the Army nor an entirely sea-based one like the Navy, the Corps' missions overlapped with both institutions. This work argues that the Marine Corps could not and would not settle on a mission, and therefore it turned to an image to ensure its institutional survival. The process by which a maligned group of nineteenth-century naval policemen began to consider themselves to be elite warriors benefited from the active engagement of Marine officers with the Corps' historical record as justification for its very being. Rather than look forward and actively seek out a mission that could secure their existence, late nineteenth-century Marines looked backward and embraced the past. They began to justify their existence by invoking their institutional traditions, their many martial engagements, and their claim to be the nation's oldest and proudest military institution. This led them to celebrate themselves as superior to soldiers and sailors. Although there are countless works on this hallowed fighting force, How the Few Became the Proud is the first to explore how the Marine Corps crafted such powerful myths.




Proud to Be a Marine


Book Description

Celebrate the Legacy of the Marines Behind one of the most celebrated military branches in America are the often little-known actions of its brave warriors. Proud to be a Marine amplifies the human voices amidst the cannon blasts and gun fire — from the American Revolution to modern day — and provides fresh insight that will inspire and excite those interested in the proud legacy of the Marines... This one of a kind collection includes: Union Corporal John Mackie's historic rallying cry as he earned the first ever Medal of Honor for a Marine The daring actions of Captain Bill Hawkins, the first Marine to step foot on Guadalcanal ROTC Cadet Vernice Armour's inspiring rise from police officer to first African-American female combat pilot in the history of the United States Marines From the shores of Tripoli to the careful action against deadly IEDs in the Middle East, the anecdotal back stories of these upstanding Marines are proof they have always been ready, and always the "First to Fight."




One Bullet Away


Book Description

An ex-Marine captain shares his story of fighting in a recon battalion in both Afghanistan and Iraq, beginning with his brutal training on Quantico Island and following his progress through various training sessions and, ultimately, conflict in the deadliest conflicts since the Vietnam War.




Making the Corps


Book Description

Inside the marine corps and what it takes to become "One of the few, the proud, the Marines."




The Pink Marine


Book Description

The Pink Marine is the story-full of hilarity and heartbreak-of how a teenage boy who struggles with self-acceptance and doesn't fit the traditional definition of masculinity finds acceptance and self-worth in Marine Corps boot camp. When Greg Cope White's best friend tells him he's spending his summer in Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, all Greg hears is 'summer' and 'camp'. Despite dire warnings from his friend, Greg vows to join him in recruit training. He's eighteen, underweight, he's never run a mile-and he's gay. Greg's sheltered life hadn't prepared him for military service. A prince out of water, he packed five suitcases since he'd never been away from home for thirteen weeks. The U.S. Marines stripped him from all of that, shaved his head and put a rifle in his hands. At first he struggles to keep up, and afraid his secret will be discovered. But midway through, the desire to survive and become a Marine trumps fear. He learns that everyone, just like in the real world, comes into the service feeling 'different'; possibly prejudged for the color of their skin, their weight, their poverty--some have even chosen boot camp over jail. Can a flighty, 112-pound, unmanly Texan transform into one of the few, the proud, the Marines? Will Greg even survive?




Inside Marine One


Book Description

Col. Ray "Frenchy" L'Heureux always dreamed of bring a pilot. Growing up, he built airplane models and dreamed about soaring over the earth. When he was twelve, his mom treated him to a flying lesson at the local airfield. Taken on a short flight by an instructor and allowed to operate the controls for part of the flight, he was hooked forever. It wasn't until he was running low on college funds and saw a recruiter at his college that he joined the Marines and began the journey towards his dream from Parris Island to Bravo Company and, then, officer training school. One day at an airfield when President Reagan landed on this way to a fundraiser, Frenchy's life changed forever when encountered HMX1, the squadron that flies the President in Marine One. When he saw the white-topped Sea King and White Hawk helicopters, he was determined to become part of that elite group. Inside Marine One is Col. L'Heureux's inspiring story of a young man who dreamed of flying, trained, studied and worked hard to become the pilot who ended up serving four US Presidents - George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. It's also a personal guided tour inside the world's most famous helicopter by a man who knows that flying machine better than any other. Inside Marine One is a great American success story of a young boy who dreamed big, worked hard and finally flew the President of the United States as his number one passenger.




Free a Marine to Fight


Book Description

Marines in World War 2 Commemorative Series. Discusses how women Marines served in noncombat billets during World War 2. The title "Free a Marine to Fight" means that women Marines served in noncombat jobs so that male Marines could fight in battles. The Marines first began to recruit women after the Guadalcanal campaign in 1942. States that 17,672 women were serving in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in June 1945. Illustrated with many black and white photographs.




Mere Chance


Book Description

There are those times in life when an unexpected encounter occurs... a “Mere Chance” meeting that might mean nothing or result in something else ... even unknowing diabolical results. And that is exactly what happens to the brilliant Bryan Ashford in this ... Greatest Generation story ... to achieve the American dream! Set during the aftermath of World War II and the emergence of the Cold War, Mere Chance is a riveting, action thriller involving an ongoing struggle between the unsuspecting Bryan Ashford, formerly assigned to the Manhattan Project, and the ruthless, deadly Angelo Martino, a powerful Mafia leader. Intermixed with Bryan's quest for corporate success and the behind the scenes manipulation of Martino is political intrigue at the highest levels encompassing espionage, tragedy, revenge, and death along with Ashford's personal relationships including with his devoted wife and a famous movie actress. The reader will also experience many aspects of the very patriotic Greatest Generation ... that every succeeding generation should never forget. Mere Chance grabs the reader from the start... Never Letting Go!




Once a Marine


Book Description

The Silver Star–awarded marine chronicles his service in Iraq in this “transcendent memoir of military service and its personal consequences” (Ralph Peters, Lt. Col., ret., author of Looking For Trouble). In April, 2003, an AP photographer captured a striking image seen around the world of Gunny Sergeant Nick Popaditch smoking a victory cigar in his tank, the haunting statue of Saddam Hussein hovering in the background. Though immortalized in that moment as “The Cigar Marine,” Popaditch’s fighting was far from over. The following year, he fought heroically in the battle for Fallujah and suffered grievous head wounds that left him legally blind and partially deaf. But he faced the toughest fight of his life when he returned home: the battle to remain the man and Marine he was. At first, Nick fights to get back to where he was in Iraq-in the cupola of an M1A1 main battle tank, leading Marines in combat. As the seriousness and permanence of his disabilities become more evident, Nick fights to remain in the Corps in any capacity and help his brothers in arms. Then, following a medical retirement, he battles for rightful recognition and compensation for his disabilities. Throughout his harrowing ordeal, Nick fights to maintain his honor and loyalty, waging all these battles the same way—the Marine way—because anything less would be a betrayal of all he holds dear.