ON NOVEMBER 1ST, 1921, JOHN A. LEJEUNE, 13TH COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS, DIRECTED THAT A REMINDER OF THE HONORABLE SERVICE OF THE CORPS BE PUBLISHED BY EVERY COMMAND, TO ALL MARINES THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE, ON THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CORPS. SINCE THAT DAY, THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR CORPS HAVE CONTINUED TO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES ON MANY BATTLEFIELDS AND FOREIGN SHORES, IN WAR AND PEACE. ON THIS BIRTHDAY OF THE CORPS, THEREFORE, IN RECOGNITION OF THE WILL OF THE 13TH COMMANDANT, A REMINDER OF THE CORPS' HONORABLE SERVICE IS PUBLISHED AS FOLLOWS:
“On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date many thousands of men have borne that name Marine. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
The record of our Corps is one which bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres, and in every corner of the seven seas so that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
In every battle and skirmish since the Birth of the Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation and has long been the distinguishing mark of Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the me of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps.”
THE TIMELESS MESSAGE OF OUR 13TH COMMANDANT HAS LEFT ITS MARK IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF ALL MARINES, PAST AND PRESENT. BY DEED AND ACT FROM BELLEAU WOOD TO THE ARGONNE, FROM GUADALCANAL TO IWO JIMA,FROM INCHON TO THE KOREAN ARMISTICE, FROM THE HARD FIGHTS IN VIETNAM TO DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM TO THIS CENTURY'S LONGEST WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, AND IN HUNDREDS OF OTHER PLACES WHERE MARINES HAVE DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES, MARINES HAVE CONTINUED TO EPITOMIZE THOSE QUALITIES WHICH ARE THEIR LEGACY. THE SUCCESS WHICH THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE EARNED THE TITLE MARINE HAVE ACHIEVED IN COMBAT AND THE FAITH THEY HAVE BORNE IN PEACE WILL ENDURE FOREVER. THE COMMANDANT AND OUR MANY FRIENDS HAVE ADDED THEIR HEARTY PRAISE AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS, OUR 245TH BIRTHDAY.