Marine Leatherneck Tartan
First in Last Out
In 1775, the Continental Congress created two federal
battalions of marines to serve as naval infantry. In 1798, the United States
Marine Corps was established and placed under the control of the Secretary of
the Navy. Marines have participated in every major war, especially the Mexican
War; World War I; World War II; the Korean War; and the Vietnam War. They have
developed expertise in counterinsurgency and guerrilla warfare, as well as in
commando operations and amphibious warfare. Marine units are self-sufficient,
with their own tanks and other armor, artillery, and air forces.
