Hard Core Marines

13th Commandant Marine Corps, author of birthday message read every Marine Corps Birthday Ball

Battle of Tenaru,  Battle of Guam. Commanded 1st Marine Division during invasion of Okinawa. 

Patron of naval & amphibious recon, first American flag over Spanish soil Spanish–American War

First Marine Ace (18.5 victories), member of Cactus Air Force, first Marine helicopter pilot

Commanded 2nd Marine Raider Battalion WWII , the "Long Patrol" (Guadalcanal), coined "Gung-ho",

WW2 Korea Vietnam. Visionary author of First to Fight. New concepts Landing craft & helicopters

Parachuted into France to aid the Resistance (WW2), recipient of two Navy Cross Medals

Vietnam sniper nicknamed "White Feather" by North Vietnamese Army, Bounty of US $30,000

 Born in Croatia, awarded Navy & Army Medals of Honor Battle of Soissons World War I

First Commandant of the Marine Corps

Marine sniper with most confirmed kills, all occurring during the Vietnam War

MoH, 2 Navy Crosses, Silver Star, 2 Legions of Merit. WW1. Nicaragua. CO 1st Raider Bn. WW2.

Only Marine aviator to achieve ace both WWII & Korean War; remains only Marine jet aircraft ace

Received the most Purple Hearts, nine. 5 in WW2 (Pacific), 4 in Korea. Two Bronze Star Medals

1st Marine Corps aviator & Director of Marine Corps Aviation, helped create Advanced Base Force

Awarded 2 Medals of Honor for different acts of heroism, outspoken critic of war profiteers,

Spoke Japanese.  Adopted family put in relocation camp. Responsible for surrender of over 1,000

Accurately predicted the bloody Pacific War two decades before it began. Scouted Micronesia.

 Medal of Honor recipient who commanded the famous "Black Sheep Squadron" (VMA-214) during WWII

 "Grand old man of the Marine Corps," longest-serving Commandant of the Marine Corps 1820–1859

Most-decorated Marine in history including five Navy Crosses & Army Distinguished Service Cross

"Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?" Battle of Belleau Wood WWI. 2x MoH

Guadalcanal beaches August 7, 1942. He was 52 years old. Legendary with 60- and 81-mm mortars

Famous for exploits in First Barbary War (Tripoli), presented a sword now part of dress uniform