MARINE CORPS ORDERS No. 47 (Series 1921) HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS Washington, November 1, 1921
759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.
1. On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the 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.
2. The record of our corps is one which will 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 eras 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, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
3. In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our 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.
4. 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 have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the 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 men 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.
JOHN A. LEJEUNE, Major General Commandant 75705—21
November 10, 2025, 09:14 AM
BigSwede
November 10, 2025, 09:25 AM
SSgt USMC/Vet
Happy Birthday to all my fellow Marines Semper Fi
November 10, 2025, 03:12 PM
drill sgt
I wore the US Army uniform but can I still get a piece a slice of the birthday cake??????? ...... drill sgt.
November 10, 2025, 03:17 PM
rat2306
Broke out an MRE for dinner tonight; thinking of those Marines out on duty and away from home this day. Semper Fi to you for keeping watch.
November 10, 2025, 04:20 PM
sigmonkey
quote:
Originally posted by drill sgt: I wore the US Army uniform but can I still get a piece a slice of the birthday cake??????? ...... drill sgt.
Just pass, Army...
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא עוד
November 10, 2025, 06:53 PM
golddot
Happy Birthday Leathernecks !
thanks, shawn Semper Fi, ---->>> EXCUSE TYPOS<<<---
November 10, 2025, 07:08 PM
corsair
Happy Birthday Marines.....now get-off the grass!
November 10, 2025, 08:18 PM
mojojojo
The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution to raise two battalions of Continental Marines for service in the American Revolutionary War. These forces served as landing parties for the Continental Navy, and their first recruiting efforts took place at the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.
Since then the Marine Corps has been and still is America’s premier expeditionary force, ready to protect our Nation’s citizens and interests by air, land and sea, anywhere in the world.
The Marine Corps’ core values are honor, courage, and commitment. They are the standard that guides every Marine’s actions, bolster our resolve, and reinforce our innate resilience.
The fighting spirit of every Marine is proclaimed in our motto, Semper Fidelis - Latin for “Always Faithful." Semper Fidelis is used as a greeting, a motivation, and an expression that unites past and present Marines. During war or peacetime, Semper Fidelis speaks volumes.
To say that I'm proud to have served with the warrior elite - both past and present - is not just an understatement; it's humbling. To have earned the privilege to stand out in front of them as a Marine Officer, to have the honor to bear the weight of that exclusive charge and critical responsibility, and to live an unwavering commitment to a purpose greater than self, I count as the one of the most important achievements of my life.
You can take the man out of the Corps, but you can't take the Corps out of the man.
As I and my fellow Marines celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our beloved Corps, I want to wish each of them a heartfelt and sincere Semper Fi.
Heres to 250 more!
Icarus flew too close to the sun, but at least he flew.
November 10, 2025, 10:17 PM
PASig
November 11, 2025, 02:03 AM
benny6
What a party! I met some local marines tonight at a Tampa pub. Fun times!