When you hear the words “Marine Corps University,” do you think of brick buildings on a campus at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.? Or, do you see a place where noncommissioned officers and officers attend class and complete assignments in order to reach their professional military education (PME) goals? Well, the Marine Corps University (MCU) is more than a physical location; it’s also a virtual place on the Internet at www.mcu.usmc.mil.
With the touch of your fingers, you can gain access to the history of the United States Marine Corps and glimpses of some Marines, from privates to Commandants, who helped create the legend of the Corps.
The History Division of MCU researches and writes the Marine Corps’ official history, provides reference and research assistance, preserves personal experiences and observations through oral history interviews and deploys field historians to record history in the making. The Web page www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/ has many resources on the heritage and history of the Corps.
Did you know that on March 11, 1778, before John Adams became the second President of the United States, while on a trip to France he joined with Marines on the deck of the frigate Boston to help capture the British merchant ship Martha? This piece of Marine Corps history, as well as many other snapshots, can be found on “This Month in History.”
Have you heard of Fortitudine Punch, or do you know the rules and traditions for a mess night? You can read an entertaining history of Marine Corps mess nights and find several recipes for rum punch, including Fortitudine Punch, on the History Division’s Web page under “Customs and Traditions.”
What does the unit streamer for the Quasi War with France look like? Or the streamer for operations against West Indian pirates? You also can see a graphic of those and all other unit streamers on the “Customs and Traditions” Web page.
Did you know that a Marine corporal deserted before he could be awarded a Medal of Honor? Look for Corporal Charles Brown in the “Medal of Honor” section. You can find out where, when and how Brown earned the Medal of Honor and why he didn’t stick around to receive the medal. Hint: It was during the Korean War, but not the one you might think.
What is the “Bended Knee Speech”? You can read the speech, find out who gave it, and to whom on the History Division’s “Historical Documents, Orders and Speeches” Web page (www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/speeches.htm).
Did you know that General John A. Lejeune wrote a letter expressing the need for all Marines to be kindly and just? His letter can be found on the “Historical Documents, Orders and Speeches” site. Look for “Kindly and Just.”
The National Museum of the Marine Corps (www.usmcmuseum.com) is also a part of the Marine Corps University. This amazing museum has a presence on the Web as well as on the grounds at Quantico. Through its Web site you can discover some of the heritage of the Corps.
All Marines know what “8th and I” is. But who won the competition to create the plan for the Barracks and the Commandant’s house at 8th and I Streets, Washington, D.C., and what was he paid? The answer can be found in the “Lore of the Corps” on the museum’s Web site.
Where did the tune for “The Marines’ Hymn” originate? It was from a popular 19th century comic opera. You can find out the name of the opera and its composer on the museum’s “Lore of the Corps” site.
You can find out why and when the Marine Corps won an Academy Award and see a photo of the golden statue in the “Iconic Artifacts” section of the Web site.
These are just a few of the stories, facts and legends available by visiting the Marine Corps University Web pages. The MCU Web site also offers information about the colleges, schools and organizations of the Marine Corps University as well as many valuable sites for researchers.
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