This article was originally published in the November 2014 issue of Leatherneck Magazine. Between its recognizable melody and iconic lyrics, "The Marines' Hymn" is arguably the most well-known of the U.S. military songs. For Marines both past and present, the...
There is a distinct gravity that commands the air around a U.S. Marine Corps memorial.Time seems to slow its heavy march. Voices drop to a murmur, and strangers fall into a kind of synchronized silence. Some stand still before the...
By: LtCol Brad Anderson, USMC (Ret) and Katie Cashwell
While locked at the position of attention, the Crucible completed, standing in formation sweaty, sandy, exhausted and hungry yet beaming with pride, few Marines can forget the first time they sang “The Marines’ Hymn.” After weeks enduring hard training, long...
In October 2021, brothers Gerry and Rudy Gonzalez stood watching in rapt attention the men surrounding them. Many years younger than the rest, the brothers captured the moment on film as the Vietnam War veterans solemnly performed a ceremony of...
Executive Editor’s note: The following article received third place in the 2024 Leatherneck Magazine Writing Contest. The award is provided through an endowment by the...
Editor's note: This story was originally published in the September 2011 issue of Leatherneck Magazine. Marine Major Robert J. Darling sat glued to the TV...
Executive Editor’s note: The following article received second place in the 2024 Leatherneck Magazine Writing Contest. The award is provided through an endowment by the...
On Aug. 7, 2004, the Marines and Mahdi Militia brawling over Najaf steeled themselves for the battle’s next phase. After two days of harrowing conflict...
Editor's note: This story originally appeared in the September 2020 issue of Leatherneck Magazine. It is being re-published in honor of Victory Over Japan Day...
Editor’s note: The following article received an honorable mention in the 2022 Leatherneck Writing Contest. It is being re-published in honor of National Purple Heart...
Editor's note: This story originally was published in June of 2018. It was re-published in recognition of National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July...
Executive Editor’s note: The following article received first place in the 2024 Leatherneck Magazine Writing Contest. The award is provided through an endowment by the...
Author’s note: This month marks the 20th anniversary of the battle in Najaf, Iraq, fought by the warriors of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1st Battalion,...