No One Asked Me But… (November 10, 2021)

By DR. LARRY MOSES

No one asked me but… We are all aware of the fact that November 11 is Veteran’s Day. There will be articles in the paper, celebration covered by television and parades down the main streets of America in honor of our veterans. But many of you don’t know that November 10 is the 256th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

I salute all of my fellow veterans no matter which branch of service they belong to. However, I am a United States Marine and I would like to think the branch of service I chose is a little better than the others. Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen will unlikely argue that point, and they should.

But since it is the Marine Corps’ birthday, let me tell you a little about the military branch that has had a major influence in my life.

The Marine Corps was organized in 1775, by Captain Samuel Nickolas, appropriately enough at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1921, Commandant, Gen. John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. Gen. Lejeune’s order summarized the history, mission, and traditions of the Corps. It further directed that the order be read to all Marines on 10 November of each year to honor the founding of the Marine Corps. All good Marines know if the Commandant directs, it is done.

Thereafter, 10 November became a unique day for U.S. Marines throughout the world. In 1923, the Marine Barracks at Ft. Mifflin, Pennsylvania, staged a formal dance in honor of the November 10 date. The Marines at the Washington Navy Yard arranged a mock battle on the parade ground. At Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Marine baseball team played a Cuban team and won, nine to eight.

The first “formal” Birthday Ball took place in Philadelphia in 1925. Guests included the Commandant, the Secretary of War (in 1925, the term “politically correct” didn’t exist; it was Secretary of War, not Secretary of Defense), and a host of statesmen and elected officials. Prior to the Ball, Gen. Lejeune unveiled a memorial plaque at Tun Tavern. Then the entourage headed for the Benjamin Franklin Hotel and an evening of festivities and frolicking.

In 1952, the Commandant, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., formalized the cake-cutting ceremony and other traditional observances. Marine Corps policy now mandates that the first piece of cake must be presented to the oldest U.S. Marine present. The second piece goes to the youngest Marine. Until my son joined the Corps, I would get both the first and second piece for I was the oldest and youngest Marine at our family’s celebration.

Among the many such mandates is a solemn reading of the Commandant’s birthday message to the Corps.

This unique holiday for warriors is a day of camaraderie, a day to honor Corps and Country. Throughout the world on 10 November, U.S. Marines celebrate the birth of the Corps.

But let me say as a Marine, I like the cake part best. I saw a bumper sticker that stated, “Not as lean, not as mean but still a Marine.” My wife feels that is quite appropriate for me and said I don’t need any more cake.

The United States Marine Corps is a unique unit. The United States Air Force Chief of Staff would never be referred to as an Airman. The Chief of Naval Operations would never be called Sailor and the Commanding General of the United States Army would never be called Soldier, but the Commandant of the Marine Corps takes pride in the fact that he is often referred to as Marine.

My favorite Marine of all time is Sergeant Major Dan Daily. He is one of two Marines awarded the Medal of Honor twice. Daly was described by his fellow Medal of Honor double award recipient, Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler as, “The fightenist Marine I ever knew!”

In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, he received his first Medal of Honor for single-handedly defending his position against repeated attacks and inflicted casualties of around 200 on the attacking Boxers.

His second Medal of Honor came fifteen years later. On the night of October 24, 1915, he was part of a group of 35 Marines who were ambushed by a force of approximately 400 Haitian bandits. He led one of the three groups of men during the fight to reach a nearby fort, and was awarded the medal for his conspicuous actions.

A complete list of Sergeant Major Daly’s decorations and medals includes his two Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross; Distinguished Service Cross; three Letters of Commendation; Good Conduct Medal with two bronze stars; China Relief Expedition Medal; Philippine Campaign Medal; Expeditionary Medal with one bronze star; Mexican Service Medal; Haitian Campaign Medal; World War I Victory Medal with Aisne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive-Sector clasps; Medaille Militaire; Croix de Guerre with Palm; and the Fourragere (the last three awards from the French government). On several occasion Sgt. Major Daly was offered a commission, but, he always refused stating that he would rather be “an outstanding sergeant than just another officer”.

An Iraqi reporter showing his distain for America asked Secretary of State Colin Powell, “Isn’t it true that only thirteen percent of young Americans can locate Iraq on a map?”
“That may be true,” Powell snapped back. “You’re probably right. But unfortunately for you, all thirteen percent are Marines.”

Karen Aquilar worked at the U.S. Embassy, Mogadishu, Somalia in 1991. She told a story of when a mob appeared and told them to open the embassy or they would blow open the gates and kill everyone inside.

She related that they then looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, “Igaralli ahow,” which means “Excuse me, I didn’t really mean it, my mistake.”

Msgt. Thomas P. Bartlett said it best in the Leatherneck magazine: “You earned the title of Marine upon graduation from recruit training. It wasn’t willed to you; it isn’t a gift; it is not a government subsidy. Few can claim the title; no one may take it away. It is yours forever.”

On this Veteran’s Day let us honor our veterans of all branches of service for it is only right that we do so.

Thought of the week… I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.”
– Lee Greenwood