For more than half of its existence, members of the Marine Corps largely self-identified as soldiers. It did not yet mean something distinct to be a Marine, either to themselves or to the public at large. As neither a land-based organization like the Army nor an entirely sea-based one like the Navy, the Corps' missions overlapped with both institutions. This work argues that the Marine Corps could not and would not settle on a mission, and therefore it turned to an image to ensure its institutional survival. The process by which a maligned group of nineteenth-century naval policemen began to consider themselves to be elite warriors benefited from the active engagement of Marine officers with the Corps' historical record as justification for its very being. Rather than look forward and actively seek out a mission that could secure their existence, late nineteenth-century Marines looked backward and embraced the past. They began to justify their existence by invoking their institutional traditions, their many martial engagements, and their claim to be the nation's oldest and proudest military institution. This led them to celebrate themselves as superior to soldiers and sailors. Although there are countless works on this hallowed fighting force, How the Few Became the Proud is the first to explore how the Marine Corps crafted such powerful myths.

Celebrate the Legacy of the Marines Behind one of the most celebrated military branches in America are the often little-known actions of its brave warriors. Proud to be a Marine amplifies the human voices amidst the cannon blasts and gun fire — from the American Revolution to modern day — and provides fresh insight that will inspire and excite those interested in the proud legacy of the Marines... This one of a kind collection includes: Union Corporal John Mackie's historic rallying cry as he earned the first ever Medal of Honor for a Marine The daring actions of Captain Bill Hawkins, the first Marine to step foot on Guadalcanal ROTC Cadet Vernice Armour's inspiring rise from police officer to first African-American female combat pilot in the history of the United States Marines From the shores of Tripoli to the careful action against deadly IEDs in the Middle East, the anecdotal back stories of these upstanding Marines are proof they have always been ready, and always the "First to Fight."

There are those times in life when an unexpected encounter occurs... a “Mere Chance” meeting that might mean nothing or result in something else ... even unknowing diabolical results. And that is exactly what happens to the brilliant Bryan Ashford in this ... Greatest Generation story ... to achieve the American dream! Set during the aftermath of World War II and the emergence of the Cold War, Mere Chance is a riveting, action thriller involving an ongoing struggle between the unsuspecting Bryan Ashford, formerly assigned to the Manhattan Project, and the ruthless, deadly Angelo Martino, a powerful Mafia leader. Intermixed with Bryan's quest for corporate success and the behind the scenes manipulation of Martino is political intrigue at the highest levels encompassing espionage, tragedy, revenge, and death along with Ashford's personal relationships including with his devoted wife and a famous movie actress. The reader will also experience many aspects of the very patriotic Greatest Generation ... that every succeeding generation should never forget. Mere Chance grabs the reader from the start... Never Letting Go!

On Friday, November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress approved a resolution for the organization of the Corps, creating what would become the hallowed few, the proud--the Marines. Since then, the men and women of the United States Marine Corps have created the finest traditions of service and honor, and supplied a pantheon of heroes who have upheld them. In The Greatest U.S. Marine Stories Ever Told, editor Iain Martin has accumulated these marines' most amazing true tales of service and sacrifice, from the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, to the conflicts where they serve today.

An ex-Marine captain shares his story of fighting in a recon battalion in both Afghanistan and Iraq, beginning with his brutal training on Quantico Island and following his progress through various training sessions and, ultimately, conflict in the deadliest conflicts since the Vietnam War.