Sgt. Grit Community

Order of precedence when displaying miltitary flags together

In addition to belonging to the Marine Corps League, I also belong to an American Legion Post. Recently, our post purchased service flags to be displayed in the post home. I keep telling the former Navy members that the Marine Corps flag is displayed after the Army flag but before the Navy Flag. They have yet to get it through their head even after I have shown them a joint color guard with the Marine Corps flag after the Army and before the Navy, So I am taking this document to the next post meeting. DOD Directive 1005.8 spells it out and I have included some official scoop for all who read this column as this is a very very common mistake which is created in a lot of veteran organization homes: read more

An Early History of the USMC

After several attempts by the American colonies reconcile the Crown and the American people, the Colonial Congress decided to assume a more serious attitude. A congressional committee drafted a resolution that created a new unit: the Continental Marines. The entire legislative body approved the resolution on November 10, 1775, the celebrated birthday of the US Marines. Robert Mullan (owner of Tun Tavern, the Philadelphia inn where the original resolution was drafted) was named a Marine Captain, and Samuel Nicholas (owner of another local tavern) was designated commandant of the Continental Marines. read more

The Marines Hymn

Presley O’Bannon and his troops captured Derna, and we had “the shores of Tripoli.” Mexico and the taking of the Castle of Chapultepec gave us the “Halls.” The colors of the Corps carried those inscriptions, and we had the first stanza of the Hymn early in our history. read more

Update on the Korean War Service Medal
From an article by Mike Lazorchak in the
Marine Corps Times April 23,2001

Eligible veterans who served on the Korean Peninsula, flew over it or served in the waters adjacent to it at any time between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1953, still may apply for the Korean War Service Medal.

The Air Force, as the lead military agency, is accepting and approving applications and issuing the awards to veterans of all services. Applications, which must include a copy of DD Form 214 (discharge papers), may be sent to: read more

Lejern Lejeune Master Fall 2007 (.pdf document)

The common denominator of all Marine Corps virtues is “respect”. Therefore, it would, indeed, be difficult, if not impossible to find a Marine past or present who has earned our respect, more than Major General John Archer Lejeune, pronounced LeJERN. Every year Marines worldwide read, as ordered in November of 1921, General Lejeune’s (pronounced LeJERN) Birthday message which enhanced our much-envied 10 November tradition. read more

How do I obtain Platoon Photos?

MCRD San Diego:
The Yearbook Office keeps records for two years. For more information they can be contacted at (619) 296-3840.
To purchase Platoon Grad photos over the phone please call (619) 524-4426 or you may choose to purchase online, please visit the MCRD Museum Historical Society website. read more

The Marine Corps Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of thy presence and obedient to thy will.

Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate to those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold. read more

Religious Responses to Combat
Submitted by: Donald D. Denton Jr., D. Min

(Reprinted with permission from the 1st Marine Division Association’s The Old Breed News December 1996)

It is a distinct honor to speak with fellow Marines, especially because in this group there is a breadth of experience in the Corps which spans the sweep of contemporary Marine Corps history. Here in this room are men and women whose service exemplifies the globe- spanning image of our Corps, much of our experience coming deployed under arms and in harms way. It is because of this breadth of actual combat experience, I intend to speak with yourather than to youabout the religious nature of our experiences. Because we speak as fellow Marines and combat veterans, I will try to avoid the technical language of professional preachers. Rather, my hope is to provide all of us with helpful patterns to organize our responses to combat within a religious framework read more

U.S. Marine Corps Correct Order Of Ribbon Wear

Below is a list of Marine Corps Ribbons in the order of precedence (from top left). Visit our Ribbon Precedence Layout Page for an automatic layout of your personal ribbons.

Medal of Honor
Navy Cross
Defense Dist. Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion Of Merit
Distinguished Flying
Navy & Marine Corps Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Combat Action Medal
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Merit. Unit Commendation
Navy “E” Ribbon
Prisoner of War Medal
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
Selected Marine Corps Rsv. Med.
Marine Corps Exp. Medal
China Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Eur.- African-Mid East Campaign
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Navy Occupation Service
Medal for Humane Action
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Antarctica Service Medal
Armed Forces Exp. Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Kosovo Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary
Global War on Terrorism Service
Korean Defense Service
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Outstanding Volunteer Svc. Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Navy Arctic Service Ribbon
Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
Marine Security Guard Ribbon
Armed Forces Res. Medal
Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon
Foreign Decoration
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
Philippine Defense Ribbon
Philippine Liberation Ribbon
Philippine Independence Ribbon
United Nations Service Medal
United Nations Medal
NATO Medal
Multinational Force & Observers Medal
Inter-American Defense Board Medal
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait)
Republic of Korea Service read more

Story of the Stamp

The GySgt John Basilone Award for Courage and Commitment was first presented on Basilone Day 19 February 2004, at the Freedom Museum in Manassas, Virginia to Sergeant Major C.A. “Mack” McKinney [USMC ret]. Brooks Corely, at the time National Executive Director for the Marine Corps League was asked to choose to whom the award would be presented. The award was presented by the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major Estrada. read more