The history of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) is built on tenacity. A handful of bedraggled and unappreciated ships' guards known as Continental Marines who fought during the American Revolution nearly 240 years ago grew to become a superb, multifunctional, ready-response force combining ground, air, and sea power. The USMC's history has never been smooth. Along with fighting on distant shores, the US Marines have had to fight battles on the home front against politicians and interservice rivals. The constant pressure to be the best created a special bond - a fellowship of valor - that has made marines determined fighters, continuously modifying their doctrine to respond to the current and evolving global war on terrorism. Not just a recap of the storied history of the US Marines, the Corps exploits since 2007 up to today are profiled in an all-new chapter by USMC historian Dick Camp. Marines : an illustrated history profiles the colorful and important history of this esteemed branch of the United States military from its humble beginnings to its present-day operations around the world. -- From the back cover.

First edition published in 2007.

Birth of the Corps 1775-1815 -- A century of development 1814-1898 -- The challenging years 1898-1940 -- Crisis in the Pacific 1941-1943 -- Island-hopping in the Pacific 1943-1945 -- Cold War: Korea 1945-1960 -- Cold War: Vietnam 1961-2006 -- Moving toward the future -- Sustaining the force in the twenty-first century.