Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

United States Marine Corps

Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful)

— U.S.S. North Carolina —

United States Marine Corps Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. United States Marine Corps Marker

Inscription.

United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful). , First to Fight , On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to raise two battalions of Marines. Their mission was to serve as landing forces for the new American Navy, provide security for the ships and their crews, and protect officers from insurrection. During the Spanish-American War, Marines led U.S. forces ashore demonstrating their readiness for deployment and were soon sent overseas to protect American lives and interests. , , A Few Good Men , The Marines earned the reputation as fierce fighters during World War I. The 5th and 6th Regiments were named "Devil Dogs" for their heroic action at the Battle of Belleau Wood, France, in 1918. Following the war, the Marines developed the doctrine, equipment and organization needed for amphibious warfare. They were well tested during world war two. They played a central role in the Pacific Theater by participating in nearly every battle. By 1945, the Marine Corps was more than 475,000 strong with six divisions and five air wings. Growth continued and the Marine expeditionary forces have served in every U.S. military action worldwide to protect freedom and democracy. , , Soldiers of the Sea , Aboard the North Carolina, the 85-men Marine Detachment was part of the Gunnery Department. They manned 5-inch and 20mm guns, stood watches in Sky Control, guarded the brig, and provided ship security when in port. The Marines were also the Ship's landing force, a duty they fulfilled just before the end of the war. , (captions) , 1 An oil painting commissioned by the U.S. Navy 1973 depicts Continental Sailors, and Marines landing in the Bahamas in 1776. 2 Naval Captain Francis H. Washington stands in a fortified position with a 3-inch naval landing gun and Marine infantry, Camp Macalla Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 1898. , , 1 A Marines recruiting pamphlet, ca. 1940. 2 Marines of the 4th Division take control of Namur Island, part of the Marshall Islands, in January 1944. 3 Marines with the Lioness Program refill their rifle magazines during the live-fire portion of their training at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, 2006. , , 1 20mm gunners posed for Stars and Strips, March 1943. The Marines shot or assisted in shooting down about 20 planes. 2 While underway Marine officers stood watches in Sky Control. 3 In August 1943, the Marine detachment was transferred to troop transport ships and taken to the Yokosuka Naval Base as part of the Tokyo Bay Occupation Force (TF-31). , , Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division

First to Fight
On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to raise two battalions of Marines. Their mission was to serve as landing forces for the new American Navy, provide security for the ships and their crews, and protect officers from insurrection. During the Spanish-American War, Marines led U.S. forces ashore demonstrating their readiness for deployment and were soon sent overseas to protect American lives and interests.

A Few Good Men
The Marines earned the reputation as fierce fighters during World War I. The 5th and 6th Regiments were named "Devil Dogs" for their heroic action at the Battle of Belleau Wood, France, in 1918. Following the war, the Marines developed the doctrine, equipment and organization needed for amphibious warfare. They were well tested during WWII. They played a central role in the Pacific Theater by participating in nearly every battle. By 1945, the Marine Corps was more than 475,000 strong with six divisions and five air wings. Growth continued and the Marine expeditionary forces have served in every U.S. military action worldwide to protect freedom

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

and democracy.

Soldiers of the Sea
Aboard the North Carolina, the 85-men Marine Detachment was part of the Gunnery Department. They manned 5-inch and 20mm guns, stood watches in Sky Control, guarded the brig, and provided ship security when in port. The Marines were also the Ship's landing force, a duty they fulfilled just before the end of the war.
(captions)
1 An oil painting commissioned by the U.S. Navy 1973 depicts Continental Sailors, and Marines landing in the Bahamas in 1776. 2 Naval Captain Francis H. Washington stands in a fortified position with a 3-inch naval landing gun and Marine infantry, Camp Macalla Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 1898.

1 A Marines recruiting pamphlet, ca. 1940. 2 Marines of the 4th Division take control of Namur Island, part of the Marshall Islands, in January 1944. 3 Marines with the Lioness Program refill their rifle magazines during the live-fire portion of their training at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, 2006.

1 20mm gunners posed for Stars & Strips, March 1943. The Marines shot or assisted in shooting down about 20 planes. 2 While underway Marine officers stood watches in Sky Control. 3 In August 1943, the Marine detachment was transferred to troop transport ships and taken to the Yokosuka Naval Base as part of the Tokyo Bay Occupation Force (TF-31).

Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division

Erected by Lincoln

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. United States Marine Corps Marker

Hector and the USS North Carolina Battleship Association/Marvin Scorsone.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.

Location. 34° 14.221′ N, 77° 57.3′ W. Memorial is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It can be reached from Battleship Road NE, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1 Battleship Road NE, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Paid Advertisement

marker: A different marker also named United States Marine Corps (here, next to this marker); United States Navy (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Army (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named United States Army (within shouting distance of this marker); Focus on Foc’sle Equipment (within shouting distance of this marker); 1.1-inch Quadruple Mount Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Enemies No More (within shouting distance of this marker); 20mm Clipping Room (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. History of the Marine Corps. (Submitted on April 17, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The Official Web site of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. (Submitted on April 17, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.