Colfax near Kernersville in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
United States Marine Corps Memorial
Semper fidelis
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. Marines don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan
1775 The Second Continental Congress resolves that two battalions of Marines be raised. Recruiting begins at Tun Tavern. Marines participate throughout the Revolutionary War.
1801 Marine Band performs at the White House and becomes known as "The President's Own."
1801-1805 Lt. O'Bannon's attack on Tripoli is recorded in the Marines' Hymn, "To the shores of Tripoli." He is presented a Mameluke Sword which is still carried by Marine officers.
1846 Mexican American War action inspires "From the halls of Montezuma in the Marines' Hymn.
1853 Marines accompany Matthew Perry as he opens trade with Japan.
1868 The Eagle Globe and Anchor the official Marines Corps emblem.
1880 John Philip Sousa is appointed 17th leader of the Marine Band.
1898 Marines land in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to secure a coaling station for US Navy Operations in the Caribbean and Central America and continue until 1938 in what becomes known as the Banana Wars.
1900 Mames defend the Legation Quarter in Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion.
1903 Major John A. Lejeune lands in Panama ensuring its independence from Columbia.
1912 1st Lt. Alfred Cunningham becomes the Marines' first aviator.
1917 The 5th Marines sail to France to participate in World War I. Heavy fighting in Belleau Wood, Soissons, Saint Mihiel, Blanc Mont and Meuse Argonne earn Marines their nickname "Devil Dogs."
1933 Marines at Quantico, Virginia begin work on "Tentative Landing Operations Manual, which leads to the doctrine and tactic required to win World War II.
1941 Marines fight back against Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, marking the beginning of World War II
1941-1945 The Marine Corps makes 14 amphibious landings across the Pacific. They capture the air base at Tinian, departure point for the Enola Gay. The flag raising on Mount Suribachi becomes the most famous photo of the War.
1950 Marines remforce Pusan Perimeter in Korea to prevent the fall of Korea, make an amphibious landing at Inchon to retake Seoul, repulse eight Chinese Divions and break out of the Chosin Reservoir.
1962 Marine LtCol John Glenn becomes the first man to orbit the earth.
1965 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade lands at Da Nang, South Vietnam. In 1968 the Marines battle the North Vietnamese at Khe Sanh and during the Tet holiday offensive. Last Marine ground forces leave Vietnam in 1971.
1983 Marines suffer their greatest peacetime loss in terrorist bombing attack at Beirut Airport, killing 220 Marines.
1991 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions kick off Operation Desert Storm, decimating the Iraqi forces and liberating Kuwait.
2001 Marines assist in recovery at the Pentagon on 9/11 and for the first time, fly combat air patrols over Washington, DC.
2001 Marines begin combat operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
2003 Marines engage in combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom which topples the Hussein regime.
2001-2014 Marines continue fighting Afghanistan, the longest conflict in American history.
Erected by Jim & Lynn Burgio Foundation Honoring Captain Jim Burgio, USMC, 1966-69, Vietnam Vet & All the members of his Class TBS 3/67 & 41st OCC, Quantico, Va. 47 Officers & 2 SNCO'S who gave all so that we can be free.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1775.
Location. 36° 7.295′ N, 80° 2.109′ W. Memorial is near Kernersville, North Carolina
, in Guilford County. It is in Colfax. It is on Pleasant View Trail 0.8 miles east of Willow Creek Road, on the left. Location is the Carolina Field of Honor. The specific marker is to the southeast of the center obelisk. Accessibility is a short walking distance from nearby parking areas. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1945 Pleasant Vw Trl, Kernersville NC 27284, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in North Carolina’s Piedmont and specifically in Piedmont Triad. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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 marker: The U.S. Navy Flag (here, next to this marker); The United States Navy Memorial (here, next to this marker); United States Army Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The U.S. Army Flag (a few steps from this marker); Betsy Ross Flag - Circa 1790 (within shouting distance of this marker); 20 Star Flag - 1818 (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Star Flag - 1837 (within shouting distance of this marker); Guilford Courthouse Flag - 1781 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kernersville.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 21, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.



