FMF Corps History 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What was the name of the first Commandant of the Marine Corps?
- Samuel Nicholas
- William Ward Burrows (Correct answer)
- Archibald Henderson
- Anthony Gale
Correct answer: William Ward Burrows
William Ward Burrows was appointed as the first Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 12, 1798.
Question 2: During which war did Marines famously fight at the Battle of Belleau Wood?
- Spanish-American War
- World War II
- World War I (Correct answer)
- Korean War
Correct answer: World War I
Marines fought at Belleau Wood in June 1918 during World War I, earning the nickname 'Teufel Hunden' (Devil Dogs) from German forces.
Question 3: Which Marine Corps Commandant served the longest term in office, earning the nickname 'Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps'?
- Thomas Holcomb
- Archibald Henderson (Correct answer)
- John Lejeune
- Alexander Vandegrift
Correct answer: Archibald Henderson
Archibald Henderson served as Commandant for 39 years (1820–1859), making him the longest-serving Commandant in Marine Corps history.
Question 4: What is the significance of the Marine Corps motto 'Semper Fidelis'?
- Always Victorious
- Always Faithful (Correct answer)
- Always Forward
- Always Ready
Correct answer: Always Faithful
'Semper Fidelis' is Latin for 'Always Faithful,' reflecting the Corps' commitment to God, country, and fellow Marines.
Question 5: Which famous battle during World War II involved Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi?
- Battle of Guadalcanal
- Battle of Tarawa
- Battle of Iwo Jima (Correct answer)
- Battle of Peleliu
Correct answer: Battle of Iwo Jima
The flag raising on Mount Suribachi occurred on February 23, 1945, during the Battle of Iwo Jima, captured in the iconic photograph by Joe Rosenthal.
Question 6: The Marine Corps was officially re-established as a separate military branch by which act of Congress?
- Naval Act of 1794
- Marine Corps Act of 1834
- National Security Act of 1947
- Naval Appropriations Act of 1798 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Naval Appropriations Act of 1798
The Naval Appropriations Act of 1798 formally re-established the United States Marine Corps as a separate military service.
Question 7: Which Marine general led the 1st Marine Division during the harrowing Chosin Reservoir campaign in the Korean War?
- Oliver Smith (Correct answer)
- Lewis 'Chesty' Puller
- Victor Krulak
- Raymond Murray
Correct answer: Oliver Smith
Major General Oliver P. Smith commanded the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir (November–December 1950), successfully extracting his division despite being encircled.
FMF Corps History 2
What was the name of the first Commandant of the Marine Corps?