Corps Lore

Marine Heritage & History

Story by Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS, Washington

Each generation of Marines passes along stories about the Corps' heritage. Over the years some of these tales have grown into myth, while others have become legend.

Whether a real-life experience or tall tale from an imaginative Marine, these stories have become part of the Corps' history. Read on for a lesson in Corps lore.

Battle of Belleau Wood

'Retreat, Hell! We just got here.'
During World War I, the 2nd Marine Division was tasked with taking Belleau Wood, which was held by more than 1,200 soldiers from the 461st Imperial German Infantry. When the division's 4th Brigade came forward to meet the challenge, they were met by retreating French troops. A French officer told Capt. Lloyd Williams that his unit should turn back as well, but he replied, "Retreat, Hell! We just got here."

The battle for Belleau Wood lasted 20 days with Marines suffering around 1,000 casualties. After the battle, German soldiers called Marines "teufel hunden," meaning devil dogs, and Belleau Wood was officially renamed Bois de la Brigade Marine in honor of the 4th Brigade. The Marines were victorious, ending the last major German offensive of the war.

British Refuse to Burn Commandant's Quarters
Legend has it that British Maj. Gen. Robert Ross was so impressed with the U.S. Marines during the fighting at Bladensburg, that he ordered the commandant's quarters left untouched as a gesture of respect during his 1814 raid on the capital. This soldierly admiration reportedly came from the Battle of Bladensburg where 103 Marines and 400 sailors attempted to block 4,000 British troops from advancing on Washington. The Marines stopped three headlong charges before finally being outflanked and driven back.

Washington burned by the British in 1814.

Regardless of the reason, the refusal of the British to burn the building makes the quarters the oldest public building in continuous use in the nation's capital. Though they spared some of the Corps' property, the British burned the Marine barracks, the Capitol, the White House and the other public buildings throughout Washington.

Archibald Henderson takes the Marine Corps to War
In 1836, the United States was waging war against the Creek and Seminole tribes in Georgia and Florida. The fifth commandant of the Marine Corps, Col. Archibald Henderson, volunteered to take care of the situation. He took the entire available strength of the Corps and left for the campaign after pinning a message on his office door.

The note read:

"Gone to Florida to fight Indians.
Will be back when the war is over."
— A. Henderson
Col. Commandant

Henderson, also known as the "Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps," served as the commandant from 1820 to 1859, outlasting nine presidents. Legend has it that he attempted to will the commandant's quarters to his heirs because after living there for 38 years, he apparently forgot it was government housing.

Marine Barracks at 8th and I

Buried Treasure at "8th and I"
In August 1814, as the British Army approached Washington, two sergeants from Marine Barracks "8th and I" were charged with guarding the Marine Corps' funds, a chest containing a considerable amount of gold. The Marines allegedly buried the chest on the grounds of the barracks or hid it within the walls of the commandant's quarters to prevent it from being captured. They were later killed at the Battle of Bladensburg, taking their secret to the grave.

The Marine Barracks has undergone several renovations since Washington was razed in 1914, but the legendary chest of gold has never been found. Maybe the money is just waiting for a persistent treasure hunter, but we don't advise 8th and I Marines go on any archeological digs.