Fully revised, this volume serves as the definitive history of the United States Marines, from their inception in 1784 through all major engagements in the World Wars, the Cold War, and into the wars in the Middle East in the twenty-first century. Conceived amidst uncertainty in November 1775, the United States Marine Corps has grown from a small group of Continental Marines into one of the most formidable military forces in the world. This fully revised fifth edition provides a comprehensive history of the Corps that spans 250 years, including two new chapters on twenty-first-century operations. From its first amphibious landing at New Providence, Bahamas, in 1776 to its most recent major conflicts in Afghanistan, this book captures the Corps’ enduring legacy of excellence on the battlefield and its unique culture within the Department of the Navy. The authors focus on the major wars that have defined the Marine Corps, including the American Revolution, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the modern-day battles in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to these large-scale conflicts, the book explores smaller campaigns, punitive expeditions, humanitarian missions, and peacekeeping operations that have shaped the Corps’ identity. It also examines the Corps’ intermittent struggles for survival at home, where it has faced challenges from other branches of the military and occasionally from unfriendly presidents. Written by former Marines for current Marines, this edition is a ready reference for readers seeking to understand the operational and institutional history of the Marine Corps from its humble beginnings to its role as a vital force in modern warfare.  “Brigadier General Simmons’s classic account needed an update, and Marine historian Charles Neimeyer was just the person to do it.  Neimeyer has enhanced the original work with new material, more historical context, more recent research, and helpful citations, ensuring that it will remain one of the most popular and reliable histories of the United States Marines.” — Col. Rod Andrew, USMCR (Ret.), professor of history, Clemson University, author of The Marines’ Fight for Survival: War, Politics, and Institutional Crisis, 1945-1952  Brig. Gen. Edwin Howard Simmons, USMC (Ret.), served in the Marine Corps for thirty-six years, from 1942 to 1978, and is a decorated veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He also served the Corps for seventeen years as a civilian, including many years as Director of Marine Corps History and Museums. Brigadier General Simmons passed away in May 2007. Lt. Col. Charles P. Neimeyer, USMC (Ret.), began his twenty-year active-duty service as a Marine Corps officer, having held roles in all three Marine Corps divisions. He served as a strategic plans officer at Headquarters Marine Corps and was part of the White House staff for Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton. After retiring in 1996, he became a professor at the Naval War College and later served as Director of Marine Corps History from 2006 to 2018. Upon completion of federal service, he received the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award and the Marine Corps University Foundation Chapman Medallion. He is the author of War in the Chesapeake and editor of On the Corps . He lives in Stafford, Virginia.   Introduction If there were to be a Continental navy, then there would have to be Continental marines. In those days no one argued against the shipboard uses of marines. They were as much a part of a man-of-war’s furniture as its spars, or sails, or guns. Marines preserved internal order and discipline. Marines gave national character to the ship. Marines were uniformed, sailors were not – at least not in any formal fashion. Marines were usually berthed between the officers and the remainder of the ship’s company, a large percentage of which was international in character and origin and not necessarily reliable if required to serve on board a man of war. In sea battles some marines took their muskets and grenades into the fighting tops while others stood by on the gun decks to see to it that the sometimes dubious ship’s crew stayed at its guns and were often posted at the ship’s hatches to ensure everyone stayed at the battle stations. As noted, the Marines were primarily assigned to provide shipboard internal security but occasionally, and much to the consternation of the senior officer of Marines they could be assigned a myriad of duties by the ship’s commanding officer such aa assisting sailors at the capstan with hauling up the ship’s massive anchor or forming sideboys whenever the captain or a dignitary arrived or departed from the vessel. Nevertheless, the Continental Marines were created in the image of the ubiquitous British marines (they did not gain the title of Royal Marines until 1802) and they were not generally assigned at-sea duties that were better performed by skilled sailors. Marines, being half soldier, ha