The United States Marine Corps in the World War

by Edwin North McClellan; United States. Marine Corps

Beginning with the first expeditionary forces which left the United States in June, 1917, over 30,000 officers and men of the Marine Corps have been sent to France. The Fourth Brigade, as a part of the immortal Second Division, has been engaged in all of the principal operations of the war. Their record speaks for itself. The Fifth Brigade, going to France later, furnished many splendidly trained replacements for the Fourth Brigade and performed arduous tasks according to tradition.

The entire Navy welcomes them home.

Franklin D. Roosevelt,
Acting Secretary of the Navy.

THE SECRETARY OF WAR PRAISES THE FOURTH BRIGADE.

War Department, August 12, 1919.

Hon. Josephus Daniels,
Secretary of the Navy.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: In the process of demobilization, the Marine Brigade, which by the President’s order became a part of the American Expeditionary Forces and was thus a part of the forces under the control of the War Department and under the command of Gen. Pershing, has now been returned to this country, detached from the Army, and restored to the control of the Navy Department.

I can not permit this heroic force to terminate its association with the Army without expressing to you, and through you to the officers and men of the Marine Corps, the deep sentiment of the War Department and of the Army toward it. The whole history of the Brigade in France is one of conspicuous service; when it was finally incorporated into the Second Division of the American Army it had early an opportunity to give a heroic demonstration of the unconquerable tenacity and dauntless courage of American soldiers. From then on in successive, almost continuous, battles the Marine Brigade and the division of which it was a part fought sternly and successfully until victory was obtained for the Allied Armies. Throughout this long contest the Marines, both by their valor and their tragic losses, heroically sustained, added an imperishable chapter to the history of America’s participation in the World War.

On behalf of the Army I congratulate the Navy Department, the Major General commanding the Marines, those who have been instrumental in the formation and training of this splendid organization, and the officers and men of the organization itself.