Happy Birthday USMC

Per Major General Lejeune, Washington, November 1, 1921

The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.

(1) On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name "Marine". In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

(2) The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history.

And it then goes on to record the glorious history of the Marine Corps.

But, it doesn't tell the story of the first two recruits, that 10th of November, at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia. The first recruit reports in and gives his name and makes his mark and is told to go out and sit on the stoop. The second recruit then goes in and gives his name and makes his mark and is directed to the same location. When the second recruit sits down the first one turns to him and says: "Son, let me tell you how it was in the Old Corps."

Happy Birthday, Marines.

Regards -- Cliff