Historical Dictionary of the United States Marine Corps

The Marine Corps has had a long and varied history of action. From its initial task of protecting American ships, its role has expanded to include a wide assortment of roles, including the recent peacekeeping operations in Somalia and Haiti. As the United States evolves, so does the structure and role of the Marine Corps.

The Historical Dictionary of the United States Marine Corps is a unique publication since it provides a variety of information about the Marine Corps that would be nearly impossible to obtain from other sources. A brief narrative history of the Marine Corps from its founding to the present provides a key to understanding the varied tasks required of the corps and its members. Included for quick reference is a time line of the main events in the corps’ history. Also included is a handy list of acronyms and abbreviations that allow the reader to decode the language of marine life, as well as a series of maps that assist the reader in locating the far-flung operations of the Marine Corps. A long bibliography of the most recent and relevant sources of information concludes the book. Also included are short biographies of Commandants of the Marine Corps as well as other celebrated marines-including many Medal of Honor recipients-and a short summary of conflicts in which the United States engaged and the role that the Marine Corps played in each conflict.