The "Old Breed" was forged in the "Banana Wars"
during the first decades of the last century.
Prime examples of "Old Breed" Marines include
Veteran of Nicaragua, 1912.
Qualified as Marine aviator.
Veteran of World War I, 1918.
Veteran of Haiti, 1919-1921, 1925-1927.
Pioneer of close air support tactics.
Commander of Cactus Airforce, 1942.
Only Marine officer to ever command a field army, 1945.
Veteran of Haiti, 1919-1924.
Veteran of Nicaragua, 1928-1931, 1932.
Commander of "Horse Marines" in Peking, 1933-1936.
Commanded 1st Battalion 7th Marines at Guadalcanal, 1942.
Commanded 1st Marine Regiment in two wars,
at Peleliu in 1944 and in Korea, 1950.
Most decorated US Marine in history.
The blueprint to which all subsequent
"Gunny" sergeants are made.
Awarded two Medals of Honor in separate actions,
and recommended for a third during the Battle of Belleau Wood.
“The fightinest Marine...ever” - Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler
Veteran of the Boxer Rebellion, 1900.
Awarded the Medal of Honor for single-handedly
holding an position during a night-attack against
hundreds of rebels at the American Legation in Peking.
Veteran of Haiti, 1915.
Again awarded the Medal of Honor for retrieving his
platoon's machine-gun from the bottom of a river.
Veteran of World War I, 1918.
Awarded Navy Cross and DSC instead of another
Medal of Honor during the Battle for Belleau Wood for
extinguishing a fire in an ammunition dump then
five days later, proceded to capture an German
machine-gun position unassisted with only
hand grenades and a pistol. Continuing throughout
the battle to bring in wounded under fire.
The "Old Breed" really embraced the professional
conduct of combat being the epitome of the 'Marine'
if there can be such.