Famous Marine Corps quotes are a testament to the fearless fighting force that has protected America’s freedoms for generations.  They are well trained warriors who thrive in combat situations to make peace a viable entity.  Marines are the first to fight because they are the most capable and prepared force on the planet.  Some of the amazing quotes of famous marines in combat prove that unequivocal fact.

“We’re surrounded?  Good, now we can kill the bastards in any direction.”

~ Colonel Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller; Korean War

“Retreat, hell we just got here!”

~ Captain Lloyd Williams, USMC at the Battle of Belleau Wood WWI

“C’mon you sons-of-bitches, do you want to live forever!”

~ GySgt Dan Daley at the Battle of Belleau Wood WWI

“Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning.”

~ Colonel David M. Shoup, USMC, Tarawa, 21 November 1943

“Goddam it, you’ll never get the purple heart hiding in a foxhole!  Follow me!”

~ Captain Henry P. “Jim” Crowe, USMC, Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943

Marine Corps Quotes – Semper Fidelis

Semper Fi is the shortened version of the motto of the Marine Corp Semper Fidelis, Latin for “Always Faithful.”  It is a motto that means far more than the words, it is a way of life.  A Marine stays faithful to their country and the Corps; faithful to the mission and to each other.

“To observe a Marine, is inspirational. To be a Marine, is exceptional.”

~ GySgt Charles F. Wolf, Jr.

“Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.”

~ Omar Bradley

“Of the Marines on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue”

~ Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Iwo Jima WWII

“Once a Marine, always a Marine!”

~ MSgt Paul Woyshner

“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they’ve made a difference.  The Marines don’t have that problem.”

~ Ronald Reagan, 1985

Marine Corps Quotes – Why They Speak for All of Us

Marine Corps quotes will continue to resonate with an uncommon valor that signifies their commitment to protecting America’s freedoms from all threats with an unwavering ferocity.  These quotes are not only significant for the Marines, but for every United States citizen as their words speak for all of us who live in a free country because of their heroic actions.  If someone or something should stand in the way of our freedom the Marines will be there to destroy it with an iron fist and a loaded gun.  Marines are warriors at the ready, ferocious soldiers prepared to do what is necessary to ensure the rest of us can sleep peacefully knowing they are out there ready to kill the boogeyman.

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

~ George Orwell

“There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle.  Everyone else has a second hand opinion.”

~ Anonymous

(Marine Corps Quotes)

There have been many great quotes about Marines because of the wonderful job they do in protecting and fighting for our freedoms.  The United States Marine Corps’ uncommon valor on the battlefield is unprecedented.  It’s no wonder famous presidents, generals, and civilians have had so many great things to say about them.  It’s not easy to be a Marine; it takes hard work and effort and not everyone has what it takes to become a member of one of the greatest military forces on the planet.  It’s a brotherhood, and the initiation is a grueling and painful process but once you have achieved the status of one of the elite soldiers of the world you’ll know you’ve got what it takes to overcome any obstacle.  The Marines great sacrifice was no secret to Ronald Reagan who had this to say:

“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they’ve made a difference.  The Marines don’t have that problem.”  President Ronald Reagan, 1985

Quotes about Marines – Honor

The Marines effectiveness in battle has inspired many great military leaders to give praise in their quotes about Marines despite being in another branch of the military.  The marines have shown the upmost courage in battle and have won battles that others believed to be unwinnable, broken through barriers that were thought to be impenetrable, and have stuck around to fight when others were retreating.  The Marines fierceness and selflessness are what win wars and keep our country safe.

“The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of MARINES. LORD, how they could fight!”

Maj. Gen. Frank Lowe, U.S. Army

“I have just returned from visiting the MARINES at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!”

Gen. Douglas Macarthur, U.S. Army

“I can never again see a UNITED STATES MARINE without experiencing a feeling of reverence.”

Gen. Johnson, U.S. Army
“The more MARINES I have around the better I like it!”

Gen. Mark Clark, U.S. Army

“The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle!”

Gen. Pershing, U.S. Army

Quotes about Marines – Admiration

The Marines have gained the admiration of their peers as well as the reverence and fear of the enemy.  They are the first into battle and can be fully operational within six hours from ship to shore to be prepared for anything that may come their way.  They are the elite warriors of the United States Military and deserving of honor and respect from not only the citizens and civilians they protect but also the enemy that has the unruly task of fighting against them.

“I can’t say enough about the two marine divisions.  If I use words like brilliant, it would really be an under-description of the absolutely superb job they did in breaching the so-called impenetrable barrier…Absolutely superb operation. A textbook, and I think it’ll be studied for many years to come as the way to do it.”

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, USA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 27 February 1991

“Teufelhunde! (Devil Dogs)”

German soldiers, WW1 battle of Belleau Wood

“Panic sweeps my men when they are facing the AMERICAN MARINES.”

Captured North Korean Major

(Quotes About Marines)

The Marines are a brotherhood of warriors that are the first to fight, it’s no wonder some famous Marine Corp quotes have been used and reused to instill confidence and reverence in those privileged enough to hear them.  They speak of the Marines passion and ferocity in combat and the pride of being one of the elite warriors called on to protect our country.

The Battle of Belleau Wood during World War I eventually led to the adoption of the bulldog mascot when German soldiers referred to Marine Corp soldiers as “Teufel-hunden” from the wild dogs of Bavarian lore which translates to ‘Devil Dogs.’  German soldiers coined the term from the Marines relentless advancement that helped change the tide in June 1918 as they continually fought back the Germans.  Some believe that an early form of the modern term ‘Ooh-Rah’ being called from Marine soldiers added to the lore of the Devil Dogs that has now become a well known nickname to continue the long lived legend of the ferocity and commitment of the United States Marine Corp.  Some famous quotes developed from that battle:

United States Marine Corp Quotes from battle

“C’mon you sons-of-bitches, do you want to live forever!”

~ GySgt Dan Daley at the Battle of Belleau Wood WWI

“Retreat, hell we just got here!”

~ Captain Lloyd Williams, USMC at the Battle of Belleau Wood WWI

The motto Semper Fi is actually a shortened version of the Latin term Semper Fidelis which means: “Always Faithful.”  The term was adopted in 1871 from the previous motto “First to fight.”  Although the Marines are still the first to fight in combat situations the motto was changed and encompasses a lifestyle as well as a battle cry.

Prior to the revolution, Marines were primarily used for service by the British Navy.  They were involved in battles in 1741 in Columbia and Cuba and served as marksmen and security on their ships and were rumored to have prevented mutinies with their mere presence.  The United States Marine Corps originated in Tun Tavern on November 10^th 1775 in Philadelphia as a result of a congressional resolution.  They became a department of the Navy in 1834.

Since the Marine Corps inception they have built a reputation that is unsurpassed as a ferocious fighting force hell bent on achieving the task at hand and doing whatever it takes to defeat the enemy.  Lt. Colonel Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is one of many famous marines whose quotes reverberate the mindset of Marine Corps soldiers in combat.  Chesty has become one of the most commonly used names for the bulldog mascots since the 1950’s in his honor.  His fearless nature in the face of defeat is a staple of all Marines.

United States Marine Corp Quotes from Koreans

“We’re surrounded? Good, now we can kill the bastards in any direction.”

~ Colonel Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller; Korean War

“Panic sweeps my men when they are facing the American Marines.”

~Captured North Korean Major

The legendary warriors of long ago traveling across vast oceans to meet their enemy in shield walls with a sword in hand are not gone; they simply improved their weapons and changed their uniform.  They are Marines. (United States Marine Corp Quotes)