Bounty Hunter's blog: "Marine Corps stuff!"

USMC Rules for Gun fighting: 1. Bring a gun. Preferably two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns. 2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap. Life is expensive. 3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss. 4. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.) 5. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun. 6. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber or tactics. They will only remember who lived. 7. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running. 8. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. "All skill is in vain when an angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket." 9. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty. 10. Always cheat; always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose. 11. Have a plan. 12. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work. 13. Use cover or concealment as much as possible. 14. Flank your adversary when possible and always protect yours. 15. Never drop your guard. 16. Always tactical load and threat scan 360 degrees. 17. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust...everyone else keep your hands where I can see them). 18. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH...hesitation kills. 19. The faster you finish the fight, the less injured you will get. 20. Be polite. Be professional. And have a plan to kill everyone you meet. 21. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one. 22. Your number one option for Personal Security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation. 23. Do not attend a gunfight with a handgun the caliber of which does not start with a "4." Navy Rules for Gun fighting: 1. Go to Sea 2. Send the Marines 3. Drink Coffee

The USMC is over 224 years of romping, stomping, hell, death and destruction. The finest fighting machine the world has ever seen. We were born in a bomb crater, our mother was an M-16 and our father was the devil. Each moment that I live is an additional threat upon your life. I am a rough looking, roving soldier of the sea. I am cocky, self-centered, overbearing, and I do not know the meaning of fear, for I am fear itself. I am a green, amphibious monster made of blood and guts who arose from the sea, festering on anti-Americans throughout the globe. Whenever it may arise, and when my time comes, I will die a glorious death on the battle field, giving my life to mom, the Corps, and the American flag. We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the hell out of both of them. Soldier by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice,MARINE BY GOD!!!

"Mission of the Marine Corps" The mission of the Marine Corps is outlined in the National Security Act of 1947 as amended (1952). There are six missions of the Marine Corps 1. To seize or defend advanced naval bases and to conduct such land operations as may be essential to the prosecution of a naval campaign. 2. To provide detachments and organizations for service in armed vessels of the Navy for protection of naval property on naval stations and bases. 3. To develop, with other Armed Forces, the tactics, techniques, and equipment employed by landing forces in amphibious operation. 4. To train and equip, as required, Marine forces for airborne operations. 5. To develop, with other Armed Forces, doctrine, procedures, and equipment of interest to the Marine Corps for airborne operations which are not provided for by the Army. 6. To be able to expand from peacetime components, to meet the needs of war, in accordance with mobilization plans.

"Five Paragraph Order" keyword "SMEAC" 1. Situation 1a. Enemy 1b. Time - Time of enemy intelligence. 2b. Size - Size of enemy (i.e. squad, battalion, number of enemy). 3b. Unit - Unit they are serving (i.e. Republican Guard). 4b. Activity - What the enemy is doing (i.e. Preparing position). 5b. Location - Position. 6b. Equipment - Weapons they have access to. 7b. DRAW-D – what the enemy will do upon contact (Defend, Reinforce, Attack, Withdraw, Delay). 2a. Friendly 1b. Higher - Next higher unit’s mission. 2b. Adjacent - Other units in reserve or assisting. 3b. Supporting - Supporting units. 4b. Attachments/Detachment - Lists if any units attached to your unit. 2. Mission - A clear and concise statement of mission to be accomplished Must contain the 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why). 3. Execution 1a. Commander’s Intent - Explains what the end state of the mission/battle will look like. Specifically the purpose of the mission, enemy’s critical vulnerability, and how this critical vulnerability will be exploited. 2a. Concept of Operations 1b. Scheme of Maneuver - Explains types of formations used throughout the route to the objective. 2b. Fire Support - Explains fire support plan. 3a. Tasks - Different specific mission listed for each unit. (i.e. If it is a squad leader’s order this would explain the fire team leaders tasks). 4a. Coordinating Instructions 1b. Time of Attack - Time the unit must cross the Line of Departure. 2b. Base Unit - Sets the base unit for all formations. 3b. Order of Movement - Explains ways smaller units arranged in formation. 4b. Security - Sets security sectors throughout mission. 5b. Tactical Control Measures - Lists 8 digit grid coordinates and terrain features for different checkpoints along route. 6b. Route to Objective - Gives azimuth and distance between checkpoints. 4. Administration and Logistics 1a. Beans - Explains re-supply of chow. 2a. Bullets - Explains re-supply of ammuntion. 3a. Band-Aids - Explains where to take casualties. 4a. Bad-Guys - Explains where to take enemy POW’s. 5. Command and Signal - Lists details of communication and location of key personnel in the chain of command. This also informs subordinates of the succession of command.

1stLt Presley Neville O'Bannon Presley Neville O'Bannon later known as the "Hero of Derne," was born in 1776, in Fauquier County, Virginia. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, 18 January 1801, and was promoted to first lieutenant on 15 October 1802. After serving at various stations in the United States, O'Bannon was assigned to duty on board the USS Adams early in 1802, and sailed for the Mediterranean in June of that year. He returned to the U.S. in November 1803, and was assigned duty at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He again sailed for the Mediterranean on the USS President on 25 May 1804, arriving at Gilbraltar, 13 August 1804. He was transferred to the USS Constitution on 22 October 1804, and to the USS Argus on 26 October 1804. While serving as Marine officer in the latter vessel he was selected for a special mission, which was destined to be commemorated on the colors of the Marine Corps and forever recorded in the Marines' Hymn in the words "To the Shores of Tripoli." For many years the United States had maintained peace with the Barbary States (Algiers, Morocco, Tunis, and Tripoli) by "buying" treaties and paying tribute to the reigning pasha. Although Algiers, Morocco and Tunis were not entirely satisfied, they were more or less complacent, whereas Tripoli continued to make threats against the United States while demanding larger and more frequent "payments." Finally, on 14 May 1801, the Pasha of Tripoli, Yusut Karamanli, indicated his extreme dissatisfaction with our "tribute" by having the flagstaff cut down in front of the U.S. Consulate. This act led to a declaration of war against Tripoli and the sending of more U.S. war vessels to the Mediterranean. During a storm one of the ships, the USS Philadelphia, went on the rocks off Tripoli and her crew was captured and imprisoned at Derne. After a bombardment of Tripoli by U.S. vessels and the offer of $100,000 ransom for the crew of the Philadelphia had failed to move the Pasha, William Eaton, "Navy Agent for the several Barbary Regencies," suggested forming an alliance with Hamet, elder brother of the reigning sovereign of Tripoli. The plan was approved by the U.S. Government and Eaton commenced putting his plan into execution. On 29 November 1804, Eaton, First Lieutenant O'Bannon, Midshipmen George Mann, U.S. Navy, and seven Marines landed at Alexandria, Egypt, from the USS Argus, and a few days later proceeded to Cairo. The party arrived at Cairo on 8 January 1805, where they learned that Hamet and a few Tripolitans had joined a band of rebellious Mamelukes who were defying the rule of the Turkish viceroy. Eaton then pushed on to Fiaum where he communicated with Hamet and made arrangements with him for his cooperation with the expedition against Derne, Tripoli. On 8 March, Eaton and his motley army of about 500 men, 100 camels and a few mules started the long march across the Libyan desert. He arrived at Derne the night of 25 March, and the next day, under a flag of truce, offered terms of amity to the Governor of Derne on condition of allegiance and fidelity to Hamet. The reply to this offer was "My head or yours." Shortly thereafter, the USS Nautilus arrived in the harbor of Derne, and the next day the USS Argus and Hornet dropped anchor nearby. When the combined land-sea attack commenced on 27 March, Lieutenant O'Bannon, with his Marines, a few Greeks, and as many of the cannoniers as could be spared from the field piece, passed through a shower of enemy musketry, took possession of one of the enemy's batteries, planted the United States flag upon its ramparts and turned the guns upon the enemy. After two hours of hand-to-hand fighting, the stronghold was occupied and for the first time in history the flag of the United States flew over a fortress of the old world. The Tripolitans counterattacked the fortress a number of times, but were repulsed with heavy losses. Finally, on 28 May, Eaton's forces launched a spirited bayonet charge which drove the enemy from the vicinity of Derne. For many years, memories of the dauntless Americans lingered in the songs of the women of Derne, one of which featured these words: "Din din Mohamed U Ryas Melekan manhandi," which means "Mohamed for religion and the Americans for stubbornness." Before they parted, Hamet gave O'Bannon a jeweled sword with a Mameluke hilt which he had carried while with the Mamelukes in Egypt. Upon his return to the United States the state of Virginia presented O'Bannon a sword modeled after the original Mameluke blade given him by Hamet. The sword bore on one side of the blade the inscription: "Presented by the State of Virginia to her gallant son Priestly (sic) N. O'Bannon." On the reverse side was inscribed: "Assault the conquest of the City of Derne in Africa, 27 April 1805." Underneath the eagle's head on the hilt is a gold plate depicting Lieutenant O'Bannon holding in one hand the National Colors of the United States and in the other a sword. He is standing on the walls of the fortress of Derne with the city of Derne in the background. The blade of this sword, a true scimitar, has more curve than the modified blade adopted for the U.S. Marine Corps officers' swords, which continues to be a part of their uniform although now worn only on special occasions. O'Bannon resigned from the Marine Corps, 6 March 1807, and went to Kentucky to live his remaining days. When he died on 12 September 1850, at the age of 74, his remains were interred in a small cemetery north of Pleasureville, Kentucky. On 14 June 1920, the Daughters of the American Revolution removed his remains to Frankfort, Kentucky, where a memorial was erected to his memory. His heroic service on the "the shores of Tripoli" is commemorated in the Mameluke sword worn by U.S. Marine Corps officers, a sword patterned after the famed blade of Damascus presented to O'Bannon by Hamet in appreciation for services rendered on "the shores of Tripoli."

Colonel Archibald Henderson Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Archibald Henderson, fifth Commandant of the Marine Corps, was born in Colchester, Virginia, on 21 January 1783. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 4 June 1806; promoted to first lieutenant 6 March 1807; to captain 1 April 1811; and was appointed a major, by brevet, in the year 1814. As a captain during the War of 1812, he participated in the engagements with the Cyane and Levant on 20 February 1815. He received a silver medal and was included in the thanks of Congress to the officers and men of the Constitution for gallant service. He was later presented with a jeweled sword by the State of Virginia. During the years subsequent to the second war with Great Britain, until the year he was appointed Commandant, Brevet Major Henderson was on duty at such posts and stations as Boston, Massachusetts; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and at New Orleans, Louisiana. On 17 October 1820, at the age of 37, LtCol Henderson was appointed as the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served in this position for a little over 38 years--the longest of any officer to hold that position. The years 1820 to 1835 were marked by no very unusual or outstanding activities on the part of the Marine Corps other than its part in the suppression of piracy in the West Indies, and the operations in the early 1830's against the pirates of Quallah Battoo. During the 1836-37 war with the Seminole and Creek Indians in Georgia and Florida, in which the Marine Corps took an active part, Col Henderson, as Commandant, went in person into the field with his command sharing in the dangers and exposures of that campaign. For his services in checking Indian hostilities, he was advanced to the brevet rank of brigadier general. During the Mexican War, which was preceded by much military activity on the part of the Marine Corps during the years 1845-46 on the West Coast, Col Henderson ably administered the affairs of the Marine Corps. The success attained by the Corps during the war, including its expansion and development from a small fighting force into a well recognized and very formidable arm of the nation's military forces, was due in no small measure to the leadership and ability of its Commandant. During the years subsequent to the Mexican war and prior to the Civil war, the Marine Corps, under the ever-watchful eye and direction of its venerable Commandant, was by no means an idle organization. In 1852-53, the Marines took part in the famous expeditions of Commodore Perry to Japan. In 1855 they participated in an expedition to Uruguay as a result of an insurrection at Montevidio, and in 1856 had an engagement with hostile Indians at Seattle, Washington Territory. Also, during the same year, they took part in the capture of the Barrier Forts in China. In the year 1857 during the "Know Nothing" political excitement, the Marines were ordered upon the request of the mayor of Washington, D.C., to suppress an armed mob of "hired roughs and bullies" that had been imported from Baltimore to take possession of the election booths, the situation having beyond the control of the civil authorities. During the serious riot, when a cannon was put into position by a large crowd of "Plug Uglies" and others who threatened the Marines, Col Henderson deliberately placed his body against the muzzle, thereby preventing it from being aimed at the Marines, just at the moment when it was about to be discharged. Colonel Henderson passed away quietly on the afternoon of 6 January 1859. His remains were interred in the Congressional Cemetery in southeast Washington, D.C. The Navy transport, USS Henderson, was named in his memory.

Cpl. Ira Hamilton Hayes Ira Hamilton Hayes, participant in the famous flag raising on Iwo Jima, was a Pima Indian, born at Sacaton, Arizona, on 12 January 1923. In 1932, the family moved a few miles southward to Bapchule. Both Sacaton and Bapchule are located within the boundaries of the Gila River Indian Reservation in south central Arizona. Hayes left high school after completing two years of study. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in May and June of 1942, and then went to work as a carpenter. On 26 August 1942, Ira Hayes enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at Phoenix for the duration of the National Emergency. Following boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego, Hayes was assigned to the Parachute Training School at Camp Gillespie, Marine Corps Base, San Diego. Graduated one month later, the Arizonan was qualified as a parachutist on 30 November and promoted to private first class the next day. On 2 December, he joined Company B, 3d Parachute Battalion, Divisional Special Troops, 3d Marine Division, at Camp Elliott, California, with which he sailed for Noumea, New Caledonia, on 14 March 1943. In April, Hayes' unit was redesignated Company K, 3d Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment. In October Hayes sailed for Vella Lavella, arriving on the 14th. Here, he took part in the campaign and occupation of that island until 3 December when he moved north to Bougainville, arriving on the 4th. The campaign there was already underway, but the parachutists had a full share of fighting before they left on 15 January 1944. Hayes was ordered to return to the United States where he landed at San Diego on 14 February 1944, after slightly more than 11 months overseas and two campaigns. The parachute units were disbanded in February, and Hayes was transferred to Company E, 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, of the 5th Marine Division, then at Camp Pendleton, California. In September, Hayes sailed with his company for Hawaii for more training. He sailed from Hawaii in January en route to Iwo Jima where he landed on D-day (19 February 1945) and remained during the fighting until 26 March. Then he embarked for Hawaii where he boarded a plane for the U.S. on 15 April. On the 19th, he joined Company C, 1st Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. On 10 May, Hayes, Private First Class Gagnon, Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Bradley, and Marine Technical Sergeant Keyes Beech, a combat correspondent, left on the bond selling tour. In Chicago, Hayes received orders directing his return to the 28th Marines. He arrived at Hilo, Hawaii, and rejoined Company E of the 29th on 28 May. Three weeks later, on 19 June, he was promoted to corporal. With the end of the war, Corporal Hayes and his company left Hilo and landed at Sasebo, Japan, on 22 September to participate in the occupation of Japan. On 25 October, Corporal Hayes boarded his eleventh and last ship to return to his homeland for the third time. Landing at San Francisco on 9 November, he was honorably discharged on 1 December. Corporal Hayes was awarded a Letter of Commendation with Commendation Ribbon by the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Lieutenant General Roy S. Geiger, for his "meritorious and efficient performance of duty while serving with a Marine infantry battalion during operations against the enemy on Vella Lavella and Bougainville, British Solomon Islands, from 15 August to 15 December 1943, and on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 27 March 1945." The list of the Corporal's decorations and medals includes the Commendation Ribbon with "V" combat device, Presidential Unit Citation with one star (for Iwo Jima), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four stars (for Vella Lavella, Bougainville, Consolidation of the Northern Solomons, and Iwo Jima), American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. The former Marine died at Bapchule on 24 January 1955. He was buried on 2 February 1955 at Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 34, Plot 470A.

Colonel John Herschel Glenn Colonel John Herschel Glenn, Jr., the first American to orbit the earth, retired from active service in the U.S. Marine Corps, 4 January 1965, following 21 years, 9 months and 4 days as a commissioned Marine officer. He was promoted to his present grade of colonel by President Lyndon B. Johnson in a special ceremony at the White House, 27 October 1964. Colonel Glenn is the first of the seven original astronauts to retire, and was released from his assignment with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), at his own request, in January of 1964. As a member of NASA's Project Mercury, Colonel Glenn made his now historic flight on 20 February 1962. In his Friendship Seven Mercury Spacecraft, the astronaut orbited the earth three times in 4 hours, 56 minutes-- 4 and � hours of which he was weightless in space. Colonel Glenn was born on 18 July 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio. He was graduated from high school in New Concord, Ohio, in 1939, then entered Muskingum College. During his junior year, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve, 28 March 1942, for training as a Naval Aviation Cadet. He was assigned to active duty, 28 May 1942, and transferred to the Naval Aviation Pre-Flight School, Iowa City, Iowa, and while there was designated an Aviation Cadet, 4 August 1942. Following pre-flight instruction, he completed primary flight training at the U.S. Naval Reserve Aviation Base, Kansas City, Olathe, Kansas, from 23 August to 17 November 1942. Two days later, he joined the Naval Air Training Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, where, on completing flight training 30 March 1943, his enlistment in the Naval Reserve was terminated in order to accept a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. On 31 March 1943, he was commissioned a Marine Reserve second lieutenant and designated a Naval Aviator. He has continued on active duty since that date, and in 1946 was integrated into the regular Marine Corps. Promoted to first lieutenant in October 1943, he sailed for the Pacific area in February 1944. During World War II, Lieutenant Glenn flew 59 missions in the Marshall Islands campaign, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses and ten Air Medals as a pilot in Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 155, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. Returning to the United States in February 1945, he was subsequently assigned to the 9th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, and Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland. He was promoted to captain in July 1945. Captain Glenn next served at Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California, from March until December 1946. He then departed the United States for two years duty with Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and during this time was a member of Marine Fighter Squadron 218 on North China patrol and later with this same squadron was stationed on the island of Guam. From January 1949 to June 1951, Captain Glenn served as Flight Instructor, Instructors' first orbital flight; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star; the China Service Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. He was also awarded the Navy Astronaut Wings and the Marine Corps Astronaut Insigna a third Distinguished Flying Cross and six Air Medals. As an exchange pilot with the Fifth U.S. Air Force from June to September 1953, he flew 27 missions with the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing. While serving with the 25th Squadron at the Armament Test Division of the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River. In November 1956, he was assigned as Project Officer, Fighter Design Branch, Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, in Washington, D.C. On 16 July 1957, Major Glenn completed the first non-stop supersonic coast-to-coast flight in an F8U-1 Crusader. This flight, from Los Alamitos Naval Air Station, California, to Floyd Bennett Field, New York, took 3 hours 23 minutes and 8.1 seconds. He was awarded another Distinguished Flying Cross for this feat, his fifth such award. Following his promotion to lieutenant colonel in April 1959, he was named as one of the original seven Project Mercury astronauts on 9 April. The seven, all volunteers, were selected by NASA from an initial group of 110 leading military test pilots. They received their Project Mercury orbital flight training at NASA's Langley Research Center, Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia. On 20 February 1962, Colonel Glenn in his Mercury craft was rocketed into space by a modified Atlas missile from Cape Canaveral (later re-named Cape Kennedy), Florida, at 9:47a.m. (EST) and landed in the Atlantic Ocean, 166 miles east of Grand Turk Island in the Bahamas, at 2:43 p.m. During the second and third orbits, he controlled the capsule himself through the autopilot after the automatic controls broke down just at the end of the first orbit. During his 83,000-mile ride through space, he had achieved an orbital speed of 17,530 miles an hour at a high point of 162.5 statute miles and a low point of 98.9 statue miles. Following re-entry, Colonel Glenn landed with his spacecraft in the Atlantic, five miles from the United States Navy Destroyer Noa. He was picked up still inside his spacecraft and lowered to the deck of the destroyer at 3:04 p.m. Later, he was lifted from the Noa by helicopter and transferred to the carrier Randolph for transport to Grand Turk Island for examination by a team of doctors and technicians, and was pronounced in excellent condition. The late President John F. Kennedy presented Colonel Glenn the NASA Distinguished Service Medal at Cape Canaveral on 23 February 1962. On the previous day, Lyndon B. Johnson, then Vice President of the United States, and Chairman of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, had flown to Grand Turk Island to escort Colonel Glenn to Cape Canaveral. On 26 February, Colonel Glenn returned to Washington, D.C., with President Kennedy, and after a parade from the White House to Capitol Hill, the colonel and his fellow astronauts were honored at a joint meeting of Congress. On 1 March, he and his fellow astronauts were honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City. In the summer of 1962, Colonel Glenn moved with his fellow astronauts to the newly established Manned Space Craft Center in Houston, Texas. On 22 January 1964, at his own request, Colonel Glenn was released from his assignment with NASA. At the same time, he requested retirement from the Marine Corps, effective 1 March 1964, in order to enter the Democratic senatorial race in his home state of Ohio. Pending his retirement, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Houston, Texas. However, on 26 February 1964, he suffered an inner ear injury in a fall in his home, and his retirement was postponed. Due to his injury, he subsequently withdrew from the senatorial campaign in April 1964. He later wrote the Commandant of the Marine Corps and asked that the 1964 Colonels' Selection Board not consider him for promotion to full colonel due to his plan to retire when physically fit. On 29 September 1964, it was announced that he was being nominated for full colonel despite his letter because the Secretary of the Navy and the Commandant desired to recognize "his many accomplishments while in the service of his country." Therefore, on 27 October 1964, he was promoted to full colonel by President Johnson in a special ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. At the ceremony, the President said he had consulted with Congress on the matter and "we were unanimous in believing that we should not be deprived of doing what we think is right." The recipient of numerous honors and awards following his epochal flight, Colonel Glenn was awarded a BS degree by Muskingham College in June 1962; the first Alfred A. Cunningham Trophy as Marine Aviator of the Year in November 1962 upon the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Marine Corps Aviation; the Robert Collier Trophy, jointly awarded him and his fellow Project Mercury astronauts, by President Kennedy in a White House ceremony, 10 October 1963--the trophy, awarded annually since 1912, is presented for the greatest American achievement in aeronautics or astronautics; the National Geographical Society's Hubbard Medal in April 1962--its 21st recipient since it was originally presented to Admiral Robert N. Peary in 1906 for his explorations and discovery of the North Pole; and the Freedoms Foundation's highest honor, the George Washington Award, in February 1964; in addition to many others. A complete list of Colonel Glenn's medals and decorations includes: the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars and two Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of second through fifth awards; the Air Medal with fifteen Gold Stars and two Oak Leaf Clusters in lieu of second through eighteenth awards; the Presidential Unit Citation; the Navy Unit Commendation (1952-53, Korea); NASA Distinguished Service Medal for first orbital flight; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star; the China Service Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. He was also awarded the Navy Astronaut Wings and the Marine Corps Astronaut Insignia.

Major General Merritt Austin Edson Major General Merritt Austin Edson, known as "Red Mike," was born in Rutland, Vermont, on 25 April 1897, and reared in Chester, Vermont. He attended the University of Vermont for two years. Military service interrupted, however, and on 27 June 1916, Pvt Edson of the First Vermont National Guard Regiment, was sent to Eagle Pass, Texas, for duty on the Mexican border. He returned to the University in September 1916, but joined the Marine Corps Reserve on 26 June the following year. Thus began a career which was to be characterized by its diversity and distinguished even by the high standards of the Marine Corps. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Marine Corps on 9 October 1917. In September of the next year he sailed for France with the 11th Marines. This regiment saw no combat, but during the last six months of his European tour, 2dLt Edson commanded Company D, 15th Separate Marine Battalion, which had been organized for the express purpose of assisting in the holding of a plebiscite in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Owing to the failure of the United States to ratify the Treaty of Versailles, this mission, however, was never carried out. Following the end of World War I, he began a diversified series of assignments that were to qualify him for the high commands he was to hold in later years. Promoted to first lieutenant on 4 June 1920, he spent the two years at Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, as the Adjutant-Registrar of the fledgling Marine Corps Institute. His efforts greatly contributed to the organization and establishment of this "University for Marines." This was followed by a short tour in Louisiana guarding the mail. His interest in military aviation then prompted him to apply for flight training in Pensacola, Florida. He earned his gold wings in 1922. Soon after, he was ordered to the Marine Air Station at Guam. Here he had his introduction to the semitropical islands of the Marianas with which his name was later to become so closely linked. Upon his return to the United States in 1925, 1stLt Edson first took an extensive course in advanced aviation tactics at Kelly Field, Texas, and then attended the Company Officers' Course at Quantico, Virginia. He graduated with the highest grades ever attained by any student up to that time. For physical reasons, however, 1stLt Edson had to give up his flying status in 1927 and revert to ground. He was then assigned to duty as Ordnance Officer at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Late in the same year, he was ordered to sea duty as Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment on the USS Denver and was promoted to captain on 21 December 1927. During her service in Central American waters, Capt Edson's detachment was ashore in Nicaragua during the period February 1928 to 1929. In command of 160 picked and specially trained Marines, he fought twelve separate engagements with the Sandino-led bandits and denied them the use of the Poteca and Coco River valleys. Here he received his first Navy Cross for actions in which "his exhibition of coolness, intrepidity, and dash so inspired his men that superior forces of bandits were driven from their prepared positions and severe losses inflicted upon them." From a grateful Nicaraguan government, Capt Edson was also awarded the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit with Silver Star. In September 1929, Capt Edson returned to the United States and was assigned as tactics instructor to fledgling Marine lieutenants at the Basic School in Philadelphia. Upon detachment from that duty he became Ordnance and War Plans Officer at the Philadelphia Depot of Supplies for the next four years. This ordnance duty was not new to Capt Edson who was closely associated with the development of small arms marksmanship within the Marine Corps. In 1921, he had been a firing member of the winning Marine Corps Team at the national matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. In 1927, 1930, and 1931, he served with the rifle and pistol teams as assistant coach. During the regional matches of 1932 and 1933, he acted as team coach and captain, respectively. Upon the resumption of the national matches in 1935, he was captain of the Marine Corps national rifle and pistol teams of 1935 and 1936, winning the national trophies in both years. After short tours at Parris Island and Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., he was enrolled in the Senior Officers' Course at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in 1936. He was promoted to major on 9 February 1936. Foreign duty as operations officer with the 4th Marines in Shanghai, China, from 1937 to 1939, enabled Maj Edson to observe closely Japanese military operations. The knowledge thus gained stood him in good stead during the Pacific war. His second tour of duty at Marine Corps Headquarters began in May 1939 when, as Inspector of Target Practice, he was in a position to stress the importance of every Marine being highly skilled with his own individual arm. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 1 April 1940. In June 1941, he was again transferred to Quantico, to command the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, which was redesignated the 1st Separate Battalion in January 1942. The training exercises which he conducted in the succeeding months with Navy high speed transports (APD's) led to the organization of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion in early 1942. This unit was the prototype of every Marine Raider Battalion formed throughout the war. He was promoted to colonel on 21 May 1942. Colonel Edson's introduction to the Pacific theater of operations began with the overseas training of his raider command in American Samoa. On 7 August 1942, the Free World was thrilled by the news that his raiders, together with the 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, had landed on Tulagi, British Solomon Islands. Two days of severe fighting secured this strategic island. This action was followed by raids on Savo Island and at Tasimboko, on Guadalcanal. Col Edson was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross for his successful conduct of the Tulagi operation. His crowning glory and the battle for which he will be long rememberd by Marines and a grateful American people was the defense of Lunga Ridge on Guadalcanal on the night of 13-14 September 1942. His Raider Battalion, with two companies of the 1st Parachute Battalion attached, had been sent to a ridge line a short distance south of Henderson Field. Here they were supposed to get a short rest. When the Japanese forces unexpectedly and viciously attacked the position on the first evening, they penetrated the left center of Col Edson's line of resistance, thus forcing a withdrawal to a reserve position. Here approximately 800 Marines withstood the repeated assaults of more than 2,500 Japanese on the "Bloody Ridge," as it became known to the world. To the men of the 1st Raider Battalion, however, who sustained 256 casualties, it became "Edson's Ridge," in high honor of the officer who "was all over the place, encouraging, cajoling, and correcting as he continually exposed himself to enemy fire." His nickname, "Red Mike," originating from his red beard worn in Nicaragua days, was also his code name during this battle. From then on Col Edson was known by all as "Red Mike." It was for this action that he received the Medal of Honor. A brother officer said of him shortly thereafter that officers and men would willingly follow him anywhere -- the only problem was to keep up with him. A combat correspondent testified that "he is not a fierce Marine. In fact he appears almost shy. Yet Colonel Edson is probably among the five finest combat commanders in all the United States armed forces." It was also said that he was not readily given to a show of emotion. Nevertheless, when his personal runner of several months service was killed at the second battle of the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal, witnesses said he "cried like a baby," and later stated that he man could never be replaced. In August 1943, he was named Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Division, which was then preparing for Tarawa. He prepared an estimate of the situation for this operation which proved to be surprisingly accurate and has since become a classic in Marine Corps military literature. For this action he received the Legion of Merit and was promoted to brigadier general (1 December 1943). Later, he was appointed Assistant Division Commander of the 2d Marine Division and participated in this capacity in the capture of Saipan and Tinian. The Silver Star was awarded him for these operations. Brigadier General Edson became Chief of Staff, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in October 1944, and for his services during the ensuing year was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit. Duty as Commanding General, Service Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, rounded out 44 months of continuous service in the war zone. When a young officer once asked him when he might expect to be rotated back to the United States, BGen Edson replied, "When the war's over; when the job's done." In December 1945, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and, in February 1947, to Marine Corps Headquarters. Retirement from active duty came at the age of 50 years and after more than 30 years in the military service of his country. He was promoted to major general at the time of his retirement on 1 August 1947. Following his retirement, MajGen Edson's civilian service was equally distinguished. He became the first Commissioner of the Vermont State Police, organizing the force partially from an older organization of motor vehicle officers. He set up an efficient organization on a semi-military basis, a system which has since been adopted by other states. Returning to Washington, D.C., in July 1951, MajGen Edson became Executive Director of the National Rifle Association. His major efforts in that post were directed in stimulating the interest of Americans in rifle marksmanship. Concurrently, he campaigned vigorously for a Marine Corps adequate both in size and strength for its many commitments. Major General Edson died on 14 August 1955 in Washington, D.C. At the time of his death, in addition to his duties at the Rifle Association, he was the Navy representative on the Defense Advisory Committee on Prisoner of War Problems. This group formulated recommended standards of conduct for American prisoners of war. These were later adopted and promulgated as the Code of Conduct for all American servicemen. To those who knew him personally, MajGen Edson would be best remembered for his keen professionalism, his magnificent personal leadership in battle, and his sympathetic understanding of the soul of a Marine. In addition to the Medal of Honor, two Navy Crosses, a Silver Star and two Legions of Merit, MajGen Edson's numerous decorations included the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars; the Mexican Service Medal; World War I Victory Medal with Maltese Cross; Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal; China Service Medal with bronze star; American Defense Service Medal with bronze star; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with six bronze stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the Distinguished Service Order (British Empire) and the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland "Lou" Diamond Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland "Lou" Diamond, who was on many occasions decorated for bravery and offered a commission, lives in memory as one of the most famous of all "Old Breed" fighting Leathernecks. Diamond, who died in 1951, represents a legend, which inscribed a colorful chapter in Marine Corps tradition and history. "Lou" Diamond's face, sun-bronzed and accentuated by a neatly trimmed gray goatee, was well known at posts and stations throughout the world. His comrades called him "Lou," but he was thought of, often, as "Mr. Marine" and "Mr. Leatherneck." Diamond was born 30 May 1890, at Bedford, Ohio. Although he first enlisted at the age of 27, somewhat older than most recruits, the difference never was noticeable. His salty, hard-driving personality soon expressed itself in both word and deed, and no Marine ever showed more devotion to the Corps. Because of the incredible voice, which matched his 5-foot, 11-inch, 200-pound frame, "Lou" was once dubbed "The Honker." Though cool in training and battle, he was rarely quiet. According to his World War I buddies, "The tougher the action, the louder "Lou" would yell." Many of his comrades at Guadalcanal considered him "a human air-raid warning system." Though in the military service, Diamond lived informally, going hatless and wearing dungarees practically everywhere. He even accepted one of his decorations in dungarees. When receiving the citation awarded him in Australia by General A.A. Vandergrift, "Lou" looked the general in the eye and said, "I made my landing in dungarees-guess they're good enough to get my commendation in." Diamond's informal language occasionally drew frowns from Chaplains within earshot. His earthy manner of speech, however, never appeared to detract from his role as a morale-booster for his unit, nor from his ability as an instructor and leader, as amply attested to by recruits who trained under his wing. Self-confidence, even cockiness, was one of the sergeant's outstanding characteristics. He considered anybody with less than ten years in the Corps a "boot." While he bawled out recruits who sometimes instinctively saluted him, he frequently failed, himself, to salute less than a field grade officer. Despite his peculiarities and, in many ways, because of them, he was a "Marine's Marine." Opportunities to apply for a commission were rejected by the grizzled campaigner, who explained that "nobody can make a gentleman out of me." Though not a "spit-and-polish" Marine, Diamond prove himself an expert with both 60- and 81mm mortars, his accurate fire being credited as the turning point of many an engagement in the Pacific during World War II. Diamond enlisted in the Marine Corps at Detroit, Michigan, 25 July 1917, listing as his former occupation "railroad switchman." As a corporal in January 1918, he shipped out from Philadelphia aboard the USS Von Stuben bound for Brest, France. He saw action with the famous 6th Marines in the battles at Chateau Thierry, Belleau Wood, the Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne. Promoted to the grade of sergeant, he marched to the Rhine with the Army of Occupation. At war's end, "Mr. Leatherneck" returned to America, disembarked at Hoboken, N.J., and 13 August 1919, received an honorable discharge from the Corps. But railroading and civilian life in general did not suit his fancy, and on 23 September 1921, "Lou" again walked into a Marine recruiting office. Promotions were rapid for him and while serving as Assistant Armorer at Parris Island, South Carolina, in February, 1925, he regained his sergeant's stripes. "Mr. Marine" itched for more action and he soon got it-in Shanghai with Company M, 3d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. But the Sino-Japanese controversy, in "Lou's" opinion, was "not much of a war," and on 10 June 1933, he returned to the United States, disembarking from the USS Henderson at Mare Island, California. By then he was a gunnery sergeant. Diamond returned to Shanghai with his old outfit, the 4th Marines, ten months later; was transferred to the 2d Marines in December 1934; and returned to the States February 1937. Two years after his promotion to Master Gunnery Sergeant, 10 July 1939, he was assigned to the Depot of Supplies at Philadelphia to help design a new infantry pack. Following the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, "Lou" shipped out to Guadalcanal with Company H, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, arriving at the beaches 7 August 1942. He was 52 years old. Among the many fables concerning his "Canal" service is the tale that he lobbed a mortar shell down the smoke stack of an off-shore Japanese cruiser. It is considered a fact, however, that he drove the cruiser from the bay with his harassing "near-misses." An indication of Sergeant Diamond's value to the Corps is found in a letter of commendation for "outstanding performance of duty on Tulagi and Guadalcanal," from General A.A. Vandegrift, Commander of the 1st Marine Division, and later Commandant of the Marine Corps. The letter states in part: "To every man in your company you were a counselor, an arbiter of disputes, and an ideal Marine. "Your matchless loyalty and love of the Marine Corps and all it stands for, are known to hundreds of officers and men of this Division, and will serve as an inspiration to them on all the battlefields on which this Division may in the future be engaged." After two months on Guadalcanal, physical disabilities dictated "Mr. Leatherneck's" evacuation by air against his wishes. He was moved to the New Hebrides and later to a hospital in New Zealand, where he proved to be a somewhat obstreperous patient. Somehow, he acquired orders to board a supply ship for New Caledonia, where a friend ordered him back to Guadalcanal-the supposed location of his old outfit. Upon his arrival, however, Diamond discovered that the 1st Marine Division had shipped out to Australia, a distance of over 1,500 miles. "Lou" made the trip, without orders, by bumming rides on planes, ships and trains. But "Mr. Marine" was destined to see no more combat. On 1 July 1943, he disembarked from the USS Hermitage at San Pedro, California, and twelve days later was made an instructor at the Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He was transferred to Camp Lejeune on 15 June 1945, and joined the 5th Training Battalion with the same duties. A familiar sight in the early morning on the company street thereafter was "Old Lou," standing with watch in hand and whistle in mouth, awaiting the first note of reveille to break the men out. Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland Diamond retired on 23 November 1945, and returned to his home in Toledo, Ohio. His death at the Great Lakes, Illinois, Naval Training Center Hospital, 20 September 1951, was followed by a funeral, with full military honors, at Sylvania, Ohio.