The Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as
its official motto in 1883 (Semper Fidelis is also the title of the official musical March of the Marine Corps).
Translated from Latin, Semper Fidelis means
"Always Faithful." U.S. Marines use an
abbreviated verbal version, "Semper Fi,"
to voice loyalty and commitment to
their Marine comrades-in-arms.
Previous mottos of the Marine Corps were
(1) To the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1805;
(2) Fortitude, adopted in 1812;
(3) From the Halls of Montezuma to
the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1848; and
(4) By Sea and by Land, adopted in the 1850's