Marines

One of seven uniformed services of the United States, the Marine Corps has a history as long as the U.S. itself. Since 1775, the Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict—though its role has evolved over the years.

Once a major component of naval warfare, the corps gained prominence with its successes during WWII— particularly through the use of amphibious assault. Who can forget the historic photo of Marines hoisting the flag at Iwo Jima during the Pacific land war, or of troops storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day?

In the years after WWII, with the decline of large-scale naval battles, the corps began to shift toward land missions, as well as non-combat and humanitarian assignments.

The Marines also played an important role in the Vietnam War. In fact, more troops were deployed during Vietnam than WWII. These so-called “grunts” found themselves involved in difficult ground and river wars, facing the Vietcong’s unconventional guerilla warfare. During the Vietnam War, the Marines were the first to introduce helicopters into combat.

In the following DVD books, trace the history of the Marines through videos with expert commentary, as well as full-length books complete with photos, timelines, and maps. Learn about some of the Marines’ most important battles, see how amphibious warfare has developed over the years, and acquaint yourself with some of the Marines’ signature weapons—from assault vehicles like the M1A1 Abrams battle tank and the Assault Breacher Vehicle, to aircraft such as the Hornet and Prowler, to artillery including the M198 Howitzer and Ultra-Light Howitzer.