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Marine Corps Birthday Celebration

|Purpose |

|THE PURPOSE OF THIS LESSON IS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PLAN |

|AND CONDUCT A MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY CEREMONY. AS A SENIOR CADET |

|WITHIN THE MARINE CORPS JROTC, YOU MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OR |

|SOME ASPECTS OF PLANNING AND CONDUCTING A MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY |

|CEREMONY. |

Introduction

The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775. From that day to today, November 10 has been the climax of the Marine Corps year, the top social occasion of the Corps. All Marines throughout the world celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps officially and socially. Not only do Marine units carry out the prescribed ceremony, but also wherever one or more Marines are stationed—on board ship, at posts of other services, even in the field—November 10 is celebrated.

Historical Background

Formal commemoration of the birthday of the Marine Corps began on November 10, 1921. The date was chosen because on November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, at Tun Tavern, authorized the raising and enlistment of two battalions of Continental Marines. The Marines were formed to serve with the newly formed naval forces of the colonies. Tun Tavern became known as the birthplace of the Corps. However, this has not always been the case. In fact, Marines have not always celebrated their founding on November 10.

Until 1921, the birthday of the Corps had been celebrated on another date. An unidentified newspaper clipping from 1918 refers to the celebration of the 120th birthday of the Marine Corps on July 11 “as usual with no fuss.” It is doubtful that there was any real celebration at all. Further inspection of documents and publications prior to 1921 shows no evidence of ceremonies, pageants, or parties. The July date was commemorated between 1798 and 1921 as the birthday of the Corps. During the Revolution, Marines had fought on land and sea, but at the close of the Revolution the Marine Corps and the Navy were all but disbanded. On July 11, 1798, President John Adams approved a bill that recreated the Corps, thereby providing the rationale for this day being commemorated as the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

On October 21, 1921 Major Edwin McClellan, officer-in-charge, Historical Section, Headquarters Marine Corps, sent a memorandum to Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune suggesting that the original birthday on November 10, 1775, be declared a Marine Corps holiday. McClellan further suggested that a dinner be held in Washington to commemorate the event. Guests would include prominent men from the Marine Corps, the Army, and the Navy, and descendants of the Revolution.

Accordingly, on November 1, 1921, Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series, 1921. The order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps and directed that it be read to every command on 10 November each subsequent year in honor of the birthday of the Marine Corps. This order has been duly carried out.

The first so-called “Birthday Ball” was probably held in 1925 in Philadelphia. There is no record of one before 1925. It is not possible to determine precisely when the first cake ceremony was held, but the first on record was held at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. In 1937, Major General Commandant Thomas Holcomb presided at an open house for Marine Corps officers. Ceremonies included the cutting of a huge cake designed after the famous Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. The oldest and youngest Marines present received the first and second pieces of the cake.

Marine Corps Birthday Customs

On their special day, Marines may watch or attend activities such as troop formations and parades. They listen to the reading of General Lejeune’s birthday message and the Commandant’s message.

The Marine Corps birthday consists of a cake-cutting ceremony. The first piece of cake honors the oldest Marine present at the cake-cutting ceremony. The second piece of cake is given to the youngest Marine by the oldest Marine. This symbolic passing of the cake represents the passing of knowledge from the elder experienced Marine to the less experienced young Marine.

How to Observe the Marine Corps Birthday

For a Marine command, the birthday includes prescribed or customary features, which are observed as circumstances permit. For Marines with other services, many of these items cannot be fulfilled exactly, but this list may serve as a guide.

• A troop formation (preferably a parade) for publication of the article from the Marine Corps Manual. The uniform should be Dress Blue A (which includes medals). If blues cannot be worn, medals should be prescribed on the service uniform for this occasion. On shipboard, hold a special formation of the Marine detachment and get permission from the captain to pipe the birthday article over the public address system. If you are with some other service and only a few Marines are present, you may defer publishing the article until the evening social function.

• Holiday rations for the troops.

• Maximum liberty and minimum work consistent with the missions of the command.

• A birthday ball for officers and one for enlisted Marines. At each, a cake cutting ceremony takes place.

• At any schools or instruction scheduled for November 10, you should emphasize the traditions and history of the Corps.

The Birthday Ball

It is up to you to celebrate the annual birthday ball with pride, forethought, and loving care. Every Marine command must have one. If on detached service away from the Corps, the senior Marine Officer present must arrange a suitable birthday ball, and it is up to every Marine to chip in to support it.

The birthday ball is formal, which means evening dress for officers possessing that uniform, or dress blue (with large medals) as a substitute. If you are not required to possess either evening dress or blues, wear a service uniform.

The birthday ball is a command performance. Unless duty prevents, you attend. If resources permit, distinguished civilian guests and officers from other services should be invited, but not too many. Be sure that retired Marine officers and any Marine officers present from other countries are included.

The procedure for a birthday ball ceremony will be described. This procedure, of course, is a guide, and details may vary according to facilities, numbers of personnel and guests, and local traditions. There is only one ironclad rule for the birthday ball: Make it a good one.

Conduct of the Birthday Ball Ceremony

The following is an outline for conducting the Marine Corps birthday ball ceremony in a medium-sized command with drum and bugle corps (or at least a field music) and an orchestra available. Bear in mind that this is a guide and may be modified according to local resources and traditions.

• At H–15 minutes, drum and bugle corps sounds Officers’ Call.

• Adjutant (who acts as announcer) requests that officers and guests clear the floor for the ceremony. Floor Committee places line and stanchions (if used) to define ceremonial aisle and area.

• At H–5, the drum and bugle unit (D&B), color guard, and honor guard form at exit, prepared to march on. For an officer’s; birthday ball, honor guard consists of two officers of each grade; at small posts, where the ball is an all-hands party for the whole command, honor guard consists of two lieutenants, tow staff NCOs, two sergeants, and two corporals. All honor guard members are covered and wear Mameluke or NCO Sword as appropriate.

• At H–1, adjutant takes post on floor, adjacent to exit, and, at H—hour, when all hands are posted, commands, “Sound Adjutant’s Call.”

• D&B sounds Adjutant’s Call, then marches up the aisle to designated post, playing “Foreign Legion March,” or “Sea Soldiers.”

• (When D&B halts, historical pageant, if any, commences. At conclusion of pageant—or next event, if no pageant—orchestra plays “Semper Fidelis.”

• On first note of “Semper Fidelis,” honor guard steps off.

• Honor Guard, junior rank in lead, proceeds up the aisle two abreast, each pair at six-pace intervals. At six paces inside hall, senior person in leading pair commands, 1. Officers 2. HALT. Without further command, pair faces outboard, takes three paces, halts, and faces about. Six paces farther, the next junior pair repeats this evolution, etc. In each case, the only spoken command is 1. Officers 2. HALT, the remaining movements being executed simultaneously in cadence without command. When the honor guard is posted, the orchestra stops playing.

• D&B sounds Attention.

• Senior Marine commander and honored guests (the official party) enter and march up aisle, face about, take post at head of aisle abreast of senior pair of honor guards, and receive honors (if a flag or general officer is present from D&B.

• Orchestra commences “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Color guard enters from exit and marches up aisle, halting abreast of next senior pair of honor guards. Music ceases when color guard halts.

• Adjutant, from original post at rear proclaims, “Long live the United States, and success to the Marines!”

• D&B plays “To the Color.” All covered officers come to hand salute. Colors then take designated post.

• Fanfare by D&B.

• Orchestra commences “The Marines’ Hymn.” Birthday cake is wheeled in from exit by four-person cake escort, followed by the adjutant. Cake is posted abreast of second senior pair of honor guards. Cake escort takes post in rear of cake.

• Adjutant steps front and center between cake and official party.

• Senior Marine commands, “Publish the Article.”

• The adjutant then publishes Article 38, Marine Corps Manual 1921, and resumes post.

• Senior Marine steps forward to make remarks, followed by remarks, if any, by honored guest.

• At conclusion of remarks, adjutant steps forward and hand senior Marine an unsheathed Mameluke Sword (previously paced on cake table), with which senior Marine cuts cake while orchestra plays “Auld Lang Syne.”

• Senior Marine then introduces and presents cake slice to youngest and oldest Marines present. When senior to the senior Marine (for example, and ambassador, secretary of the Navy, etc.) the honored guest is asked to cut the cake by the senior Marine, who then introduces youngest and oldest Marines, who in turn receive slices from the honored guest.

• Cake escort then retires cake to a flank where waiters receive it.

• D&B commences “Semper Fidelis.” Senior Marine and official party retire from post and proceed to head table or box.

• Color guard marches off followed by the honor guard in reverse sequence (senior pair leading). As the rear rank of honor guard comes abreast of next pair, the senior of that pair commands 1. Forward. 2. MARCH, and the pair marches three paces inboard face right and left respectively, and step off without further command. The D&B marches off at six paces behind final pair of honor guards. On passing through exit, each D&B player mutes instrument so the music will seem to fade away in the distance.

• Floor Committee removes line and stanchions. D&B ceases playing, and ceremony end.

Conclusion

Remember, these are guidelines for conduct of your Marine Corps Birthday celebration. Do not forget the ironclad rule for the birthday ball: Make it a good one! (

|MARINE CORPS ORDERS |HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS |

|No. 47 (Series 1921) |Washington, November 1, 1921 |

| |

|759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. |

|Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt. |

|(1) On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men |

|have borne the name “Marine”. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by|

|calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history. |

|(2) The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s |

|history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle |

|of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquillity at home, generation after |

|generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its |

|citizens might enjoy peace and security. |

|(3) In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, |

|winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and |

|soldierly virtue. |

|(4) This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the |

|corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has |

|been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to|

|every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the |

|long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps. |

| |  |

| |JOHN A. LEJEUNE, |

| |Major General Commandant |

|75705--21 |

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