Commemorating 247 Years of the U.S. Marine Corps

On November 10th, The United States Marine Corps will celebrate its 247th birthday. The day commemorates the establishment of the Continental Marines, the forerunner of the USMC. The Marine Corps, part of the U.S. Department of the Navy, is tasked with providing protection on land and at sea. 

The USMC uses the mobility of the Navy to deliver task forces rapidly, conducting operations with their own infantry, artillery, aerial, and special forces members.

November 10th is a time to celebrate the Marine Corps, its history, and its service. What better way to do so than with thoughtfully designed custom challenge coins? These small tokens have a rich tradition in the military. 

Marine Corps challenge coins typically have the iconic Eagle, Globe, and Anchor logo and a silver anchor rope. The emblem is emblazoned on a scarlet backdrop with a blue band that bears the phrases "Department of the Navy" above and "United States Marine Corps" below in white letters. A gold rope edge finishes off the seal. Other elements, such as the Marines' “Semper Fi” motto, nicknames, and images of artillery, tanks, and helicopters, make these coins unique and memorable.

Let’s learn more about how challenge coins are the ideal way to honor the distinguished history of the Marine Corps.

Military Challenge Coins

A challenge coin is distinguished by its details, and each design is unique. Military challenge coins are inspired by the specific branch that each one represents. Each branch has its own logos, emblems, symbols, and mottos, as does each squad, unit, and battalion. These elements make a custom coin design memorable.

The Marines in particular have many such symbols and mottos, including The Few, The Proud, The Marines; Semper Fi (short version of Semper Fidelis, Latin for “always faithful”) and many more.

There are multiple ways to make a given challenge coin design stand out. Choose from metal finishes, custom edges, and colors. Marine custom coins should feature a clean, classic appearance with a well-balanced design as a representation of the Corps itself. Take the time to incorporate thoughtful and meaningful details into your design.

You can craft custom coins to accurately represent any Marine group, from a  four-man fire team to an attack squadron, all the way up to a full division. You can design your coin and have it made  in virtually any shape you can imagine.

Marine Corps challenge coins allow Marines to show their pride and are a time-honored way to commemorate Corps values. They are even a popular way for families of recruits to show support. Parents can have Boot Camp graduation coins made for their sons or daughters.

Custom Marine rank coins are also popular, ranging all the way from private to general. In a traditional coin challenge, the person who holds a coin given to them by the highest ranking official doesn’t have to buy drinks. 

The highest ranking challenge coin any service member can receive comes from the Commander in Chief himself, the President of the United States. Every president since Clinton has had his own custom coins to give at their discretion. 

The exchange can go both ways. A Marine combat patrol unit presented a challenge coin to President George W. Bush when he visited Iraq in 2007.

With custom coins, you can even honor Marines decades after their service. In 2022, Honor Flight Chicago, a nonprofit that flies war veterans to Washington, D.C. for a day of honor and remembrance, created its first Marine Corps challenge coin to thank Marine vets. The coin features the Honor Flight Chicago logo on the front and the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem on the reverse. 

Marine Corps History

The 18th and 19th Centuries

The Marine Corps dates to November 10, 1775. Captain Samuel Nicholas formed two battalions of Continental Marines in Philadelphia. Nicholas was the first commissioned officer of the Continental Marines and remained a senior officer throughout the American Revolution.

In 1776, the Marines undertook their first amphibious landing during the Battle of Nassau in the Bahamas. The following year the Marines fought in the Battle of Princeton, where Washington personally rallied them. The battle was the first land combat engagement of the Marines.

The Continental Navy and Marines disbanded following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Shortly after, Congress formally established the United States Marine Corps, which took part in many naval operations during the War of 1812.

The Marines played a role in the Mexican-American War, seizing seaports on the Gulf and Pacific coasts. Marines also served in the Civil War. A Marine battalion fought at Bull Run, while other units protected essential ports around the country.

The 20th and 21st Centuries

The end of the 19th century saw Marines deployed worldwide, including the Caribbean, China, Guam, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Mexico. During World War I, Marines earned the title of "Devil Dogs" for their actions in many battles in France, including the final Meuse-Argonne offensive that led to end of the war. 

During World War II, the Marines expanded their use of amphibious warfare. By 1945, the Corps had grown to six units, five air wings, and supporting troops. The Marine Corps also played critical roles in Korea and Vietnam.

Since the 1970s, the Marines have participated in peacekeeping operations, Operation Desert Storm, and other worldwide operations including missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. They also conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

Honoring the USMC with Challenge Coins

Custom coins are an outstanding way to honor any of those missions, or any other Marine engagement throughout history. You can even create a series of challenge coins to represent a timeline of Marine history from the beginning to the present day.

This rich history inspires many challenge coins representing the Marine Corps. The coins pay homage to the past and celebrate the future. What better time to celebrate this history than on the Marine Corps' birthday? 

A custom challenge coin is a perfect way to honor the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Let's create something meaningful commemorating their role in protecting our freedom. Find out more about designing custom challenge coins.