The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines--past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and under the command of Marine Corps University, the Museum's soaring design evokes the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000-square-foot structure. World-class interactive exhibits using the most innovative technology surround visitors with irreplaceable artifacts and immerse them in the sights and sounds of Marines in action.

In its final form, the National Museum of the Marine Corps will present a comprehensive study of more than 200 years of Marine Corps history. Individual galleries depict specific eras and highlight Marine contributions to significant events in American history.

PLAN YOUR VISIT. Welcome to the National Museum of the Marine Corps! You are invited to follow in the footsteps of Marines: from the yellow footprints that young recruits must fill at boot camp to the boot prints left in the sands of Pacific island beaches during World War II, in the snow of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, and in the red dirt of Hill 881 South in Vietnam. Planning your visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps is simple. The Museum, located astride I-95 near Marine Corps Base Quantico, is easily reached from the Washington, D.C. metro area. There is no admission fee and parking at the Museum is free. Guided tours are run daily and a free audio tour is also available. Wheelchairs are available upon request. VIP tours and special educational programs are available. The Museum Store carries a full line of Marine themed merchandise and the Mess Hall and Tun Tavern offer a variety of refreshments. If you have any questions, please contact the Museum at 1-800-397-7585 or via email at info@usmcmuseum.org Join us as we honor the service, commitment, and sacrifices made by all Marines!

Semper Fidelas distinguishes the Marine Corps from any other branch of the service. It goes beyond teamwork – it is a brotherhood that last for life.

COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENTS Honor an organization, an individual or group of individuals with a memorial monument along the paved trails of the Semper Fidelis Memorial Park. With over a mile of winding paths, there are many opportunities for organizations with an affinity with the Marine Corps to sponsor monuments. Sponsors take full responsibility for the cost of the monument and its installation, to include a one-time fee placed in escrow for the long-term maintenance of the monument. The precise location of any monument is dependent on the shape and size of the piece itself and the availability of installation sites.

A selection committee chaired by the President, Marine Corps University, considers all proposals for monuments. Anyone interested in proposing a monument should submit a concept, including dimensions, a materials list, any text to be included, name of sculptor or manufacturer, and a sketch of the finished piece. Organizations interested in proposing a monument should submit a concept, including dimensions, a materials list, any text to be included, name of sculptor or manufacturer, and a sketch of the finished piece to: President, Marine Corps University 2076 South Street Quantico, VA 22134-5067. An additional copy shall be submitted to the MCHF: Marine Corps Heritage Foundation 3800 Fettler Park Drive, Suite 104 Dumfries, VA 22025

Before there was the Iwo Jima Statue, there was “Iron Mike.” Erected in 1924 to Marines who fought in World War I, “Iron Mike” pre-dates the depot’s Iwo Jima Statue by 28 years. The statue once stood in a prominent location in the center of the base and was the symbol of Parris Island.
Though its origins are obscure, it seems that money for a monument to Parris Island Marines who died in World War I was originated “by officers and men in small amounts during the war, for the purpose of erecting a memorial to the marines who were trained at Parris Island and lost their lives during the world war.” While fund raising continued, solicitations went out for sculptors to submit designs.
The driving force behind the monument was Brig. Gen. Eli Cole, who had commanded Parris Island in 1918 before being sent to France. He returned to Parris Island in September 1919, and during his tenure, the project was pushed forward. Cole was in touch with the National Academy of Design in the city of New York and had the backing of Marine Corps war veterans, including the highly decorated Lt. Col. Frank Evans.

Bus for recruit depot PI ( Parris Island, SC ) San Diego, CA.

Jason L. Dunham, Corporal, Medal of Honor United States Marine Corps - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

In its final form, the National Museum of the Marine Corps will present a comprehensive study of more than 200 years of Marine Corps history. Individual galleries depict specific eras and highlight Marine contributions to significant events in American history.

MOH receipant USMC Dakota Meyer
Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of Afghan National Army and Border Police into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders. Moving into the village, the patrol was ambushed by more than 50 enemy fighters firing rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and machine guns from houses and fortified positions on the slopes above. Hearing over the radio that four U.S. team members were cut off, Corporal Meyer seized the initiative. With a fellow Marine driving, Corporal Meyer took the exposed gunner's position in a gun-truck as they drove down the steeply terraced terrain in a daring attempt to disrupt the enemy attack and locate the trapped U.S. team. Disregarding intense enemy fire now concentrated on their lone vehicle, Corporal Meyer killed a number of enemy fighters with the mounted machine guns and his rifle, some at near point blank range, as he and his driver made three solo trips into the ambush area. During the first two trips, he and his driver evacuated two dozen Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. When one machine gun became inoperable, he directed a return to the rally point to switch to another gun-truck for a third trip into the ambush area where his accurate fire directly supported the remaining U.S. personnel and Afghan soldiers fighting their way out of the ambush. Despite a shrapnel wound to his arm, Corporal Meyer made two more trips into the ambush area in a third gun-truck accompanied by four other Afghan vehicles to recover more wounded Afghan soldiers and search for the missing U.S. team members. Still under heavy enemy fire, he dismounted the vehicle on the fifth trip and moved on foot to locate and recover the bodies of his team members. Corporal Meyer's daring initiative and bold fighting spirit throughout the 6-hour battle significantly disrupted the enemy's attack and inspired the members of the combined force to fight on. His unwavering courage and steadfast devotion to his U.S. and Afghan comrades in the face of almost certain death reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

This gallery explores the first century of the Marine Corps from the creation of the Marine Corps at a tavern in Philadelphia by members of the Continental Congress through the combat actions of Marines on both sides of the American Civil War. Specific exhibits study the Marine’s role in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Corps’ efforts to combat pirates and slave traders on the high seas.

During the spring and summer of 1918, the German Supreme Command planned to take Paris and win World War I. Standing in their way stood the USMC. The Marines fought the advancing Germans using everything from aircraft to their bare knuckles and succeeded in stopping the German advance - helping end the bloody carnage of World War I.

The Ship's Bell at Semper Fidelis Memorial Chapel. This Bell was used by Marines at Marine Barracks Guam and is so marked. It was transferred to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in 1993. It is a standard naval design and could date back as far as World War II. This Ship's Bell is to honor Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune, Thirteenth Commandant of the Marine Corps. Sponsored by TSOCP LMB JRB PTB