United States Marine Corps Geocoin - Battle Streamers

Visit historic Marine battlefields (the coordinates on the attached battle streamers or the nearest Geocache).

The Battle Color of the United States Marine Corps is adorned with 54 streamers commemorating battles, campaigns, and citations earned by Marines since November 10, 1775. Attached to this Geocoin are streamers representative of historic battles and campaigns in which Marines have distinguished themselves.

The Barbary Wars streamer commemorates the assault on Derna by a Marine detachment led by Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon on April 27, 1805. The battle is also the origin of the Marine officer's Mameluke sword and the Marine's Hymn verse "To the shores of Tripoli."

The Mexican War streamer commemorates the capture of Chapultapec Castle on September 13, 1847. The battle is also the origin of the “blood stripe” on the dress blue uniform and the Marine's Hymn verse "From the Halls of Montezuma."

The Spanish American War streamer commemorates the Battle of Cuzco Wells, Cuba on June 14, 1898 where Sergeant John Quick was awarded the Medal of Honor for signaling naval gunfire while exposing himself to enemy fire.

The World War I Victory streamer commemorates the Battle of Belleau Wood, France in June of 1918. The 4th Marine Brigade was awarded the French Forragere for their valor and tenacity in defeating the heavily fortified German forces.

Two World War II Asiatic - Pacific Campaign streamers commemorate the Battle of Guadalcanal where Col Merrit Edson was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading his Raider Battalion in the defense of Lunga Ridge against a larger Japanese assault force; the Battle of Tarawa where four Marines of 2nd Marine Division were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the amphibious assault of the atoll under murderous Japanese fire; the Battle of Iwo Jima where the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions defeated entrenched Japanese forces and the US flag was raised on Mt. Suribachi; and the Battle of Okinawa where the 1st and 6th Marine Divsions and the US Army's 7th and 96th Divisions engaged in a fierce 82 day battle at the cusp of the Japanese mainland.

The Korean Service streamer commemorates the Battle of Inchon in September of 1950 in which elements of the 1st Marine Division and Republic of Korea Marines conducted a decisive amphibious assault north of Seoul.

The Vietnam Service streamer commemorates two battles in 1968; the Battle of Khe Sanh in which the 26th Marine Regiment (Reinforced) and elements of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam defended the isolated outpost from North Vietnamese divisions for 77 days; and the Battle for Hue City in which elements of the 1st and 5th Marine Regiments fought house to house for three weeks to liberate the historic Citadel from North Vietnamese forces.

The Southwest Asia Service streamer commemorates the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 by the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions during Operation Desert Storm.

The Afghanistan Campaign streamer commemorates the liberation and current operations by Marines in Afghanistan.

The Iraq Campaign streamer commemorates the liberation and current operations by Marines in Iraq.