Revered for its tough training regime and "hit-the-beaches" attacking philosophy, the U.S. Marine Corps has fought in every conflict in which America has been involved overseas since George Washington's first amphibious operations during the Revolution. Operating from land, sea or air (and often all three), its troops have fought the British, the French, the Barbary pirates, Latin Americans, Germans, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Iraqis and forces in the Balkans - everywhere that America has perceived there to be a threat to its national interests. The Marine Corps today is a sophisticated force prepared to spearhead a hard-hitting and rapid response to military threats, and at the same time undertake humanitarian missions anywhere in the world. The exciting history of this elite force is told fluidly, and illustrated floridly, in this essential reference work.