The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is an independent branch of the United States Armed Forces. The unit was established in November 1775, and the first division of this unit was formed a year later. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the US Marine Corps served mainly in the region of South and Central America, protecting American interests in this part of the world. It was then that the principle was established that the USMC would be the first among other units of the US Armed Forces to deploy to the area of operations. The corps fought in World War I, but they gained particular fame during the bloody and difficult battles in the Pacific Ocean in 1941-1945, participating in such battles as Guadalcanal (1942-1943), Tarawa (1943), Iwo Jima and Okinawa (both from 1945). Often in the face of the enemy, the soldiers of this formation showed great courage, as can be seen, for example, John Basilone, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his achievements during the battles on Guadalcanal. After 1945, the soldiers of the corps fought, for example, in the Korean War (1950-1953) or, especially, in the Vietnam War (1964/1965-1975), suffering heavy losses in the latter. After the end of the Cold War, the soldiers of the US Marine Corps participated, for example, in both Persian Gulf Wars (1990-1991 and 2003). Currently, the corps has 182,000 soldiers, and about 38,500 in the reserves. The motto of the corps is the Latin motto Semper Fidelis (Polish: always faithful).
