Marine Corps Emblem
The basic design of the emblem was officially adopted in 1868. It is a
symbolic representation which Americans, both civilian and military,
immediately identify as "Marine". Prior to 1868, the Marines wore various
emblems based mainly on the spread eagle and fouled anchor. In 1868, the
seventh Commandant, General Zeilin, decided on a single, distinctive emblem
centered around the globe.
The emblem represents what we stand for, our past, and our future. There
are three basic components of the Marine Corps emblem:
Anchor. The first part of the emblem is the anchor. It is not just a plain
anchor but a "fouled" anchor. The anchor emphasizes the close ties of the
Marine Corps with the U.S. Navy.
Globe. Emphasizing the close ties between the U.S. Marine Corps and the
British Royal Marines, the idea of a globe as part of the emblem was borrowed
from the emblem of the Royal Marines. However, the Royal Marines' emblem shows
the Eastern Hemisphere, whereas the U.S. Marine Corps' emblem shows the
Western Hemisphere. This was only natural since the United States is located
in the Western Hemisphere and many of the early Marine combat operations and
noncombatant duties were in the Western Hemisphere. Today, of course, the
globe can also symbolize the "global" Marine Corps commitments and area
responsibilities which have evolved in the 20th century.
Eagle. The third part of the emblem is the eagle. The eagle is the national
symbol of the United States, and is the one part of the emblem which readily
identifies the Marine Corps with the United States. The eagle proudly carries
a streamer in its beak which bears the motto of the Corps, "Semper Fidelis."
Marine Corps Seal On 22 June 1954, President Eisenhower signed
Executive Order 105.38 "Establishing a Seal for the United States Marine
Corps". General Lemuel C. Shepard, Jr., 20th Commandant designed the seal
which consists of the Marine Corps emblem in bronze, the eagle holding in its
beak a scroll inscribed, "Semper Fidelis," against a scarlet and blue
background, encircled by the words, "Department of the Navy - Unites States
Marine Corps."
