#OTD in 1847, Marines seized the Chapultepec Castle in the Battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City, Mexico. On December 29th, 1845, Texas became the 28th State of the Union, formally joining the U.S. on February 19th, 1846. Boundary disputes began immediately between the U.S. and Mexico, and the tense political situation intensified throughout 1846 as military actions at the border increased. On the morning of September 12th, the Marines started a day-long bombardment, and on the following morning, they ordered the infantry to attack. Mexico City fell on September 15th, 1847. The legacy of these Marines is memorialized with the red “blood stripe” on Marine noncommissioned officer and officer dress blue uniforms, representing the sacrifice of those Marines lost in battle. #USMCHistory #SemperFidelis #BattleofChapultepec #BloodStripe
Actually… 🤔 The belief that the blood stripe on Marine Corps' (NCOs) dress blue trousers commemorates the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) is a popular piece of Marine Corps lore. According to tradition, the red stripe honors the Marines who fought and died in the Battle of Chapultepec in 1847, during which many officers and NCOs were killed or wounded while storming Chapultepec Castle. However, historical evidence suggests that the red stripe on Marine dress blue uniforms predates the Battle of Chapultepec. Red piping or stripes were part of Marine Corps uniforms as early as 1834, well before the Mexican-American War. While the stripe may have become more associated with the valor shown during the Battle of Chapultepec, it was not originally introduced for that reason. The earliest regulations that specified the use of a red stripe on the blue dress trousers date back to the 1830s, indicating that its usage was more of a uniform distinction rather than a direct commemoration of the battle. Over time, the stripe has gained symbolic significance, particularly for Marine Corps officers and NCOs, linking it to the legacy of bravery and sacrifice in battles like Chapultepec.
No U.S. president has ever served in the U.S. Marine Corps. While several presidents have served in the military, their service was primarily in other branches such as the U.S. Army or Navy. For example: - George Washington served in the Virginia militia. - Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower served in the Army. - John F. Kennedy and George H. W. Bush served in the Navy. Despite the absence of a Marine Corps veteran as president, many other military branches have been represented in the nation's highest office. Answering the Nations highest calling - A United States Marine
I remember learning about this battle as a kid as the last stand of Los niños heroes de Chapultepec. Then as a Marine I learned another version of the story. After all these years I have concluded that those teens that defended the castle were supposed to be trained in napoleonic and Indian guerrilla tactics to such a degree that they were able to defend that stronghold so well with limited people & resources. This is equivalent to the Alamo of Texas; even more so because these were teens who were trained equivalent to Ender from Ender’s game. The Marines now have blood stripes on the trousers for this and Mexicans have an epic tale to tell. I’m so proud and simultaneously distraught by having traditions on both sides of this damn near mythical battle 🔥💔🔥
- 130 dead, 703 wounded, 29 missing. RIP, brave Marines, on whose shoulders we stand and whose reputation we proudly wear the “Blood Stripe”. Semper Fi! 🌴
I visited the Chapultepec Castle 2 weeks ago. Felt surreal being there as US Marine and it being a pillar of our Marine Corps history.
Halls of Montezuma? The Monroe Doctrine? The Silver Crash of 1888? Spanish-American War? Where is Tripoli, today? Has the hydro-electric dam @ Aswan, influenced OPEC Geo-Politics?
I visited Chapultepec a few weeks back and it is absolutely stunning! Very difficult objective to take from the enemy given the surrounding terrain.
DBA Candidate | Regional Transportation Controller at Rotork | Veteran 1 Peter 5:7
1moWas just there last week and it was a great experience.