





BOOK REVIEW: Marine Corps timeline an interesting slice of history

Visitors to the National Museum of the Marine Corps have been soimpressed by a particular wall in the museum that the wall hasbecome a book, “A Legacy Walk Through Marine Corps History.”

The museum was dedicated on Nov. 10, 2006, the 231st birthday ofthe Marine Corps, in Quantico, Va. And the spot that hasconsistently attracted so much attention is a long, blue walladorned with a timeline, a chronological record of significanthistorical events, photography and artifacts from 1775 to 2009 ----including mementos of the birth of the Marine Corps and of theUnited States. In a clever visual display, the Marine Corps historyis connected above the line with national and world events belowthe line.

The wall proved so popular with museum visitors that it has beenreplicated in a large-format picture book. Both the wall and thebook offer a poignant and inspiring immersion into Marine Corpshistory and a tangible tribute to Marines past and present.


The foreword is written by former astronaut, senator and retiredMarine Col. John Glenn. The introduction is by former Secretary ofState George P. Schultz, who signed his contribution with the title"George P. Schultz, Marine.”

Both of these famous Marines served the nation during World WarII. In “A Legacy Walk,” they describe their personal memoriescalled up by the display and their gratitude to those Marines whogave the ultimate sacrifice to their Corps and country. It is arelationship between individual and nation that has been reflectedfor decades.

In his philosophical dialogue “The Republic,” Plato describedsociety as one consisting of three main classes of people: thecitizens or traders, the warriors and the legislators.

Similar to Plato’s characterization of society, “A Legacy Walk"captures the interrelationship between the people, the politics andthe Marine Corps ---- interestingly and graphically, with beautifulphotography.


For any history buff ---- and even those mildly intrigued by theevents that have shaped the United States ---- the journey through"A Legacy Walk” is educational. In some entries, theinterconnection of events is a poignant reminder of our progress---- or lack of it. In 1808, Congress outlawed the importation ofslaves into the United States. In 1820, Marines participated incapturing seven slave trading ships off the coast of Africa toenforce the new statute. But it would be another 55 years beforethe Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln (Jan.1, 1863), and another two years until the 13th Amendment wasenacted and all slavery was declared illegal on Dec. 18, 1865.

In 1942, the first black recruits were enlisted into the MarineCorps. Not until 1948 was the first black Marine officercommissioned in the Marine Corps. In 1954, the Supreme Courtdeclared racial segregation in public schools a violation of theConstitution. Two hundred years after Congress had outlawedimporting slaves into the United States, Barack Obama was electedpresident of the United States.

For educators, “A Legacy Walk Through Marine Corps History” is aready reference book for the classroom. (The book is available fromthe museum’s website,

For Americans, it provides a perspective on the past.


For Marines, the events will evoke memories and reflections ofpersonal commitment in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq,Afghanistan and other deployments around the world. “A Legacy Walk"preserves their selfless sacrifices of our national treasures ----the men and women in uniform ---- in the context of world eventssurrounding them.

Each reader might interpret these events differently, but somewill echo the sentiments of Sinclair Lewis, who wrote in 1930,"Intellectually I know that America is no better than any othercountry; emotionally I know that she is better than every othercountry.”

Steve Fisher of Fallbrook is a retired Marine officer andVietnam veteran.

“A Legacy Walk Through Marine Corps History”


**** (out of four)

Edited by: Beth L. Crumley

Publisher: National Museum of the Marine Corps

Binding: Hardcover and softcover


Pages: 121 (illustrated)

Price: $39.95 hardcover, $24.95 softcover