Eagle, Globe, and Anchor

Last updated
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Eagle, Globe and Anchor.svg
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (commonly referred to as an EGA) is the official emblem and insignia of the United States Marine Corps. [1] [2] The current emblem traces its roots in the designs and ornaments of the early Continental Marines as well as the United Kingdom's Royal Marines.[ citation needed ] The present emblem, adopted in 1955, differs from the emblem of 1868 only by a change in the eagle. Before that time many devices, ornaments, ribbons, and distinguishing marks followed one another as official badges of the corps.

Contents

History

Old EGA.png
USMC oldEGA button.jpg
Early insignia, seen today on modern uniform buttons
American Civil War-era USMC insignia Marine Hat Pin.gif
American Civil War-era USMC insignia

In 1776, the device consisted of a fouled anchor (tangled in its rope) of silver or pewter. Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824. In 1834, it was prescribed that a brass eagle be worn on the cover, the eagle to measure 3.5 inches (89 mm) from wingtip to wingtip. An eagle clutching a fouled anchor with thirteen six-pointed stars above was used on uniform buttons starting in 1804. [3] This same insignia is used today on the buttons of Marine dress and service uniforms, with the six-pointed stars changed to five-pointed stars. [3] [4]

During the early years numerous distinguishing marks were prescribed, including "black cockades", "scarlet plumes", and "yellow bands and tassels". In 1859, the first version of the present color scheme for the officer's dress uniform insignia appeared on an elaborate device of solid white metal and yellow metal. The design included a United States shield, half wreath, a bugle, and the letter "M." [4]

In 1868, the USMC's commandant, Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, appointed a board "to decide and report upon the various devices of cap ornaments of the Marine Corps." On November 13, 1868, the board recommended the modern insignia. It was approved by the commandant four days later, and by the Secretary of the Navy on November 19, 1868. [4]

Design and symbolism

US Marine Corps Insignias-Subdued.png
Officer EGA.png
Enlisted GlobeAnchor.jpg
Top=officer dress, bottom=enlisted dress
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor embroidered on an MCCUU cover in June 2002 EGA on USMC MCCUU eight-point cover, 2002.png
Eagle, Globe, and Anchor embroidered on an MCCUU cover in June 2002

The emblem recommended by the 1868 board consisted of a globe (showing the continents of the Western Hemisphere) intersected by a fouled anchor, and surmounted by a spread eagle. On the emblem itself, there is a ribbon, clasped in the eagle's beak, bearing the Latin motto " Semper Fidelis " (English: Always Faithful). The uniform insignias omit the motto ribbon.

The general design of the emblem was probably derived from the Royal Marines' "Globe and Laurel," which shows the eastern hemisphere. [5] The globe on the U.S. Marine emblem signifies the Corps' readiness to service in any part of the world. The eagle represents the United States. The anchor, which dates back to the founding of the corps in 1775, acknowledges the naval tradition of the Marines and their continual service within the Department of the Navy.

There are some differences between the uniform insignia for enlisted marines and that of officers: The enlisted Marines' dress blue uniform insignia is die-struck from a single sheet of brass and anodized a gold color. The service uniform insignia is coated a flat black color.

The officers' insignia is assembled from four parts: a die-struck silver colored globe with eagle, and gold colored anchor with silver colored fouling rope, and gold colored continents.

Current emblem and seal

United States Marine Corps seal USMC logo.svg
United States Marine Corps seal

In 1954, the USMC Commandant, General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., requested the design of an official seal for the corps.

The new seal included the traditional Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem in gold, with the Globe and anchor rope in silver. The eagle is depicted with wings displayed, standing upon the western hemisphere of the terrestrial globe, and holding in his beak a white ribbon bearing the Marine Corps motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) with the hemisphere superimposed on a fouled anchor. An American bald eagle replaced the crested eagle depicted on the 1868 emblem.

The emblem is displayed on a scarlet background encircled with a blue band bearing the phrases "Department of the Navy" above and "United States Marine Corps" below in white letters, the whole edged in a gold rope

U.S. President Eisenhower approved the design on June 22, 1954. The emblem as shown on the seal was adopted in 1955 as the official Marine Corps emblem.

Similar symbols

VNMC Beret Flash (metallic version) VNMC Metallic Beret Flash-1970s.png
VNMC Beret Flash (metallic version)
Republic of Korea Marine Corps' seal Seal of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.svg
Republic of Korea Marine Corps' seal

The emblem of the U.S. Marine Corps became an inspiration of the marine corps and naval infantry insignia of other nations, such as Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea. The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC), the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), and the Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC) use an insignia that bears a resemblance to the emblem of the USMC.

The emblem of the South Korean marines consists of a golden star superimposed into the fouled anchor. The eagle is similar to that of the USMC's.

The insignia of the Thai marines is similar to that of the USMC, with the exception of a golden Garuda above the globe, and a silhouette map of Thailand.

The emblem of the Republic of China Marine Corps is similar to that of the USMC, with the exception of a Blue Sky with a White Sun above the globe, and a silhouette map of the Republic of China's claimed territories, including Mainland China and Outer Mongolia.

The Republic of Vietnam Marine Division, a.k.a. the South Vietnamese marine corps (VNMC), also used an emblem similar to that of the USMC, with the exception of a map of Vietnam and a red star superimposed onto the globe.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of the United States Marine Corps</span>

The flag of the United States Marine Corps is the flag used to represent the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as its subsidiary units and formations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gallantry Cross (South Vietnam)</span> Award

The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross also known as the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross or Vietnam Cross of Gallantry is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam. The medal was created on August 15, 1950, and was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Zeilin</span> United States Marine Corps general

Jacob Zeilin was the United States Marine Corps' first non-brevet flag officer. He served as the seventh commandant of the United States Marine Corps, from 1864 to 1876.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps</span> Senior enlisted member of the U.S. Marine Corps

The sergeant major of the Marine Corps is a billet, as well as a unique enlisted grade of rank, and is designated a special paygrade above E-9. The position also has a unique non-commissioned grade of rank insignia, in the United States Marine Corps. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted marine in the Marine Corps, unless an enlisted marine is serving as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman, which is the case as of November 3, 2023.

The Air and Space Training Ribbon (ASTR) is the lowest military award of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, ranking only above foreign military awards.

The Fleet Marine Force warfare insignia, also known as the Fleet Marine Force badge or FMF pin, are three military badges of the United States Navy which are issued to those U.S. Navy officers and sailors who are trained and qualified to perform duties in support of the United States Marine Corps. There are currently three classes of the Fleet Marine Force pin, being that of enlisted, officer, and chaplain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Dress Uniform</span> Fatigues used by the US Armed Forces from early 1980s to mid-2000s

The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) is a camouflaged combat uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces as their standard combat uniform from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s. Since then, it has been replaced or supplanted in every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Badges of the United States Navy</span> Military badges of the US Navy

Insignias and badges of the United States Navy are military badges issued by the United States Department of the Navy to naval service members who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Navy. Most naval aviation insignia are also permitted for wear on uniforms of the United States Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Badges of the United States Marine Corps</span> Military badges of the U.S. Marine Corps

Insignia and badges of the United States Marine Corps are military "badges" issued by the United States Department of the Navy to Marines who achieve certain qualifications and accomplishments while serving on both active and reserve duty in the United States Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peaked cap</span> Form of uniform headgear with a short visor, crown, band, and insignia

A peaked cap, peaked hat, service cap, barracks cover, or combination cap is a form of headgear worn by the armed forces of many nations, as well as many uniformed civilian organisations such as law enforcement agencies and fire departments. It derives its name from its short visor, or peak, which was historically made of polished leather but increasingly is made of a cheaper synthetic substitute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Command at Sea insignia</span> Badge in the US military

The Command at Sea insignia is a badge of the United States' seagoing services worn by officers on their uniforms to denote that they are the commander, or formerly a commander, of a warship. If the wearer is currently the commander of a warship, it is worn above the nametag, which is worn a quarter of an inch above the right chest pocket on a uniform shirt. Afterwards, the pin is moved to the left side of the shirt or jacket. For the commanders of land-based installations, a different but similar version known as the Command Ashore insignia instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colonel (United States)</span> Military rank of the United States

A colonel in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, is the most senior field-grade military officer rank, immediately above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general. Colonel is equivalent to the naval rank of captain in the other uniformed services. By law, an officer previously required at least 22 years of cumulative service and a minimum of three years as a lieutenant colonel before being promoted to colonel. With the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, military services now have the authorization to directly commission new officers up to the rank of colonel. The pay grade for colonel is O-6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the United States Navy</span> Clothes worn by members of the United States Navy

The uniforms of the United States Navy include dress uniforms, daily service uniforms, working uniforms, and uniforms for special situations, which have varied throughout the history of the navy. For simplicity in this article, officers refers to both commissioned officers and warrant officers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Military Academy</span> Private college preparatory academy in Harlingen, TX, US

The Marine Military Academy (MMA) is a private college preparatory academy located in Harlingen, Texas, US, offering a curriculum for boys in grades 7–12 plus one year of post-graduate study. The school was founded in 1965. Its traditions and ideals are inspired by the United States Marine Corps (USMC), but the school is not affiliated with the USMC except through its Junior ROTC program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps</span> US military uniform

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) prescribes several types of military uniform to distinguish its service members from other armed services, depending on the situation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform</span> Uniform

The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) is the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by Navy personnel assigned to Marine Corps units.

The culture of the United States Marine Corps is widely varied but unique amongst the branches of the United States Armed Forces. Because members of the Marine Corps are drawn from across the United States, it is as varied as each individual Marine but tied together with core values and traditions passed from generation to generation of Marines. As in any military organization, the official and unofficial traditions of the Marine Corps serve to reinforce camaraderie and set the service apart from others. The Corps' embracement of its rich culture and history is cited as a reason for its high esprit de corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awards and decorations of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</span>

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, has the authority to issue various awards and commendations to its members. These include individual honor awards, unit honor awards, service awards, training ribbons and qualification insignia. NOAA Corps awards and decorations include:

Chief petty officer (CPO) is the seventh enlisted rank in the United States Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, is above petty officer first class and below senior chief petty officer. The term "rating" is used to identify enlisted job specialties. In this way, enlisted personnel are segregated into three segments containing different enlisted ranks. Furthermore, rates are broken down into three levels: non-rated members without a designated occupation. Advancement to E-4 and above is dependent on graduating from a specialty school that define what the enlisted is rated for. Petty officers and chief petty officers are part of the rated force and considered extremely knowledgeable about their particular rating. Examples include Culinary Services Chief and Aviation Maintenance Chief. The Chief Petty Officer is the rank. Gunners Mate is a rating. E7 is a pay grade. The term rating is used to identify the career field of a chief petty officer. For example, the title of a chief petty officer in the Master-at-Arms rating would be spoken or spelled out as Chief Master-at-Arms. The title would be abbreviated MAC. The grade of chief petty officer was established on 1 April 1893 in the United States Navy. The United States Congress first authorized the Coast Guard to use the promotion to Chief Petty Officer on 18 May 1920. Chief petty officer is also the final cadet grade in the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps .

  1. "FAQ: What is the origin of the eagle, globe and anchor?". Leatherneck - Magazine of the Marines. Archived from the original on 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-05-10. Always referred to as the Marine Corps emblem and never as the 'EGA...'
  2. "SgtMaj Sommers: No Way To 'EGA'". Sound Off. Leatherneck. February 2001. p. 63. Archived from the original on 2002-02-06. Retrieved February 6, 2002.
  3. 1 2 Smith, Charles Richard; Waterhouse, Charles H. (1975). A Pictorial History: the Marines in the Revolution (PDF). United States Marine Corps Historical Division. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-08-15. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  4. 1 2 3 "Marine Corps Emblem and Seal". United States Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  5. "Customs and Traditions: Marine Corps Emblem and Seal". History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2007-09-01.

Further reading