Almost a year before the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Marines—later The United States Marine Corps—were born, a band of bold, fearless, fighting men recruited for duty on land or at sea, wherever the call to arms might sound. Down the years the proud reputation of the "Leatherbacks" has grown, until today their legendary bravery and daring make spine-tingling talk the world over.

The Marines were with Captain Nicholas, who made the first landing action in our history. They fought the Barbary pirates on the shores of Tripoli with Marine Lieutenant O'Bannon—the man who raised the first American flag to fly over a fortress in the Old World. They have taken part in each of our military struggles since the War of Independence.

There are strange stories in the records of the Marine Corps, but few stranger than that of Marine Sergeant Faustin Wirkus, who was crowned king of a Caribbean island. Or the adventure of Marine Sergeant Herman Hanneken, who captured the leader of the Cacos, a dreaded bandit group on the island of Haiti.

In this authentic account of the U.S. Marine Corps from its beginning to the present day, there is something to appeal to every reader. There are funny tales and sad ones. There are tales of great courage and bold deeds. And through all of them shines the flaming spirit of a great nation ever ready to defend its priceless heritage of freedom.

From the dust jacket