DeCA honors 251 years of the U.S. Marine Corps

Defense Commissary Agency:

"By Tamara Eastman, DeCA Historian

Facebook-Friendly version: The Defense Commissary Agency honors the U.S. Marine Corps on its 251st birthday Nov. 10, recognizing the Corps’ enduring legacy and DeCA’s long-standing support for Marines and their families. Watch the https://vimeo.com/1228841462/8ad40a6415?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci Download the graphic on DVIDS.

Established by the Continental Congress in 1775, the Marine Corps has built a history marked by service across the globe, from its earliest amphibious operations to modern-day missions. Its enduring heritage reflects the courage, discipline and resolve that have distinguished the Corps for generations.

“For 251 years, Marines have built a legacy of honor, service, sacrifice and commitment to one another,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Brian J. Morrison, senior enlisted adviser to the DeCA director. “On the Marine Corps’ birthday, DeCA is honored to serve Marines and their families by delivering the commissary benefit they have earned: quality groceries, meaningful savings and convenience wherever they serve.”

Seventeen commissaries serve Marine Corps bases, including three in Okinawa and one on mainland Japan. These commissaries offer a range of modern conveniences, including self-checkout registers, digital coupons, sushi bars, hot foods, deli-bakery departments, credit and debit cards, gift cards and dietitian-approved resources to help customers identify healthy foods. At participating locations, customers may also order groceries online through Commissary CLICK2GO for pickup.

One of the Corps’ earliest operations was its first amphibious raid, which took place in March 1776 at New Providence in the Bahamas. After the Corps was disbanded in 1783 following the Revolutionary War, Congress reestablished the U.S. Marine Corps on July 11, 1798.

In the years that followed, Marines fought Barbary pirates, served in the War of 1812 and reached the “Halls of Montezuma” in Mexico City during the Mexican-American War. Marine brigades later fought with distinction in France during World War I, most notably at the Battle of Belleau Wood.

During World War II, the Corps refined amphibious island-hopping strategies in the Pacific theater during historic battles such as Okinawa and Iwo Jima. The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 made women a permanent part of the Marine Corps. The Corps then saw major action at the Inchon landing during the Korean War and continued to adapt through the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As with every branch of the military, feeding Marines has always been an important mission.

During the 18th century, Marines and sailors aboard warships received weekly rations that included 3 pounds of salt pork, beef or fish; a pound of dried peas; a pound of flour; a pound of coffee; a wad of tobacco; and biscuits known as hardtack. Hardtack, also called ship’s bread, was a staple of their diets. The rations, however, often lacked nutritional value and flavor.

Shipboard Marines and their sailor crewmates also received a half-pint of spirits each day. The spirits were served under controlled conditions to help prevent drunkenness aboard ship.

Fresh fruits and vegetables presented another challenge. When ships pulled into port, the crew and embarked Marines often bought goods from local vendors. But the produce frequently began to rot within a few days of being brought aboard.

Bumboat operators, vendors who peddled provisions to ships in port, sold crews a wide range of items, including fruit, vegetables, coffee, tea, rum, tobacco and baked goods. They often charged exorbitant prices, taking advantage of Marines and sailors who had few other options for obtaining these goods.

In 1909, Congress authorized funding for Navy stores to reduce reliance on bumboat operators. The Navy opened its first store at the Washington Navy Yard in 1910. DeCA history places the start of Navy and Marine Corps commissary operations in the period from 1909 to 1910. During the early 1920s, Marine Corps commissary operations expanded into buildings that had once been used as warehouses.

Customers entered through one door, showed identification, approached a counter and gave a list to the clerk. The clerk filled the order from shelves, a cashier rang up the purchase and the customer paid before exiting through another door. Self-service commissaries grew in popularity during the 1920s. By the end of World War II, the Marine Corps had just under two dozen commissaries.

On Oct. 1, 1991, DeCA assumed control of all U.S. military commissaries worldwide. Today, members of the Marine Corps community, along with members of the other armed forces, may shop at any of DeCA’s 235 commissaries.

As the Marine Corps continues its mission as the nation’s maritime land force, DeCA will continue providing Marines and their families with superior customer service and the products they want at the best possible savings."