The iconic image of a U.S. Marine in dress blues is instantly recognizable: a sharply tailored blue coat with a high red-trimmed collar, white gloves, and meticulously polished shoes. This uniform is more than just clothing; it’s a symbol of the Marine Corps’ storied heritage and unwavering dedication. Marines are taught that every detail of the dress blue uniform is deeply rooted in tradition, echoing nearly 250 years of Marine Corps history and valor. However, a closer examination reveals that the narratives surrounding some of these iconic elements are more legend than fact, born from a need to preserve and promote the Marine Corps’ identity.
As a Marine recruit, the symbolic weight of the dress blues was heavily emphasized. We were told tales of battlefield origins and time-honored customs woven into each thread. Yet, conversations with the Marine Corps Historical Company and visits to the National Museum of the Marine Corps unveiled a more complex and fascinating story. Many of the cherished explanations are actually carefully crafted narratives, strategically employed to bolster the Corps’ image and ensure its survival in the face of political challenges.
The Blue Hue and the Red Trim: More Than Just Patriotism
Tradition dictates that the blue of the uniform represents the Marine Corps’ naval connections, while the red trim is an homage to the Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones on the Bonhomme Richard during the Revolutionary War. Jones, a legendary naval commander, was indeed a figure of immense courage and tactical brilliance.
Close-up view of a US Marine Corps Dress Blue Uniform highlighting the red trim and gold buttons. The image emphasizes the meticulous detail and iconic design of the uniform.
However, according to retired Gunnery Sergeant Thomas E. Williams, Director of Operations for the United States Marine Corps Historical Company, this romantic notion lacks historical evidence. “Unfortunately, there’s no evidence to support that connection to John Paul Jones’ Marines,” Williams clarifies. He explains that such legends arose during periods where the Marine Corps was fighting for its institutional survival. Throughout its history, the Corps has faced not only external adversaries but also internal political battles to maintain its identity and relevance.
Key moments of such internal struggle occurred during President Andrew Jackson’s era and again after World War I. In the post-WWI period, under the leadership of General John A. Lejeune, the Marine Corps engaged in a “Battle of Capitol Hill” to secure its future. During these times, emphasizing a strong historical narrative, even if embellished, became crucial.
Williams emphasizes that while these traditions may not be entirely factual in origin, they served a vital historical purpose. The public relations efforts of General Lejeune’s era strategically connected disparate historical elements to create a compelling narrative, a concise “elevator speech” that championed the uniform’s legacy. The link to Jones’ Marines might stem from a 1779 diary entry by John Adams, who described Jones and his Marines in British-style red and white uniforms, noting Jones’ penchant for the unconventional.
Ironically, the first official blue uniforms of the newly established United States Marine Corps in July 1798 were not born from romantic symbolism but rather practicality. They were modified hand-me-downs from the uniforms of the experimental Legion of the United States, a rifleman unit. Major Edwin North McClellan, a former officer in charge of the Historical Section, notes in “Uniforms of American Marines: 1775-1932” that these early blue uniforms consisted of “Plain short coats of blue, with a red belt, edged with red, and turned up with the same, with common small naval buttons, with blue pantaloons edged with red, and red vests.” Resourceful as ever, the early Marines adapted and made the best of what was available.
The Quatrefoil: French Fashion, Not Ship Rigging Lore
The ornate, cross-shaped braid, known as the quatrefoil, adorning the top of a Marine officer’s cover (hat), is another element steeped in myth. Popular Marine Corps lore states that during the War of 1812, officers wore this rope cross to be easily identified by Marine sharpshooters positioned high in the ship’s rigging during combat.
However, the practicality of this explanation is questionable. It’s highly unlikely that sharpshooters high in the rigging could distinguish a small quatrefoil on the deck of an enemy ship, potentially 60 feet below. The more plausible origin lies in contemporary military fashion. The quatrefoil was simply a popular French military design of the early 19th century, adopted by both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, reflecting the military trends of the time.
Leatherneck Collar: Posture, Not Sword Defense
The high, standing collar, present on both officer and enlisted dress blue coats, is often linked to the nickname “leatherneck.” Marines are commonly told that the stiff leather stock, or collar, worn in the early 19th century was designed to protect against sword attacks.
Yet, historical evidence contradicts this romantic notion. Gunnery Sergeant Williams, having examined numerous historical weapons, dismisses this idea. “A leather stock wouldn’t have even slowed down a cutlass assault to the neck,” he asserts. The true purpose of the leather stock was far more practical: to enforce proper posture. It forced Marines to keep their heads held high, contributing to the rigid and disciplined bearing that became a hallmark of the Corps.
The Blood Stripe: A Half-Truth of Chapultepec
The scarlet “blood stripe” that graces the trouser seams of NCOs and officers is often attributed to the Battle of Chapultepec in 1847, honoring the Marines who fell in this pivotal battle of the Mexican-American War. While valor at Chapultepec is undeniable, the blood stripe’s origin is a bit more nuanced.
Marine sergeants were indeed wearing a dark blue stripe edged in red during the Battle of Chapultepec. However, the fully scarlet red trouser stripes for officers and NCOs didn’t appear until 1892. While the change may not have been directly initiated to commemorate Chapultepec, the Marine Corps has since embraced the blood stripe as a symbol honoring all Marines who have fallen in service, regardless of its precise historical genesis.
A full view of a US Marine Corps Dress Blue Uniform showcasing the high collar and overall presentation. This image illustrates the uniform’s formal appearance and the posture it commands.
Enduring Symbols: Eagle, Globe, and Anchor & Swords
Not all elements of the dress blue uniform are shrouded in myth. The gold buttons, featuring an early Marine Corps emblem – an eagle and anchor with 13 stars – have been part of the uniform since 1804. This emblem is the oldest military insignia in continuous use in the United States.
In 1868, the current and globally recognized emblem, the eagle, globe, and anchor (EGA), was officially adopted. The EGA’s symbolism is clear and enduring: the eagle represents the United States, the nation the Corps defends; the globe signifies the Marine Corps’ worldwide presence and reach; and the anchor denotes its naval heritage and amphibious capabilities. Together, the EGA embodies the Marine Corps’ commitment to defending the nation across air, land, and sea. The EGA is prominently displayed on the dress blue uniform, appearing on the dress white cover, collar, and belt buckle.
Similarly, the swords carried by Marines are steeped in authentic history. The sword is the oldest weapon still officially in use by the U.S. military, and the Marine Corps employs two types as part of the dress blue uniform. Marine officers carry the Mameluke sword, a distinctive curved blade, which honors Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon’s daring 1805 march across 600 miles of North African desert to capture Derna during the First Barbary War. This historical event is immortalized in the Marine’s Hymn, referencing “the shores of Tripoli.”
Marine NCOs also have a tradition of carrying swords, dating back to the earliest days of the Corps and used in combat through the Civil War. The first official NCO sword was specified in 1826 by Commandant Archibald Henderson. The current Marine NCO sword, carried for parades and ceremonies by enlisted Marines above the rank of corporal, was authorized by the sixth Commandant of the Marine Corps, Colonel John Harris.
The Enduring “Lejeune Version”
The Us Marines Dress Blue Uniform is a powerful symbol, rich in both genuine history and carefully constructed tradition. While some of the romanticized stories surrounding the uniform elements are more myth than reality, they have served a crucial purpose in shaping and preserving the Marine Corps identity. Even with a clearer understanding of the facts versus the legends, the “Lejeune version”—the simplified, heroic narrative—is likely to persist. It’s a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the Marine Corps’ masterful ability to weave a compelling story around its iconic dress blues.
– Originally by Joseph Andrew Lee, USO Multimedia Journalist.
