The Slop Chute: Notable Marines

I'll Never forget you!

Commandants of the Marine Corps

Notable Marines

Chew-Een Lee - first Chinese-American Marine officer. Led an infantry platoon at the battle of the Chosin Reservoir (Korean War, 1950) and was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism.
Vernice Armour – first female African-American combat pilot in United States military
Frederick C. Branch – first African-American Marine officer
Marion Carl – First Marine Ace (18.5 victories), member of the Cactus Air Force, first Marine helicopter pilot
John L. Estrada – the first person of Hispanic descent promoted to Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps^[6]
Annie Neal Graham – first African American woman Marine^[7]
Opha May Johnson – recognized officially as the first woman Marine^[8]
James L. Jones Sr. – commanded the Observer Group, the first amphibious reconnaissance unit in the United States; father of James L. Jones Jr., the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps
John F. Mackie – first Marine awarded the Medal of Honor^[8]
Alfred Masters – first African American in the United States Marine Corps^[9]^[10]^[11]
Dennis M. McCarthy – first Reserve General Officer to command an active duty Marine Division
Alford L. McMichael – first African American Marine to serve as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Samuel Nicholas – first Commandant of the Marine Corps^[8]
Presley O'Bannon - first to raise the U.S. Flag over foreign soil as a result of combat, "Hero of Derna" which are the "shores of Tripoli" in the Marine hymn
Peter Pace – first Marine to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2005–2007), previously the Vice Chairman (2001–2005)
Frank E. Petersen – first African-American aviator Marine, first African-American Marine general, first African-American to command a fighter squadron, a fighter air group, an air wing and a major base.^[12]
Angela Salinas – the first Hispanic female to obtain a general rank in the Marines^[13]
France Silva – the first Marine of Hispanic descent to be awarded the Medal of Honor
Pedro del Valle – first Hispanic to reach the rank of lieutenant general, played an instrumental role in defeating Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa
John Glenn – first Marine astronaut, first American to fly the Project Mercury spacecraft, first American to orbit the Earth
Minnie Spotted-Wolf – first enlisted Native American woman Marine^[14]
Bryan B. Battaglia - first Marine appointed Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff