First to Fight

First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

Marine's Hymn



First to Fight: The U.S. Marines in World War I by Oscar E. Gilbert and Romain Cansiere is the story of the birth of the modern Marine Corps. Gilbert, Ph.D., (University of Tennessee), is a former Marine artilleryman and currently a geoscientist living in Texas. His previous published works include the widely acclaimed Marine Tank Battles in the Pacific and Marine Corps Tank Battles in Korea. Cansiere is a native of Avignon, southeastern France, with a university diploma in agronomic technology from Provence University.

Every Marine can tell the story of Belleau Wood. WWI was the turning point for the Marine Corps. It went from the traditional role, as British Royal Marines, as a naval security. Slowly that role changed in the early twentieth century when the Marines were used as infantry in the Philipeans and Vera Cruz. Previously the Marines served as "police" in unstable Latin American countries and were known as the "State Department's troops." The First World War allowed for the Marines to expand into the role of traditional infantry.

The authors cover, in great detail, the history of the battle at Belleau Wood. A day by day account is given with first-hand information including an uncompleted letter home from a Marine who did not make it. Also included are lesser know battles of Soissons, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne covered in detail. Not surprising the author's also include some information on the tanks being used on the Western Front.  

First to Fight does not exclude those away from the trenches.  Marines serving in anti-submarine artillery in the Azores and those on usual shipboard duty.  The Marines were also one of the first services to use women.  Women Marines took care of clerical and other tasks to free up men who were badly needed in the trenches.  Being the smallest branch of the services, even small losses of men created a severe shortage.  Recruiting was not a terrible problem for the Marines.  News reports from Vera Cruz, sharp uniforms, and a reputation as professionals made the Marines a desired service.  Up to 70% of those who volunteered were rejected mostly for medical reasons.  Marines trained at Mare Island and the still functioning Parris Island.  

Another area that is often ignored is covered in First to Fight.  Marine aviation got its real start and almost it end in World War I.  Marines Flew with British who had machines but lacked pilots after years of fighting.  Aviation would become important to the Marines after World War I.  In the interwar years, Marines fought and trained in Latin America.  Marine aviation worked with ground forces and developed close air support.  This allowed planes and ground troops to work together combining their effectiveness.  Close air support became an important doctrine in future conflicts. 

First to Fight covers the evolution of the Marine Corps from security and landing party support to an independent acting force that would be the first to fight in many of America's declared and undeclared conflicts.  That special pride that Marines have always had in the Corps is seen in the pages of this book. And another thing in the Marine Corps over a hundred years is Marines complaining about food and the lack of it.  A well-written and informative (even for Marine veterans) account of the Marines in the First World War. Semper Fi, Marines.


Available December 3, 2017

Excellent book. I liked how it covered US Marine activities that aren't usually covered in other histories. There was a great balance between strategic aspects and more human-centric stories.

I found this book to be filled with a lot of history about what the title said. The Marines First to fight in World War One. It begins with how the training was different than with the Army. Then moves onto how once they got over to France General Pershing not wanting the Marines in the first place split up the units. Moved men and officers into Army units and to other fields that they were not trained in. It was not until the Marines first action as a unit that they were recognized by the French, British, and Army units around. Not only for their willingness to leave the trenches, but more importantly was their accurate shooting with rifles and more importantly machine guns. This also proved deadly to the Germans. The author goes into the battles and shows maps and has good descriptions with either men’s letters or journals. He also provides a chapter to women who joined the Corps during this time that I had never heard about before. Also the air Corps as well. He does mention Army units when discussing the battles, but remember this is a book about the Marines. There are many books over the few years about the Army units and it was good to see one about the Marines. What have noticed in reading about World War one in the few years is that General Pershing gets a lot of credit where I don’t think he dissevers as much. Being a Grandson of a WW1 veteran who actual was in France with the Army I found this to be a very good book with a lot of information. Worth the read.