U.S. Marine Corps - in the 20th century

[A V Cioffi]

I have had a lifelong respect and admiration for the United States Marine Corps that is just as strong today as it ever was. My younger brother and I both are former Marines and our father is a Marine Corps Vietnam vet. I read constantly about Marine Corps history and it gives me insight for when I create a new piece of artwork depicting Marines in battle. I would have to say that as far as I am concerned, the wars of the 20th century - namely the Second World War - are what really put the Marine Corps on the map and earned us the reputation that we all as past and present Marines enjoy to this day. Don't get me wrong. The birth of the Corps in 1775 is very important indeed, and so is the Corps' history extending into the 1800's, but it really was events like raising the flag on Iwo Jima that absolutely cemented the Marine Corps' world wide rep for all time. And they knew it then too! Thank God for Mr. Rosenthal and his camera. That timeless picture taken atop Mount Suribachi that day is the single most reproduced photographic image in human history. Period. Yep, and it beats out Elvis too. You could ask someone about what the Marine Corps did during the American Civil War and you would be hard pressed to find anyone who could answer that question. You could even show them a picture of a Civil War era Marine and they would be like; ??? Show 'em a picture of the flag raising - anyone at all - they would know it was of the Marines. For sure.
Coming up on the winning end of the Second World War is without a doubt the greatest and most important era of American and Marine Corps history. We wouldn't be here otherwise. Who knows? Maybe then everybody would be buying OUR cars...

If you have the time, please visit my website at: www.cioffiart.com (http://www.cioffiart.com)

Semper Fi :flag: :iwo:

[yellowwing]

Outstanding work! The OIF Marine, I see youth but with that look in his eye. And that Radioman, he's looking at the forward area but still trying like to hell to be very small.

[A V Cioffi]

Thanks for taking a look at my work. I appreciate it. The radioman is definitely trying to "get small". In a moment, he will have to pull in that radio antenna, or else! The Iraq Marine is also definitely a little doe-eyed too. Didn't want to make him look too young. I will be posting more pieces from all the major wars and famed Marine Corps battles of the last 100 yrs or so. Stay tuned... :usmc:

www.cioffiart.com (http://www.cioffiart.com)

[thedrifter]

Outstanding!:thumbup::thumbup:

Thanks for Sharing!

Ellie

[AL49BGN]

:iwo:Great job!!!