Introduction

The History Writing Section prepares a wide variety of historical publications, ranging from pamphlets, monographs, and occasional papers to case-bound histories, for distribution within the Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, other Federal agencies, and to the general public. Publications produced by the section are written works that provide an account of the planning, operational, logistical, development, and/or administrative activities of a specific unit, event, or period in Marine Corps history. The section is also responsible for several programs including the , Base, Regimental, and Squadron Histories Program, and the Marine Corps Grants, Fellowships, and Intern Program.

Reference Section

1 Head
1 Assistant Head
3 Historians
1 Reference Assistant
1 Librarian
1 Library Technician

Introduction

The Reference Section provides historical research and reference service for Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Corps units, other military organizations and government agencies, active duty Marines, and the general public. The section is also responsible for several key programs and projects including the Unit Lineage and Honors Program, the Commemorative Naming Program, the continuing Marine Corps Chronology, and the Marine Corps Flag Manual. Additionally, the section serves as the division focal point for the research and preparation of numerous articles, brief histories, studies, and reports for use within the History and Museums Division and outside it as well.

In addition to the 41,000 volumes, the library also holds 4,000 reels of microfilm and a growing collection of videos and CD-ROM's. Focusing on U.S. Marine Corps history and the history of amphibious warfare, the library has related volumes on naval and military history; American history; histories of military uniforms and weaponry, and works on foreign Marine Corps.

Included in the microfilm holdings are newspapers from the Marine Corps bases and deployments beginning with the World War I time period. This film does not circulate, but may be used in the library. The library's periodical holdings include the Marine Corps Gazette, Leatherneck, and U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings as well as magazines like Recruiter's Bulletin, Walla Walla, and Marines' Magazine . The library, like the other collections in the center, is open to the public and researchers are encouraged to visit. Staff research assistance is available.

Reference Section Resources

The Reference Section also provides material contained in the following sections of this site:Customs and Traditions, Frequently Requested and This Month in History.

SERVICES

The Reference Section, located on the third floor of the Marine Corps Historical Center, answers many thousands of written, telephone, and in-person requests each year. Reference historians are available to answer questions or direct researchers to appropriate holdings. The section maintains a large body of secondary historical sources collected over many decades as well as copies of some primary sources. Visiting researchers are welcome to review materials in the section's Researcher Room.

VISITING RESEARCHERS:

STAFF ASSISTANCE: The Reference Section staff is available to explain the various holdings of the section and assist in making the desired materials available in the section's Researcher Room. The staff will also direct researchers to appropriate records and other related holdings and agencies.

COPYING: Copies can be made by researchers at a coin-operated copying machine on the third floor of the Marine Corps Historical Center. All materials for copying must be reviewed by a Reference Section staff person.

HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesdays - Open to researchers by appointment only.

OTHER RESEARCHERS:

WRITTEN REQUESTS: Researchers may write to the Reference Section with requests for historical information. The address is:

Reference Section
Marine Corps Historical Center
1254 Charles Morris Street, S.E
Building 58,
Washington Navy Yard , D.C. 20374-5040

Please note that staff limitations preclude this office from conducting extensive research or doing extensive copying for individuals.

TELEPHONE REQUESTS: The Reference Section will respond to telephone requests if information is readily available. The telephone number is: 202-433-3483.

OTHER REQUESTS: Reference Section staff is unable to respond to e-mail queries at this time.

RESOURCES

File Groups: Most of the materials within the Reference Section are unclassified, secondary sources arranged in one of the following file groups:

The "Biographical Files" provide information on more than 15,000 prominent Marines, such as former Commandants, general officers, Medal of Honor recipients, and other notables who have had an impact on the history of the Corps.

The "Subject Files" include extensive materials on events, issues, wars, and specified topics of the Marine Corps from its founding to the present. A compilation of materials on recent deployments and operations is included with this group.

The "Unit Files" contain working files on Marine Corps units, past and present. Within these files on both air and ground units are histories, commanding officers lists, and unit lineage and honors information.

The "Geographical Files" are a collection of materials on locations were Marines have landed or been stationed. Historical information on Marine Corps posts and stations is also found here.

Muster Rolls/Unit Diaries/Rosters: The Reference Section holds microfilmed muster rolls, unit diaries, and rosters of Marine Corps personnel prior to 1966, that are open for use by researchers. The section must limit copying to one muster roll or roster per researcher per year.

Original muster rolls for the Revolutionary War through World War II are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration (Military Services Branch, 8th and Penn. Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20408). Rosters for the Vietnam War are held by the Records Service Section of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (Code MMSB-10, Quantico, Virginia 22134). Please write to the above offices for information on their copying services.

Photographs: The Reference Section also holds a small historic photograph file, primarily to support official Marine Corps requests and in-house publications and museum exhibits, that contains photos of selected Marine Corps operations and notable personnel. The photos are copies from the much larger official Marine Corps photo collection held by the National Archives and Records Administration (Still Pictures Branch, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland 20740). The section is not a repository and cannot provide photographic services to researchers. However, researchers may bring their own photographic equipment to copy photos.

Introduction

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History Writing Section | Reference Section | Archives Section | Oral History Section

INTRODUCTION TO THE ORAL HISTORY SECTION

Oral History Section

1 Head
2 Oral Historians

Introduction

Oral history is a vital aspect in the documentation of Marine Corps history and serves to supplement the written record of historical events. The primary focus of the Oral History Program is on Marine Corps operational history. This has resulted in a rich collection of field interviews. Taking a broad view of what constitutes oral history, the Marine Corps Oral History Collection also includes interviews with distinguished retired Marines and participants in historical events, taped presentations, briefings, debriefings, speeches, and similar "spoken history." The Oral History Unit is also responsible for creating transcriptions and preliminary finding aids for the collection. Currently, the oral history collection consists of approximately 13,000 items covering virtually all aspects of 20th century Marine Corps history.

A 'Do-It-Yourself` Oral History Primer