Those who are warriors are fierce in a way no others can be. THIS, is a key component of what NO SURRENDER is all about. Since 1775 The United States Marine Corps has to the confusion of its Navy and Army brothers honed warriors into a razor sharp surgical instrument that has one purpose: being a front line tool for war... a special force which no matter how much we might think they are redundant to an Army... their exploits and endeavors cannot be ignored. Like other U.S men at-arms the US Marine carries out a tradition of can do, without question, to honor and service to the United States constitution and her people... key components of the No Surrender attitude.
From Tripoli to Fallujah the US Marine Corps is resplendent with legends awash with the No Surrender philosophy. Often told, many of these legends defined as a shining truth that cannot always pass the test of strict factual accuracy. The legend is poetry; the fact is prose, and in lieu of the very dull prose it sometimes is, with true or falsehood of fact and some have been definitely classed in Marine terminology as "sea stories" they do represent why the USMC will always hold a special place in the No surrender philosophy...
One such No surrender incident, involves the Marines fighting spirit deserves attention: The Marines Holding out on Wake Island during WWII.
When the Japanese initiated the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, they did not neglect the tiny island of Wake which served as an outpost for Hawaii. Their plans had been for a speedy seizure of this objective; however, the Marine garrison thwarted their initial attempts. Late in December, the enemy returned with an even more powerful armada. Attack after attack was mounted against the heroic defenders. All Marine planes were shot down, casualties mounted. The situation was becoming desperate. However, communications were still maintained with Pearl Harbor. A relief expedition was mounted but the remnants of the Navy were so pitifully weak that the mission was cancelled at the last minute. Finally, Pearl Harbor queried Wake "Is there anything that we can provide?" In one of the last messages from the doomed island came back the transmission: "Send us more Japs!"