The following is a list of the prominent names in U.S. Marine Corps lore—the people who make up what the Marines call "knowledge". Names in this list are notable for actions made as a Marine; individuals whose notability is unrelated to service in uniform can be found at List of United States Marines.
Medal of Honor recipients
John Basilone – only enlisted Marine Medal of Honor recipient to return to combat and be killed Gregory "Pappy" Boyington – commanded the "Black Sheep Squadron" (VMA-214) during WWII Smedley Butler – awarded two Medals of Honor for two different acts, outspoken critic of war profiteers, testified in Congress regarding a plot to overthrow the government Louis Cukela – awarded both Navy and Army Medals of Honor Daniel Daly – awarded two Medals of Honor for two different acts in two different conflicts; nominated for a third but denied because a limit of two had been enacted Merritt A. Edson – commander of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion Joe Foss – leading fighter ace of the Marine Corps during World War II and the Guadalcanal campaign Allan J. Kellogg – platoon sergeant of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during the Vietnam War. Jacklyn H. Lucas – youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor John F. Mackie – first Marine awarded the Medal of Honor France Silva – first Hispanic Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor John Lucian Smith – flying ace in the Guadalcanal campaign Louis H. Wilson Jr. – commanding officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Fonte Hill, Guam, Marianas Islands David M. Shoup – was a general of the United States Marine Corps who was awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II, served as the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps, and, after retiring, became one of the most prominent critics of the Vietnam War.
Marine Corps firsts
Vernice Armour – first female African-American combat pilot in United States military Bryan B. Battaglia – first Marine appointed Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 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 – first Hispanic Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Annie Neal Graham – first African-American woman Marine John Glenn – first Marine astronaut, first American to orbit the Earth Opha May Johnson – first woman Marine 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 Kurt Chew-Een Lee – first Chinese-American Marine officer. Led an infantry platoon at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism. Alfred Masters – first African American Marine 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 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 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. Staff Sergeant Reckless – first horse to hold an official rank in the United States Marines and U.S. military in general. Angela Salinas – first Hispanic female to obtain a general rank in the Marines 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 Minnie Spotted-Wolf – first enlisted Native American woman Marine