New Collection of Women Marine Records at the National Archives

It's National Women's History Month. Did you know that all the women recruits for the United States Marines Corps go through boot camp at Parris Island?        From the National Archives Catalog e-newsletter of March 9, 2017: U.S. Marine Corps: Records Relating to the Commemoration of the Year of the Women Marines, and to Subsequent Women Marine Activities, 1/1968-4/1972 Records relating to the 1968 Marine Corps commemoration of 25 years of Marine women which included a yearlong celebration designed to honor women Marines, past and present. Included are official biographies and photographs of Marine women directors; and of the young, active duty Marine women representing each state, comprising the 1968 Governors' Platoon. Includes photographs digitized for online access. Questions or comments? Email us at catalog@nara.gov.

Military History Program this Saturday

We begin our commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Great War with "Send in the Marines" on Saturday, March 18th.

3/17/2017 - PLEASE NOTE: The location of this program has changed to the 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC - just outside our Research Room door. 

The Great War had broken out 1914 with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand  and his wife Sophie of Austria on June 28, 1914. For three years, Woodrow Wilson and the United States monitored what was happening in Europe as the empires of Austria, Germany, Ottoman, and Bulgaria fought against the Allied Powers of Great Britain, France, Italy and Russia. Wilson beefed up America's military, ended child labor, supported the right of women to cast votes, and dreamed of a League of Nations to secure the peace once hostilities ended. During the Republican Convention of 1916 at which Wilson was nominated for a second term, the delegates cheered a new campaign slogan, "He Kept Us Out of War," which world conditions made a hope more than a promise.

When the Great War broke out, there were less than 14,000 United States Marines and officers. When the guns fell silent on Armistice Day 1918, there were 72,920 United States Marines and officers. After America declared war on Germany on April 6, 1916, over 2 million Americans fought in World War I.

Our program "Send in the Marines" discusses the role of Parris Island in preparing Marines to go "Hang the Kaiser." Next month a program sponsored by the Parris Island Historical and Museum Society and its partner the Historic Port Royal Foundation,  examines the role played by the Corps during the war. The two programs naturally complement each other. So take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about Marine Corps history at each of these free programs. 

Event Name: “Send in the Marines”                                                                                     

Short Description of Event: Dave Smoot explains the role Parris Island played in preparing to go “Hang the Kaiser” as the United States enters World War I.

Time and Date of Event: Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 1:00 PM

Location of Event: BDC@ Beaufort Branch, 1st floor, Beaufort District Collection, 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC 29902

Price of Event: Free; Ages 12 – Adults

Contact info: Grace Cordial, 843-255-6468

Website:  beaufortcountylibrary.org

Event Name: “The Marines in World War I”

Short Description of Event: Author Mike Miller will discuss the role played by the USMC during the Great War. This event is sponsored by the Parris Island Historical and Museum Society and the Historic Port Royal Foundation.

Time and Date of Event: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 6:00 PM

Location of Event: Union Church, 1004 11^th Street, Port Royal, SC 29935

Price of Event: Free; All Ages

Contact info:  Caroline Fermin Ed.pihms@gmail.com  or Jim Crower jcrower@yahoo.com Website:   http://www.mcrdpimuseum.com/

World War I Programs

The so-called "War to End all Wars" began in 1914. For three years, President Woodrow Wilson did his best to follow George Washington's advice about avoiding foreign entanglements. Wilson was re-elected in 1916 with the slogan, "He kept us out of war." By 1917 keeping out was no longer possible. Aggressive and deadly forces would endanger America and propel us into the conflict. When all else fails, "Send in the Marines". Here are a few upcoming free local opportunities to learn more about World War I:  

Event Name: “Battle of Belleau Woods”

Short Description of Event: Steve Price - in full WWI uniform - will discuss the battle in which the Marines earned the title of Devil Dog “Teufel Hunden” from the German Army. This event is sponsored by the Parris Island Historical and Museum Society and the Historic Port Royal Foundation.

Time and Date of Event: Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 6:00 PM

Location of Event: Union Church, 1004 11^th Street, Port Royal, SC 29935

Price of Event: Free; All Ages

Contact info:  Caroline Fermin Ed.pihms@gmail.com  or Jim Crower jcrower@yahoo.com Website:   http://www.mcrdpimuseum.com/

Event Name: “Send in the Marines”                                                                                     

Short Description of Event: Dave Smoot explains the role Parris Island played in preparing to go “Hang the Kaiser” as the United States enters World War I.

Time and Date of Event: Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 1:00 PM

Location of Event: BDC@ Beaufort Branch, 1st floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC 29902

Price of Event: Free; Ages 12 – Adults

Contact info: Grace Cordial, 843-255-6468

Website:  beaufortcountylibrary.org

Event Name: “The Marines in World War I”

Short Description of Event: Author Mike Miller will discuss the role played by the USMC during the Great War. This event is sponsored by the Parris Island Historical and Museum Society and the Historic Port Royal Foundation.

Time and Date of Event: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 6:00 PM

Location of Event: Union Church, 1004 11^th Street, Port Royal, SC 29935

Price of Event: Free; All Ages

Contact info:  Caroline Fermin Ed.pihms@gmail.com  or Jim Crower jcrower@yahoo.com Website:   http://www.mcrdpimuseum.com/

 

And, of course, the Parris Island Museum has exhibit cases full of World War I artifacts on display. The Museum is open daily to the public, 10 am to 4:30 pm. Admission Is Free.

"Well-Dressed Marine of 1915"

The importance of the investment that the US Navy made in Beaufort County at the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century is a key point in volume 3, Bridging the Sea Islands's Past and Present, by Lawrence Rowland and Stephen Wise (release date 30 October 2015). In the words of Larry Rowland, "The military saved Beaufort County" and set up the area for explosive growth during the mid-20th century. 

The Marine Corps Recruit Depot began training recruits on Parris Island in 1915. However those recruits trained here and left as Marines would discover that what worked over here would not work "Over There" during World War I. Dave Smoot explains what Parris Island recruits and Marines looked like before they went to make the world safe for democracy. This free program will include artifacts to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the USMC Recruit Depot. No registration. Just show up to learn more about recruit training 100 years ago.

“Well-Dressed Marine of 1915” with Dave Smoot
Tuesday, October 20 at 6 pm 
Beaufort District Collection, 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort








Looking ahead:  The USC-B Libraries and the BDC are hosting two author book talks and signings south of the Broad River with Drs. Rowland and Wise. Free. No registration. 
 · Thursday, Nov. 12th at 4 pm | BDC@ USC-B South Campus Library | Ages 12 to Adult

· Thursday, December 3rd at 4 pm | BDC@ Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road | Ages 12 to Adult