海軍陸戰隊，又稱為海兵，簡稱陸戰隊，是海軍中負責地面作戰、兩棲作戰、船上作戰的軍隊，早期都是步兵隊伍，進入現代則有裝甲配備甚至飛行裝備。其一般隸屬於海軍，法國則歸屬為陸軍。
Marines, also known as a marine corps or naval infantry, are an infantry force that specializes in naval operations such as amphibious assault. In the majority of countries, the marine force is part of the navy, but it can also be under the army or independent command.
Historically, tasks undertaken by marines have included providing protection from war while at sea, reflecting the pressed nature of the ships' company and the risk of mutiny. Other tasks would include boarding of vessels during combat or capture of prize ships and providing manpower for raiding ashore in support of the naval objectives. Marine elements would also contribute to the campaign ashore, in support of the military objective.
1537年建立的西班牙海軍陸戰隊（Infantería de Marina）是全世界最老的海軍陸戰隊，再來是1610年成立的葡萄牙海軍陸戰隊，1622年建立的法國海軍陸戰隊是世界第3個海軍陸戰隊。從15世紀到今天，各國也紛紛開始成立自己的海軍陸戰隊，今天世界上有50多個國家建有海軍陸戰隊。
美國海軍陸戰隊（United States Marine Corps）直屬於美國國防部（DOD）下轄之海軍部（DON，部長為文職部長）與海軍艦隊為同等級之平行單位。海軍陸戰隊由海軍提供運輸及艦隻，但是擁有獨立作戰能力，有自己的飛行部隊。陸戰隊司令亦只向海軍部長（屬文官）直接負責。除了兩棲攻擊外，美國的海軍陸戰隊還有保護駐海外使館、為白宮站崗、和負責主要艦隻內部保安等傳統責任。
美國海軍陸戰隊的前身叫做（美國）大陸海軍陸戰隊（Continental Marines），1775年11月10日建立，1798年建立現在的美國海軍陸戰隊；現今美國海軍陸戰隊的規模包含了海陸空三種領域的武器，如垂直起降飛機、直升機、兩棲突擊艦、機械化步兵、氣墊船等適用於不同任務的載具。
中華民國海軍陸戰隊（Republic of China Marine Corps， 縮寫ROCMC）是中華民國海軍轄下的兩棲武裝部隊，負責兩棲作戰、反登陸作戰、奪島作戰、臺灣本島及外島守備、軍事設施防衛等任務，並有海軍陸戰隊學校培養陸戰隊幹部，海軍陸戰隊軍官幹部的來源主要為陸軍官校，以及少數來自於海軍官校和義務役預官，在戰爭時也有快速反應及戰力保存的功能，惟目前員額10000人??
中國人民解放軍海軍陸戰隊（People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps 簡稱 PLAMC）是中國人民解放軍海軍的一個獨立兵種，最初成立於1953年，是一支多兵種合成的能快速反應的兩棲作戰部隊。1995年，海軍組建第一支女子陸戰隊。海軍陸戰隊目前擁有約40000名成員。
現在中國人民解放軍的編製中，中國人民解放軍海軍陸戰隊現在主要通過編成2個海軍陸戰旅和若干個海軍基地的形式配屬給中國人民解放軍海軍的三個艦隊。兩個陸戰旅均配屬南海艦隊，是對付南海問題和台海問題的機動
空中炸彈、艦上砲聲、轟隆隆隆隆。
水上策飛馬，灘頭建奇功，男兒到此最豪雄。
高揚青天白日滿地紅，四海起雄風。
Dedicated to Documenting the United States Marine Corps China Experience 1818-1949
As China again reenters the world’s stage, few Americans are aware of the relationship the United States Marine Corps shared with this distant land, and that these “Soldiers of the Sea” witnessed firsthand, many of the events that shaped the China we know today. For some Marines, exposure to this exotic land came while serving aboard warships, whose protective guns ensured American commerce could safely operate along the Chinese coast. For other Marines, the Middle Kingdom came into focus from the deck of cramped gunboats that causally moved up and down China’s legendary rivers. Yet other Leathernecks discovered the mysteries of this vast and varied land while garrisoning the great cities of Peking and Shanghai. Officially, the Marines came because they were ordered to come. But privately their reasons for wanting to make the long Pacific crossing were as varied as the men themselves. To one young Marine, China offered an exciting contrast to a hard scrabble farm life in eastern Colorado. To another, it was a land where a man could establish his reputation, and in the process become a part of history. Yet others came simply for the easy lifestyle and abundant luxuries unattainable in the United States. Regardless of their reasons for coming, China would leave a lasting impression upon everyone of these men as they witnessed a land torn apart by internal strife, while foreign powers eagerly chipped away at the country’s sovereignty. Like any group exposed to a new and distant culture, many Marines grew to hate the decay and stagnation they witnessed in a society so radically different from their own. Others however, came to appreciate China’s beauty and recognized the great potential its people possessed. For more than 125 years the United States Marine Corps maintained a presence in, or around China: this is their story...
Marines on Hatem Street, Peking c. 1925
Marine Corps experience in China through the use of original photos, period publications, artifacts, and words, as written by the men themselves. My interest in the China Marines was born out of a simple desire to know more about these unique men and my inability to easily find enough comprehensive materials to understand who they were, and why they were there. As I conducted research, amassed a collection of original materials and interviewed some of the last surviving China Marines, I decided much of the information gathered should be shared in the hope others might add to the China Marine story.
As for site layout, since many China Marine activities can be grouped by geographic region, I’ve chosen to use these regions as an organizational starting point. For instance, if you want to focus your attention on understanding Marine activities in Peking, you click on the tab marked “Peking”. Likewise, to follow Marine activities in Shanghai, click the “Shanghai” tab. Initially, I thought it would be simple to organize this site along geographic lines, but I quickly realized there were other events, actors or activities that were not restricted to a particular region, or just too common to the Marine experience to be ignored. Therefore, I’ve added tabs on these areas as well. Since I am a big fan of timelines, I have attempted to place one master timeline on the homepage listing Marine, Chinese or key world events of importance to the story. As you will see the timeline requires much more work to be even close to being comprehensive. Please note many of the geographic locations have under gone name changes over time. I’ve chosen to use the names and spelling as the Marines would have recognized. Today’s city of Beijing was known as Pekin or Peking at the turn of the twentieth century, and later in 1928, it was called Peiping. Lastly, it should be said this is an evolving project, therefore expect changes as improvements are made, new information is discovered and mistakes corrected. The bulk of images and items shown on this site are copyrighted from the author’s collection, unless otherwise noted. Please do not copy without permission.
A Special Note of Thanks:
I would like to thank the following Marines for their support in assisting me with this project. Without their help I would be lost: the late Cpl Gary Morhlang, USMC; Darrell Snyder, CAPT, USMC (Ret); SSgt Jeremiah Cable, USMCR; Bob Gill, MAJ, USMCR (Ret); Maj Mike Manifor, USMC, Cpl Charles Demirjian, Chester Biggs, GySgt USMC (Ret); the late Cpl Leonard Dombroski; Bill Woodier, Lt Col (Ret) USMC/USAF, CAPT Fred Greguras, and of course Rick Spooner, MAJ, USMC (Ret), whose drive and enthusiasm for all things Marine brings true credit to his beloved Corps. I would also like to extend my thanks to Nelson Johnson Jr, Betty Jean Gerber, Sara Penella, Betsy Robinson, Margo Stever, Adam Rohloff, and Susan and Russell Harvey for sharing their time, patience and family history. And of course a big thanks to my wife and children who strongly supported me in my desire to build this site.
