U.S. Marines

Vernice Armour — first female African-American combat pilot in United States military John Basilone — only enlisted Marine Medal of Honor recipient to return to combat and be killed John Bolt — only Marine aviator to achieve the title of ace in both WWII and the Korean War; remains to this day the only Marine jet aircraft ace Gregory "Pappy" Boyington — Medal of Honor recipient who commanded the famous "Black Sheep Squadron" during WWII Frederick C. Branch — first African-American Marine officer Smedley Butler — awarded two Medals of Honor for two different acts of heroism; outspoken critic of war profiteers, testified in Congress regarding a plot to overthrow the government Marion Carl — First Marine Ace, member of the Cactus Air Force, first Marine helicopter pilot, Evans Carlson — commanded the WWII Marine Raiders Alfred Cunningham — patron of Marine Corps aviation; innovative thinker in introducing air support; helped create the Advanced Base Force Louis Cukela — awarded both Navy and Army Medals of Honor Dan Daly — awarded two Medals of Honor for two different acts of heroism Pedro del Valle — played an instrumental role in defeating Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa Lou Diamond — "Mr. Leatherneck," namesake of the actor Lou Diamond Phillips Merritt A. Edson — Medal of Honor recipient and commander of the 1st Marine Raiders Battalion Earl H. Ellis — conducted espionage missions in Micronesia that influenced the planning of the island-hopping campaigns of World War II John L. Estrada — the first person of Hispanic descent promoted to Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Guy Gabaldon — captured about 1,000 Japanese soldiers and numerous civilians during the Battle of Saipan Annie Neal Graham — first African American woman Marine Carlos Hathcock — renowned Marine sniper with 93 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War Ira Hayes — Iwo Jima flag raiser Archibald Henderson — "Grand old man of the Marine Corps," longest-serving Commandant of the Marine Corps Opha Mae Johnson — recognized officially as the 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. Angela Salinas — the first Hispanic female to obtain a general rank in the Marines.