List of historic members of the United States Marine Corps

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

William Earl Barber – Marine Corps colonel who fought in Iwo Jima during World War II and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. Barber and his company of 220 men held off more than 1,400 Chinese soldiers during six days of fighting in North Korea, known as the last stand of Fox Company, only 82 US Marines walked away alive.

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

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

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.

France Silva – first Hispanic Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor

John Lucian Smith – flying ace in the Guadalcanal campaign

Edward Sullivan – awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Spanish–American War of 1898

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

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

John Glenn – first Marine astronaut, first American to orbit the Earth

Annie Neal Graham – first African-American woman Marine

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

Michael E. Langley - first African-American Marine to reach the rank of general

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.