Happy 236th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps

Thy Blessing Upon the United States Marine Corps

We invoke Thy Blessing, O God, upon the United States Marine Corps.  Breathe Thou into the heart and soul of every Marine Thy Spirit that he may live a life of consecration and devotion to the highest ideals as he finds himself on the battle fields of democracy.  Save him from softness of body and soul.  Fill him with firmness and zeal, stamina and purpose.  May he set up his banner, wherever his footsteps fall, in Thy Name, for liberty, for fraternity, for equality!  Make us all fit to represent Thy Will as we catch the spirit of the Marine.  O God, speak steadiness to our spirits this hour—that we may carry on. Amen.

Chaplain (Captain) M. M. Witherspoon
Published in the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Prayer Book, 1944

Chaplain Witherspoon’s service in the United States Navy included assignments in many parts of the world.  He was chaplain aboard the aircraft carrier Wasp when it operated in the Mediterranean carrying Spitfires to beleaguered Malta.  An hour before the Wasp sailed for the South Pacific, where she was sunk, Capt. Witherspoon was ordered to duty in the Aleutians.  He landed on Attu before the fighting had ceased, and later established the “College of the Aleutians”. He also founded the “Chapel of the Deep,” a submarine base chapel.