The blood stripe on Marine NCO dress uniforms is a tribute to which battle?

The blood stripe on Marine NCO dress uniforms is a tribute to which battle?

• A. Belleau Wood
• B. Iwo Jima
• C. Chapultepec
• D. Tripoli

Answer: (C)

The blood stripe on Marine dress uniforms honors the Marines who fought and died during the assault on Chapultepec Castle in 1847, part of the Mexican-American War. That fierce charge was led by officers and noncommissioned officers who showed extraordinary courage, and the red stripe on their dress trousers became a lasting symbol of their sacrifice. While Belleau Wood and Iwo Jima are famous Marine battles, and Tripoli recalls earlier U.S. naval actions, the tradition of the blood stripe specifically commemorates Chapultepec.

The blood stripe on Marine dress uniforms honors the Marines who fought and died during the assault on Chapultepec Castle in 1847, part of the Mexican-American War. That fierce charge was led by officers and noncommissioned officers who showed extraordinary courage, and the red stripe on their dress trousers became a lasting symbol of their sacrifice. While Belleau Wood and Iwo Jima are famous Marine battles, and Tripoli recalls earlier U.S. naval actions, the tradition of the blood stripe specifically commemorates Chapultepec.