In 1919, then-Major Edwin N. McClellan was charged with researching and writing the official history of Marines in the First World War. The United States Marine Corps in the World War was first published in 1920, and reprinted in 1968 by the Historical Division. The 2015 reprint includes additional information on key leaders as well as images not included in the 1920 or 1968 editions. McClellan, the History Division’s first director, described his work in the explanatory note, stating that “this brief history has been prepared for the purpose of acquainting both the personnel of the service and the public with the general facts concerning the United States Marine Corps in the World War.” McClellan’s basic reasoning behind the publication has remained the primary mission of the History Division to this date.

This centennial reprint is the inaugural publication in the History Division’s U.S. Marines in World War I Centennial Commemorative Series. Additional works will be published through 2018 and include battle studies, research aids, and articles on various aspects of Marine Corps participation in the war.

This book content may appeal to Marines; other service members; service school faculty and students; policy makers, and Marine Corps veterans.  Additionally, high school students, undergraduate and graduate students researching history of the World War I and the U.S. Marine Corps role and personnel will find this text helpful.