THE ORIGIN OF THE GLOBE AND THE ANCHOR

Not only was the United States Marine Corps itself originally patterned after the British Royal Marines, but when it came to the design of an official emblem, the idea of a world globe as an integral part of the insignia was also borrowed from His Majesty’s Marines.  This was significant in that U. S. Marines were continually being called upon to protect American lives and property all over the globe.  Therefore, as the center of the design, the half of the earth’s sphere showing the western hemisphere employed (in contrast to the eastern hemisphere on the Royal Marine insignia) backed up by a ‘fouled anchor’ (representing the naval affiliation:  No pun intended) with a bald eagle sitting on top of the world (representing an ever vigilant Marine Corps whose domain included both the land and the sea and later the air as well).  This combination of symbols became the official emblem on 19 November 1868.  In 1883, a banner bearing the newly adapted official Marine Corps motto, ‘Semper Fidelis’, was placed in the eagle’s beak where it has remained to this day.  Accordingly, the combination of symbols, epitomized by countless deeds of valor, has become perhaps the best known and most easily recognizable designation of any branch of any service anywhere in the world.

- From the book, “The Raggedy ‘Assed Marines’ are on Parade”, by Lawrence G. Means,
a WWII Marine (and an Army Veteran of the Korean War).