Notable Catholic Marines

On November 10th, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, John Adams chartered a new branch of the military that would become the United States Marine Corps.

For two centuries in a half centuries, the Marine Corps has played a pivotal role in the dominance of America from the American Revolution to the War on Terrorism and events in between.

Today, according to the Archdiocese of Military Services, a third of Catholics currently make up the Corps. They are a part of a long-lasting legacy.

Here is a look at some known Catholics who served in the Marine Corps.

Daniel Daly

One of the most decorated Marines in U.S. military history, he received two Medals of Honor and is also a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He was known for his heroism during the Battle of Belleau Wood during World War I.

Tom Monaghan

The entrepreneur who established Ave Maria University in Naples, FL, owned the Detroit Tigers, and the founder of Domino’s Pizza, Tom Monaghan, is another Marine veteran who rounds out the list.

Joe DiMaggio

The legendary Yankee slugger had a promising baseball career. Yet, when war broke out in the 9140s, he put his career on hold to serve as a combat pilot. When he returned to baseball, he flourished.

John Basilone

Basilone, a decorated Marine and Catholic, served with gallantry during World War II’s Pacific Theater. His actions that earned him the Medal of Honor came during the Guadalcanal campaign as he helped his marines resupply to help them hold the line.

He would pay the ultimate sacrifice during the Iwo Jima Campaign in 1945 while helping Marines pinned down by adverse fire.

Fred Smith

The founder of FedEx (Federal Express) served two tours in Vietnam. After military service, he would go on to establish a popular parcel service in 1971.

Father Vincent Capodanno

Fr. Capodanno was assigned to the Marines during the Vietnam War. He was known as the Grunt Padre as he ministers to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. In September 1967, he tended to wounded Marines while sustaining injuries and ignored orders to fall back.

When a machine gunner was ready to take the life of a Marine, Fr. Capodanno jumped in front and took more than two dozen bullets.

In 1969, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He has a cause for canonization that is active.

James “Mad Dog” Mathis

Mathis, a retired Marine general with more than four decades of service, served as the 26th Secretary of Defense under Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2019. He commanded Marines from the Gulf War to Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom.

JD Vance

It took 249 years, but it was accomplished by JD Vance as the 50th Vice President of the United States and served in Iraq as a Marine. He also converted to Catholicism in 2019.  Vance was proud of his service.

Steve McQueen: 

Known for many iconic roles, including “The Great Escape” the "The King of Cool," he served in the Marine Corps from 1947 to 1950. He was raised Catholic and returned to the faith later in his life.

Robert Leckie

A World War II Marine veteran and author, his war memoir, Helmet for My Pillow, was the basis for the HBO miniseries The Pacific.

He also wrote several books on Catholic history.

Happy Birthday Marines! Semper Fi!