The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

OUTCASTS

IF A MARINE BATTALION LOSES ITS COLORS, FLAG, IN
BATTLE, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE UNITED
STATES UNTIL THEY REGAIN IT IN BATTLE.
FOR EXAMPLE: DURING WORLD WAR II THE FOURTH MARINE
BATTALION WAS FIGHTING WITH THE ARMY ON CORRIGADOR.
WHEN THE ARMY SURRENDERED ITS COLORS, THE MARINES
REFUSED TO DO SO AND BURNED THEIRS. SINCE THEY
LOST THEIR COLORS, THEY COULD NOT RETURN TO
THE UNITED STATES AND THEY WERE STATIONED IN HAWAII
WHEN IT WAS NOT A STATE. THEY HAVE SINCE WON THEIR
COLORS BACK FIGHTING IN VIETNAM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1968