Amata Celebrates the 251st Birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the United States Marine Corps as they celebrate their 251st birthday, on November 10, 2026.
“Happy birthday to our United States Marines! We honor their proud tradition, and the enduring importance of their service and strength,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Congratulations for 251 years of dedication, sacrifice, and bravery, showing the same spirit that has been the reputation of Marines every generation since the first battalions in the American Revolutionary War. In American Samoa, we take great pride in all our Toa o Samoa, and we have distinguished Marines among them. Thank you for your service, and may God bless our Marines, past and present, and their families. Semper Fidelis!”
Marines at Camp LeJeune when Congresswoman Amata visited American Samoa's Service Members along the U.S. East Coast - file photo
Congress continues to work toward final passage of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) including a pay raise for the U.S. military. The bill supports all Pentagon equipment, readiness, and personnel. Over 200,000 currently serve as active-duty Marines or Marine Corps Reserve. The U.S. Marines are the leaders in U.S. expeditionary and amphibious operations, and over the years added modern warfare including over 1,000 crewed aircraft, such as F-35 Lightning II fighters, V-22 Ospreys and much more.
With Congress back in session, Congresswoman Amata sends her well-wishes from Washington to all attending the week’s Veterans Day events or a Marine Corps Ball, especially in American Samoa and around the nation.
History note: After their November 10, 1775, founding by the Continental Congress, the first battalions of American Marines were recruited, and in their first action, in March 1776, successfully undertook an amphibious assault that captured two British forts in the Bahamas, securing arms used in the cause of Independence.
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