“Dreadnaught Leathernecks” is a colorful portrayal of our country’s seagoing Marines in the days when the battleship ruled the seas, vividly captured by the artist, a retired U.S. Marine infantry officer with 30 years active service afloat and ashore.

The legendary Colonel John W. Thomason, Jr., USMC described the Marines of this period n his book, Fix Bayonets, about combat in the World War I. He wrote of them:

“…with drilled shoulders and a bone deep sunburn and a tolerant scorn of nearly everything on earth. They were the Leathernecks, the old breed of American regular, regarding the service as home and war as occupation!”

A Marine detachment (called the “Marine Guard”) was a standard part of the battleship’s complement. Aboard ship, the Marines performed a variety of duties, such as guarding restricted spaces and manning secondary batteries.

More importantly, the Marines allowed the power of a battleship to reach ashore. When trouble in foreign lands threatened U.S. citizens and interests, Americans could always count on the Leathernecks being sent to their rescue. It would be only a matter of time before good news would trumpet: “The Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand.”

Included with each copy of the print is a colorful pamphlet that describes the uniforms and events depicted, and provides a brief history of this famous battle wagon. Also in the pamphlet is a complete roster of the Marine Guard assigned to the USS Nevada when she was first commissioned.