Custom Patches for Marine Corps Birthday

Patch ideas

Popular for this one: Marine Corps Birthday Ball and veterans' group patches

Colors that fit: Scarlet/gold

Production takes 10 business days plus shipping. Order by Tue, October 20 to have your patches in time.

Starting prices

• Embroideredfrom $0.60 a patch
• PVCfrom $0.30 a patch

Bulk pricing. See the price table.

How patches are used for the Marine Corps Birthday

• Birthday ball favors and table gifts, often dated with the year and the Corps’ age (251 years in 2026).
• Marine Corps League detachment patches for vests and caps, refreshed for the new year of meetings and parades.
• Unit reunion and alumni patches that carry a unit nickname, a motto or a deployment year.
• Fundraiser patches sold at ball tables to support a detachment’s Toys for Tots or scholarship work.

Official Marine Corps emblems, including the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, are trademarks. Using them on products requires approval from the Marine Corps Trademark Licensing Office, so we design original artwork unless you hold that approval.

The history of the Marine Corps Birthday

On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, resolved that two battalions of Marines be raised to serve with the fleet. That resolution is the date the United States Marine Corps counts as its birthday. Tradition places the first recruiting at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, under Captain Samuel Nicholas, who is regarded as the first Commandant.

The birthday as Marines celebrate it today dates from 1921. On October 21 of that year, Major Edwin N. McClellan, head of the Historical Section at Headquarters Marine Corps, proposed that November 10 be observed across the Corps. On November 1, 1921, Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47 (Series 1921). It summarized the Corps’ history, mission and traditions, and directed that it be read to every command on each November 10. Commands still read it today, followed by the current Commandant’s birthday message.

Celebrations grew from there. Birthday cake ceremonies are recorded from 1935, and from 1937 posts held dinners, balls and pageants. On October 28, 1952, Commandant General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. directed that the celebration be formalized throughout the Corps and outlined the cake ceremony, which entered the Marine Corps Drill Manual in 1956. By tradition, the oldest Marine present receives a piece of cake and passes it to the youngest, handing experience to the next generation. Today Marines, veterans and Marine Corps League detachments hold balls, dinners and gatherings on or near November 10.

Sources: Marine Corps History Division: Marine Corps Order No. 47 (1921) · Marine Corps University: Semper Fidelis (birthday traditions)