By MC2 Michael Ehrlich

Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. John M. Paxton offers his thoughts on the "Eternal Spirit of the Corps" during the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Herrmann Hall's McNitt Ballroom, Nov. 7.

"This week in 1915, [Maj. Gen.] Smedley Butler had been recognized with his second Medal of Honor… and [Sgt. Maj.] Dan Daly had been notified that he was going on a seven day patrol, and that would result in his second Medal of Honor," said Paxton. "They were the only two Marines in uniform to earn two Medals of Honor, and they represent the legacy of our Corps that animates our eternal spirit."

The Second Continental Congress officially established two battalions of Marines on Nov. 10, 1775, recognized as the official birth of today's Marine Corps. Paxton described modern day Marines as "small, special, tight knit and forged in combat," and he urged all of those in attendance to honor the lasting legacy of the Corps.

"We are proud and privileged to have wingmen, shipmates, battle buddies, and allies and partners with us here tonight," said Paxton. "We all have a place in history, ours is to keep the eternal history alive and keep the legacy of our Corps alive."