The Republic of China Marine Corps is the amphibious arm of the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) responsible for amphibious warfare, counter-landing and reinforcement of the areas under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (ROC), including the island of Taiwan, Kinmen, and the Matsu Islands, and defense of ROCN facilities, also functioning as a rapid reaction force and a strategic reserve capable of amphibious assaults.
World War II era U.S. LVTs were used by Taiwan's Marine Corps for several decades.
The ROC Marine Corps was awarded the Tiger Banner by Chiang Kai-shek in 1959 after the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.
Statue of Chiang Kai-shek with the ROCMC emblem in the background (Wuqiu Lighthouse).
Second Taiwan Strait Crisis
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The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, also called the 1958 Taiwan Strait Crisis, was a conflict between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC). In this conflict, the PRC shelled the islands of Kinmen (Quemoy) and the Matsu Islands along the east coast of mainland China in an attempt to take control of Taiwan from the Chinese Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang (KMT), and to probe the extent of the United States' defense of Taiwan's territory. A naval battle also took place around Dongding Island when the ROC Navy repelled an attempted amphibious landing by the PRC Navy.
The U.S. carrier USS Lexington (top) with a supply ship and USS Marshall (bottom) off Taiwan during the crisis.
F-104As of the 83rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Taoyuan Air Base in September 1958.
The MIM-14 Nike Hercules of the 71st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, U.S Army at Tamsui, Taipei County on 20 October 1958.
August 23 Artillery Battle Museum in Kinmen