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This is why the 1st Marine Division ships out to ‘Waltzing Matilda’
AI-assisted summary
· Source: We Are The Mighty — reporting by Blake Stilwell
· Tuesday, April 28, 2026
· 1 min read
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We Are The Mighty
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When considering the music that we’d want to play as we ship out to a combat zone, very few of us would think of choosing a 19th century Australian folk song about a hobo who stole a sheep.
When considering the music that we’d want to play as we ship out to a combat zone, very few of us would think of choosing a 19th century Australian folk song about a hobo who stole a sheep.
And yet, that’s exactly what the Marines of the 1st Marine Division do every time. It may seem odd that United States Marines choose to deploy using Australia’s unofficial national anthem, but a closer look at the history of the unit (and how the song ends) helps make sense of it all.
This is a condensed summary. Read the full story at We Are The Mighty →
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AI-assisted analysis Generated by an AI model constrained to the facts of the story above, under rules set and reviewed by our editors. Spot an error? Corrections .
The 1st Marine Division's adoption of "Waltzing Matilda" as its departure music reflects the strong historical ties between the unit and Australia, forged during World War II. The division's experience in Melbourne, where they were welcomed and cared for after a grueling campaign in Guadalcanal, has had a lasting impact on the unit's identity and traditions. The playing of "Waltzing Matilda" as the division ships out serves as a nod to this history and the bond between the US Marines and the Australian people. This unique tradition also highlights the importance of international alliances and cooperation in military operations, a theme that remains relevant today. As the 1st Marine Division continues to deploy and engage in operations around the world, its connection to Australia and the music that symbolizes it remains a distinctive aspect of its heritage and esprit de corps.
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