WASHINGTON, May 21, 2026 /Christian Newswire/ — As the United States Marine Corps commemorates its historic 250th Anniversary throughout the year, a major spiritual and cultural milestone has emerged with the introduction of the United States Marine Corps Hymn, “Serving for Thee.”

The hymn has already received attention from Baptist Press, radio broadcasters, and newspapers across the nation. It has been embraced by many U.S. Marines, Navy Chaplains, and churches across America as the United States Marine Corps Hymn. It has also been professionally engraved, recorded, and produced by Dan Kreider of Dan Kreider Music and the recording has been edited by Scott Exum of Exum Recording.

“Serving for Thee” has also been featured within The Six United States Military Hymns Medley by Chaplain James F. Linzey, a ceremonial collection presenting the six military hymns in official Department of Defense ceremonial order:

• United States Army Hymn: “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer”

• United States Marine Corps Hymn: “Serving for Thee”

• United States Navy Hymn: “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”

• United States Air Force Hymn: “Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly”

• United States Coast Guard Hymn: “Ruler of Land and Sea”

• United States Space Force Hymn: “Creator of the Universe”

Written specifically as an intercessory prayer for the Marines, the hymn was composed for U.S. Marine Corps chapel services, memorial observances, and solemn military ceremonies during the Corps’ Semi-quincentennial celebration.

Filling a Sacred Void: Hymn vs. Fighting March

Despite its legendary military heritage, the Marine Corps has historically lacked its own dedicated sacred hymn for worship services.

• The Chapel Gap: Because the Marine Corps operates under the Department of the Navy, Marines have traditionally relied upon the Navy Hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” during chapel services.
• The Cultural Distinction: While millions recognize “The Marines’ Hymn” (“The Halls of Montezuma”), it functions historically as a martial fighting song and military march.
• The Sacred Role: True military hymns serve a different role; they function as intercessory prayers during chapel services and solemn military ceremonies.

Much of the confusion about what is errantly called “The Marines’ Hymn” is clarified by Chaplain (LTC) Pearlean Scott, U.S. Army (Ret.), former Command Chaplain of the United States Army Cadet Command, who said, “A fighting military march and a sacred hymn serve entirely different ceremonial and spiritual purposes. Clarifying that distinction properly falls within the historical and liturgical role of military chaplains.”

In chapel services across the globe, this distinction has historically created a unique void for Marine Corps personnel. Over the past two years, however, a grass-roots adoption of a dedicated hymn has steadily gained traction among U.S. Marines, chaplains, the media, and churches.

“Serving for Thee” has been endorsed by many chaplains, including Navy Chaplain, Commander Manuel A. ‘Don’ Biadog, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.), former Command Chaplain of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

“For 250 years, the United States Marine Corps has never had its own universally recognized sacred hymn until now,” said Chaplain Biadog. “‘Serving for Thee’ has gained such widespread recognition and usage over the past two years that it has emerged as the United States Marine Corps Hymn. I fully endorse ‘Serving for Thee’ as the much-needed official hymn of the United States Marine Corps.”

“The United States Marine Corps Hymn, ‘Serving for Thee,’ written by James F. Linzey, takes a beautiful familiar tune to many, creating a beautiful and prayerful hymn for the Marines and all who serve,” said Chaplain (Colonel) Rob Nolan, U.S. Army (Ret.), former Deputy Command Chaplain of the United States Army Reserve Command.

For veterans and active duty service members alike, having an explicit, prayerful anthem provides a needed outlet to address the daily spiritual burdens carried by Marines.

“For generations, Marines have possessed one of the most recognizable fighting songs in military history. While it functioned primarily as a martial fighting song rather than a sacred hymn for worship services, Marines still lacked an official United States Marine Corps Hymn specifically written as a prayer for chapel services and memorial ceremonies,” said Sergeant Dennis A. Hall, Sr., USMC-Ret., who now serves as a Chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “‘Serving for Thee’ fills that void with dignity, reverence, and a profound understanding of the spiritual burdens carried by those who serve. ‘Serving for Thee’ now stands as the official United States Marine Corps Hymn.”

To help fill this long-standing spiritual void, acclaimed hymn writer and retired military chaplain James F. Linzey composed “Serving for Thee” following encouragement from U.S. Marines, Commander Manuel A. ‘Don’ Biadog, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.), and Air Force Chaplain Major Michael R. O’Donnell, USAF (Ret.). Set to Lowell Mason’s timeless 1841 tune Bethany — best known through “Nearer, My God, to Thee” — the hymn was written specifically for U.S. Marine Corps chapel services and as an intercessory prayer for Marines, veterans, military families, and chaplains.

Two Verses from “Serving for Thee”

Wherever we may be, serving for Thee,
May we in Thy care be, resting in Thee;
Watch over all our ways, may we e’er trust in Thee;
Lead ev’ry step we take, nearer to Thee.

When setting sun draws nigh, with faith in Thee,
May we serve fearlessly, nearer to Thee;
As eagles soar on high, on us look faithfully;
Then by that golden stream, we shall meet. Amen.

A Legacy of Service and Providence

The creation of “Serving for Thee” is deeply rooted in military service and Marine Corps ministry.

• A Distinguished Career: A 24-year military veteran, Linzey served across U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps communities. He previously composed the United States Space Force Hymn, “Creator of the Universe,” the United States Army Hymn, “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,” and created the traditional 4/4 edition of the United States Air Force Hymn, “Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly.”
• The Miramar Catalyst: From 2016 to 2019, Linzey served under Chaplain Biadog at the Airman-Marine Memorial Chapel at MCAS Miramar. With authorization from the Commanding Officer, Linzey presided over the installation’s Protestant Divine Worship Services, conducted Professional Military Education leadership seminars and spoke at Marine Corps National Prayer Breakfast events on the Pacific War with an emphasis on the Battle of Midway.
• The Inspiration: Because no dedicated sacred hymn existed for the Marine Corps, he regularly concluded services with the Navy Hymn, which highlighted the direct need for this new composition.

“‘Serving for Thee’ captures something every Marine understands — prayer in the midst of sacrifice and dependence upon God in moments of danger,” said former U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Robert Horvath. “Now the Marines have a universally recognized hymn that belongs to the United States Marine Corps, because it was born out of chaplains’ real ministry to Marines, not from a marketing department or ceremonial committee.”

An Unbroken Family Chain

Linzey is the son of World War II hero Navy Captain Stanford E. Linzey, Jr., CHC, USN (Ret.), who survived the sinking of the USS Yorktown (CV-5) during the Battle of Midway and later ministered directly to Marines in Okinawa as a Navy chaplain. His late mother, Dr. Verna May Hall Linzey, was uniquely honored by the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps at MCAS Miramar with the prestigious title, “Mother of the Fleet.”

A Fitting Tribute for the Semi-quincentennial

As the United States Marine Corps commemorates its historic 250th Anniversary, the release of “Serving for Thee” provides a spiritual tribute honoring those who have served, sacrificed, and fallen in defense of freedom.

For chapel services and for Marines, veterans, chaplains, and military families alike, it stands as both a hymn of devotion and a prayer for divine guidance as the Corps marches forward into its next 250 years of faithful service.

References

Disclaimer: This article is a press release written by Chaplain Joshua Othniel and distributed by Christian Newswire on May 21, 2026. This release is being republished with the consent of Christian Newswire’s legal policy, “…redistribution, retransmission, republication or commercial exploitation of the contents of news releases is allowed. Text and photos found in the news releases may be used by any publisher, blog, church bulletin, etc. at no charge.” All views expressed in the release are those of the original author and not necessarily those of Thrive Christian Press and The Believer’s Byline.

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