Tripoli! What Symbolism we bring. Significance: It was the first recorded U.S. land engagement on foreign soil and established the Marines' reputation for overseas power projection. Context: The U.S. fought the Barbary States (Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers, Morocco) because they demanded tribute for safe passage in the Mediterranean. How ironic. I know its been a couple hundred years since then. But rinse and repeat as many times as needed. Our symbolism will be their downfall.