Chapter 1 Summary

Semper Fi by W.E.B. Griffin is the first in the series of books on The Corps. The Preface provides the background to events in China, beginning in the 1900s with the Boxer Rebellion. The problem is settled with the Protocol of 1901 which places troops of the foreign powers in China. This means the U.S. troops are in Shanghai, Peking and other places. Navy gunboats patrol the Yangtze River. By 1941, the lines are drawn for World War II in China. The Japanese take over the Russian interests and are determined to expel foreigners from China.

Chapter One begins on January 1, 1942 with Ken McCoy, stationed in Shanghai, China. He is trying to decide if he should carry a weapon when he leaves the compound. There has been trouble between the United States and Italian Marines. He is waiting for his promotion to...