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Marines in particular, military as a whole, have used the term "Hooyaaaa" as a collective call to battle, a call to raise spirit, a call to come together.... or just a call to call... no other reason other than to make a loud noise and say to the world.... "make note, we are Marines... we are Rangers... we are Army... we are Recon... " whatever group of military it relates to at the time...
Here is a brief history of some of the more colorful stories behind the origin of this "sound off"
Copied from "About.com"- US Military:
"You can hear it echoing from the hallowed halls of Fort Benning, Ga.'s Infantry Center to the ranges at Fort Lewis, Wash. It is uttered at award ceremonies, bellowed from formations, and repeated before, during and after training missions. You can hear it shouted by Air Force Security Forces, Pararescue, and Combat Controllers. The word is thundered out by Navy SEALs, and by United States Marines (who pronounce it "OohRah!")."
"It's an affirmation that I fully agree with and support the idea or intent expressed by the person to whom I make that response," said Maj. Gen. F.A. Gorden, Military District of Washington commander. "It applies not only to the letter of what was said, but to the spirit of what was said."
"On theory is that the word originated with the Second Dragoons in Florida as "hough" in 1841. In an attempt to end the war with the Seminoles, a meeting was arranged with the Indian Chief Coacoochee. After the meeting, there was a banquet."
Garrison officers made a variety of toasts, including "Here's to luck" and "The old grudge" before drinking. Coacoochee asked Gopher John, an interpreter, the meaning of the officers' toasts. Gopher John responded, "It means, ÔHow d'ye do.'"
The chief then lifted his cup above his head and exclaimed in a deep, guttural voice, "hough."
Another theory is that during the Vietnam War many American soldiers used Vietnamese and Vietnamese-French expressions interchangeably with English.
One widely used term was the Vietnamese word for "yes," which is pronounced "u-ah." When assigned a task or asked a question, soldiers would often answer with "u-ah." This term -- used for many years after the war by many soldiers, is easily changed to "OohRah."
On D-Day, 1944, on Omaha Beach, near the sea cliffs at Point Du Hoc, General Cota, the 29th Division Assistant Division Commander, jogged down the beach toward a group of Rangers from the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and asked, "Where's your commanding officer?" They pointed him out and said, "Down there, sir."
General Cota reportedly followed their direction and, on his way down the beach, said, "Lead the way, Rangers!"
The Rangers from 2nd Bat reportedly said, "WHO, US!?" General Cota thought he heard them say "HOOAH!" He was so impressed with their cool and calm demeanor, not to mention their cool term, hooah, he decided to make it a household name.
Nobody knows why the United States Marines pronounce the word, "OohRah!" When and where did it start? Is it related to similar cries now in use by other military services? Nobody knows for sure. Yeah, most everybody has an opinion, but there is no single theory that has been shown to be fact.
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Bill Marx, Sr.
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