On November 10th, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution that stated "two Battalions of Marines be raised", which established the Continental Marines, and is now considered the birth date of the Marines. The newly formed Continental Marines served on both land and sea, and took part in many major engagements, which helped establish them as an important branch of the Armed Forces. The first Commandant of the Continental Marines was Captain Samuel Nicholas, who was born in Philadelphia in 1744. He was commissioned to be a “Captain of Marines” by the 2nd Continental Congress on November 5th 1775. Nicholas soon established Tun Tavern as the recruiting headquarters. Tun Tavern’s owner, Robert Mullen, was so successful at recruiting people into the Marines, that he was commissioned as a Captain and is now known as the first Marine Corps Recruiter. The recruited Marines were soon called to action. Although they mainly fought naval battles during the Revolutionary war, they distinguished themselves from British Marines by undertaking the then unorthodox missions of landing parties and other services on land. One preferred tactic of the sharp shooters was to hide among the rigging and masts of a ship and fire on the enemy sailors from above. On March 3rd 1776, the Marines performed their first amphibious landing in New Providence Bahamas. Shortly after landing, they captured Fort Montague with no opposition, because the Bahamian forces had retreated to Fort Nassau. The next day, the Marines arrived at Fort Nassau. The British troops that occupied the fort quickly surrendered at the Marine’s arrival. Captain Nicholas then acquired the fort’s cannons along with other supplies. On the trip back from New Providence, the Marin... ... middle of paper ... ... However, this was not true of the enlisted men, because the majority were from the North-Eastern portion of the United States. During the Battle of Drewry’s bluff, Corporal John F. Mackie exposed himself to enemy fire in while firing upon the Fort Monroe, an act that help rally his Marines. For his actions, Corporal Mackie was awarded the Medal of Honor, the first one bestowed upon a Marine. On January 25th 1898, the USS Maine sailed into the Cuban sea port, Havana Harbor. Nearly a month later, the USS Maine is sunk; an act caused America to declare war. The Marines would lead American forces ashore in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, which demonstrated their readiness for deployment. Marines from the USS Marblehead and the USS Nashville cut undersea telegraph cables under heavy Spanish fire, an act that earned 12 of the Marines involved a Medal of Honor.
Thomas was a private in company C of the 128th regiment. This Regiment was organized in August of 1862 and Thomas was mustered in August 14th of 1862. On the August 16th the regiment left for Washington D.C.They were stationed there until September 6th then they then moved to Frederick, Maryland a trek that took 8 days. They then attached to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 12th army corps, and Army of Potomac.(National Park Service)(PA Roots)From there the Regiment moved to Antietam where the Regiment and Thomas would experience their first battle.
In the late 1800’s the American people and their government became more willing to risk war in defense of American interests overseas, support for building a large modern navy began to grow. Supporters argued that if the United States did not build up its navy and acquire bases overseas, it would be shut out of foreign markets by Europeans. Captain Alfred T. Mahan observed that building a modern navy meant that the U.S. had to acquire territory for naval bases overseas. This would enable them to operate a navy far from home. A country needed bases and coaling stations in distant regions, which was exactly what they did by having Havana, Cuba be one of its ports. Another factor that was part of the Navy’s modernization was the USS Maine, which was probably the most famous ship of its era. The USS Maine was one of the Navy’s first armored battle ships. It was one of the first U.S. naval vessels with electrical lighting. It had a top speed of 17 knots and a crew of 392 officers and enlisted men. On the evening of February 15, 1898 the USS Maine exploded. Of the 345 officers and sailors aboard the Maine, 266 died. There were many ideas of how this explosion occurred, namely: the ship’s ammunition supplies blew up, a fire accidentally ignited the ammunition, and that a mine detonated near the ship set off the ammunition. At the time Cuba was a Spanish colony, but it was in the midst of a revolution. The Cuban people were fighting for independence from Spain. During this Cuban revolt against Spain and the American battleship Maine dropped anchor in the Havana harbor to protect American interests in Cuba. Many Americans regarded the Spanish as tyrants and supported the Cubans in their struggle. This immediately made Americans jump to the Conclusion that Spain blew up the Maine. American’s felt that since they were allies with Cuba that Spain was trying to harm America, as to not interfere with Cuba’s revolt against them. Within a matter of weeks, Spain and the U.
In the summer of 1775, The Americans prepared to attack the British in Boston. But Washington was informed that they were shorthanded on gunpowder. The Americans had fewer than 10,000 pounds, roughly nine rounds per man. The situation was not expected to improve soon. During the night of March 4th, 1776 in Boston. Washington pulled the unthinkable and surprised the British by placing his army up the undefended Dorchester Heights. The British had ships anchored in the Boston Harbor, which were within range of American cannons. The British army woke up the next morning and was amazed to see how much hard work took place that night by the American army. Since the British army was surrounded they had no ot...
In the early morning of 19 February 1945, United States Marines assigned to the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Division led the initial assault on the Japanese controlled island of Iwo Jima, with the objective of capturing and securing the island. This was the beginning of one of the fiercest and bloodiest; and more decisively, the most strategically important battles fought during World War II. After the dust had settled, and the smoke had cleared, the causalities and losses were astounding. 6,821 U.S. Marines along with 18,844 members of the Imperial Japanese Army had paid the ultimate sacrifice. A decisive US victory on the island of Iwo Jima later played a pivotal role in the overarching defeat of the Japanese Empire and its Armed Forces (Morison, 1945).
The United States Marine Corps, established in 1775, is known for their production of the strongest offensive soldiers that defend our country. Their training includes amplified endurance, multiple styles of hand to hand combat, and artillery accuracy. Marines are trained to be the steel of the front lines that cut through and push back enemy lines. The branch rose to this dedication primarily in the 1940-50s thanks to one warrior-leader’s dedication to his country and men in his command. Lieutenant Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is the prime model of every marine due to his dedication to service, desire to better his men through training and education, and the instilment of esprit de corps.
On February 15, 1898, the battleship exploded in Havana harbor on the island of Cuba,
What do Drew Carey, Gene Hackman, and Lee Harvey Oswald all have in common? They are all, The Few. The Proud. The Marines. Like these young men, many people after high school join one of the many branches of the military. From the U.S. Bureau of Labor, nine out of ten high school graduates go into the military. However with the Marine Corps being the smallest of the branches, only one-fifth of them become Marines. In 2006, according to the Recruit Depot Parris Island for Marines, 99.9% of the students there were high school graduates. Of the 4,420 recruits in 2006, the average age for a Marine was 19.6. Since the branches were formed, the Marine Corps has developed into a military branch that is greatly respected for its achievements and responsibilities.
Colonel John Singleton Mosby led the 43rd battalion of the Virginia Cavalry, known as Mosby’s Raiders. Mosby was born to an old Virginia family in Powhatan County, Virginia on December 6, 1833. He attended University of Virginia and studied law while in jail. He said, “My father was a slaveholder and I still a strong affection for the slaves who nursed and played with me in my childhood. That the prevailing sentiment in the South not peculiar to myself but one prevailing in all South toward an institution which we now thank Abraham Lincoln for abolishing.” in his autobiography The Memoirs of Colonel John S. Mosby.
Introduction The Spanish American War marked the emergence of the United States of America as a world power. The war which lasted only 10 weeks between April and August of 1898 took place over the liberation of Cuba. In the course of the war the U.S. won Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippine Islands. A large aspect to the begining of the war was the explosion and sinking of the Maine on February 15 1898 at 9:30 PM in Havana Harbor. 260 American naval personnel where killed or wounded. The USS Maine was the second "second class" battle ship constructed for the U.S. Navy. It took almost nine years to complete three year took waiting for armor. The USS Maine was at the time the largest ship to be built in a U.S. Navy yard. The USS Maine arrived in the Havana harbor in Cuba on Jan. 24 of 1898. The USS Manie was sent to Cuba in response to a small protest by Spanish officers. The ship was under the command of Captian Charles Sigsbee.
With the sinking of the USS Maine of the coast of Cuba, the United States people got infuriated with the fact that 260 Americans died and the only culprit at the time was a Spanish ship. The press with its yellow journalism spread the news throughout the states, enraging many Americans with their yellow journalism. The New York Journal at the time went as far as saying that “ ” () President McKinley and the members in Congress at the time were forced to declare war on Spain, fearing the negative effects it would have if they let the matter go. With the declaration of war the United States recruited so many men for the army and navy they didn’t know what to do with them, but inevitably our numbers made us prepared for anything Spain had to through at us. Although most of the battles were fought by the navy like Alfred Thayer said “In order to be a great power like Great Britain the U.S. need to control the seas and dominate international commerce.” (Mahan, A. T.) With a greater naval force then Spain the U.S. was able over whelm them and win almost all the battles they fought in. Alfred also said with in his book “The influence of sea power upon history” that the islands that the United States acquired through the means of imperialism also serve as refueling station for our ships during war or transport. Hawaii especially because of its central location in the
United States Merchant Marines were first established under the Coast Guard, but soon came to grow as its own organization in only a few years. Many of the first recruits came in 1938 and were apart of the Civilian Conservation Corps. These patriotic men of all ages came forward to serve in the growing U.S. Maritime Service. Young men even at the age of 16 joined to help their country in the time of need. The country at the time had 37 Official U.S. Government Recruiting Offices set up to recruit the men of all ages. Newspaper ads and the radio really helped spread the word to find the thousands of men. United States Maritime Service offices were specially placed next to Navy and Coast Guard Offices for competition. Men who went into the Navy and Coast Guard offices to sign up...
One of the first 29 recruits included Chester Nez. Though marines were sent home to relax, the code talkers were assigned to different divisions out of necessity. They were not immune to the war as they often sustained injuries, and took tolls to their mental fortitude through the pressure to remain adroit at the benefit of their fellow marines. When they were discharged in late 1945 at the end of the war, many of the code talkers fell into destitution. The inability to be recognized and commemorated for their accomplishments left them in poverty. It wasn’t until 2001 that they were officially recognized; it was a recognition that came much later than warranted. (Cpl. Flowers, Chelsea Anderson)
Marine officer who participated in almost all the major US military interventions in the Caribbean, from the Spanish-American War to the occupation of Haiti!!
The following was a submitted report for a U.S. History research paper assignment We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea. First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun. We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun. In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes, You will find us always on the job, The United States Marines. Here's health to you and to our Corps which we are proud to serve. In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve. If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines." The Marine hymn is eternally etched in the mind's and soul of every recruit and officer who have served in the United States Marine Corps. Every Marine has gone through boot camp, each sacrificing blood, sweat, and tears. One thing that has never deteriorated in their years of existence is the fact that they have yet to lose a war they have put effort in. Is this exceptional record due to their extensive training? Is it because of their aggressive nature and mindset? What is to follow may shed some light on these questions and perhaps give some type of insight on how the Marine Corps was so prevailing and what conflicts had they had conquered. 1775, November 10th. This date is memorized and celebrated by every United States Marine as something of excellence, a date of honor. This date is non other than the "birthdate" of the Marine Corps. It was on this date that the Continental Congress passed a resolution to create two operational battalions of American Marines. These men would ultimately be headed by Captain Samuel Nicholas, of the United States Naval department. It was in Philadelphia that the first Marines were grouped and trained for their inaugural mission. The three hundred Marines that had been recruited, were placed aboard eight transport ships, all destined for the beaches of New Providence (the Bahamas). Upon their landing on March 3rd, 1776, they fought up the beach, sweeping through a barrage of bullets, and took command of two small stone forts and a number of military storage complexes.
Heinl, Lt. Robert Debs, Jr. Marines at Midway. Washington: Historical Section, Division of Public Information, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1948. Print.