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.
The British chose to attack the Americans from the north by way of Isle aux Pois in the mouth of the Pearl River because this was the only only stable water they had found that ships could ride and anchor. When hearing that the british where coming this way, Lieutenant Thomas Ap Catesby Jones and his five gunboats went to try and Barackade the Rigolets trying to make sure they wouldn’t enter. His 185 men and 23 guns awaited the British. At 10:30 on December 14th 1814 three columns of British ships, 42 to 45, armed with 43 guns and 1,200 under the command of Captain Lockyer met the American blockade. Fierce fighting began and the British had finally captured the five American boats. Losses were 17 British and 6 Americans killed, 77 British and 35 Americans wounded. This gave Gerneral Andrew Jackson six days more to improve his defenses. The British at the very beginning of the war had demolished almost all of Jacksons sea power. Jackson only had the Carolina, Louisiana, and one gunboat left.
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...
Unquestionably, the marines were very basic and underdeveloped in their earlier days. The USMC, or better known as the United States Marine Corps, is one of the five main branches of the United States military. The Marines Corps started out being known as the Continental Marines ("United States Marine Corps" 4). The Continental Marines were born November 10, 1775 at Tin Tavern in Pennsylvania. Due to the act of July 11, 1798, the Marines were formed in place of them under the constitution. They were first formed because of America being in debt. At the time, the United States was in a naval war with France (Metcalf 343). The marines have many allies and foes throughout the branches of military. The United States Navy is said to be the "big brother" of the U.S. Marines out of the other military branches. Most of the support that the Marines get is from this fine group of men. Early marines served as gunners, mechani...
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.
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...
Heinl, Lt. Robert Debs, Jr. Marines at Midway. Washington: Historical Section, Division of Public Information, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1948. Print.
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)
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.
... has still not been identified to this day. This sudden attack left the American populace speechless and in utter resentment of the Spanish, and as outrage broke a rallying cry did too, “Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain.” However, Spain at the time was blamed for the explosive occasion and war quickly followed between Spain and America, and the Spanish-American War was fought on Spanish territories such as Cuba, the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The overpowering and overwhelming military of the United States crushed Spain in all of their fights, causing the war to come to an end in mid July.
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
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).
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 USS Maine was the United States Navy’s second commission battleship; however, Maine was classified originally as an armored cruiser. Heavily armed with guns and torpedoes, this ship was ready for battle. The USS Maine, named after the state of Maine, and completed on November 18, 1889. The battleship remained stationed near the east coast of the United States and the Caribbean. In January 1898, President William McKinley sent the 6,789 ton ship, from Key West, Florida to Havana, Cuba in hopes to help protect the United States’ interests during the Cuban Revolt against Spain. Three weeks later the battleship mysteriously exploded inside the Havana Harbor. The captain, Charles Sigsbee and several officers aboard the ship survived, because of their location in the rear end of the ship.