Like the United States Army and Navy, the Marine Corps celebrates its 250th birthday this year. We honor the 250 year history of the Marine Corps.
Marblehead Regiment
Before Lexington
Marblehead, Massachusetts, was a sailing community, where privateering and fishing were key occupations. In January 1775, Marblehead reorganized its militia to expel British sympathizers. The town turned command of the local militia over to Jeremiah Lee, with merchant John Glover second in command.
Revolutionary fervor in Marblehead grew after the Boston Massacre in 1770. Lee and other prominent members of the community participated in the local colonial committees seeking to undermine British authority.
On February 26, 1775, the Marblehead Militia blocked the advance of over 200 British troops at the North Bridge in Salem, Massachusetts. This was an eerie foreshadowing of the standoff in Lexington two months later that erupted into violence, sparking the Revolutionary War. In February, however, the standoff ended not with bloodshed, but with a British withdrawal.
After Lexington
Lee and Glover met with other revolutionaries on April 18. The next day, the Battle of Lexington and Concord erupted. Lee and Glover fled from British forces hunting them. Lee died while hiding from the British, leaving Glover to lead local men eager to participate in hostilities against the British.
Glover was formally commissioned, and he and his men became the Massachusetts 21st Regiment on June 22 after joining up with George Washington’s Continental Army. Washington soon saw their potential. He ordered Glover to send out several of his merchant ships to protect and fortify the harbor at Marblehead. As part of this mission, Glover was instructed to raid British shipping to capture badly needed supplies and to deny them to the British Army.
Throughout 1775, the Marblehead men proved the value of an organized armed force of shipboard men. They found success in raiding coastal towns and capturing British ships and supplies. In January 1776, however, the 21st Regiment, now reorganized as the 14th Regiment, became a permanent part of Washington’s Continental Army.
Ad Hoc Colonial Marines
The Marblehead Regiment reflects one of the earliest organizations which might rightfully be described as Marines. Many of the colonies were concerned with the need to defend themselves from British coastal raids and to repel British landings.
In May 1775, the Connecticut Committee of Public Safety allocated Benedict Arnold £500, for his troop’s payroll. The shipment of those funds was to be guarded by eight marines. The title of “marine” to designate shipbound infantry was coming into common usage.
While the New England colonies sought protection with Continental forces from Naval assault, Washington did not have the resources to provide that protection. Some of the colonies, then, sought to assemble their own ships for protection and privateering operations.
Organization of the United States Marines
On October 13, 1775, Congress passed a resolution creating a Continental Navy. Implicitly, this suggests the enlistment of Marines.
The successes of the Marblehead Regiment and other colonial efforts at manning ships with infantry showed the value of having marines. The Second Continental Congress convened on November 9, 1775. On November 10, they considered the following resolution.
Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or inlisted [sic] into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required: that they be inlisted [sic] and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.
Upon adoption of the resolution, the Continental Marines were born.
A Marine Commandant
On November 28, 1775, the Continental Congress adopted the “Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies.” This would be a forerunner to the Uniform Code of Military Justice which would come much later.
On that same date, John Hancock, as President of the Continental Congress, issued a commission to Samuel Nicholas, appointing him “Captain of Marines.” Nicholas was a Philadelphia Quaker and tavern owner. Upon receiving his commission, Nicholas set up a recruitment office in Philadelphia.
In March, 1776, Nicholas led the first Marine Corps amphibious invasion, against Nassau in the Bahamas. In June, 1776, Nicholas was promoted to Major and assigned to shore duty to help train new marines. Nicholas was the first commissioned U. S. Marine and is regarded by many as the first Marine Commandant, and the only Colonial Marines Commandant.
The Marine Corps Today
Since 1834, the Marine Corps has been part of the Department of the Navy. Today, statute provides that the Marine Corps shall be organized into at least three combat divisions, three air wings, and “such other land combat, aviation, and other services as may be organic therein.”
The law charges the Marine Corps with
- Being equipped to seize or defend advanced naval bases, protection of naval assets
- Develop, with the Army and Air Force, amphibious landing tactics and equipment
- Other incidental duties as assigned by the President
- Expansion of “peacetime components” to meet the needs of war, when necessary
Today, the Marine Corps includes over 200,000 active and reserve personnel. The Marine Corps also has over 1,300 aircraft.
Happy Birthday, U. S. Marine Corps.
