MARINE CORPS ORIGINS AND TRADITIONS OVERVIEW Birth of

MARINE CORPS ORIGINS AND TRADITIONS

OVERVIEW • Birth of the Continental Marine Corps – Early Uniforms • Revolutionary War • Barbary Pirates War • War of 1812 – Archibald Henderson • • The Mexican-American War Civil War Early Traditions Spanish American War

EARLY COLONIAL MARINES 1664 - British Admiralty raises Maritime Regiments during war with the Dutch Not full time, stood up for mission or period, then disbanded • 1740 -1741, 3, 000 colonial volunteers were formed into four regiments – known as Gooch’s Marines – to fight in England’s war with Spain. • About the only noteworthy result was the naming of Mount Vernon VA

THE CONTINENTAL MARINE CORPS • When the Second Continental Congress created the Continental Navy, it also established a Continental Marine Corps. • 10 November 1775, Congress directed that two battalions of Marines be raised.

Congressional Resolution UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 10 November 1775 Resolved: that two Battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, & Officers as usual in other regiments, that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no person be appointed to officer or inlisted 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 and commissioned 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 & second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered a part of the number, which the Continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of. Phil

1 st TRADITIONAL COMMANDANT • Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas as a Captain on 28 Nov 1775. • On 25 June 1776, Congress put him in charge of the Marine Corps as a Major. • Never called “Commandant, ” but is considered the first traditional Commandant.

BIRTHPLACE OF THE MARINE CORPS • Tun Tavern, Philadelphia established as the recruiting headquarters of the newly formed Marine Corps. • Robert Mullen – first recruiter. RI

EARLY UNIFORMS

TRADITIONAL UNIFORM ITEMS Leather Stock or Collar Quatrefoil

QUATREFOIL • Today, this braid is still worn by officers on the barracks cover.

FIRST AMPHIBIOUS LANDING

Tradition of Fighting with the Army • Maj Nicholas and 300 Marines joined Gen Washington prior to Trenton – reserve artillery and infantry. • Fought at Princeton and numerous other land sea battles. • Treaty of Paris 1783 – War ends, Navy and Marines disbanded.

RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS • Insults on the seas from European powers led Congress to order the building of six new frigates in 1794 – Built by American designers, they were smaller than most European ships of the line, but more maneuverable and wellarmed for their size • • Re-established the Navy in April 1798. Marine Corps was included as a separate service. Economy and Discipline Authorized 33 Officers and 848 NCO’s, musicians, and privates – New naval regulations forbade the enlistment of “Negro, Mulatto, or Indian. ”

RE-ESTABLISHMENT: MISSION • Secretary of the Navy visualized “missions of an amphibious nature, ” including – Sea duty aboard naval vessels – Duty in the forts and garrisons of the United States – Most importantly for the future: • “. . . any other duty on shore, as the President, at his discretion may direct. ”

RE-ESTABLISHMENT: THE COMMANDANT • First official CMC– Major William W. Burrows. – Hand-picked a group of outstanding officers – Mediated a series of disputes between Marine and Navy officers based on the premise that “It is my duty to support my officers, and I will do it with my Life, but they must deserve it. ” SC Maj William Ward Burrows

SERGEANT MAJOR • Rank established by Congress in 1798 • First Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps was Archibald Sommers.

“OLDEST POST IN THE CORPS” • July 1800, Burrows moves his headquarters from Philadelphia to the newly constructed capitol city, Washington, DC • Lt. Col Burrows and Pres. Jefferson select a new location at the corner of 8 th & I streets, dictated by its closeness to the Capitol and the new Navy Yard where the Marines were guarding public property

MARINE CORPS BAND Marines from Marine Barracks Washington and the Marine Band at the Washington Navy Yard circa 1864

TO THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI • 1801 – Tripoli declares war on the U. S. • 1803 – U. S. Navy ships blockade city of Tripoli.

MAMELUKE SWORD • Oldest weapon still in use by any of the U. S. Armed forces. Presented to Lt Presley O’Bannon by Hamet Karamanli in appreciation for Derna Campaign

THE WAR OF 1812 • Of 4 major sea battles, Marine Corps marksmanship was a factor in winning three. Great Lakes were major routes for invasion from British Canada Navy and Marines stopped the British on Great Lakes

THE WAR OF 1812 • 1814 – 200 Marines participated in crucial battle of Lake Champlain, contributing to the defeat of hardened veterans of the Duke of Wellington’s army.

BATTLE OF BLADENSBURG • Near Bladensburg, MD (13 miles to D. C. ). • 103 Marines and 400 Sailors joined militia in attempt to block a force of 4000 British marching to D. C. • Stopped 3 charges before the militia to their left and right retreated • British Commander: “They have given us our only real fight” MD

THE NEW ORLEANS CAMPAIGN

ARCHIBALD HENDERSON • Decorated for bravery on USS Constitution during the War of 1812. • 5 th Commandant from October 1820 –January 1859. • “Grand Old Man of the Marine Corps. ”

FROM THE HALLS OF MONTEZUMA • The landing at Vera Cruz on 9 March 1847 was the first large-scale, joint amphibious landing.

BATTLE OF CHAPULTEPEC • Hail of fire when battle began, Marines charge through it and up the hill. • Marine NCO’s and Officer’s leadership won the day.

THE BLOOD STRIPE • Popular, yet incorrect, story is that it commemorates the blood shed at Chapultepec. • Variation of the blood Stripe began in 1839 by Archibald Henderson, adopted as it is today in 1904.

THE CIVIL WAR 1859 – Abolitionist John Brown raided a US arsenal at Harper’s Ferry hoping to start a slave rebellion with captured weapons.

THE CIVIL WAR • Numerous ad hoc amphibious Marine forces created to assault forts guarding southern harbors. • Lack of experience in Battalion-sized operations

THE CIVIL WAR • Cpl John F. Mackie • First Marine Medal of Honor. • Acts of bravery on the USS Galena in 1862 on the James River.

THE CIVIL WAR • 17 other Marines awarded the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. • Marines continued to perform traditional roles on ships and limited land operations with the Army and Navy.

NCO SWORD • Prior to the Civil War, Marine Officers exchanged the Mameluke for an Army Infantry sword. • After the war, Marine Officers passed the Army sword down to the NCO’s. • 2 nd oldest weapon in use today.

EAGLE, GLOBE, AND ANCHOR • Adopted in 1868 by 7 th Commandant, Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin.

EAGLE, GLOBE, AND ANCHOR • Eagle – Bald Eagle. Symbol of our nation. • Globe – Western Hemisphere. Stands for Worldwide service. • Anchor – Fouled anchor. Stands for Naval traditions.

MARINE CORPS MOTTO • “Fortitudine” – “With Fortitude” (Pre-war of 1812). • “Per Mare, Per Terram” – “By Sea, By Land. ” • “To the Shores of Tripoli” (Until 1848) • But the Marines needed something to signify their dedication to Corps and Country, even after leaving service.

MARINE CORPS MOTTO “SEMPER FIDELIS” - “ALWAYS FAITHFUL” • Adopted by Commandant Colonel Charles Mc. Cawley in 1883.

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR • US Relationship w/ Spain starts to deteriorate • Cubans Revolting against Spain since 1895.

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR • 15 Feb 1898, USS MAINE, blows up in Havana Harbor. • “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!”

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR • War is declared and a Marine battalion sails from NY to Key West to prepare for an Amphibious landing. • U. S. Navy blockades Santiago Harbor.

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR • Admiral Dewey launches a surprise attack on the Spanish fleet in Manila Harbor and captures Fort Cavite.

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR • Marines land in Guantanamo Bay Cuba on June 10 to aid in the blockade of the Spanish fleet.

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR • Marines attack Spanish water supply at Cuzco Well.

SPANISH AMERICAN WAR • Sgt John H. Quick receives Medal of Honor for exposing his body to enemy fire in order to shift friendly fire onto the enemy.

WAR ENDS ON AUG 12 • This war transforms the U. S. into a power on the world stage. • Congress doubles the size of the Corps due to its success.

SUMMARY • • • Birth of the Continental Marine Corps Revolutionary War Re-establishment of the Marine Corps Barbary Pirates War of 1812 Archibald Henderson The Mexican-American War Civil War Early Traditions Spanish American War