On November 10, 1775, the second continental Congress approved a resolution to raise two battalions of Marines to help provide security onboard ships during the Revolutionary War. According to Marine legend, the first Marine Corps recruitment occurred at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia where Commandant Captain Samuel Nicholas enlisted more than 2,000 continental Marines and commissioned roughly 131 officers.
During this time, Marines were primarily used to protect the ship’s captain as well as its officers. During naval engagements, Marine sharpshooters were stationed in the fighting tops of the ships’ masts, and were supposed to shoot the opponent’s officers, naval gunners and helmsmen.
The Marine Corps first amphibious landing occurred in the Bahamas when Nicholas and 250 Marines and sailors landed at New Providence. The Marines raided the town and destroyed British provisions and installments. They lost seven Marines, while four were wounded. Marines later joined George Washington’s Army at Trenton where they fought at the Battle of Princeton.
In 1776, the Continental Congress Naval Committee created uniform regulations specifying green coats and a leather high collar to protect against sword slashes. The namer “Leatherneck” has remained ever since.
Following the Revolution, the Continental Congress disbanded the Marines in April 1783. In 1798 President John Adams signed an “Act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps.”
Prior to 1921, Marines celebrated the Marine Corps birthday with little celebration. On October 1921, Commandant John A. Lejeune signed a Marine Corps Order commemorating the Marine Corps birthday on “10 November 1775.” Since then, the Marine Corps Birthday has served as celebratory occasion that includes a cake cutting ceremony, formal ball and a celebratory message from the current commandant.
Semper Fi.
