Semper Fidelis

This post is courtesy of my friend and Marine veteran Brett Reno.

On this day, 250 years ago, the Second Continental Congress resolved that two battalions of American Marines be “inlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war.” 

They charged Captain Samuel Nicholas to carry out the order. He got some help from his good friend, Robert Mullan, who happened to be the proprietor of “The Tun," A tavern famously located on Water Street & Tun Alley in Philadelphia.

Tun Tavern

Marines today simply refer to it as “Tun Tavern." It was likely chosen for its local lore and the close proximity to the Delaware River, where the new ships of the Continental Navy were being constructed.

Where’s the Tun today? Gone – and has been for over 240 years!

Although often overlooked, those Marines played a vital role during the Revolution. They provided security and enforced discipline on naval ships, participated in naval battles against British forces and carried out the first amphibious landing by American troops. They captured British gunpowder and military supplies from Nassau in the Bahamas in 1776 without firing a single shot!

Three Four Big Things

Let's look at three, no four!, big things about the Continental Navy.

1. The Few and the Proud - The Few and the Proud really were the FEW. Remember I said Congress asked for two battalions. It was closer to only about 100 men from Rhode Island.
2. Naval Unity - Captain Samuel Nicholas also served with a famous Naval officer named John Paul Jones. You may have heard of him.
3. Broken Time - Following the end of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Marines were disestablished in 1783. However, the Corps was re-established in 1798 by President John Adams by signing an “act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps.”
4. Birthday Traditions - Every year the Commandant of the Marine Corps reads General John Lejeune’s Message. That is then followed by a cake cutting, and finally the Commandant’s own birthday message to the Marines. During the cake cutting (with a Mameluke Sword, no less) it is tradition that the oldest Marine cuts the cake and passes it to the youngest Marine present, signifying the passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the young of our Corps.
   

And there you have it – America 250 years ago. Stay tuned for more updates leading to America’s 250th birthday.

Semper Fidelis – and happy birthday, Marines!