Birth of Marines

How was it Formed?

By Gaurav Roy

November 10, 1775, will go down as the day one of the most iconic landing forces in the world was born. It started with the American Revolution.

A resolution was passed to raise two battalions of Marines to serve as landing forces in the Continental Navy, which was formed recently. This resolution was passed by none other than John Adams, the future President of the United States.

The city of Philadelphia holds the honor of being the city where John Adams adopted the resolution to raise two battalions of Marines. Hence, November 10 is observed as the official birth date of the United States Marine Corps. However, the Marine Corps was founded twice, technically.

1775 - The Initial Founding Year

As discussed above, the Continental Congress decided to raise a twobattalion of men with adequate knowledge of the sea. These two battalions were to participate in ship-to-ship combat in the Continental Navy and serve as landing forces.

The initial plans were to pull men from the Continental Army under General George Washington. These men were meant to work as an Infantry unit aboard the ships while working with the Navy. Their mission was to keep the ship and its crew safe.

The Continental Congress had envisioned that the Navy infantry unit serving aboard the ships would take offensive and defensive measures while undertaking aggressive boarding maneuvers. They were also meant to prevent mutiny by the officers aboard the vessel and maintain peace onboard.

General George Washington didn’t agree to any of his troops leaving his troops. Hence, the Continental Army had to establish recruiting posts in New York and Philadelphia. The American Revolution officially ended in 1783. With the end of the American Revolution, there was no need for the Marines then. Hence, under the treaty of Paris, the Continental Marines Force was dissolved.

Photo credit: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/us/politics/marines-race-general.html

1798 - The Second Founding of The Marines

The Marine Corps Force was reestablished fifteen years after it was first disbanded. It was reestablished by John Adams, the then President of the United States. You can call this moment as the beginning of the modern-day Marine Corps of the United States.

The United States Congress, which itself was newly formed, established the U.S. Navy in May 1798. Within the next few months, the bill that led to the Marine Corps’ re-establishment as a standalone branch of the military was ratified. President Adams himself led the ratification.

After the ratification, the Marine Corps was now under the United States Navy’s administration. The iconic United States Marine Corps has been a part of all wars that the United States took part in. It was often the first branch called upon by the United States government to join the fight.

Tun Tavern - The Place Where the Marine Corps was Founded!

It was in Philadelphia’s inns and taverns where many of the American Revolution’s critical political discussions took place. One of the significant locations among them was the Tun Tavern, which is the Marines’ birthplace. A Continental Congress committee met at Tun Tavern. There they drafted a resolution to raise two battalions of Marines. The Marines were to fight both on the shore and at sea for independence. The Continental Marines was finally formed on November 10, 1775, with the approval of the resolution.

The first Commandant of Continental Marines was Samuel Nicholas and Robert Mullan, a popular patriot, became the first captain and recruiter of the Continental Marines. The interesting thing about this is that Robert Mullan was also the owner of Tun Tavern. They both began working on gathering support, and by early 1776, they were ready for action.

The Modern-Day Marines

The United States Marine Corps has stayed true to its roots and hasn’t changed much during its 244-year history. Their uniform, too, has remained the same barring a few tweaks here and there. That is why the U.S. Marine Corps’ uniform is the most recognizable military uniform in the country. The United Marine Corps is an essential part of the country’s crisis response unit for more than two centuries. Therefore, Congress found it necessary to create the Marines twice.

We salute the United States Marine Corps and the men and women who have served in this prestigious branch of our outstanding military services.

Semper Fi