Mike Parker: Marine Corps celebrates 250th Anniversary
Next Monday, November 10, the U.S. Marine Corps will celebrate its 250th anniversary. The first version of the Marines began on November 10, 1775, when Congress adopted a resolution creating the Continental Marines. The Second Continental Congress sent a resolution of Gen. George Washington that read – in part –
“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 enlisted 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 …”
But even before that resolution, a precursor of today’s Marine Corps existed. George Washington was desperate for firearms, powder, and provisions, so he opted to supply his own forces from war supplies from captured British military transports.
To further expand his fleet, Washington also resorted to the maritime regiment of the Massachusetts militia, known as the Marblehead Regiment. This regiment was composed entirely of New England mariners, men who would have little difficulty in administering crews for Washington’s navy.
The mission of the Marines was to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and discipline enforcement, and assist in landing forces. Since its beginning, the Marine Corps has served in nearly every conflict in the history of this nation.
Washington had little trouble implementing his decision to create a fleet. He had no trouble recruiting colonial naval forces. The siege of Boston stirred war sentiments along the entire coast of New England, reaching even into the strategic Lake Champlain area and the border of New York.
The British Royal Navy concentrated its vessels in the New England open waters, while smaller warships raided coastal towns and destroyed rebel military stores of supplies and provisions. These hostile actions were implemented to punish the colonials for their rebellion, in accordance with the Proclamation of Rebellion issued by King George III in October 1775.
In response to these hostile acts, colonial governments commissioned several small vessels by the summer of 1775, authorizing privateering against British naval ships. By August 1775, Washington’s makeshift fleet had enjoyed huge success. By the end of 1775, Washington commanded four warships: the USS Franklin, the USS Hancock, the USS Lee, and the USS Warren.
In 1775, the Royal Navy numbered 268 warships, but by the end of the year, that number grew to a fleet force of 468 ships. British naval personnel increased during the war from 10,000 to 18,000. By contrast, the Continental Navy, which included the state navies, had managed to maintain over 50 commissioned warships by winter of 1776–1777. Manpower of the combine Continental Navy and Marines likely numbered no more than 30,000.
Since the birth of the Marine Corps 250 years ago, the Corps has attained prominence when its theories and practice of amphibious warfare proved prophetic. Ultimately, these policies formed a cornerstone of U.S. strategy in the Pacific Theater in World War II.
By the early 20th century, the Marine Corps had become one of the dominant forces in creating theories and practical strategies for amphibious warfare. The Corps’ ability to respond rapidly to crises has made the Marines an important tool for our nation’s foreign policy.
From the beginning until now, the Marine have continued to be “the few, the proud.”
Semper Fidelis.
Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
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