Happy Birthday Marines!
In 1775, a committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, to draft a resolution calling for the formation of two battalions of Marines. The mission of these Marines was to fight for independence at sea and on shore.
The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, and Samuel Nicholas was commissioned as the first Commandant of the newly formed Marines. The Marine battalions were ready for action by early 1776, and conducted amphibious landings and raids during the American Revolution.
The Continental Marines were disbanded in 1783, and the United States Marine Corps was established in June, 1798. However each year, U.S. Marines still celebrate November 10th as the birthday of their Corps.
The Marines have served with distinction in nearly every conflict in the United States history. This year Sergeant Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. Corporal Jason Dunham was awarded the medal posthumously for his selfless act of courage in 2004. While fighting hand to hand with an enemy combatant in Iraq, he threw his body on an enemy grenade to save his fellow Marines.
This year the Marine Corps celebrates its 236th birthday. Semper Fidelis.