: B L Crumley
: The Marine Corps Three Centuries of Glory
: Amber Books Ltd
: 9781908273963
: 1
: CHF 4.10
:
: Geschichte
: English
: 256
: DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB

The United States Marine Corps is one of the most famous military units in the world. The Marine Corps: Three Centuries of Glory tells the story behind one of the most famous military units in the world from its creation in the 18th century through to the present day. The book begins with the Marine Corps' origins during the colonial period, where battalions of American Marines were raised to fight alongside their British counterparts. It was not until 1798, however, that the Marine Corps was officially created by an act of Congress. Since that date, it has fought in Central America, China, both world wars, Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, Grenada, Iraq and Afghanistan.The book describes the full combat record of Marines and details the Corps' organization, equipment, uniforms, and insignia. Some of the men who have made the Corps what it is today are profiled, as are the key events where the Marine Corps has gained its glorious reputation-Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Khe Sanh-these great battles are core battles for any student of military history. Written in an engaging yet informative style, the Marine Corps is a classic history of one of the world's greatest fighting units.Semper Fidelis! (Always faithful!)-Marine Corps mottoSince I joined the Marines, I have advocated aggressiveness in the field and constant offensive action. Hit quickly, hit hard, and keep right on hitting. -General Holland M. 'Howlin' Mad' Smith, U.S. Marine Corps

CHAPTER 1

THE EARLY YEARS

“Resolved, That two battalions of marines be raised … that they be inlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American marines.”

Thus was the Marine Corps born, on November 10, 1775.

It had been a tumultuous year for the colonies. Seven months before, the American revolution had begun with the battles of Lexington and Concord. Throughout the fall, the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, had debated the subject of a Continental Navy. By February 17, 1776, the debate was over. A contingent of eight ships sailed down the icy Delaware River, bound for the Bahamas. It was the first deployment of the Continental Navy. Under the command of Commodore Esek Hopkins was the flagshipAlfredwith her 24 guns. Beside her sailed theColumbus, theAndrea Doria, and theCabot. The sloopsHornetandProvidencewere nearby, as were the schoonersWaspandFly. Sailing with the Continental Navy were 234 enlisted Marines under the command of Captain Samuel Nicholas. Hopkins planned to seize the capital city of Nassau, on the northern side of NewProvidenceIsland. The harbor was guarded by Forts Montague and Nassau. A secret report to Congress claimed a large cache of military stores were located there. Hopkins hoped to obtain casks of gunpowder, desperately needed by Washington’s Army.

On March 3, 1776, Samuel Nicholas and his Marines executed the first amphibious landing in Marine history when they came ashore on NewProvidenceIsland. The landing was unopposed and Fort Montague was secured. At dawn, Captain Nicholas led his men to Fort Nassau, which was surrendered after a few cannon shots. The British colors were taken down and the Marines raised the Grand Union. When the Continental Navy sailed two weeks later, they took with them 3 captured British ships, 24 casks of gunpowder, cannons, and brass mortars. For his role in the NewProvidenceraid, Captain Nicholas was promoted to the rank of major and ordered to raise four more companies of Marines. These men were to man the tops and the great guns of four new frigates.

By December 1776, a series of British attacks had Washington’s Army on the run. Told “the Enemy having overrun the Jerseys,& our Army being greatly reduced,” Nicholas was ordered to Trenton. He took with him a “battalion” of 131 Marines, and for the first time, Marines joined an American army in a land campaign. On New Year’s Day, 1777, Washington dispatched a force to delay any advance of the British Army, under the command of Major-General Charles Cornwallis. Fighting with the Philadelphia brigade, under the command of Colonel John Cadwalader, the Marines took up position along Assunpink Creek. There the British attempted to cross, but were stopped.

The delaying action gave Washington the time he needed. That night, in the bitter cold, the Continental Army left their campfires burning. T