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| United States Marine Corps 238th Birthday |
The United States Marine Corps turns 238 years old today. While the Marine Corps Hymn speaks of Marines fighting “From the Halls of Montezuma, To the shores of Tripoli,” Marines first fought from the rolling decks of American warships, and in amphibious assaults, during the American Revolution, fighting for Independence and Liberty.
“On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress approved the resolution to establish two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. This date marks the official formation of the Continental Marines.” – 1
st Commandant, Major Samuel Nicholas (1775-1783)
You can read the Continental Congress Resolution here.
Samuel Nicholas was the first “Captain of Marines”commissioned by Congress (and also the first officer to receive a naval commission from the Continental Congress), and promptly established the first Marine recruiting headquarters at Tun Tavern, Philadelphia (obviously Captain Nicholas, like most Marines since, appreciated a good beer!). And he knew that is where he could find good fighting men. In fact, as the Marines.com history page puts it: “one of his first recruits was popular patriot and [Tun] tavern owner Robert Mullan.” Another interesting fact about Captain Nicholas is that, much like “The Fighting Quaker” Smedley Butler (aka “Old Gimlet Eye”), Nicholas also came from a Quaker family in Pennsylvania. So, you could say that Captain Nicholas, the first Marine, was also a “fighting Quaker.”
Captain Samuel Nicholas: The First “Fighting Quaker”
Slammin’ Brews and Kickin’ Ass Since 1775
The Marines’ baptism of fire was during the battle of Nassau, when Continental Navy Commodore Esek Hopkins lead a successful Naval and amphibious assault on Nassau, March 3-4, 1776. The official standard flying over Commodore Hopkins Flagship during the battle was the Gadsden flag. Colonel Christopher Gadsden represented South Carolina in the Continental Congress and was one of the seven members of the Marine Committee outfitting that first naval mission, and presented the coiled rattlesnake flag to Commodore Hopkins before he departed for the Bahamas, to serve as distinctive personal standard for his flagship, and was displayed on the mainmast. Gadsden also presented a copy of this flag to the Congress of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. This was recorded in the South Carolina congressional journals on February 9, 1776:
Col. Gadsden presented to the Congress an elegant standard, such as is to be used by the commander in chief of the American Navy; being a yellow field, with a lively representation of a rattlesnake in the middle in the attitude of going to strike and these words underneath, “Don’t tread on me.”
So, Marines, NEVER FORGET that your Marine brothers and ancestors first went into battle with
this waving overhead:
The First Marine Battle Flag: Striking Terror Into the Hearts of Tyrants and Wanna-be Tyrants from 1776 to 2013
Gee, we wonder why that is not mentioned on the official Marine Corps history and heritage page at Marines.com. Sadly, the oath-breaking “powers that be” currently controlling the United States government see that flag as a threat to their power and do not want you to know that it is one of our first battle flags, and that Marine blood was spilled beneath it while fighting a desperate Revolution against tyrant King George. And the spinners of lies and deceit at DHS, and at SPLC want modern Americans to forget that history, and to instead think of this flag as a symbol of “hate”, “extremism”, and “racism.” No, it is an American symbol of liberty, and the resolve to be “first to fight for freedom” against domestic enemies of liberty and the Constitution. Marines, never forget your own legacy, heritage, and history, even if the “official” history passed down by the DOD is erasing it.
Marines, you have a right to be proud of your legacy as defenders of liberty and the American way of life, from the Shores of Tripoli, to Belau Wood, to Guadalcanal, to the sands of Iwo Jima, and right up to today. But remember, that fight began right here at home, in the waters off the shores of America, and on American soil, in a struggle against a King and Parliament turned tyrant against their own people, and against the Loyalist domestic enemies of liberty.
Marines, never forget the words and warnings of “Old Gimlet Eye” himself:
There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. – Smedley Butler
Marines, when dealing with domestic enemies of the Constitution, always ask yourself
“what would ‘Old Gimlet Eye’ do?”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES! Be sure to slam a brew in honor of Captain Nicholas and his men, and fly their battle flag proudly, and also make a toast to Old Gimlet Eye, and all of your Marine brothers who have fought, bled, and died throughout our history.
And when you remember and honor your brothers, resolve to always be “first to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean” by remaining Semper Fi, not to the lying, cheating politicians and fascist bastards who infect our government at every level, but Semper Fi to American Liberty and the Constitution you swore an oath to defend. OORAH!
Oath Keepers
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NOTE: If you would like to help Oath Keepers spread the message about standing firm in defense of the Bill of Rights to all Marines, please support our billboard campaign to place billboards at Marine Corps bases across America, like this one:
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