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Why the Marine Corps was founded not once, but twice

By Catherine Stoddard
Published  July 11, 2024 5:07am MST
Military
FOX TV Stations

US Armed Forces: Quick history of the 6 military branches

The U.S. military is made up of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Here's a quick look at each service branch and its creation.

WASHINGTON - The Marine Corps was technically founded twice, first on Nov. 10, 1775, and then again on July 11, 1798. 

While the former date is designated as the official birthday of the military branch, the second date is equally important as it was the official date that Congress formally ordered the creation of the Corps as a permanent military service under the Secretary of the Navy. 

For over 120 years, the birth of the Corps was celebrated on July 11, but in 1921, the date was permanently changed to Nov. 10 to commemorate its initial establishment, according to the Department of Defense website. 

‘A few good men’ 

After its establishment on Nov. 10, 1775, Capts. Samuel Nicholas and Robert Mullan set up the first Marine recruiting headquarters at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. 

They were looking for "a few good men" to fight for the nation’s "common cause," according to the Corps website, and in this case, the common cause was the American Revolution. 

It was also alleged that both Nicholas and Mullans lured potential Marines to join with mugs of beer and promises of adventure on the seas, according to History.com.

American Revolution prompts need for soldiers

During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress called for the creation of two infantries to work with the Navy. 

These soldiers would help protect the ship and its crew during "aggressive boarding maneuvers," according to the Medals of America website. 

It was also their job to keep the peace aboard the ship and ensure no one started a mutiny. 

This iteration of the Corps was known as the Continental Marine force, which was dissolved once the revolution ended in 1783. 

Second founding 

FILE - U.S. Marines prepare to march in the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

FILE - U.S. Marines prepare to march in the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Fifteen years after it was disbanded, Congress ordered the official and formal creation of the U.S. Marine Corps to aid in the quasi-war with France, according to the Corps website. 

Since then, the Marines have taken part in many notable early operations, including against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli," the Battle of Belleau Wood during WWI and Operation Desert Storm. 

"The Marine Corps will be the 'force of choice' for the President, Secretary, and Combatant Commander. No matter what the crisis, our civilian leaders should always have one shared thought—Send in the Marines," said Gen. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

This story was reported from Los Angeles.