By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Forgotten History.

Few military units have a lineage as relentlessly brutal as the U.S. Marine Corps; in every major conflict since 1775, they have been the first to strike and the last to retreat.

The Birth of a Fighting Force

When the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on November 10, 1775, the colonies faced a British navy that dominated the seas. Recognizing the need for men who could fight both aboard ships and on shore, Congress authorized two battalions of marines. The first officer commissioned was 31‑year‑old Samuel Nicholas, a seasoned merchant sailor whose experience matched Congress’s vision for a versatile fighting force.

Recruiting began at Philadelphia’s famed Tun Tavern, a watering hole that would become legendary as the birthplace of the Corps. Within months, these new Marines captured Fort Montague and Fort Nassau, seizing vital weapons for the revolutionary cause. Though the Continental Marines were disbanded in 1783, the young nation soon realized that eliminating the Marines left a dangerous void in its ability to protect overseas interests.

From the Barbary Coast to Derna

In the 1790s, American merchant ships fell victim to the Barbary pirates, prompting President Thomas Jefferson to reject paying tribute. The resulting conflict with Tripoli led to the first overseas deployment of the re‑established Marine Corps in 1804. Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon led a small detachment across the harsh Libyan desert, joining forces with Greek, Arab, and European mercenaries to strike the fortified town of Derna.

After a grueling 45‑day march, O’Bannon’s force, supported by the Navy’s Argus, Nautilus, and Hornet, assaulted the fort on April 27, 1805. “They advanced through enemy musket fire, stormed an artillery battery, and turned its guns against its defenders,” the episode recounts. The victory raised the Stars and Stripes over an Old World fortress for the first time, inspiring the Marine hymn line “to the shores of Tripoli.” The curved Mamluk sword presented to O’Bannon remains a ceremonial symbol for Marine officers today.

Blood on the Hills of Chapultepec

During the Mexican–American War, Marines distinguished themselves at the Battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847. Assigned to the steep southern slope of the fortified castle, they led the assault under withering Mexican artillery and musket fire. The episode notes that “approximately 90% of the Marine officers and NCOs involved became casualties,” underscoring the ferocity of the fight.

When General Winfield Scott entered Mexico City, Marine units were tasked with guarding the streets surrounding the National Palace. Their pivotal role earned a permanent place in the Corps’ anthem: “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli.” The scarlet blood stripe on Marine dress blue trousers commemorates the sacrifice made on those hills.

From Cuba to the Global Stage

Marines continued to prove their mettle in the Spanish–American War, landing at Guantanamo Bay on June 10, 1898. Outnumbered but resolute, roughly 650 Marines held a position at Fort McCulloch under constant sniper fire, eventually destroying the Spanish water source at Cusco Well and securing America’s first permanent foothold in Cuba.

Subsequent deployments included the Boxer Rebellion in China, interventions throughout the Caribbean and Central America, and the legendary exploits of figures such as John A. Lejeune, Smedley Butler, Dan Daly, and Chesty Puller. Each campaign reinforced the Corps’ reputation for rapid, decisive action wherever American interests were threatened.

Enduring Legacy and Modern Implications

From the deserts of Tripoli to the jungles of the Pacific, the Marine Corps has consistently embodied a willingness to fight in the most challenging environments. As hosts Colin D. Heaton and Michael Droberg explain, the Corps’ history is a testament to a tradition forged in blood, not merely in ceremony.

Understanding this lineage provides context for the Marine Corps’ current role in national security, where its expeditionary capabilities remain a cornerstone of U.S. defense strategy. The same spirit that drove Samuel Nicholas to recruit at Tun Tavern now underpins the Corps’ readiness to project power worldwide, reinforcing America’s commitment to protect its citizens and allies.

The full episode of Forgotten History is available on OBBM Network TV.