# 1567 - 1975 10c U.S. Military Uniforms: Continental Marines
US #1567 – The National Museum of the Marine Corps opened on this date in 2006 in Triangle, Virginia.

The forerunner of the United States Marines was established on November 10, 1775, in the midst of the American Revolutionary War.

The earliest American Marines served with the British in the 1730s. Some 3,000 American colonists were recruited to serve with Admiral Edward Vernon’s fleet for service off the coast of South America. When hostilities ended there, the Colonial Marines were disbanded. They were recalled to service several times in the ensuing years and by the start of the Revolutionary War, there were still some 4,500 Americans serving in the Colonial Marines.

1966 5¢ Marine Corps Reserve
US #1315 – The Marine Corps Reserve was founded in 1916 to provide trained units whenever needed.

At the start of the revolution, the Continental Congress was hesitant to form a Navy, as they feared fighting the world’s strongest fleet. It soon became apparent, however, that the revolution would have to include a naval war. In the early months of the war, there was no Continental Navy. Colonies had their own Navies and Marines, but the responsibilities of each weren’t clearly defined.

In October 1775, John Adams and other members of Congress pushed for a Continental Navy. It was formed on October 13 with a squadron of four merchantmen and two smaller ships. The Continental Congress met again on November 9 and spoke with the Naval Committee about launching an amphibious expedition to Halifax, Nova Scotia. They hoped to send Marines to fight at sea before pushing ashore and destroying the military base there, as well as securing supplies if possible. The next day, on November 10, the Naval Committee was instructed to raise two Marine battalions.

1945 3c US Armed Forces: Iwo Jima
US #929 – The flag raising at Iwo Jima was one of the most iconic moments in Marine Corps history.

Samuel Nicholas was charged with recruiting the two battalions. A Philadelphia native, he set himself up in a local bar (either the Tun Tavern or the Conestoga Wagon) to recruit able men with experience at sea. Men flocked to the bar both for the cold beer and the chance to serve in the new Marines Corps. The Marines were officially resolved when Nicholas was commissioned a captain on November 28. Some 2,000 enlistees and 131 officers served with the Marines during the Revolution, aiding America in its victory over the British. In spite of this, the Marines and the Navy were disbanded after the war ended in 1783.

# 1567 - 1975 10c Continental Marines Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover
US #1567 – Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover

Conflicts arose in the following years and the Navy was eventually re-established in May 1798. Interestingly, the man that called for the establishment of the Continental Marines years earlier was now president and making a similar request. On July 11, President John Adams signed legislation establishing the Marine Corps as a permanent military force under the Department of the Navy.

The US Marines first fought in the Quasi-War with France and against the Barbary pirates of North Africa. They went on to fight in every major war in which the US participated. During over 240 years of service, the Marines have made over 300 landings on foreign shores.

# CNSAF13 - US Silver Dollar Tribute to Marines
Item #CNSAF13 – US Silver Dollar Tribute to the Marines

Though the Marines have the fewest active duty soldiers in the US armed forces (less than 175,000), they are some of the world’s most elite military forces, able to launch major operations anywhere in the world with just two weeks’ notice.

Click here for more Marines stamps, covers, and coins.

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