Honoring the Marine Corps for 240 Years of Service

November 10, 2015 marks the 240th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. 
 
On this day in 1775, according to Military.com, “the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that ‘two Battalions of Marines be raised’ for service as landing forces with the fleet.” The Continental Marines served on land and at sea in a number of important operations.
 
Samuel Nicholas was the first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines and remained the senior Marine officer throughout the American Revolution. He is considered the first Marine Commandant.
 
In April 1783, the Treaty of Paris brought the Revolutionary War to an end. The last of the Navy’s ships were sold and both the Continental Navy and Marines ceased to exist. 15 years later, on July 11, 1798, the Marine Corps was formally re-established as conflict with Revolutionary France amplified. “Marines saw action in the quasi-war with France, landed in Santo Domingo, and took part in many operations against the Barbary pirates along the ‘Shores of Tripoli’.”
 
Since their re-establishment, the Marines have partaken in all of the U.S. wars, and in most cases, served on the front line in battle.
 
From humble beginnings, more than 200,000 active and reserve Marines are serving today. Marines are “organized into three divisions stationed at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton and Okinawa, Japan.” Each division has at least one expeditionary unit ready to launch major operations anywhere with little notice. “Marines expeditionary units are self-sufficient, with their own tanks, artillery, and air forces. The motto of the service is Semper Fidelis, meaning ‘Always Faithful’ in Latin.”
 
Today, TSSi honors U.S. Marine Corps service members past and present for their dedication and loyalty to this country. The diligence of the USMC has not gone unnoticed and we thank you for your service.

*All information is from www.military.com. Original photos by U.S. Department of Agriculture, PACAF, and liz west via Flickr, edited by TSSi.