Marine Corps History

Marine Corps History: Freshman Year, Semester 2

7th Commandant of Marine Corps (10 JUN 1864 - 1 NOV 1876)

  • Appointed due to the lack of a suitable replacement for the 6th Commandant.

  • Jacob Zeilin, an obscure Officer, took command.

  • During his tenure, the Marines participated in multiple amphibious landings aimed at suppressing riots in the U.S., which significantly contributed to reshaping the reputation of the Marine Corps as a competent force in diverse operational environments.

  • Zeilin fostered professionalism and espirit de corps within the Marine Corps.

  • He reintroduced the Mameluke sword to the Marines, a symbol of their heritage.

  • The Marine Corps hymn was first heard during his command.

8th Commandant of Marine Corps (1 NOV 1876 - 30 JAN 1891): LtCol Charles G. McCawley

  • At this time, all Officers in the Marine Corps were sourced from the Naval Academy.

  • Established the first official table of organization for the Marine Corps, which outlined the structure and hierarchy.

  • Created a Marine Corps uniform factory for enlisted personnel and established promotion examinations, a retired list, and a standardized promotion roster throughout the Marine Corps.

  • Developed the new motto: "Semper Fi" (Always Faithful).

  • Reinvigorated the Marine Corps band to bolster morale and ceremonial functions.

  • Broadened the mission scope for the Marine Corps, indicating an expansion in roles and responsibilities.

  • Key Operations: In 1885, McCawley dispatched two battalions of Marines to the Isthmus of Panama. This operation aimed to maintain an open route across the Isthmus to circumvent long ocean voyages between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Marines ensured freedom of movement until the arrival of Colombian troops, at which point they were withdrawn.

  • He faced criticism from the Navy for utilizing outdated tactics and expressed anger regarding suggestions for creating a permanent Naval expeditionary force based on the Marine Corps and implementing summer training for Marines.

9th Commandant of Marine Corps (30 JAN 1891 - 30 OCT 1903): Charles Heywood

  • Made significant improvements to officer accessions from the Naval Academy.

  • Established a school of application for both Officers and enlisted, thus enhancing training and education.

  • Implemented marksmanship as a central focus of training within the Corps.

Spanish-American War (23 APR 1898 - 10 DEC 1898)

  • The backdrop was the condemnation by Americans regarding the treatment of Cuban rebels by Spanish forces, prompting the U.S. to send the USS Maine to Spain, which resulted in its explosion. The U.S. accused Spain and subsequently declared war.

  • The U.S. Navy successfully blockaded the Spanish Caribbean fleet in Santiago Harbor, inhibiting Spanish resupply efforts.

  • Marines were engaged in an amphibious landing in Cuba, capturing Cuzco Wells and a Spanish base at Guantanamo.

Manila Bay (1 MAY 1898)

  • Admiral Dewey led ships with Marines to occupy Fort Cavite, implementing actions that resulted in the U.S. gaining control over the area.

  • The successes at both Manila Bay and Guantanamo Bay led Congress to authorize a doubling of the Marine Corps' end strength.

The Philippine Insurrection (1899 - 1902)

  • After the defeat of Spain, Filipino revolutionaries led by Emilio Aguinaldo continued their struggle, now against U.S. forces.

  • As U.S. forces secured bases, Marines actively participated in operations alongside the Army, conducting amphibious operations aimed at suppressing the insurrection.

Samar Campaign (1901)

  • A small detachment of U.S. Army soldiers was killed in the Philippines, which prompted Army punitive expeditions led by Marines under Major Littleton W.T. Waller.

  • Despite limited outcomes from these engagements, the conflict showcased Marine perseverance and dedication to their mission.

Siege of the Peking Legation (20 JUN - 14 AUG 1900)

  • A coalition of Western powers, including the U.S. and Japan, responded to attacks by Chinese “Boxer” religious fighters, who targeted foreigners and Chinese Christians, resulting in significant casualties.

  • The Boxers besieged the city of Peking, threatening the legations of various nations, including the United States, leading to the formation of the Legation Army tasked with defense.

  • The U.S. forces played a crucial role in protecting the embassies, distinguishing themselves in combat during the siege, which exemplified the Marine Corps’ capability as a rapidly deployable force.

  • A total of 33 Medals of Honor were awarded for valor in this campaign, including one to Private Dan Daly for his heroic actions in fending off numerous Boxer fighters single-handedly.

10th Commandant of Marine Corps: George Elliot

  • Advocated for increased personnel when deployed to Panama, recognizing the need for more robust military support.

  • Involved in the foundational development of the Fleet Marine Force (FMF), which emerged following the consequences of the Spanish-American War.

  • The FMF was envisioned as a Marine force prepared for the seizure or defense of advanced bases, comprising two units: a fixed unit and a mobile unit.

11th Commandant of Marine Corps (1 FEB 1911 - 24 FEB 1914): William P. Biddle

  • Focused on promoting the Advanced Base Force, but faced personnel shortages and a growing list of missions that redirected his attention.

  • Introduced discussions regarding establishing bases on both the East and West coasts of the United States, reflecting the Marine Corps' expanding operational footprint.

The Banana Wars (1899 - 1934)

  • Examined the pattern of Caribbean countries gaining independence from colonial powers and forming governments often led by strongmen dependent on foreign financial support without the means to repay loans.

  • In 1904, President Roosevelt implemented the corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which authorized the U.S. to intervene in the Caribbean to maintain stability and act as an international arbiter.

  • The Banana Wars were characterized by U.S. interventions and military actions in Central America, typically executed by the Marine Corps, which displayed mobility and the capacity to restore order without resorting to aggressive force.

Panama Canal (1899 - 1916)

  • In 1903, Panama declared independence, with U.S. support contingent on ownership of the Panama Canal by the U.S.

  • Major Lejeune was responsible for the Marine forces that defended the Canal throughout its construction and operational phases.

Cuba (1906 - 1912)

  • Following the conclusion of the Spanish-American War, the political climate in Cuba was marked by corruption and instability, leading the Marine Corps to assist in maintaining order and peace.

Dominican Republic (1914 - 1916)

  • After declaring independence from Spain in 1844, the Dominican Republic experienced significant corruption, political assassinations, and attacks on democratically elected officials, prompting Marine Corps intervention to protect the U.S. legation.

Haiti (1914 - 1954)

  • In response to civil unrest in 1911 and disregard for the Monroe Doctrine by Germany, Marines were deployed to secure Port au Prince.

  • Marine units conducted operations throughout major cities, including punitive actions led by Major Butler.

  • GySgt Dan Daly distinguished himself by navigating enemy lines to neutralize a machine gun position, earning his second Medal of Honor.

  • The last significant combat engagement occurred at Fort Rivière, successfully taken by Major Butler and Sergeant Ross Taims.

The Constabularies

  • A development stemming from the Banana Wars, consisting of indigenous fighters commissioned by Marines to maintain order and oversee public works in occupied areas.

Nicaragua (1912 - 1933)

  • Heightened tensions arose with Nicaraguan dictators opposing U.S. interests.

  • Major Butler took command in 1910, securing Bluefields amid rebellions.

  • Marines introduced aviation assets supporting ground operations, notably during the first-ever recorded Close Air Support Mission at the Battle of Ocotal.

  • After a five-year occupation, Marines withdrew in January 1933, leaving a security gap in the capital.

Mexico (1914)

  • Following the assassination of the Mexican president and instability at the border, tensions escalated, leading to the U.S. intervention in Veracruz.

  • Major Butler was pivotal during this conflict, directly engaging enemy forces, earning yet another Medal of Honor by inspiring his troops under fire.

12th Commandant of Marine Corps (25 FEB 1914 - 30 JUN 1920): George Barnett

  • Significantly contributed to the evolution of the Advanced Base Force structure

  • Oversaw the largest increase in personnel in Marine Corps history.

Marine Corps Aviation (JAN 1909)

  • Alfred A. Cunningham emerged as a key figure in integrating aviation into the Marine Corps, actively petitioning for enlisted support in aviation roles.

  • Developed early aerial reconnaissance and bombing techniques prior to World War I, thus contributing to the establishment of aviation operations within the Corps.

  • Organized the first aeronautic company and helped draft foundational training documents for naval aviation operations, which became pivotal in employing naval power effectively.

Lessons Learned from the Banana Wars

  • The experiences during the Banana Wars underscored the functional readiness of the Marine Corps in low-intensity conflict scenarios and informed future military strategies leading to the compilation of a small wars manual in 1940.

  • The incorporation of Marine aviation advanced ground combat operations, evident through successful close air support utilized during the Battle of Ocotal and improvements in aerial reconnaissance capabilities.