Marine Corps 232nd Birthday

As a son of 2 Marines and who is still an active participant in the military community, I get to witness first hand the hard work, dedication, and honor that each one of these Marines exhibits day-in and day-out. Even when they are off duty they are still a Marine. Sacrifice of all types is made by each one and their families, with the majority of these tales going unnoticed and unrewarded.

The United States Marine Corps traces its institutional roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War, formed at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, by a resolution of the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775, a date regarded and celebrated as the birthday of the Marine Corps. At the end of the American Revolution in 1783, both the Continental Navy and Continental Marines were disbanded, and although individual Marines were enlisted for the few American naval vessels left, the institution itself would not be resurrected until 1798. In preparation for the Naval War with France, Congress created the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The U.S. Marines’ most famous action of this period occurred during the First Barbary War (1801 - 1805), when William Eaton and First Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon led seven Marines and 300 Arab and European mercenaries in an effort to capture Tripoli. Though they only reached Derna, the action at Tripoli has been immortalized in the Marines’ hymn and the Mameluke Sword carried by Marine officers.

On 1 November 1921, General Lejune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. The order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Marine Corps, and directed that it be read to every command on 10 November each subsequent year in honor of the birthday of the Marine Corps. This order has been duly carried out and always been a wonderful opportunity to attend.

The celebrations were formalized by Commandant Lemuel C. Shepherd in 1952, outlining the cake ceremony, which would enter the Marine Drill Manual in 1956. By tradition, the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, and the second to the youngest Marine present.

“Semper Fidelis”