Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)

Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)

• Between 1859-1918– Corps become involved in various wars• American Civil War• Spanish-American War• World War I

– A true test to see if Marine Corps could eventually become elite fighting force


• Harper’s Ferry and Civil War– Abolitionist who believed in violence to free slaves• Attempted to seize a munitions depot at Harper’s Ferry

(West Virginia).– Lt Israel Greene led 86 Marines into engine house

where Brown was fortified• Greene captured Brown


• Southern States leave the union– Many outstanding Marine officers joined the

Confederacy– About ½ of the Marine Captains resigned– Nearly two thirds Lieutenants left the service• Due to this, in 1861, the Corps appointed 38 new

officers.– Most had little to no previous military experience


• Limited Marine Involvement in Civil War– One notable action

• USS Galena disabled under Confederate fire south of Richmond– Corporal John Mackie

rallied troops– Restored three of Galena’s

guns to firing condition– Carried off the dead and

wounder» First Marine to be

awarded the Medal of Honor


• 1866-1897– Few military engagements– John Phillip Sousa hired as the Marine Corps

Bandmaster– Commandant Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin

adopts current Marine Corps emblem


• Spanish-American War– Civil disorder in Cuba concerned many Americans– Monroe Doctrine• U.S. not allow European interference in Western

Hemisphere– February 1898, the battleship Maine exploded in

Havana harbor• Suggested the Spanish were responsible for the deaths

of 160 crewmembers including 28 Marines• War declared with Spain in April 1898


• The Boxer Rebellion– European powers entered China and set up

sovereign economic and political territories• Rebels called the “Righteous Fists of Harmony” tried to

expel foreign influence– A group of Marines were dispatched over concern of

the American legation (diplomatic headquarters)– Pvt Dan Daly awarded Medal of Honor for defending

position on a wall for entire night with only a rifle


• World War I– 1st action on 17 March 1918• Trench warfare

– Bois de Belleau (Belleau Woods)• Germans found out how expert the Marines were as

marksmen• Marines approached across wheat field in four waves• Germans allowed them to get close then opened fire• Marines were running low on ammo


• Belleau Woods – continued– 2ndLt William Moore and SgtMaj John Quick

• Awarded Distinguished Service Cross• Awarded Navy Cross

– Going through German artillery to bring ammo

– Marines dug in• Repelled counter attack• Germans so respected Marine bravery

– Teufelhunder / Devil Dog

– French renamed woods: “Bois de la Brigade de Marines,” wood of the Marine Brigade


• Devil Dog Fountain– In Belleau Wood– Believed to bring good

luck to Marines that drink from it.

– One of many of Corps’ legends


• First Marine Aviator– Lieutenant Alfred A.

Cunningham• Arrived at Naval Aviation

Camp, Annapolis, MD 1 August 1912

• Generated ideas concerning Marine Corps Aviation– Father of Marine Corps

Aviation


• Question #1

• Who led the Marines at Harper’s Ferry?


• Answer #1

• Lt Israel Greene


• Question #2

• Who was the 1st Marine bandmaster?


• Answer #2

• John Phillip Sousa


• Question #3

• Who adopted the current Marine emblem


• Answer #3

• BGen Jacob Zeilin


• Question #4

• Who was the first Marine awarded the medal of honor?


• Answer #4

• Cpl John Mackie


• Question #5

• What nickname did the Marines receive in Belleau Wood?


• Answer #5

• Teufelhunder / Devil Dog


• Question #6

• Who is the father of Marine aviation?


• Answer #6

• Lt Alfred A. Cunningham

Documents

Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)