Why the Marine Hymn Contains "Shores of Tripoli"

[BuffaloJack]

As I recall. There were only a handful of Americans in the expeditionary force that took Tripoli. Most of their force consisted of paid mercenaries (Muslims). It’s a lot like the ISIS situation now. Egypt and Jordan both attacking ISIS.

[rktman]

Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum. They were just having a good time. Kinda like robbin’ hood and his band of merry men.

[gusty]

The expeditionary force did not take the city of Tripoli. Tripoli is in western Libya. The city they did take was Derna, in eastern Libya, where Rommel did his thing. The situation was unlike ISIS, the Bey of Tripoli was more a gangster than religious fanatic. His utmost goal was to enrich himself with as much loot he could grab.

[logi_cal869]

Most Americans are unaware of the fact...

That statement is so ubiquitous that it's practically cliche`.

Truly a pathetic footnote...

[MrB]

Wait... I thought “to the shores of Tripoli” was part of that

“wherever fish are bitin’” song...

[gusty]

A side note, the Bey was not an Arab, he was Albanian. Some of his compatriots are giving the La Cosa Nostra a run for their money in certain sections of NYC.

[ExSoldier]

This was among the FIRST things I taught this year to my 8th graders in American History. But then, I'm a rarity in the teaching profession.

[rfreedom4u]

Well, I’m sure you experience Parris Island as my wife did. She said it was hell but she speaks of it fondly!

[elcid1970]

Why do Marine Corps commissioned officers carry the `Mameluke’ sword?

Somebody asked why did Disney studios romanticize pirates?

Well, nowadays pirates are being praised by progressives. Reasons include: pirate captains were elected by their crews, spoils were divided equally, the captain didn’t have his own cabin & could be deposed at any time, they plundered ordinary cargoes, gold & treasure had already been stolen by the Spanish when seized by pirates, etc.

[Inyo-Mono]

“The Pirate Coast”.

I read it, great book!

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"The expeditionary force did not take the city of Tripoli. Tripoli is in western Libya. The city they did take was Derna, in eastern Libya"

You are correct in the city that they took. However, the name of the country at that time was not Libya, but Tripoli. So the Marines did indeed go to the "Shores of Tripoli", not the city, but the country. However, as someone else noted there were only 8 of them I believe. They were lead by Lt. Pressley O'Bannon. The rest of the band under William Eaton was a motely group of mostly muslim mercenaries. It would indeed be a great movie. Another great movie from that era would be Stephen Decator's raid to destroy the captured ship Philadelphia in Tripoli harbor.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Why do Marine Corps commissioned officers carry the `Mameluke’ sword?"

This was presented to Pressley O'Bannon (Lt of the Marine expedition) by the Bey as thanks for their part in the assault on Derna.

[ExSoldier]

I’ve never understood the romantic Disney portrayal of Pirates. There were horrible people....which makes some sense that Hollywood joins in.

Which is why all pirate movies are rated AARRRRRRR!

Sorry. I HAD to.

[PoloSec]

What goes around comes around; if we elect the right president in 2016; we will once again beat the islamists back into their hellish pit.

CRUZ 2016!

[Loud Mime]

New York City was a favorite for recruiting crews.

---

Now those candidates are playing football and basketball

rimshot

[Loud Mime]

gold star on that comment!!!

[Terry L Smith]

dear big red badger,

I noticed the ‘/s’ at the bottom of your comment, however, i wonder if you were aware that America was attacked in 1993, by these sombitches?