Myths & Legends Of The Corps

GyG's Myths and Legends of The Old Corps! ^ | 100201 | various

[gunnyg]

Myths and Legends of The Corps! Ref Myths & Legends Of The Corps!

Tun Tavern, Blood Stripes, Ooh-Rah!

BIRTHPLACE OF THE CORPS, 1775--TUN TAVERN OR CONESTOGA WAGON?

From the book, The Marine Corps Story, by J. Robert Moskin, 1992, Little, Brown and Company "...The two battalions were never raised; but on November 28, the Congress commissioned thirty-two year old Capt. Samuel Nicholas, a Philadelphia Quaker, and innkeeper and a blacksmith's son, as the first Marine officer. A hundred volunteers, recruited in Rhode Island, arrived at Philadelphia by December 5...probably signed up in Robert Mullan's Tun Tavern."

And, from the book, The United States Marines A History, by Edwin Howard Simmons. 1998, Naval Institute Press "...According to legend, the recruiting redezvous was Tun Tavern, but it is more likely that it was the Conestoga Wagon, a tavern owned by the Nicholas family on Market Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets."

And, from the book, Marine Corps Book Of Lists, Albert A. Nofi, 1999, Combined Publishing "...Eight Hoary Old Marine Corps Legends That Are Not True. 1. The first Marine recruiting station was established in Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, the proprietor of which was so adept at securing recruits, by liberally plying them with drink, that he was made a captain in the Corps. Alas for "romance," the story is untrue.

It probably got its start from the fact that Samuel Nicholas, effectively the first Marine Commandant, actually did own a tavern in Philadelphia, the Conestoga Wagon, which apparently served as his headquarters for a time. However the owner of the Tun Tavern did become a Marine officer, about a year after the creation of the Corps, which probably gave rise to the legend.

BLOOD STRIPES-CHAPULTAPEC OR UNIFORM REGULATIONS?

From the book, The Marines, by Edwin Howard Simmons, J. Robert Moskin, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, 1998 "...For generations drill instructors have solemnly told recruits that the scarlet stripe on the blue trousers of Marine officers and noncommissioned officers are "blood stripes" in honor of Marines killed in storming of Chapultapec in Mexico City in 1847.

Interesting but not true.

The wearing of stripes on the trousers began in 1834, following the Army's practice of having trouser stripes the color of the facings. Col. Henderson prescribed buff-white stripes for officers and sergeants. When in 1839 the uniform changed back to dark blue coats faced red, officer trouser stripes became dark blue edged in red. Ten years later officer stripes changed to red and in 1859 the uniform regulations prescribed a scarlet welt inserted into the outer seam for officers, and a scarlet cord for staff noncommissioned officers and musicians. After more variations were tried, finally, in 1904 the simple and striking all-scarlet stripe was adopted..."

THE MARINES! SINCE 1775... OR 1798? THE TRUE BIRTHDAY OF THE CORPS!

From MarineLINK "... When the peace treaty with Britain finally was signed in 1783, only the Continental frigate Alliance was still in commission. A small Marine guard commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Elwood stayed with the frigate until Congress decided to sell the vessel in September. With the sale of the Alliance, the Continental Navy and Marines went out of existence."

From, The United Staes Marines A History... "...As for the Marines, only the slenderest thread of continuity can be claimed by virtue of "marines" serving in the Revenue Cutter Service...There were to be Marine "quotas"...not "detachments" for there was no corps from which they could be detached

...on 11 July 1798, the true birthday of the Corps, President John Adams approved...establishing and organizing a Marine Corps."

Semper Fidelis
Dick Gaines
GySgt USMC (Ret.)
1952-72

[gunnyg]

Some staright scoop on several "items" of supposed Marine Corps history.

Note: Each of the above controversial facts is referenced as to the author--these are not MY opinions, so don't shoot the messenger.
Dick G

[gunnyg]

OK!
I think I know why it's all red--I didn't close the link, right?
Dick

[AppyPappy]

Yup.

[SERE_DOC]

Lies and damnable lies!

next thing there going to say is that "marking time" is not for getting cover & alignment but stoping the forward movement of a unit.

Oh the humanity wail, gnash teeth < /grin >

[MudPuppy]

check this link Gunny. These guys make us proud!

another Marine ready to be counted

Semper Fi!

[norton]

Not to worry Gunny.
I have no intention whatever of wandering up to any of the several "USMC Veterans" (ex-Marine just don't fit) I work with to tell them they're only two hundred and three.

PS: I still think the "striking scarlet stripe" is the silliest piece of uniform there is, next to the cammo utilities Air Force Procurement types insist on wearing to work, in US cities, until recently quite far from wars and forrests to go romping in.
Bloused boots, yeah, I forgot the bloused boots and berets allowed for all and sundry.
Oh, and the "yes, I am in the air force, how'd you guess?" silver wings every single Airperson gets to wear.
And speaking of mythology - I really, really, hate that lady lawyer/light colonel/b*** buster on JAG!

Guess the red stripe is OK after all.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Good stuff. Thanks.

[0311]

Nice work,lots of us out here.

[riley1992]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[gunnyg]

I'm with you on the sillyass "cammies" everybody is so proud of these days??? Ya all got silver wings? No Kidding! Well that might be better than a stolen black monica on yer head, huh? Thanx fer yer response--appreciated! DickG

[norton]

Correction - got mine at Benning in '70.
AF appears to have issued jump wing/flight crew looking pins to everyone who signs up - it's their version of black berets.

[RaceBannon]

OUTSTANDING Gunny!!!!

[RaceBannon]

That was a great site!!!

[fnord]

Great site gunny! but dang, those pop-up ads are killing me ... I'll bookmark for later when I have more patience :-)

Semper Fi, USMC '75-'79

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Happy Birthday Dick. GunnyG bump!

[Robert Lomax]

Marine Corps Bump!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Marine Corps Birthday Thread

Semper Fi - Happy Birthday! Thread

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Stop in and help support our military, their families and Vets!
Come on by and meet some very Patriotic FReepers.
See great graphics and posts and have a few laughs along the way.
New Thread Every Day!

[Nitro]

A hugh Chesty Puller bump for the Green Machine!!

[dcwusmc]

OUTSTANDING, Gunny!

And I have silver wings... USMC Combat Aircrew with 3 gold stars. We also had a song about them (to the tune of SSgt Barry Sadler's Ballad of the Green Berets...

Silver wings upon my chest
On top of which three gold stars rest.
I got these wings the hard-earned way,
Not by three jumps in the USA...

There's more but it would be impolite to publicize it. Might hurt a Green Beenie's feelings!!! (I have a brother that did that: learned to eat snakes, jump out of perfectly good aircraft and wear a girl scout hat!!!)

Happy Birthday, MARINES!!!

Semper fi,
David Wright