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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 1866-1897– Few military engagements– John Phillip Sousa hired as the Marine Corps
Bandmaster– Commandant Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin
adopts current Marine Corps emblem
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Devil Dog Fountain– In Belleau Wood– Believed to bring good
luck to Marines that drink from it.
– One of many of Corps’ legends
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• 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
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Question #1
• Who led the Marines at Harper’s Ferry?
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Answer #1
• Lt Israel Greene
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Question #2
• Who was the 1st Marine bandmaster?
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Answer #2
• John Phillip Sousa
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Question #3
• Who adopted the current Marine emblem
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Answer #3
• BGen Jacob Zeilin
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Question #4
• Who was the first Marine awarded the medal of honor?
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Answer #4
• Cpl John Mackie
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Question #5
• What nickname did the Marines receive in Belleau Wood?
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Answer #5
• Teufelhunder / Devil Dog
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Question #6
• Who is the father of Marine aviation?
Growth in Size and Stature (1859-1918)
• Answer #6
• Lt Alfred A. Cunningham