The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-01-08
THE UNITED STATES MARINE

Washington, D. c., Jan. 7.-Whethel
It be q major engagement Of . world
war, the suppression Of piracy, pro-
lection Of Americans abroad, naval
warfare, or expeditionary duty, and
whether the scene be Africa or Asia
q fire or flood, the Marines have
been on the job since Its. They
have been called the oldest branch
Of the military service, the efficient
fighting, building, and landing force
Of the navy" Their famous march
step song tells that they have fought
From the Halls Of Montezuma to
the Shores Of Tripoli," that they
watch q pile Of coal or . powder
magazine, and If the army and the
navy ever gaze on heavens scenes
they will find the streets are guarded
by United States Marines!" The
motto OF the marines Is Semper Fl
delis-"Always Faithfur' their
emblem Is the globe, eagle and anchor
It Is impossible to tell the story
and describe the functions Of the
marine corps without recounting its
eventful history. Early In May OF
ITS, American marines marched to
Ticonderoga, guarding money and
supplies. They were the Original
Eight" The Continental Congress
authorized the mastering Of the First
and Second Battalions Of American
Marines the following November.
Their first battle resulted in the
capture Of the English forts OF New
Providence, Bahamas, and they fought
under John Paul Jones. serving on
the Ranger and the Bon Homme
Richard.
When the navy department was
created in 1898. the Marine Corps
was made . part Of 1t. Then came
the action in Tripoli. the action that
Is memorialized In the marine song
and on their banner, the deed that
bred the tradition that . handful Of
marines is q force. Back In 1900, this
North african nation was, unbeliev-
able as 1t seems today, exacting
tributes. smoothly called gifts, for the
protection Of merchant ships. After
marching 600 miles across the desert,
marines captured tho Notifications
and hoisted the banner OF the United
States to the walls to replace that Of
TripoH. This was the debut Of the
American flag over an Old World
fortress.
Marines fought on land and sea
during 1872. winning high praise for
their service on the Constitution and
other ships. famous in naval history.
They participated In engagements in
Canada, In New Orleans. and in the
Atlantic States. The Great Lakes
Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, and
Maine were SC mes In the war theater
In which they played major roles.
Later they transformed in the West
Indies and they played one-night
stands In Sumatra. making the Span.
ish pirates pay the price Of the show
and lose their taste for plunderine
the American merchant marine. They
their skill In Indian
arts Of war when they met the Greeks
and Semiuoles in Alabama and Flor
ida
Guardians q Reace
The soldiers Of the sea were the
first to enter Mexico City when
SCOTS men made history In the for
ties. and they went With Perry to
Japan during the following decade.
They played In the prologue to the
Civil War when 100 men were sent
under Captain Robert =. Leo to Har-
per's Ferry to capture John Brown
and they doubled In brass during the
conflict that engrosssd the nation
FOR four years, besieging Japanese
forts on one side Of the world ct the
same time they fought In the other
n Mobile hay and In land engage.
ments. Before the Spanish war
when they established Z naval base
1t Guantanamo and occupied Cavite
among other famous Seats, Korea,
China. and Egypt were GA their mill
ant itinerary.
Tho world thrilled and applauded
when they marched 70 the rescue Of
,ountrymen besieged In the American
legation IN Picking during tho Boxer
2ebellion Of 1900. Thar reputation . !