Evening star., 1938-11-10
u. S. Marines Mark 1853 Years
Of Service to Nation
Continental Congress Ordered Corps
Formed Early in Revolution

The Continental Congress. assem-
bled IN Philadelphia to conduct a
war Of independence, 1853 years ago
today passed an act authorizing the
immediate formation of two bat
talions Of marines. with a proper
complement of officers and SER
geants, to be trained and equipped
to serve on land or sea. At that
time the Revolution was a little
more than four months old.
Today, commemorating the an
niversary of the birth of the Marine
Corps, marine officers recalled that
the first recruiting parties, which
went out into Philadelphia with
flag. fife and drum, displayed on
their drum heads the device Of a
coiled rattlesnake and the legend,
soon to become famous: Don't tread
on mel"
From that time on the marines
have participated honorably in every
major struggle involving the Ameri-
can arms. During the Revolution
they served with the Army along
the Atlantic seaboard and provided
detachments for the Continental
cruisers.
Gen. Holcomb Speaks.
I'm fights by land, from Maine
down to Savannah. and in ship &C
tions on blue water they set the
pattern Of energy. of cheerful eff
cheney and Of pride in service which
we who came after them have been
strict to follow and jealous to up
hold" Maj. Gen. Thomas Holcomb,
commandant of the Marine Corps,
said last night in a commemorative
radio broadcast.
He recalled that marines were
with John Paul Jones on the Bon
homme. Richard, that they faced
the British across the Bladensburg
road, standing almost alone, a gen.
GRAFTON later: that they fought
through the Everglades in the Semi
mole War, against Barbary pirates,
In the Mexican War, in the Civil
War. They took Guantanamo,
Cuba, in 1898; marched in the Pc
king relief column in the Boxer
uprising and furnished half the
rife strength of the I'd Division of
the American Expeditionary Force.
1T is enough to say that the
Marine Corps is part of the naval
history Of the Nation and no small
part Of its military history as we'll, ;"
Gen. Holcomb said. "Of major wars
We have fought six, or one about
every generation in our national
existence. Between the years 1904
and 1894, 180 landings by marines
against resistance are on record
Whether in peace or war, the United
States Marine Corps has never
lacked employment.
Habit Of Adequacy
I'm a world which is today neither
peaceful nor settled it is good to
have behind one that continuity of
service faithfully performed, that
tradition for readiness to serve and
that habit Of adequacy to any oc-
casion Of routine, of difficulty or of
danger. The Marine Corps does not
know what, beyond its routine du-
ties, the future may call upon it to
do. But the chances are it will be
something it has done before, some
where in the world. It has its
traditions and is proud of them,
as 1t should be, but it does not for
get the obligation great tradition
implies: That is to be, each man
IN his day and generation, equal
to and worthy of the past"
Gen. Holcomb has received many
letters Of congratulation on the Ma
rine Corps anniversary.
Gen. Malin Craig, chief of staff
Of the Army, extended greetings of
the Army, recalling that 20 years
ago today marines and soldiers were
battling side by side on the banks
of the Meuse River. From intimate
battlefield contact. Gen. Craig said,
the Army has gained full appre-
citation of the courage of individuals,
devotion to duty and loyalty to
country which has so highly imbued
the United States Marine Corps