10 Nov U.S. Marine Corps Celebrates 239th Birthday
VMF 251 F8, landing on USS Lexington, 1963
Tradition has it that there are no ex-Marines. With that in mind, I would like to salute The Marine Corps, my fellow Marines, past and present, and especially the two units in which I spent my active duty years, Marine Fighter Squadron 251 and the 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. For more, read this history of the Marines from Philly.com.
Semper Fi.
Today is the 239th anniversary of the founding in Philadelphia of the U.S. Marines Corps.
Tradition holds that the corps’ birthplace was the Tun Tavern, then located at Water Street and Tun Alley, where the first marines enlisted.
The tavern burned down in 1781. A historic marker at Sansom Walk and South Front Streets says the tavern stood nearby.
Current and former marines are expected to gather at Cookies Tavern, 10th Street and Oregon Avenue in South Philadelphia, to raise a glass or two in honor of the corps.
The birthday went little noticed until 1921 when Marine Commandant John A. Lejeune issued Order 47, Series 1921, which says:
The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.
On Nov. 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress…
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