Served on TAG at Marines-TogetherWeServed, as Special Administrator at inception, now fully retired.
Former Editor of "The Seahorse" the newsletter for the United States Seagoing Marine Association, Inc.
Worked in IT/IS for Nestle, SA as a second career after moving to Florida, then consulting to Surety Companies before finally retiring from work.
"Dunmarchin"
Other Comments:
Major of Armor and Infantry, Army of the United States(Ret). Recalled to Active Duty from retirement for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm/Provide Comfort. Discharged back to Retired List of Army of the United States. Served 34 years active duty and reserve duty.
"From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli," begins the Battle Hymn of the Marines, and "Leathernecks" stationed in Portsmouth were there.
Until 1978, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard was the location of the second-oldest shore establishment for the Marines.
From their original barracks near Trophy Park, shipyard Marines stormed into at least 12 wars.
In 1802, Portsmouth welcomed its first Marines. Lt. Josiah Reddick and 20 Marines were posted in wooden huts at the shipyard to protect it against possible invasion from Great Britain. Two years later, these same Marines saw action in the pirate war of 1804.
President Thomas Jefferson, an isolationist at heart, could no longer tolerate the Tripolitan navy, which was forcing American merchant ships to pay a tax to pass through the sea lanes of the Mediterranean. He ordered the USS Chesapeake to load a contingency of Marines under the command of Presley O'Bannon.
Once off the coast of Africa, they joined a fleet consisting of the USS John Adams, Constitution, Constellation, Enterprise and New York. The Marines were able to add the second line to their famous song when they marched 500 miles across the Libyan desert to capture the trading center of Derna and help bring an end to the war with Tripoli. If it could have been filmed, it might have resembled a scene out of "Lawrence of Arabia" as the Portsmouth-based Marines came charging out of the desert with a squad of Arab cavalry, 40 Greeks, 100 nondescripts and a fleet of camels.
In 1813, shipyard-based Marines were called into action again; this time the battle was nearer home. An amphibious force of British regulars numbering more than 4,000 landed on the beaches of Craney Island. Their plan was to march into Portsmouth and attack the shipyard from the land side, thus giving them the advantage of surprise. They were given sea support from a large and heavily armed fleet. But word got to the shipyard in time.
Marines and sailors off the USS Constellation were sent by shipyard commandant Capt. John Cassin to join forces with Portsmouth troops. After a hard-fought battle, the combined local force was able to drive the British back to their boats. The city and shipyard were saved in one of the few American victories in the War of 1812.
When Andrew Jackson decided to seize Florida and end the Seminole War, Marines from the shipyard were once again called into action. The Seminole War gave the Marines their first jungle warfare experience.
It was in the Mexican War of 1846 that shipyard Marines added the opening refrain to their battle song when they stormed the mountain fortress of Chapultepec and led the American forces in the capture of Mexico City and the gleaming, marbled halls of the Indian kings.
The Civil War brought battle back into their own neighborhood, as Marines were ordered to burn their posts before evacuation. In 1862, the yard Marines, supported by an armored flotilla, invaded Willoughby and with little resistance recaptured the shipyard.
After the USS Maine was blown up in Havana's harbor, the new Marine barracks emptied out for Tampico Bay and finally Havana. During the Spanish-American War, shipyard-based Marines fought in the Cuban campaign and in the battle for the Philippines.
During both world wars, the city of Portsmouth was officially recognized for its efforts in caring for and building the spirits of the wounded Marines who saw action at the Marne, Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Tarawa, Pelileu, Khe Sanh and Beirut.
The Marine sea school and training facilities are gone now, but the Corps spirit still lingers near the parade ground across from the new Engineering Management Building. A Marine emblem hangs over the arched column doorway of the old barracks. The eagle on that emblem still stares defiantly over the 9 o'clock gun, a time-honored tradition that is as old as the nation itself.
Part of the barracks still provides shelter for Marines from various ships under repair in the yard. They still drill beneath the old flagpole, and the spirit of Semper Fidelis ? always faithful ? is very much alive after' 200 years.
