Nov. 10th - 240th Birthday of the Marine Corps

Courtesy Marine Corps League 450
Corps' 239th Birthday video
At 3:50 -  timeline lists all actions our military have been involved with.


On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress, while meeting in Philadelphia, passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" 
for service as landing forces with the fleet. 

This resolution established the Continental Marines and marks the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. The serving on land and at sea, these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, 
including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776.

The U.S. Marine Corps began as a way to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. Their recruiting headquarters was located in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is since considered to be the birthplace of the Marines.

The Treaty of Paris in April 1783 brought the Revolutionary War to an end and as the last Naval ships were sold, the Continental Navy and Marines went out of existence.

Following the Revolutionary War, increasing conflict with France led to the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps on 11 July 1798. Marines returned to action in the 
quasi-war with France. They landed in Santo Domingo and took part in many operations against 
Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli".

Since then, Marines have participated in all the wars of the United States,
 and in most cases have been the first service members to fight. 

The motto of the service is Semper Fidelis. It means "Always Faithful" in Latin.

One of Montague's own sons received many valor awards in WW1 

- was born and raised on Clove Rd. and joined the Marines.
COLE, JAMES E.

Private, U.S. Marine Corps
[Shown on right]

Courtesy  - Ancestry.com

75th Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F.

Date of Action: November 10, 1918    
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James E. Cole, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 75th Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Beaumont, France, on November 10, 1918. Private Cole was painfully wounded in the foot by a bursting shell which killed or wounded all the members of his gun crew, but, as soon as he had obtained first aid treatment, he immediately returned to his comrades and worked all night under heavy shell fire at carrying the wounded to the dressing station.
General Orders No. 32, W.D., 1919          Born: at Montague, New Jersey

Other Award: Navy Cross (Same Action)


After returning home, he became a dairy farmer. Later in life, he relocated 
to Port Jervis, NY. There he was elected and served as the Mayor of Port Jervis 1952-55.