History Of The Marine Corps

This episode picks up as the U.S. shifts its attention west during the Mexican-American War. While Lieutenant Archibald Gillespie carried out covert operations across California, Marines were being mobilized, and the Navy split its focus. What followed was a fast-moving campaign marked by near-bloodless landings, flag raisings, and the temporary conquest of California. Holding ground was another story. In Los Angeles, Gillespie was left in command of an undisciplined volunteer force. What started as a quiet occupation quickly unraveled into open resistance, sparked by poor leadership decisions, thin troop numbers, and local resentment. Over the next few weeks, Gillespie found himself outnumbered, undersupplied, and surrounded. This episode walks through how California was taken, how Los Angeles was lost, and why some historians blame Gillespie, while others point the finger at Commodore Stockton.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images

This episode focuses on First Lieutenant Archibald Gillespie, a Marine handpicked by President Polk to carry out a secret mission in California before war officially broke out. Gillespie was gathering intelligence, delivering covert messages, and helping shift the political landscape in favor of the United States. His mission was critical to gaining control of California without triggering international backlash. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

In this episode, we cover the final campaign of the Mexican-American War. We'll follow the Marines and sailors from the assault on Alvarado to the brutal campaign through the Tabasco River, Tuxpan, and eventually inland toward the capital. Disease, harsh terrain, and supply issues challenged the campaign at every step, but the final push came with the assault on Chapultepec Castle. The Marines played a key role in this attack, especially Captain George Terrett and his men, who helped break through the defenses and were among the first Americans to enter the city. Their actions, alongside the Army and Navy, were critical in ending the war. This episode takes a close look at their fight, their sacrifices, and how they earned their place in Marine Corps history. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@hist

In this episode, we’re focusing on the Navy and Marine operations along Mexico’s eastern coastline. The story begins with Marines being the first U.S. troops to cross into Mexican territory and follows their involvement in key amphibious assaults, including the challenging campaigns at Alvarado, Frontera, San Juan Bautista, and Tampico.  We’ll look at what went wrong, what the Corps learned, and how these early fights helped shape the more coordinated joint operations that followed. You’ll hear how small detachments of Marines supported larger Army operations, adapted to changing tactics, and carried out complex missions with limited manpower.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

From Santa Anna's rise to power and his shift into dictatorship, to the opening shots at Gonzales and the brutality at Goliad, we trace how Texian resistance escalated into a broader national conflict. We also discuss how Manifest Destiny shaped public sentiment, how the U.S. used diplomatic maneuvering backed by military force, and how the Marine Corps, despite its small size, played a crucial role in shaping the campaign. You’ll hear about General Zachary Taylor’s early victories, the strategic occupation of Matamoros, and how Marines were used to project force along both coasts.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Marines were thrown into some of the harshest terrain imaginable, battling not just Seminole warriors, but the unforgiving Everglades itself.  This episode covers patrols in chest-deep water, unbearable heat, and endless miles of unmapped swamp. It’s gritty, tactical, and full of lessons that would echo over a century later in Vietnam.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Seminoles were launching coordinated attacks across Florida. The U.S. Army struggled to respond. Their tactics didn’t work in the swamps, and the terrain gave the Seminoles every advantage. That’s when Marines entered the fight. Archibald Henderson saw an opportunity to prove what the Corps could really do. Over the next year, Marines would patrol, fight, and push deeper into Florida than anyone had before. They earned respect on the ground and recognition back in Washington.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode covers the Dade Massacre and the lead-up to the Second Seminole War. What started with Tecumseh’s efforts to unite Native nations eventually sparked internal conflict within the Creek, which bled into the formation of the Seminole resistance in Florida. Treaties were signed, promises were broken, and when diplomacy failed, the fighting began.  We’ll follow Tecumseh’s southern campaign, the Creek War, the rise of Osceola, and the slow, violent unraveling of Native-American and U.S. relations in the Southeast. This all builds to the attack on Major Dade’s column, a moment that shattered any illusion of peace.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

In this episode, we’re picking up right after the American Revolution, when the United States emerged as the dominant force in North America. While hundreds of Native tribes still existed, their military strength and organization couldn’t match the newly formed U.S. government.  We’ll look at how Marines, though rarely involved early on, began encountering Native forces in places like Reading, Pennsylvania, and Florida. We’ll cover battles, ambushes, leadership decisions, and the broader consequences that shaped U.S. expansion and Native resistance.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode marks the beginning of Marine involvement in the American Indian Wars. It traces how early settlements like Jamestown quickly shifted from fragile peace to brutal conflict. From the 1622 Powhatan massacre to the growing wars of the 1600s, we follow how land, trade, and power shaped choices on both sides. It’s a story of shifting alliances, betrayal, and survival—laying the groundwork for centuries of bloodshed to come. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

This episode picks up after the War of 1812, when American merchantmen returned to open waters and resumed global trade. As routes expanded into the Pacific, Southeast Asia became a key target for American commerce. That success brought new risks. In 1831, the merchant ship Friendship was attacked and looted by pirates at Quallah Battoo. President Andrew Jackson authorized a punitive expedition led by Commodore John Downes and a large detachment of Marines. What followed was a brutal amphibious assault designed to send a message: the United States would protect its merchants abroad by force, if necessary.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Archibald Henderson shaped the Marine Corps during one of its most transformative periods. From the decks of the USS Constitution during the War of 1812 to street battles in Washington, D.C., he led from the front and elevated the Corps’ reputation through four decades of continuous service. Under his leadership, Marines adapted to shifting warfare to fighting pirates, engaging Native American tribes, and storming Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War.  He guided the Corps through political instability, structural reform, and global deployments, turning a small force into a professional, reliable military arm. He led Marines in battle well into his seventies, resisted political interference, and left behind a legacy still felt today. This episode covers the second half of his career, the events that defined his leadership, and how he positioned the Marine Corps for what came next. Henderson built the Corps to last. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore e

This episode covers the Second Barbary War. This was a fast, brutal campaign that forced Algiers to the table through naval strength, not diplomacy. For decades, the Barbary states extorted the U.S. and Europe through tribute, ransom, and slavery. Early American efforts to buy peace only deepened the humiliation. By 1815, with the War of 1812 behind them, the United States had had enough. In less than six weeks, the U.S. secured one of the most decisive and one-sided treaties in its early history. The war’s impact went far beyond our own citizens. It inspired Britain to follow suit, leading to one of the most destructive bombardments of the 19th century.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

The War of 1812 ended in a way that left plenty of room for debate. Depending on who you ask, it was either a hard-fought victory, a necessary defense, or a war that should have never happened. What isn’t up for debate is the role the Marine Corps and the Navy played in shaping its outcome. From the defense of New Orleans to the actions of privateers on the open sea, Marines were there, boarding enemy ships, manning fortifications, and holding the line.  Yet, their contributions are often overlooked in favor of more well-known figures like Andrew Jackson. Today, we’re setting the record straight. We’ll break down the impact of the Corps during this war, the political and military shifts that followed, and how America, fresh off this conflict, found itself immediately preparing for another one. This time against the Barbary pirates of Algiers. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for u

By the summer of 1814, the United States was on its heels. The capital had burned, Fort Washington had fallen without a fight, and Alexandria had surrendered. The British were tearing through the East Coast with little resistance, and it seemed like every decision by U.S. leadership only made things worse. But while the war’s political and military failures were piling up, one thing remained consistent: Marines and sailors kept showing up, ready to fight. The Navy and Marine Corps played a critical role in slowing the British advance, even when outnumbered and outgunned. Their efforts, alongside local militias and U.S. Army forces, helped shift the tide in Baltimore, a turning point that kept the war from spiraling into total disaster. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit A

By the summer of 1814, the United States was on the defensive. The British had tightened their grip on the war, blockading ports, raiding towns, and forcing the U.S. military into retreat after retreat. Washington was now in their sights, and the American response was scattered at best. This episode covers the events leading up to the burning of Washington, the last stand at Bladensburg, and how a handful of Marines and sailors fought against impossible odds. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

The War of 1812 had already tested the resilience of the young United States. American victories, like Perry’s triumph on Lake Erie, were hard-fought and came at a heavy cost. The British, were adjusting their strategy, tightening their grip on U.S. waters, and preparing to escalate the war. As Napoleon’s downfall freed British forces in Europe, the full weight of the British military machine was shifting toward America. By 1814, the Marines found themselves at the center of the conflict, from brutal ship-to-ship engagements to reinforcing key defensive positions. Washington itself was now under threat. British commanders debated whether to strike the U.S. capital, knowing the risks of such an audacious move. But as their forces advanced, American defenses struggled to keep pace. The battle for Washington was imminent, and the Marines were about to take their stand. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow

In this episode, we trace a pivotal year in the War of 1812 when the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps were tested at every turn. We begin with the fallout from Captain James Lawrence’s defeat aboard USS Chesapeake, a loss that reshaped naval policy and led to a controversial court-martial. While the British tightened their blockade and launched brutal raids across the Chesapeake, U.S. privateers struck back hard, capturing hundreds of British merchant ships.  We cover the defense of Craney Island, the sack of Hampton, and a daring but failed torpedo attack. Meanwhile, the Marines fought to hold ground along the coast, from Norfolk to Annapolis.  ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

The early naval battles of the War of 1812 had proven one thing—American warships and Marines could hold their own against the British Royal Navy. Constitution had already taken down Guerriere, but the fight wasn’t over. Off the coast of Brazil, Constitution would face Java, and once again, Marine sharpshooters would help win the battle. Meanwhile, victories at sea boosted morale at home, and Marines were being recognized for their contributions. From the capture of Macedonian to securing American naval yards, the Corps was proving essential. But while the Navy thrived, Madison’s strategy on land was unraveling. His failed invasion of Canada forced him to reconsider his reliance on the Army. The British weren’t just sitting back—they were reinforcing their positions and sending Admiral John Borlase Warren to negotiate or, if necessary, crush American resistance. As the war dragged on, both sides prepared for their next move. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explo

In this episode, I sit with Raymond Lott, better known as the Marine Rapper. If you don’t follow him on social media, you should. This guy is driven, and I wanted to bring him on board to talk about his time in the Marine Corps and his journey to becoming the Marine Rapper. He served with the First Marine Division as a Combat Correspondent and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. What I respect most about this Marine is his dedication to other veterans. He created Ninja Punch Music and used his platform to promote active duty and military veteran artists through various music and video projects. Visit this motivator here:   Website: https://themilitarymusician.com/ Instagram: @themarinerapper Facebook: @themarinerapper Twitter: @themarinerapper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYZnxoe44MeDtcJY4zSglCA iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/star-spangled-banger-single/1161998870 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/20js0lxMsFUHEwlmWTGqpL