All of this changed when the 'Barbary states' of north Africa began began tacitly blessing, and then protecting pirates who worked the Mediterranean sea, capturing ships and goods, and ransoming the crews. Jefferson, unlike his counterparts in Europe, would brook no such deal with the pirates, and ordered a naval force sent to the Mediterranean to counter the pirate threats.
The fighting of the Barbary wars (1801-1805) escalated until the climactic battle of Derna, where a force of 8,000 Greek and Egyptian mercenaries, lead by American general and diplomat William Eaton, and directed by a contingent of 8 United States Marines would assault the city after a hellish 500 miles march across north Africa.
The assault began just before three in the afternoon with a Greek artillery detachment and the US marine contingent, lead by Marine Corps First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon attacking Derna's fortified cannon emplacements overlooking the towns harbor. The action would be a precursor to the main attack by the 8,000 strong main force who intended to take the city. The attack had to be swift, and aggressive, or the small force would be cut down by the defenders.
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| William Eaton leading the attack on Derna with the Marines, soldiers and mercenaries under his command Colonel Charles Waterhouse, U.S. Marines (Marine Corps Art Collection) |
In the ensuing fight, O'Bannon would capture the fortification after leading a harrowing charge into enemy fire. His men would turn the captured artillery onto the town itself, crippling the defenses, diverting the enemy reserves, and allowing the main force to take the city within hours.
It is traditionally held that First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon, United States Marine Corp, was the first american solider to fly a US flag over foreign soil during time of war. With the port down now in US hands, the american task force had the stepping stone it had to strike at the heart of the Barbary states, a strategic situation that compelled the Barbary king, Yusuf Karamanli to sue for peace.
Recognizing not only the courage of the young american officer but also the audacity of his willingness to charge under heavy fire, Ottoman Empire viceroy, Prince Hamet (The US backed claimant to the Barbary monarch) was gifted with Mameluke sword.
After Presley O'Bannon's return to the United States, the State of Virginia gifted him with a blade closely modeled on (but not a copy of) the same sword.
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| Marine Corps Commandant Archibald Henderson |
In 1825, Marine Corps Commandant Archibald Henderson issued the order declaring that the Mameluke blade, with a ivory grip and brass hilt would be the official officer's sword of the US Marine Corps.
In the nearly two centuries since then, the men and now women of the US Marines are among one of the most recognized armed forces in the modern world, with their reputation for determination, aggression, and esprit de corps recognized by friend and foe alike.
The Sword today carries no edge, and only a nominal tip, the last edged version of the weapon was believed to have been made during World War 1, though stories persist of personal weapons carried by officers much later.
The Marine Corps Saber is close to my heart for two reasons. The first of which is that my father of a US Marine Officer for two decades, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1993. During that time, he fashioned a wooden eagle globe and anchor emblem scaled to hold his sword as a display on the living-room wall. The sign of the corps' heraldry as part of my daily life growing up left its share of impressions on me.
This, of course, lead to the second reason why the sword is close to my heart.
On September 2nd, 2001, my wife and I said our vows in a nominally medieval wedding, part of our wishes as enthusiastic and active members of the Society for Creative Anachronisms.
My father was there, and at my request he had pulled out his mess dress blue uniform (black jacket, white shirt, red cummerbund, white hat, and exercised every day for six months to make sure he could still fit into it). And with that, came his sword. He and my mother had driven 1,500 miles from their home on the east coast because dad would never trust anyone (let alone an airline baggage clerk) with it.
My father was there, and at my request he had pulled out his mess dress blue uniform (black jacket, white shirt, red cummerbund, white hat, and exercised every day for six months to make sure he could still fit into it). And with that, came his sword. He and my mother had driven 1,500 miles from their home on the east coast because dad would never trust anyone (let alone an airline baggage clerk) with it.
To hear my mother tell the story, she spent half of the reception keeping some of the single women at bay as they swooned over dad's uniform.
When the vows were over, a ceremonial guard processed into chapel, at the head of the line was my father, his officer's sword in hand. My wife and I, as well as the wedding party processed out under the old tradition of crossed weapons. In our case, a line of spears, with the head of the arch a set of swords, my father's at the front.
Even though I had not chosen military service for my career, mine and my wife's wedding would be blessed by the 40" blade blade that is forged in courage, honed in honor, and that owes its heritage all the way back to the dogged courage shown by a lieutenant at the battle of Derma.
To this day, marine officers wear the officers sword with their dress blues for ceremonial purposes, including state events, honor guard details, changing of the guards, and funerals.
They are expected to purchase the sword as part of their Dress Blue uniform set following their graduation from Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia.
The image of a marine corps officer issuing the classic saber salute is still part of the central imagery of the marines, and invokes strong emotions in both friend and enemy alike.
His Lordship Ivo Blackhawk
Kingdom of Ansteorra
"Long Live the King!"
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