Samuel Nicholas was an American marine and military officer who was the first officer commissioned in the United States Continental Marines and by tradition is considered to be the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Portrait by Maj. Donna J. Neary, USMCR, 1989. Hangs in the Marine Corps Commandant's house.
The Continental Marines were the amphibious infantry of the American Colonies during the American Revolutionary War. The Corps was formed by the Continental Congress on November 10, 1775 and was disbanded in 1783. Their mission was multi-purpose, but their most important duty was to serve as onboard security forces, protecting the captain of a ship and his officers. During naval engagements, in addition to manning the cannons along with the crew of the ship, Marine sharpshooters were stationed in the fighting tops of a ship's masts specifically to shoot the opponent's officers, naval gunners, and helmsmen.
Continental Marines land at New Providence during the Battle of Nassau
Continental marines in a shipboard role.
1975 postage stamp depicting the Continental Marine uniform