Who is credited with founding the Marine Corps?

Captain Samuel Nicholas is recognized as the founder of the Marine Corps due to his significant role in its establishment. He was appointed as the first commandant when the Continental Congress authorized the formation of two battalions of Marines in 1775. This decision was part of a strategic effort during the American Revolution to create a dedicated force capable of operating on land and sea in support of the Continental Army. Nicholas played a pivotal role in recruiting Marines and organizing the new branch of the military, laying the groundwork for what would evolve into the United States Marine Corps we know today.

While George Washington is an important figure in military history and served as a commander during the Revolutionary War, he did not directly establish the Marine Corps. Samuel Adams, known for his role in the American Revolution and as a founding father, was not involved in the Marine Corps’ founding. General Robert E. Cushman, on the other hand, served as a notable Marine Corps leader much later and contributed to its history, but he did not found the organization. Captain Nicholas’s direct involvement and leadership during the formative years are what firmly establish him as the founder of the Marine Corps.