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43-791: Due to the cheap labor available, China Marines lived a relatively comfortable lifestyle, with each squad able to hire Chinese men to do their cleaning and run their errands. This, plus the inexpensive goods available on the local market, made an assignment to the China Marines highly coveted. Most of the China Marines were withdrawn in November 1941, but the North China Marines in Beijing and Tianjin were scheduled to be withdrawn on December 10. (All weapons and ammunition except rifles and pistols had been crated and shipped by rail to

86-773: A top secret clearance . Before being assigned to a Foreign Service post, a Marine accepted into the MSG program must successfully complete a training program located at the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG), which is located at Marine Corps Base Quantico , Virginia. Marine Security Guard duty is one of a few special duty assignments available to qualified Marines. Marine Security Guard duty can be dangerous; there have been instances where Marines have been killed during this duty (most recently, Cpl Steve Crowley in 1979, Cpl Robert V. McMaugh in 1983, and Sgt Jesse Aliganga in 1998). Embassy duty

129-532: A cannon ashore to use in the attack. Captain Hull's ships then opened fire and bombarded Derna's batteries for an hour. Meanwhile, Eaton divided his army into two separate attacking parties. Hamet was to lead the Arab mercenaries southwest to cut the road to Tripoli, then attack the city's left flank and storm the weakly defended governor's palace. Eaton, with the rest of the mercenaries and the squad of Marines, would attack

172-712: A diplomatic post; pursuant to the act, the first joint Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of the Navy and the Department of State was signed on 15 December 1948 regarding the provisions of assigning Marines overseas. Initially trained at the Foreign Service Institute , the first Marines arrived at Tangier and Bangkok in early 1949; the Marine Corps has assumed primary training responsibility since November 1954. The authority granted in

215-591: A handful of rice and two biscuits a day." At one point, some of the Arabs in the expedition made a desperate attempt to raid the supply wagon but were beaten back by the Marines and a few Greek artillerymen, who used the expedition's lone cannon. Mutiny threatened the expedition on several occasions. Between March 10 and March 18, several Arab camel drivers mutinied before they reached the sanctuary of Massouah Castle. From March 22 to March 30, several Arab mercenaries, under

258-503: A near doubling of Marine Security Guards in the midst of a post-war drawdown in overall USMC numbers. The USMC has responded by redeploying one company from 1st Battalion 1st Marines while additional guards are trained. The primary mission of the MSG is to provide security, particularly the protection of classified information and equipment vital to the national security of the United States at American diplomatic posts. This

301-709: A port visit to Zhanjiang . American Legion China Post One, formed in 1919, one year after World War I and chartered by the American Legion on April 20, 1920, was originally named the General Frederick Townsend Ward Post No. 1, China. It is the only post nominally headquartered in a communist country, and has been operating in exile since 1948 — presently in Henderson, Nevada. Author W. E. B. Griffin often writes of China Marines in his book series The Corps . Book 1 of

344-626: Is a crucial aspect of the Marine Corps' mission with a long tradition; the Corps is currently tasked to train and maintain a cadre of guards to cover 181 embassies and consulates worldwide with the ability to augment assigned forces as necessary. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps . Battle of Derne 8 U.S. Marines 400–500 Arab The Battle of Derna at Derna , Cyrenaica ,

387-697: Is accomplished under the guidance and operational control of a civilian federal agent of the Diplomatic Security Service , known as the Regional Security Officer (RSO) who is the senior U.S. law enforcement representative and security attaché at U.S. diplomatic posts around the world. In addition, MSGs provide security for visiting American dignitaries and frequently assist the RSO in supervising host country or locally employed security forces that provide additional security for

430-419: Is composed of approximately 100 Marines providing administrative, logistical, legal, training and education support. The remaining nine regions are commanded by a lieutenant colonel , and typically entail a number of detachments in several countries. The companies are as follows: Each Detachment is commanded by a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer , being one of the few instances where an enlisted Marine may hold

473-779: Is entitled to the Marine Corps Security Guard Ribbon . According to the Marine Corps Uniform Regulations Order (Section 4-4a Line 24) Marine Security Guards are authorized to wear subsequent service stars . Marines of any Military Occupational Specialty may volunteer for a three-year tour of duty ; however, non-Staff NCOs with dependents are not eligible, as well as Marines with potentially offensive tattoos , legal or security restrictions, non– United States citizenship , dual citizenship , significant financial indiscretions, and any other restriction that would prevent

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516-414: The 1st and 6th Marine Divisions , also known as China Marines, were sent to occupy northern China from 1945 to 1948. On January 31, 1996, Marines from the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines , as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), Special Operations Capable (SOC), made their first visit to Shanghai, China, since World War II. The 31st MEU-SOC visited China again on November 22, 2006, during

559-519: The American flag over the battery (the 15 stars, 15 stripes emblem used from 1795 to 1818, later made famous in the War of 1812 as the " Star-Spangled Banner "), and Eaton turned the captured guns on the city. Hamet's force had seized the governor's palace and secured the western part of the city. Many of the defenders of the harbor fortress fled through the town and ran into Hamet's force. By 4:00 p.m.

602-598: The Foreign Service Act of 1946 has since been replaced by 10 U.S.C.   § 8183 and the most recent Memorandum of Agreement was signed in October 2020. The Corps is budgeted to train and maintain a limited cadre of guards to cover over 100 embassies worldwide. Embassy duty has been a crucial and longstanding aspect of the Marines’ mission. In response to the 2012 Benghazi attack , Congress ordered

645-552: The Louisville Courier-Journal . One sword that was purported to be the sword in question has turned out to be a late-Victorian era forgery. He was later awarded a sword of honor by his home state of Virginia . A further legend holds that O'Bannon's exploits in North Africa inspired the Marine Corps officers to adopt Mameluke swords, but that is also uncorroborated by any contemporaneous sources. Swords of

688-600: The Americans and mercenaries were "gaining ground very fast though a heavy fire of Musquetry [sic] was constantly kept upon them." The ships ceased fire to allow the charge to continue. Eaton would report that O'Bannon with his Marines and Greeks "pass'd through a shower of Musketry from the Walls of houses, took possession of the Battery." The defenders fled in haste and left their cannons loaded and ready to fire. O'Bannon raised

731-561: The Barbary States. Eaton had been granted permission from the United States government and President Thomas Jefferson to back the claim of Hamet Karamanli , the rightful heir to the throne of Tripoli who had been deposed by his brother Yusuf Karamanli , who had assassinated his older brother by shooting him in front of his mother. Hamet was out of the country at the time and decided to remain in exile. Upon his return to

774-672: The Libyan desert from Egypt. Their objective was the port city of Derna , the capital of the Ottoman province of Cyrenaica (now in eastern Libya ). The mercenary force was promised supplies and money when it reached the city. During the 50-day trek, Eaton became worried over the strained relationship between the Christian Greeks and the roughly 200 to 300 Muslim Arab and Turkish mercenaries. The expedition's supplies dwindled, with Eaton reporting in 1805, "Our only provisions [are]

817-407: The Marines to conduct other routine training, internal management of the detachment and have some time off. A Marine Security Guard usually serves three 12-month tours of duty. Marine Security Guard "watch standers" are enlisted Marines from the rank of Private First Class to Staff Sergeant. After every three years as a Marine Security Guard with the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, any Marine

860-527: The United States Mission to NATO in Brussels, Belgium . The USMC has a long history of cooperation with the U.S. Department of State , which administers the nation's diplomatic posts; Marines have served on special missions as couriers , guards for embassies and delegations, and security for U.S. citizens in the frontier . Notable examples include engagements at Derna and Tripoli ,

903-529: The United States as a national hero. Legend holds that O'Bannon was presented a Mameluke sword by Hamet, the Ottoman Empire viceroy . No evidence supports that claim. The first mention of Hamet giving O'Bannon a bejeweled sword seems to be in a lengthy article, "Kentucky Officer First to Carry Stars and Stripes to Victory in Foreign Country," by John Presley Cain in the 29 July 1917 edition of

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946-742: The area, Eaton sought out Hamet, who was in exile in Egypt . Hamet agreed to Eaton's proposal to restore him to the throne. Commodore Samuel Barron , the new naval commander in the Mediterranean Sea , provided Eaton with naval support from several small warships of the United States Navy 's Mediterranean squadron: USS  Nautilus , commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry , USS  Hornet , under Samuel Evans , and USS  Argus , captained by Isaac Hull . The three vessels were to provide offshore bombardment support. Consul Eaton

989-476: The attackers were temporarily halted. That, however, weakened the defenses elsewhere and allowed the Arab mercenaries to ride unopposed into the western section of the city. Eaton's mercenary army was hesitant under the enemy's musket fire, and he realized that a charge was the only way to regain the initiative. Leading the charge, he was seriously wounded in the wrist by a musketball. On the Argus , Captain Hull saw

1032-474: The city and waited. On May 13, they attacked the city and drove Hamet's Arab forces back and almost recaptured the governor's palace. USS Argus and Eaton's captured batteries pounded the attackers, who finally fled under heavy fire. Nightfall found both sides back in their original positions. Skirmishes and several other minor attempts were made on the city in the following weeks, but it remained under American control. From Derna, Eaton now planned to march across

1075-493: The command of Sheik el Tahib, staged mutinies. By April 8, when Eaton crossed the border into Libya and Tripoli, he had quelled the Arab mutinies. In late April, his force finally reached the port city of Bomba , on the Gulf of Bomba , some miles up the coast from Derna, where United States Navy warships Argus , Nautilus and Hornet , with Commodore Barron and Captain Hull, were waiting for him. Eaton received fresh supplies and

1118-482: The defenders. Yusuf, in Tripoli to the west, was aware of the attack on Derna and had sent reinforcements to the city. By the time the force arrived, however, the city had fallen. His men dug in and prepared to recapture the city. Eaton fortified his new position, and Hamet took up residence in the governor's palace and assigned the Arab mercenary forces to patrol the outer areas of the city. Yusuf's men dug in south of

1161-605: The desert and attack Tripoli from the land. During his march, he was informed of the treaty signed on June 10, 1805, between American emissary Tobias Lear from the United States State Department and Yusuf Karamanli . In the middle of his trek, Eaton was ordered to return to Egypt with Hamet. The Battle of Derna was the first land battle of the United States on foreign soil after the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). It

1204-529: The embarkation port.) However, Imperial Japan attacked the United States on December 7, and the Marine Embassy guards , plus a fourteen-man Naval medical detachment, a total of 203 men, were captured and held as slave labor until the war's end in August 1945. A 204th man, a retired officer who had been living in Beijing and recalled to duty, was immediately released. He continued living in Beijing until he

1247-534: The entire city had fallen, and for the first time in history, an American flag flew over fortifications on the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean . According to Tucker, casualties during the fighting for the Americans were two killed and three wounded, and those among the Christian Greek mercenaries were nine killed or wounded. Muslim Turkish or Arab mercenary casualties are unknown, as are those of

1290-540: The evacuation of Shanghai in 1941. Marine Security Guard A Marine Security Guard ( MSG ), also known as a Marine Embassy Guard , is a member of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (formerly Marine Security Guard Battalion ), a brigade -sized organization of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) whose detachments provide security at American embassies , consulates , and other official U.S. government offices, such as

1333-474: The exterior of diplomatic missions. The MSGs fall under operational control of the RSO and are administratively controlled by the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group. Marine Security Guards also provide protection for personnel and classified material located within designated diplomatic missions. MSGs focus on the interior security of a diplomatic post's buildings. In only the most extreme emergency situations are they authorized to provide special protection to

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1376-449: The harbor fortress. Hull and the ships would fire on the heavily defended port batteries. The attack began at 2:45 p.m., with Lieutenant O'Bannon and his Marines leading the advance. O'Bannon led his Marines and 50 Greek gunners with the field piece from the Argus , but the gun's effectiveness was lessened after the firing crew carelessly left the ramrod in the barrel and fired it down range. The harbor defenses had been reinforced, and

1419-514: The money to pay his mercenaries. On the morning of April 26, Eaton sent a letter to Mustafa Bey, the Ottoman governor of Derna, to ask for safe passage through the city and additional supplies, but Eaton realized the governor probably would not agree. Mustafa reportedly wrote back, "My head or yours!" On the morning of April 27, Eaton observed a fort in Derna with eight guns. The brig USS Argus sent

1462-617: The secret mission of Archibald H. Gillespie in the Mexican-American War , and actions during the Boxer Rebellion . However, the formal and permanent use of Marines as security guards began with the Foreign Service Act of 1946, which authorized the Secretary of the Navy , upon the request of the Secretary of State , to assign Marines to serve as custodians under the supervision of the senior diplomatic officer at

1505-472: The senior diplomatic officer off the diplomatic compound. MSGs carry a certain level of diplomatic immunity in the performance of their official duties. The Marine Security Guards number approximately a thousand Marines at 174 posts (also known as "detachments"), organized into nine regional MSG commands and located in over 135 countries in 18 time zones , as well as its headquarters at Marine Corps Base Quantico . Headquarters Company, along with MSG School,

1548-558: The series in particular highlights the pre-World War II lives of China Marines. In his Presidential Agent series, he several times makes reference to American Legion China Post No. 1 in Exile as a post comprised in the main of retired military special operators who can be hired for assorted purposes. Neal Stephenson 's book Cryptonomicon contains descriptions of the exploits of the China Marines in World War II . The book begins with

1591-585: The style were very popular in Europe, and a more likely scenario is that the Marines imitated the influential military leaders who were wearing them. The attack on Derna was the inspiration for the lyrics of the Marines' Hymn in the line "to the shores of Tripoli." In 1850, the American poet John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the poem "Derne" to commemorate this battle. The USS  O'Bannon  (DD-450) ,

1634-429: The title of "commander". Generally between the ranks of Staff Sergeant and Master Gunnery Sergeant , Marine Detachment Commanders serve two tours, which generally last 18 months each. Unlike their subordinates, however, Detachment Commanders may be married. The minimum detachment size is seven MSGs (Marine Security Guards) and one detachment commander. This allows for posts to be manned at all times while allowing each of

1677-481: Was defended by a much larger force. The Battle of Derna and the broader First Barbary War highlighted the challenges faced by the United States in dealing with piracy and asserting its interests in the Mediterranean during the early years of its existence as a nation. In 1804, the former Consul to Tunis , William Eaton (1764–1811), returned to the Mediterranean Sea with the title of Naval Agent to

1720-444: Was given a small detachment of seven United States Marines , commanded by First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon . Eaton and O'Bannon based their operations at Alexandria , Egypt. With the help of Hamet Karamanli, they recruited about 400 Arab and Greek mercenaries . Eaton appointed himself general and commander-in-chief of the force. On March 8, 1805, Lieutenant Eaton led his forces on a 500 miles (800 km) trek westward across

1763-673: Was included in the roundup of civilians and sent to the Weixian Internment Camp in March 1943. He was returned to the U.S. on the exchange ship Teia Maru in September 1943. The last commander of the China Marines was Colonel William W. Ashurst . With the rapid expansion of the Marine Corps during World War II and the capture of the rest of the 4th Marine Regiment at Corregidor , the surviving China Marines were few in number and highly regarded. After Japan's surrender,

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1806-620: Was the decisive action of the First Barbary War (1801–1805) although Eaton was furious over what he called a "sell-out" between the State Department diplomat Tobias Lear and the bey . Hamet returned to Egypt. The very few Marines and the Greek mercenaries left Derna without notifying the Arab part of the force. The Arab mercenaries were left in Derna and were never paid for what they had achieved. William Eaton returned to

1849-547: Was the decisive victory in April–May 1805 of a mercenary army recruited and led by United States Marines under the command of U.S. Army Lieutenant William Eaton , diplomatic Consul to Tripoli , and U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Presley Neville O'Bannon . The battle involved a forced 521-mile (839-km) march through the North African desert from Alexandria, Egypt , to the eastern port city of Derna, Libya , which

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