On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that "two battalions of Marines should be raised", which created the Continental Marines and is now considered the birth date of the Marines . The newly formed Continental Marines served on land and sea and took part in many major engagements, helping to establish them as an important branch of the armed forces. The first commander of the Continental Marines was Captain Samuel Nicholas, born in Philadelphia in 1744. He was appointed "Captain of the Marines" by the 2nd Continental Congress on November 5, 1775. Nicholas soon established Tun Tavern as his recruiting headquarters. . Tun Tavern owner Robert Mullen was so successful in recruiting people into the Marines that he was made a captain and is now known as the first recruiter in the Marine Corps. The recruited Marines were quickly called into action. Although they primarily fought naval battles during the Revolutionary War, they distinguished themselves from the British Marines by undertaking the then unorthodox missions of landing parties and other services on land. One of the snipers' favorite tactics was to hide among a ship's rigging and masts and shoot enemy sailors from above. On March 3, 1776, the Marines made their first amphibious landing at New Providence, Bahamas. Shortly after the landing, they captured Fort Montague without opposition, as Bahamian forces had retreated to Fort Nassau. The next day, the Marines arrived at Fort Nassau. The British troops occupying the fort quickly surrendered when the Marines arrived. Captain Nicholas then acquired the fort's cannons and other supplies. Upon returning from New Providence, the Marine...... middle of paper ...... However, this was not the case for the enlisted men, as the majority came from the northeastern part of the United States United. During the Battle of Drewry's Bluff, Corporal John F. Mackie exposed himself to enemy fire while firing on Fort Monroe, an act that helped rally his Marines. For his actions, Corporal Mackie received the Medal of Honor, the first awarded to a Marine. On January 25, 1898, the USS Maine sailed into the Cuban seaport, Havana Harbor. Nearly a month later, the USS Maine was sunk; one act caused America to declare war. The Marines would lead U.S. forces ashore in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, demonstrating readiness for deployment. Marines from USS Marblehead and USS Nashville cut underwater telegraph cables under heavy Spanish fire, an act that earned 12 of the Marines a Medal of Honor..