The American Spectator

p> ALWAYS A MARINE br> Re: Brandon Crocker’s To the Shores of Tripoli : /p>

You will probably receive a gazillion letters from Marines and former Marines like myself, but I could not let this pass without pointing out the glaring absence of any mention of Lt. Presley O’Bannon, USMC. One of the first tales a Marine learns upon donning the uniform is the story of Lt. O’Bannon and the Mameluke Sword. Short version: Lt O’Bannon, after traveling with the Eaton party across the desert, led his contingent of Turks, Greeks, seven U.S. Marines, and a sailor in the frontal assault and eventual capture of the fortress on the harbor at Derna. It was Lt. O’Bannon who carried with him and raised the United States flag over the fortress. And it was Lt. O’Bannon who received Hamet’s Mameluke sword to signify Hamet’s gratitude for O’Bannon’s service. Marines in dress uniform carry a replica of that sword to this day. And this event is why the second phrase of the Marine Corps Hymn is “…to the shores of Tripoli”.

p>There. I feel better. br> — Lee Hoffman /p> p> While reading The Pirate Coast , I felt it sad that we don’t have men like William Eaton today. But who knows, maybe we do and just don’t know it yet. br> —