Photo courtesy of Wikipedia 

Just weeks after banding together, the Continental Marines successfully executed their first amphibious landing on enemy territory.

The British had been storing large supplies of weapons at Fort Nassau in the Bahamas.  Captain Samuel Nicholas and 234 Marines sailed with the Continental Navy on a mission to capture the supplies.

Within minutes of the Marines’ arrival, the British troops had surrendered. In addition to gunpowder, Captain Nicholas successfully acquired cannons and other military stores.

The Marines’ first battle and success paved the way for greater operations to come.