On June 10, 1889 a force of over 600 U.S. Marines landed from the transport USS PANTHER on to the eastern shores of Guantanamo Bay. Their mission was to make the outer harbor a secure place for re-coaling U.S. vessels. Marines fixed bayonets and waded into the waters to make their amphibious landing. The landing went unopposed. They were the first American soldiers to land in Cuba during the Spanish American War. By late afternoon the Marines had set up camp which was to be the first permanent American base on foreign shores.
The Marine camp was on a small hill, where they sustained attacks of Spanish troops for several days with courage and endurance. The USS MARBLEHEAD and the USS TEXAS lent assistance by landing small forces of Marines and then these and other ships supported the land operation with naval gunfire. When ten days had passed, much of the outer harbor was in the possession of American Forces.
The U.S. Marines defined their future by their landing and assault that captured and held Guantanamo Bay. It demonstrated the need for Marines as assault troops to be employed with the fleet. Their victory gave added strength to those who later would advise that the capture and defense of advanced bases should become the primary mission of the U.S. Marine Corps.
The 1st Marine Battalion landed in Cuba wearing linen uniforms, canvas leggings, and frame caps, according to sketches made at the time. Campaign hats, as they were then called, were procured later in the year. The battalion's five rifle companies were issued the new Lee Navy rifles. |
