The Continental Marines fought bravely for over seven years, proving their value in both land and naval battles. However, they never became the large structured force Congress originally envisioned. Instead of fully formed battalions, Marine units were assembled piecemeal, with captains recruiting their own detachments. Despite their small numbers, they played a crucial role in securing American independence.

By the war’s end, financial strain made it impossible to maintain a standing Marine Corps. Congress struggled to fund even the remnants of the Continental Navy, forcing the nation to disband its Marine force entirely. But while the Continental Marines faded from existence, their legacy endured. Their actions in the Revolution set the foundation for what would later become the United States Marine Corps, which would return stronger in the face of America’s next conflicts.

As we approach the final chapters of our series on Marines in the American Revolution, we'll look beyond the Continental Marines and recognize the contributions of State and Privateer Marines. These groups operated outside the formal structure of the Continental Navy, yet they were instrumental in protecting colonial waters and attacking British commerce.

The Alliance remained one of the few ships still carrying out missions and we'll take a look at Marines seeking prize money, officers demanding long-overdue pay, and an uncertain future for those still in service. With the sale of the Alliance in 1785, the last vestige of the Continental Navy was gone, marking the end of the Marine presence in the Revolutionary War.

The Continental Marines played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, serving as shock troops, naval infantry, and shipboard guards. However, by 1779, their reputation and effectiveness were deeply shaken. The disastrous Penobscot Expedition cast doubt on their capabilities, and instead of launching amphibious assaults, Marines found themselves guarding British prisoners on repurposed ships. Recruitment faltered, and desertions, disease, and mutinies plagued their ranks. Leadership struggles, especially aboard the Alliance under Captain Pierre Landais, further weakened their cohesion.

Despite these setbacks, Marines proved their resilience in battle. At Flamborough Head, under John Paul Jones, they played a decisive role in the legendary victory over the HMS Serapis, raining musket fire and grenades from the rigging. But by 1781, their numbers had dwindled, with only two frigates—Alliance and Deane—still carrying Marine detachments. Yet, their legacy endured. While official numbers shrank, Privateer and State Marines continued the fight, ensuring that the Marine Corps' tradition of adaptability, discipline, and tenacity remained alive as America edged closer to independence.

What started as a promising attempt to reclaim Maine from the British ended in complete disaster. Despite superior numbers and early successes, American forces fell victim to weak leadership, constant delays, and a lack of coordination.

The Marines played a key role in the initial assault, scaling cliffs under enemy fire to secure the landing. But with no support from the fleet, their gains were wasted. As commanders debated instead of acting, British reinforcements arrived, and the American fleet was forced into a desperate retreat. One by one, ships were either destroyed or captured.

This episode uncovers the story of a mission that had every chance of success but collapsed under its own weight. From battlefield heroism to strategic blunders, we’ll explore how this defeat shaped America’s military thinking and why it remains one of the greatest failures in early U.S. naval history.

The Penobscot Expedition was one of the most ambitious—and ultimately disastrous—naval campaigns of the American Revolution. What should have been a swift victory against the British turned into a chaotic struggle marked by poor coordination, internal disputes, and missed opportunities.

Despite early successes, like the Marines’ capture of Banks Island, hesitation and miscommunication eroded the expedition’s momentum. Meanwhile, the British strengthened their defenses daily, turning their outpost into a fortress.

Captain James Willing was given a mission: disrupt British control of the Mississippi River. What followed was a campaign that blurred the lines between patriotism and piracy. Armed with a growing force of Marines and volunteers, Willing’s men swept through the region, raiding loyalist plantations, seizing ships, and forcing Britain to fight on yet another front. But as his victories stacked up, so did the consequences. Local resentment grew, Spain’s neutrality wavered, and the American cause suffered unintended backlash.

Meanwhile, in the wake of Willing’s expedition, the Continental Navy was struggling to keep its warships manned and operational. Recruitment was slow, as privateering offered better pay and fewer restrictions. Desperate for sailors and Marines, captains placed ads in newspapers, promising adventure and prize money. Even when ships like the Warren, Queen of France, and Boston finally set sail, they faced internal conflicts, mass desertions, and corruption among their officers. The Navy’s fight for survival mirrored the broader war effort—a desperate struggle against both the British and their own limitations.

The loss of the Randolph was only the beginning of a brutal year for the Continental Navy. The Alfred fell to the British, its crew was taken prisoner, and the Raleigh barely escaped. Captain Thompson’s failure to support Alfred led to his dismissal, and the British blockade continued to strangle American supply lines. Yet, even in defeat, Marines found ways to fight back, escaping captivity and continuing the struggle. In this episode, we dive into the naval battles, leadership missteps, and the resilience of the Marines who refused to surrender.