Who commanded the initial two battalions when the Corps was created?

Who commanded the initial two battalions when the Corps was created?

• A. Capt Samuel Nicholas
• B. Capt John Paul Jones
• C. Lt Col William Prescott
• D. Capt Nathan Hale

Answer: (A)

When the Marine Corps was formed in 1775, Captain Samuel Nicholas was the officer put in charge of the two original battalions. He’s regarded as the first commissioned officer of the Marines and is often treated as the first commandant of the Marine Corps. That makes him the best answer for who commanded those initial two battalions. The others played different roles in the era—John Paul Jones as a famed naval officer, William Prescott as a land commander at Bunker Hill, and Nathan Hale as a spy—so they didn’t lead the initial Marine battalions at creation.

When the Marine Corps was formed in 1775, Captain Samuel Nicholas was the officer put in charge of the two original battalions. He’s regarded as the first commissioned officer of the Marines and is often treated as the first commandant of the Marine Corps. That makes him the best answer for who commanded those initial two battalions. The others played different roles in the era—John Paul Jones as a famed naval officer, William Prescott as a land commander at Bunker Hill, and Nathan Hale as a spy—so they didn’t lead the initial Marine battalions at creation.