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smoothoperator wrote:On this day in 1805: http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/O'Bannon_PN.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When the combined land-sea attack commenced on 27 March, Lieutenant O'Bannon, with his Marines, a few Greeks, and as many of the cannoniers as could be spared from the field piece, passed through a shower of enemy musketry, took possession of one of the enemy's batteries, planted the United States flag upon its ramparts and turned the guns upon the enemy. After two hours of hand-to-hand fighting, the stronghold was occupied and for the first time in history the flag of the United States flew over a fortress of the old world.

His heroic service on the "the shores of Tripoli" is commemorated in the Mameluke sword worn by U.S. Marine Corps officers

Interesting. In 1945, Lt Wilcie O'Bannon (SOURCE) of Red River County, Texas, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, was one of two surviving officers in the battle for Cushman's Pocket on Iwo Jima. My dad, 2nd Lt David R. Smith, 2nd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, was the other surviving officer. There were 10 survivors in all. Two were rescued with Lt Wilcie O'Bannon earlier in the battle. The other 7, including my dad, spent the night behind enemy lines and evaded and were rescued the next day. Wilcie O'Bannon was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in Cushman's Pocket. He was killed at Okinawa.