Happy Birthday, Army
240 years young. The first time I celebrated the Army’s birthday, it was it’s 200th year. From the Army;
In the spring of 1775, this “army” was about to confront British troops near Boston, Massachusetts. The revolutionaries had to re-organize their forces quickly if they were to stand a chance against Britain’s seasoned professionals. Recognizing the need to enlist the support of all of the American seaboard colonies, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress appealed to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to assume authority for the New England army. Reportedly, at John Adams’ request, Congress voted to “adopt” the Boston troops on June 14, although there is no written record of this decision. Also on this day, Congress resolved to form a committee “to bring in a draft of rules and regulations for the government of the Army,” and voted $2,000,000 to support the forces around Boston, and those at New York City. Moreover, Congress authorized the formation of ten companies of expert riflemen from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, which were directed to march to Boston to support the New England militia.
George Washington received his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army the next day, and formally took command at Boston on July 3, 1775.
Resolved, That six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pen[n]sylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; that each company consist of a captain, three lieutenants, four serjeants, four corporals, a drummer or trumpeter, and sixty-eight privates.
That each company, as soon as compleated, shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army.
That the pay of the Officers and privates be as follows, viz. a captain @ 20 dollars per month; a lieutenant @ 13 1/3 dollars; a serjeant @ 8 dollars; a corporal @ 7 1/3 dollars;
By the way, as an aside, George Washington was last promoted in Oct. 1976;
The Army celebrated it’s birthday on Friday, couldn’t wait to open it’s presents, I guess. I’m more of a traditionalist, though.
Category: Army News
Happy B-day to the senior service. Awesome old school version on Caisson Song (or Field Artillery Song)…
Sorry try this:
Caisson Song Instrumental…
Happy Birthday, “Green Machine”.
For all the issues and idiocy . . . it really was one helluva great ride.
Yep. Shudder to think what my life would have been had I stayed a nasty ass LEG Civilian. Green Machine was very good to me (and my late Bro).
Great link BTW.
AirBORNE!
Two (02) of my ancestors served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, my paternal ancestor, John Mallernee from Baltimore, Maryland, and my maternal ancestor, Uriah Hawkins from Rhode Island.
In the Second American Revolution, I had ancestors serving on both sides of that conflict.
In the Eighteen Sixties, the North invaded the South, my ancestor, Corporal Jonathan Trueblood, fought for the South, and the South lost.
In the Nineteen Sixties, the North invaded the South, I fought for the South, and the South lost.
History truly did repeat itself.
Awesome, my two unit patches together in the center of the cake. Happy birthday Army!
Happy B-Day US Army.
A special place in my soul for all who wear and or wore the green.
MCPO
An interesting, and readable, account of what was going on at the time can be found in Jeff Shaara’s book Rise to Rebellion. It’s as if a sequence of events started to fall like dominoes. Beginning with Lexington and Concord in April 1775, followed by the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in May, the formation of a Continental Army on June 14 happened less than a week before the start of the Battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U.S. ARMY!
I have two Revolutionary War Ancestors, two of my twice-Great grandfathers fought in the Civil Wat (Union), my Grandad served Stateside in WWII, and I’ve done Korea, A-stan, and Kuwait.
Yes, Happy Birthday to my US Army.
I had the distinct honor of serving in three of the Divisions depicted on the cake, with my longest stint being in the 4th Inf Div. (12 years total on two tours)
Let us also not forget that today is also Flag Day. Fly your colors proudly.
Every positive thing I have achieved or received in my adult life is literally because of the US Army. I shudder to think what my life would be like today without that experience.
I too have worn three of those patches (1AD, 3ID, 4ID) and a patchwork quilt of non-divisional patches as well. Every one of them brings back fond memories.
Happy Birthday Green and thanks to those who made it great and continue to do so.
Happy Birthday to my, your and our nation’s United States Army! The finest fighting force in the world!
HOOAH HOOAH……HHOOOOOOOOOOOAH !!!!!!!!!!!
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAHHHHHHHHHH ! ! ! ! ! !
Nuff said
Hey. Anyone notice that the folks on parade are sporting red coats? Whose Army is that anyway? (Red shirts I get but, unless the fife and drum corps were red coated, I don’t get it.)
The Old Guard F&D Corps. That’s one of their ceremonial uniforms.
Ah. Okay. Thanks for that. (My understanding was that red being worn by both sides in the chaos of a very smoky revolutionary war battle was, um, not a good thing.)
On their website it says that during the Revolution, musicians wore “reverse colors of the regiments to which they were assigned.”
I didn’t know that. Reckon that explains the red coats.
Happy birthday, Army peeps, and many, many more.
And here are 11 things you may not have known about the Army:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/11-things-you-might-not-know-about-the-us-army/ar-BBl8qZo#page=12
Master Army Astronaut Badge.
Yep-just a matter of time…..
(I wonder if it has an associated combat device?)
As usual, I see that whomever was responsible for designing the cake “forgot” to put the Reserve Component divisions on the front. Taking the CSA’s actions to heart, I’m sure that they made it to the back side, making it even more representative of today’s Total Army. Hell, even the non-division division, the 7th ID, made the cut.
Now I’m on to something. I’ll never forget my Dad’s U.S. Army uniform. PFC Friend E. Wilkins. 212th Military Police Company (Sentry Dog). I distinctly remember the green and yellow patch in the shape of a shield with the halberd and sword overlapping. My Dad must have been with the 18th Military Police Brigade. 1970-71.
And before I forget to mention it…..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES ARMY!!!!!