Post by United States Marine Corps

Today we mark the anniversary of the Battle of Derna, a pivotal moment in the First Barbary War. In 1805, 1st Lt. Presley O’Bannon and William Eaton led a diverse mercenary force on an arduous 521-mile desert march to the Tripolitan port of Derna, initiating a daring land assault supported by the U. S. Navy. The attack was a masterclass in resolve. Despite a malfunctioning cannon and heavy enemy fire, the American-led force executed a pincer maneuver that overwhelmed the city's defenses. By the late afternoon on April 27, O’Bannon personally raised the American flag over the harbor fortress, the first time the Stars and Stripes flew over foreign soil following a military victory. This historic engagement birthed enduring Marine Corps traditions, most notably the Mameluke sword. After the battle, Prince Hamet Karamanli presented O’Bannon with his personal blade in gratitude, a design that remains the oldest ceremonial weapon in use by the U.S. Armed Forces today. The "shores of Tripoli" are forever etched in the Marines’ Hymn, serving as a reminder of the Corps’ role as a primary protector of American interests. The valor displayed at Derna solidified the reputation of the Marine Corps as a formidable force capable of winning battles on any shore. ✍️ (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Lance Cpl. Noah Matheny)