John M. Gamble

[Coog]

Lieutenant Colonel John Marshall Gamble (1791 – 11 September 1836) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the early 19th century. He was the first, and remains the only, U.S. Marine to command a U.S. Navy ship, commanding the Greenwich and the Sir Andrew Hammond during the War of 1812.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Gamble was appointed Second Lieutenant on 16 January 1809.

He held the rank of captain and was stationed in the South Sea during the War of 1812. He distinguished himself in many enterprises, including encounters with people of the Marquesas Islands during the absence of frigate Essex in 1813, and sailing a prize of Essex, with only a four-man crew and without benefit of a chart in a 17-day voyage to the Hawaiian Islands. Captain Gamble is remembered in history as the only U.S. Marine ever to command a U.S. Navy ship.

He was breveted a lieutenant colonel on 3 March 1827.

He died in New York City on 11 September 1836.

[csadn]

Captain Gamble is remembered in history as the only U.S. Marine ever to command a U.S. Navy ship.

However, if you ask the USN about it.... ;)