this gentleman, samuel nicholas, that you see depicted here on november 5th, samuel nicholas became firstre the senior marine officer when president of the continental congress at the time. john hancock signed his commission. many mistakenly to this as designate nicholas as the first commandant ofbut that's not becs did not bestow that title on the commandant until 1798, during a quasi war against france, after the american revolution. nicholas was a 31 year old philadelphia native. he was born a quaker and his father died when he was seven years old. he attended the academy of philadelphia. became the future university of pennsylvania. and graduated at a of 16, after which he became a merchant and owner of contest omega wagon tavern in downtown philadelphia. starting a trend of marines being affiliated with alcohol that remained strong this day. and any of you marines out there know what i'm talking about. all right. but nicholas, would honorably serve as a senior marine. the war from 15 thro the first s became the first marine recruiter. following the noterom pastor mccarty, congress en