John M. Gamble
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
was named for him and his brother, United States Navy
Lieutenant Peter Gamble
.
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
John Marshall Gamble (1791 – 11 September 1836) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
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
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Biography
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
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He distinguished himself in many enterprises, including encounters with people of the Marquesas Islands
Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands enana and Te Fenua `Enata , both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W...
during the absence of frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
Essex
USS Essex (1799)
The first USS Essex of the United States Navy was a 36-gun or 32-gun sailing frigate that participated in the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War, and in the War of 1812, during which she was captured by the British in 1814 and served as HMS Essex until sold at public auction on 6 June...
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
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
. 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.
Namesake
The destroyer USS Gamble (DD-123)USS Gamble (DD-123)
USS Gamble was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I, later converted to a minelayer in World War II. She was named for two brothers, Lieutenant Peter Gamble and Lieutenant Colonel John M...
was named for him and his brother, United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Lieutenant Peter Gamble
Peter Gamble
Lieutenant Peter Gamble was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812.Born in Bordentown, New Jersey, Gamble was appointed midshipman 16 January 1809 and served on Thomas Macdonough's flagship Saratoga in the Battle of Lake Champlain. He was killed in action while in the act of...
.
Galleries and Public Collections
- John Gamble Gallery of Art - Laguna Beach, California