Editing Spanish–American War (section)

====Impact on the Marine Corps====
The [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] during the 18th and 19th centuries was primarily a ship-borne force. Marines were assigned to naval vessels to protect the ship's crew during close quarters combat, man secondary batteries, and provide landing parties when the ship's captain needed them.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Millett |first=Allan |title=Semper Fidelis: History of the United States Marine Corps |publisher=The Free Press |year=1991 |chapter=Chapter 5: The Marine Corps and the New Navy 1889–1909}}</ref> During the [[Mexican–American War]] and the Civil War, the Marine Corps participated in some amphibious landings and had limited coordination with the Army and Navy in their operations.<ref>Shulimson J, Renfrow WJ, Kelly LtCol DE, Englander EA, eds. (1998). ''Marines in the Spanish-American War 1895–1899''. Washington, D.C.: History and Museums Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. pp. 7–23.</ref> During the Spanish–American War though, the Marines conducted several successful combined operations with both the Army and the Navy. Marine forces helped in the Army-led assault on Santiago and Marines also supported the Navy's operations by securing the entrance to [[Battle of Guantánamo Bay|Guantanamo Bay]] so American vessels could clear the harbor of mines and use it as a refueling station without fear of Spanish harassment.<ref>Shulimson J, Renfrow WJ, Kelly LtCol DE, Englander EA, eds. (1998). ''Marines in the Spanish-American War 1895–1899''. Washington, D.C.: History and Museums Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. pp. 13–21, 22–23</ref> Doctrinally, the Army and the Navy did not agree on much of anything and Navy officers were often frustrated by the lack of Army support.<ref name=":9">{{Cite book |title=Crucible of Empire |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1992 |editor-last=Bradford |editor-first=James |chapter=Marines in the Spanish-American War}}</ref> Having the Marine Corps alleviated some of this conflict because it gave Navy commanders a force "always under the direction of the senior naval officer" without any "conflict of authority" with the Army.<ref name=":9" />

The combined Marine Corps-Navy operations during the war also signaled the future relationship between the two services.<ref name=":8" /> During the [[Banana Wars]] of the early 20th century, the [[Pacific War|island-hopping campaigns]] in the Pacific during World War II, and into modern conflicts America is involved in, the Marine Corps and Navy operate as a team to secure American interests. Thanks to the new territorial acquisitions of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, America needed the capabilities the Marines could provide.<ref name=":8" /> The Spanish–American War was also the first time that the Marine Corps acted as America's "force in readiness" because they were the first American force to land on Cuba. Being a "body of troops which can be quickly mobilized and sent on board transports, fully equipped for service ashore and afloat" became the Marine Corps' mission throughout the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st century.<ref name=":9" />

The Spanish–American War also served as a coming of age for several influential Marines. Lieutenants [[Smedley Butler|Smedley D. Butler]], [[John A. Lejeune]], and [[Wendell Cushing Neville|Wendell C. Neville]] and Captain [[George F. Elliott]] all served with distinction with the First Battalion that fought in Cuba.<ref name=":5" /> Lieutenant Butler would go on to earn two Medals of Honor, in Veracruz and Haiti. Lieutenants Lejeune and Neville and Captain Elliott would all become [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandants]] of the Marine Corps, the highest rank in the service and the leader of the entire Corps.

Marines' actions during the Spanish–American War also provided significant positive press for the Corps.<ref name=":8" /> The men of the First Battalion were welcomed as heroes when they returned to the States and many stories were published by journalists attached to the unit about their bravery during the Battle of Guantanamo. The Marine Corps began to be regarded as America's premier fighting force thanks in large part to the actions of Marines during the Spanish–American War and to the reporters who covered their exploits.<ref name=":8" /> The success of the Marines also led to increased funding for the Corps from Congress during a time that many high-placed Navy officials were questioning the efficacy and necessity of the Marine Corps.<ref name=":9" /> This battle for Congressional funding and support would continue until the [[National Security Act of 1947]], but Marine actions at Guantanamo and in the Philippines provided a major boost to the Corps' status.<ref name=":8" />