Samuel Nicholas

Samuel Nicholas
Portrait by Maj. Donna J. Neary, USMCR, 1989. Hangs in the Marine Corps Commandant's house.[1]
Born	1744 (1744) Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British North America
Died	27 August 1790 (aged 45–46) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Place of burial	Arch Street Friends Meeting House, Philadelphia
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	Continental Marines
Years of service	1775–1783
Rank	Major
Commands held	Commandant of the Marine Corps
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War Battle of Nassau Battle of Trenton Battle of Princeton

Samuel Nicholas (1744 – August 27, 1790) was an American marine and military officer who was the first officer commissioned in the United States Continental Marines (predecessor to the United States Marine Corps) and by tradition is considered to be the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.