Originally Posted march 29, 2025
And on this the 27th of January through the 7th of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 27 January through 7 April, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines participated in OPERATION DESOTO, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
And on this the 26th of February through 30 April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 26 February through 30 April, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Battalion, the 327th Airborne Infantry and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Airborne Infantry participated in OPERATION HOUSTON, an operation to open Route 1 between Da Nang and Phu Bai in the Thua Thien Province.
And on this the 27th of February through the 8th of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 27 February through 8 May, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines and the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines participated in OPERATION PURPLE MARTIN, a clear and search in the Quang Tri Province.
Interestingly, this was originally named OPERATION MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
And on this the 29th of February through 31 October in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 29 February through 31 October, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines and the 2/1 Cavalry participated in OPERATION NAPOLEON/SALINE, an operation along the Cua Viet River in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 1 March – 29 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 29 May through 23 June, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, 7th Marines, the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and the 51st Regiment of the ARVN participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS, an operation southwest of Da Nang, in the Quang Nam Province.
And during the period, 2 March through 1 November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1965, during the period 2 March 1965 through 1 November 1968, the USAF, U.S. Navy and RVNAF participated in OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER a sustained and escalating bombing campaign of North Vietnam to destroy military infrastructure, interdict supply routes and undermine the North’s willingness to continue the war.
During the period 15 March through 2 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 15 March through 2 May, the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines and the 1st Battalion, 12th Marines participated in OPERATION MAINE CRAG a reconnaissance in force operation along the Laotian border, west of Khe Sanh in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 19 March through 19 April 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 19 March through 19 April, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines participated in OPERATION PRATRIE III, search and destroy operations against the PAVN 324B and 341st divisions in the DMZ.
During the period 20 March through 3 April 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 20 March through 3 April, Marines of the 3rd Marine Division participated in OPERATION BEACON HILL, search and destroy operations in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 23 March through 3 April 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 23 March through 3 April, the 3rd Marine Division, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division and the ARVN 2nd Regiment participated in OPERATION MAINE CRAG a reconnaissance in force operation in the vicinity of Con Thien, in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 26 March through 6 April 1966 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 26 March through 6 April, an SLF (1st Battalion, 5th Marines) and 2 Battalions of Vietnamese Marines participated in OPERATION JACKSTAY, a search and clear operation along the Long Tau shipping channel.
During the period 28 March through 30 March 1966 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 28 March through 30 March, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and the ARVN 5th Regiment, 2nd Division participated in OPERATION INDIANA/LIEN KET 30, an operation to reinforce the ARVN OPERATION QUYET TANG 72
During 29 and 30 March 1966 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during 29 and 30 March, the Marines participated in OPERATION ALABAMA, a search and destroy operation throughout III Corps.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 29th day of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1900, Colonel George C. Reid, the adjutant and inspector of the Marine Corps, is the first Marine officer appointed to the General Board of the Navy, the new body of senior officers providing policy advice to the Secretary of the Navy.
In 1917, following the purchase of the Virgin Islands from Denmark (to prevent them from being used as German naval bases), a company of Marines occupies St Croix.
In 1941, the 4th Defense Battalion and VMF-212 arrive at Efate, New Hebrides.
In 1944, Admiral King, COMINCH/CNO, authorizes Major General Smith to exercise administrative and logistical control over all FMF units in the Central Pacific.
This is the beginning of the establishment of a FMF Pacific headquarters.
In 1945, the 77th Infantry Division completes the conquest of the Kerama Retto group.
The FMF Reconnaissance Battalion scouts two islands between Kerama Retto and Keise Shima.
MAG-14 supports the landing of the 40th Infantry Division on Negros Island in the Philippines.
In 1963, in Vietnam, HMM-162 replaces HMM-163 in the Shufly force.
In 1965, following a bomb explosion outside the U.S. Embassy, the Marine Security Guard detachment restores order and safeguards the compound.
In 1966, the 1st Marine Division headquarters at Chu Lai begins to operate in Vietnam.
For the first time since WWII, the Corps has two of its divisions simultaneously engaged in combat.
During the 29th and 30th of March, the Marines participated in OPERATION ALABAMA, a search and destroy operation throughout III Corps.
In 1969, during the period 29 March through 23 June, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7), the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7), and the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7), the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines (3/26), and the 51st Regiment of the ARVN participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS, an operation southwest of Da Nang, in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1971, USMACV shuts down, the departure of all U.S. forces from South Vietnam is complete, and North Vietnam releases the last group of American POWs.
During the period 29 through 31 March, helicopters of HMH-362 participate in disaster relief operations near Tunis, Tunisia.
In 1975, the Marine Security Guard detachment at Da Nang assists in the seaborne evacuation of the consulate staff, American citizens, and Vietnamese refugees the day before the city falls to the NVA.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!