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 31 March through 29 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 31 March through 29 May, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and the ARVN 51st Regiment participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS a clear and search operation in Happy Valley, Quang Nam Province.
In April (no date found) of 1776 John Martin (aka Keto), a slave of a Delaware man became the first African American to fight in a Marine role. Private Martin participated in a cruise that resulted in the capture of five
British merchantmen, but died in October 1777, along with all but one of his shipmates, when it foundered in a gale
While researching to discover more about this Marine, I came across the following Policy from James McHenry, the War Secretary in 1796. To say that this pisses me off is an understatement. You decide for yourself.
In 1796 James McHenry, Secretary of War, proclaimed that no Negro, Mulatto, or Indian is to be recruited into the Marine Corps.
This act remained law until the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 allowed Negroes to serve in the army and navy, but not the Marines. For 176 years this policy remained in effect.
By my calculations this policy was in effect until 1963. How in hell can that be? I proudly served with men and women Marines of all races, colors and religions.
Does anyone have the time and more importantly the interest to research this further? I know that I had Gunnies of various races and nationalities that I served with and I didn’t join until 1963. The fact that this was still in effect in 1963 ‘F-ing pisses me off.
One last plea for help; I am deeply interested in discovering who found this policy/law and got it off the books in ’63. This person needs to be recognized and honored for his accomplishment.
Moving on to happier times I see that April Fool’s Day and Easter Sunday fell on the same day in 1945. Better news is that in ’68 the Tet Counteroffensive came to an end.
And on this the 1st day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1804, Captain Franklin Wharton is named the Lieutenant Colonel Commandant.
He is the third Commandant of the Marine Corps.
In 1899, British and American forces siding with one of the Samoan parties are ambushed during a raid.
Twenty U.S. Marines protect the rear of the outfit as it withdraws to the coast.
Sergeants Michael J McNally and Bruno A. Forsterer and Private Henry L. Hulbert are subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor.
In 1903, the Atlanta sends her Marines ashore at Santo Domingo City in Santo Domingo to protect American lives during political disturbances.
In 1918, Captain Cunningham’s 1st Marine Aviation Squadron arrives at the newly established Marine Flying Field, Miami (recently acquired by Geiger’s detachment).
In 1931, VO-6M absorbs VF-8M.
In 1936, the Aviation Section is elevated to division status within Headquarters Marine Corps.
In 1940, the 8th Marines is reactivated at San Diego and assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade.
In 1942, the 8th Defense Battalion and VMF-212 arrive at Efate in the New Hebrides.
In 1943, the Japanese launch the I Operation, an aerial offensive against Guadalcanal.
It lasts until 16 April.
In 1944, the 9th MAW is established at Cherry Point.
Its mission is to train and equip aviation units for deployment to combat theaters.
MAG-61 departs Cherry Point, ultimately bound for the Pacific.
MAG-93 is organized at Bogue Field.
VMF-521 and 522 are formed at Cherry Point.
In 1945, the Tenth Army launches its amphibious assault against the west coast of Okinawa, with IIIAC taking the left or north beaches and the Army’s XXIV Corps attacking the right or south beaches.
Within IIIAC, the 1st Marine Division lands on the right and the 6th Marine Division is on the left.
The 2nd Marine Division conducts an amphibious feint off the southeast coast of the island.
The initial landing is lightly opposed with casualties totaling about 150.
The 4th Marines seizes Yontan Airfield and the XXIV Corps takes Kadena Airfield.
VMF-221 and 451 fly missions to soften up the landing beaches prior to the assault.
In 1946, the 6th Marine Division is deactivated and replaced in north China by the newly activated 3rd Marine Brigade.
It consists of the 4th Marines and supporting units—all the remaining elements of the 6th Marine Division.
In 1948, the Chinese Communists release the four Marines taken prisoner on the previous Christmas Day.
In 1949, the designation of Marine Fighting Squadrons is changed to Marine Fighter Squadrons, but the VMF initials remain the same.
In 1951, Force Troops, FMFLANT, is organized at Camp Lejeune to provide combat and support units to reinforce a Marine division for extended operations.
In 1952, Chinese forces launch strong attacks against the KMC portion of the 1st Marine Division line and are repulsed.
In 1959, HMR(L)-776 is activated as part of the Marine Corps Reserve.
In 1966, during the period 1 through 11 April, the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines participated in OPERATION ORANGE, a search and destroy operation near Thuong Duc 40 Km southwest of Da Nang, in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1968, during the period 1 through 15 April, the 1st Cavalry Division, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1), the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1), the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines (2/3), the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions, 26th Marines and the ARVN 2nd Division participated in participated in OPERATION PEGASUS/OPERATION LAM SON 207, an operation to resupply and give relief along Route 9 to U.S. Marines besieged at the Khe Sanh Combat Base in the Quang Tri Province.
In 1970, the Headquarters of the 4th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton assumes training responsibility for all Marine Corps Reserve ground forces.
This training was formerly under the control of the Director of the Marine Corps district in which the unit was located.
In 1972, the 31st MAU and BLT Bravo (BLT 1/9) and their respective amphibious ready groups (ARGs) deploy off the coast of Vietnam to standby to evacuate American military advisors if necessary.
HMA-369 is activated at Futema, Okinawa.
In 1975, President Lon Nol flees Phnom Penh for Indonesia with relatives and officials.
The Marine Security Guard detachment and the consulate staff at Nha Trang are withdrawn by helicopter to Saigon.
In 1986, three attack helicopter and three light helicopter squadrons begin the process of reorganizing into six light attack (HMLA) squadrons, each with Hueys and Cobras.
In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marines launch a diversionary attack near Nasiriyah to assist special operations forces rescuing one of eight American soldiers held prisoner by Iraqi forces.
Although I could not find a specific date, this is what happened during the month of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1776, John Martin enlists to serve on the Continental Brig Reprisal and becomes the first black Marine.
In 1779, the first recorded marksmanship practice by Marines takes place at Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts, and on-board Commodore Hopkins’s fleet composed of the Ranger, Warren, and Queen of France.
In 1867, four companies of Marines from the Brooklyn Navy Yard assist civil authorities in raids on illegal distilleries in the city.
In 1884, the gunboat Alert and her Marine detachment participate in the ultimately successful attempt to rescue the Greely Expedition west of Greenland.
In 1911, Commandant Biddle creates the billet of Assistant to the Commandant.
In 1943, MAG-51, the first Marine night fighter group, and VMF(N)-532 are established at Cherry Point.
The 1st Parachute Regiment is organized at New Caledonia with the 1st, 2nd, and recently arrived 3rd Parachute Battalions.
In 1946, MAG-12 headquarters returns to the United States from China.
The Group’s former squadrons remaining in China transfer to MAG-24.
Congress sets the postwar strength of the Marine Corps at 7,000 officers and 100,000 enlisted.
In 1964, the mortar batteries of 1/12 and 3/12 on Okinawa receive the new M98 108mm mortar, dubbed the Howtar for its artillery-like wheeled mount.
In 1969, VMO-2 in Vietnam begins operating the Bell AH-1G Cobra gunship, the first true attack helicopter in the Corps’ inventory.
In 1973, the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua is destroyed in an earthquake.
Six Marine guards aid in rescue efforts and secure the compound.
In 1996, the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRFP is created to provide a Marine capability to deal with terrorist acts involving chemical or biological agents.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!