Originally Posted April 9, 2025
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 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.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 9th day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1798, the Secretary of War recommends to Congress the raising of an additional “regiment of infantry… to act in the double capacity of Marines and Infantry.”
In 1848, the Dale’s Marines and sailors make a foray near Guayamas to spike abandoned heavy guns and skirmish briefly with Mexicans on their return march.
In 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrenders the main Confederate army at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, effectively bringing the Civil War to an end.
In 1940, Germany occupies Denmark and invades Norway.
With some Allied help, Norway holds out until 10 June before finally surrendering.
In 1942, U.S. and Filipino forces on Bataan surrender to the Japanese.
Battery C of the 4th Marines escapes to Corregidor.
Japanese heavy artillery begins bombarding Corregidor.
In 1945, the 22nd and 29th Marines launch patrols to determine the disposition of the strong Japanese force defending the Motobu Peninsula.
The 11th Marines begins moving south to add its fires in support of XXIV Corps.
Kadena Airfield is opened for operational use by MAG-33 (VMF-312, 322, 323 and VMF(N)-543).
In the Philippines, Marine aircraft support the landing of the Army’s 41st Infantry Division on Jolo Island.
In 1962, the lead elements of Marine Task Unit 79.3.5 (code-named Shufly) begin arriving in transport aircraft at the Soc Trang airstrip (just west of the Mekong Delta).
The major element of the force, the helicopters of HMM-362, fly off the Princeton six days later.
The mission is to provide assault transport to Vietnamese combat Units.
In 1975, NVA units penetrated Saigon’s outer defense perimeter 37 miles northeast of the city.
In 1978, the 5th MAB conducts Palm Tree 5-78, the largest exercise to date at 29+ Palms.
The live-fire air-ground operation involves nearly 6,000 Marines.
In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraqi resistance in Baghdad collapses and U.S. forces occupy the remainder of the capital.
Marines assist Iraqi civilians in toppling a large statue of Saddam Hussein in Firdaus Square, bringing a symbolic end to the regime.
Corporal Edward Chin of the 1st Tank Battalion alternately places American and Iraqi flags on the face of the statue before attaching a chain from a tank retriever to pull down the bronze edifice.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!