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 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 20th day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1796, due to lessening tensions with the Barbary states, Congress continues construction of only three of the six planned frigates and cuts authorized Marine strength in half.
In 1861, fifty Marines sail from the Washington Navy Yard on the sloop Pawnee to reinforce the Gosport Navy Yard at Norfolk, Virginia.
The yard commander soon surrenders it to Virginia forces, but the Marine detachments of Gosport and Washington escape by sea.
In 1925, Marines land at La Ceiba, Honduras to protect U.S. interests.
In 1942, the Fleet Marine Force Training Center is established at Camp Elliot.
Although its initial effort is training battalions, it becomes the primary place to train men in individual skills prior to their assignment to a combat unit.
In 1945, on Okinawa, the 6th Marine Division completes the reduction of enemy defenses on the Motobu Peninsula.
In 1946, VMF(N)-544 is deactivated.
In 1947, on Peleliu, a Japanese Lieutenant and 26 enlisted men surrender to American forces.
Seven more surrender the next day, bringing to an end the last organized Japanese force on the island.
In 1949, after the departure of the last American civilians, the 3rd Marines sails from Shanghai.
The only remaining Marine force in China is the rifle company in Tsingtao.
In 1952, MAG-12 shifts to K-6 airfield near Pyongtaek, Korea.
In 1953, in Korea, during Operation Little Switch, an exchange of sick and wounded prisoners between the two sides, begins.
Of the 684 U.N. personnel returned, 15 are Marines and 4 are Navy corpsmen.
The rest of MAG-12(VMA-212 and 323) shift to K-6, near Pyongtack about 30 miles below the capital.
Meanwhile, 2/6 (Reinforced) leaves Morehead City on its way to becoming the landing force of the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.
It will return on 26 October.
In 1965, General Westmoreland authorizes the 9th MEB forces to conduct aggressive patrolling and prepare to act as a mobile reaction force.
The MEB now numbers more than 8,600 men.
In 1966, during the period 20 April through 10 May, the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4), 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4), and the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9) participated in OPERATION GEORGIA, a search and destroy operation around the An Hoa industrial complex and Nhong Son in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1967, the 3rd Marine Division during OPERATION PRAIRIE IV, opens a series of search and destroy operations around Dong Ha and Cam Lo.
They continue through 31 May, resulting in 489 enemy killed and nine captured at a cost of 164 Marines dead and 999 wounded.
Meanwhile at Chu Lai, a U.S. Army brigade begins relieving Marine forces in southern I Corps Zone for redeployment to the north against NVA divisions crossing the DMZ.
In 1970, President Nixon announces he will withdraw 150,000 troops over the next year.
In 1975, the Hancock arrives in South Vietnamese waters with HMH-463 on board.
In 1996, elements of the 22nd MEU(SOC) fly into Monrovia, Liberia and begin a weeks-long evacuation of thousands of Americans and other foreign nationals in the face of an ongoing civil war.
In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, I MEF begins redeploying its forces in central and northern Iraq into its zone of responsibility covering the southern third of Iraq.
Its mission now is security, humanitarian assistance, and reconstruction.
I MEF casualties through this point in the operation are 66 killed in action or dead from other causes and 246 wounded.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!