Originally Posted April 23, 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 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 23rd day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1778, John Paul Jones and sailors and Marines of the sloop Ranger make a dawn raid on the British port of Whitehaven, setting fire to ships and spiking the cannon of the fort.
Later that day they land at St. Mary’s Isle to capture a British earl, but find him away from home and instead take the family silver.
In 1914, Marine and Navy forces complete the seizure of Veracruz.
In 1918, at Verdun, the first Medal of Honor is earned by a member of the Marine Brigade when Navy dentist Lieutenant Commander Alexander G. Lyle moves through a heavy barrage and renders surgical aid to a wounded Marine.
In 1944, the Army’s 40th Division begins to arrive at Cape Gloucester, New Britain to relieve the 1st Marine Division.
In 1951, the Eighth Army orders the 1st Marine Division and other units to withdraw due to the holes in the U.N. line.
1st MAW launches 205 sorties all along the front, of which the Marine division receives an unusually high 42.
That night the Chines come on again and 1/1 fights a fierce battle to hold Horseshoe Ridge.
In 1952, VMA-331 and VMA-332 are reactivated at Miami.
In 1958, Commandant Pate orders the formation of 12 helicopter (HMR-761 through HMR-772) and 9 fixed-wing (VMF-131, 133, 134, 413, 511, 534, and VMA-243, 341, 611) squadrons in the Marine Corps Reserve.
The helicopter squadrons are the first of their type in the Reserve.
In 1962, HMM-362 makes its first sorties in support of Vietnamese Marines.
In 1970, lead elements of the Caribbean landing force, including BLT 3/2 and HMM-261, depart San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a position off the coast of Trinidad.
In 1971, a battalion landing team from Camp Lejeune rushes to sea ahead of schedule during Operation Exotic Dancer IV as part of a show of force designed to discourage Cuba from taking advantage of the political instability in Haiti following the death of president Francois Duvalier.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!