Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 18th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1775, at St. John’s on Lake Champlain, Marines from Liberty assist Arnold’s force in capturing another British sloop.
Arnold mans her with more improvised sailors and Marines and renames her Enterprise.
The crew of the sloop was reinforced with 18 Marines in all.
The first known Marine officer, listed on the payroll, was Lt James Watson.
In 1846, Marines and sailors from the frigates Cumberland and Potomac boat up the Rio Grande and assist Army troops in establishing a position on the south side of the river.
These are the first U.S. forces to invade Mexico.
In 1902, the screw steamer Ranger lands her Marines and sailors at Panama City to protect American lives.
In 1945, the 29th Marines capture Sugar Loaf after four days of bitter see-saw fighting.
Lieutenant Robert Wellwood of VMF(N)-533 shoots down three enemy bombers in one night.
In 1957, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines lands at Port Lyautey, Morocco to relieve Company H, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines of security duties there.
It will remain there until 1 October.
In 1959, the 1st Marine Division and 3rd MAW, joined together as the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct amphibious training at Camp Pendleton.
In Indonesia, RLT9, elements of MAG-16, and HMR(L)-362 participate in amphibious training in British North Borneo.
Both exercises continue through 12 June.
In 1962, the 3rd MEB begins arriving in Thailand as part of the task force sent to Indochina in response to the deteriorating situation in Laos.
The first elements on the ground at the Udorn airfield are the 20 A4 Skyhawks of VMA-332 which fly in from the Philippines.
The Seventh Fleet landing force (BLT 3/9 and HMM-261) goes ashore at Bangkok and moves to Udorn.
In 1967, Marine forces launch three simultaneous operations to make their first sweep through the southern half of the DMZ.
SLF Alpha (BLT 1/3 and HMM-263) lands under the code name Beau Charger along the coast.
During the period 18 through 28 May, the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4), the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9), and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines (2/26) participated in OPERATION HICKORY, an operation north from Con Thien to the Ben Hai River in the Quang Tri Province.
Two days later, SLF Bravo (BLT 2/3 and HMM-164) lands northeast of Con Thien under the code name Belt Tight.
The operations wind up on 26 May.
The Marines kill 447 enemy but lose 142 killed and 896 wounded.
VMA(AW)-242 flies the first Marine mission in support of Seventh Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign in North Vietnam.
In 1968, during OPERATION MAMELUKE THRUST, the 1st Marine Division conducts search and destroy operations in central Quang Nam Province that last through 23 October, killing 2,728 enemy.
Marine losses are 269 killed and 1,730 wounded.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!