Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 2nd day of July in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1891, to enforce prohibitions against hunting seals, a Navy squadron and a special force of five officers and 113 enlisted Marines arrive in Alaskan waters.
They remain on station until 5 October.
In 1943, the Army’s 43rd Division conducts an amphibious assault on New Georgia to launch its attack on Munda airfield.
Although the landing is successful, the division makes slow progress against determined Japanese resistance.
The 9th Defense Battalion provides supporting artillery fire from Rendova throughout this campaign.
VMF-123 is the last of eight Marine fighter squadrons in the South Pacific to convert from the Wildcat to the Corsair.
In 1945, IIIAC is released from mop up operations on Okinawa.
In 1946, the last major elements of the 2nd Marine Division depart for the United States.
In 1948, Chinese Communist forces release the four Marine airmen held since their plane crashed on 5 April.
In 1950, General MacArthur requests immediate dispatch of a Marine Corps regimental combat team and associated aviation for duty in Korea.
FMFPAC issues a warning order to the 1st Marine Division to prepare for embarkation.
The first U.S. Army ground troops arrive in Korea from occupation duty in Japan, lightly armed and ill-trained.
Senior commanders feed these and subsequent units into battle piece-meal over the next several days and they are overrun by the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA).
In 1967, during the period 2 through 14 July, a 3rd Marine Division SLF participated in OPERATION BEAR CLAW, a part of OPERATION BUFFALO in the Quang Tri Province vicinity of Con Thien.
during OPERATION BUFFALO, the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9) conducts a sweep north of Con Thien and makes heavy contact. Both SLF Alpha (1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3) and Bravo 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines (2/3) and the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9) move to reinforce. By the time the battle dies out on 14 July, the Marines have killed 1,301 of the enemy and lost 113 dead and 290 wounded.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!