Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 18th day of July in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1779, the Ranger, the Queen of France, and the frigate Providence use the cover of heavy fog to cut out and capture 10 ships of a large convoy near the Newfoundland Banks.
Continental Marines attacked British forces in Maine. (Maine became the 23rd state on 15 March, 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise, prior to which time Maine was part of Massachusetts)
In 1918, the 4th Marine Brigade sustains 1,972 casualties as it leads the assault in the opening of the Soissons offensive.
Gunnery Sergeant Louis Cukela later receives both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for attacking and destroying three German machine-gun positions.
In 1924, VO-1M in Santo Domingo departs for San Diego.
The 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment departs for Cuba.
In 1943, the 4th Raider Battalion arrives at Enogai from Guadalcanal, to reinforce the 1st Raider Regiment for the drive on Bairoko Harbor.
In 1944, as a result of the loss of Saipan, the cabinet of Premier Tojo leaves office and a new government is installed in Japan.
In 1948, the 21st Marines provides a provisional Marine Consular Guard for service in Jerusalem to protect the U.S. Consul General during the first Arab-Israeli War, which had broken out on 14 May following the departure of British forces and the declaration of the creation of the state of Israel.
In 1955, the Soviet Union announces an aid agreement with North Vietnam.
In 1958, BLT 1/8 lands near Juniyah, four miles north of Beirut.
BLT 2/8 and the Army’s 24th Airborne Brigade begin arriving at the airport.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!