Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 27th day of July in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1776, Marines and sailors of the brig Reprisal drive off the British sloop Shark and deliver an agent to Martinique to acquire intelligence and arms.
In 1816, Marines assist the crews of two gunboats in capturing and destroying a fort on the Apalachicola River in Florida, built by Indians and runaway slaves who had turned to piracy.
In 1898, Marines from the auxiliary cruiser Dixie land at Playa del Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raise the U.S. flag over the island for the first time.
In 1944, Ushi Point Airfield on Tinian goes into operation.
In 1950, President Truman signs legislation lifting the legal limit on the size of the U.S. armed forces and extending for one year enlistments due to expire in the next 12 months.
In 1953, at 1000 hours the two sides sign the armistice agreement at Panmunjom.
The cease fire goes into effect at 2200 that night. The accord establishes a 4,000-yard demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the front lines and sets the stage for political talks to achieve a peace agreement.
(No such agreement is ever signed.)
During the course of the war, Marine units had lost 4,262 killed in battle and 26,038 wounded.
Their sacrifice paved the way for an independent and eventually democratic South Korea.
In 1962, as part of a settlement guaranteeing the future neutrality of Laos, U.S. forces resume their withdrawal from Thailand.
The last Marines depart three days later.
In 1967, during the period 27 through 29 July, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7) participated in OPERATION STOCKTON, a search and destroy operation in “Happy Valley”, in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1970, during the period 27 July through 24 August, the 5th Marines participated in OPERATION LYON VALLEY, a search and destroy operation southwest of Da Nang.
In 1974, a Marine AV-8A Harrier crashes and burns at an air show in Milwaukee.
The pilot survives after ejecting.
In 1976, in Lebanon as fighting between factions threatens foreign nationals, the Marine Security Guard detachment in Beirut assists the 32nd MAU in the evacuation of 160 American citizens and 148 other foreigners.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!