Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 7th day of August in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1778, Marines participate in the Providence’s attack on a 30-ship convoy off Nova Scotia.
They inflict damage on an armed transport carrying Highland troops.
In 1782, the Purple Heart (the first U.S. military decoration) instituted by General George Washington in 1782 and awarded for bravery in action.
The records show that only three men received it during the American Revolution, all of them noncommissioned officers.
Two of these coveted badges still exist.
In 1846, a landing force of Marines and sailors in boats fails in an assault against Alvarado, Mexico, due to strong river currents and heavy enemy fire.
In 1899, a force of five officers and 121 enlisted Marines arrives at Cavite, Luzon, to protect the naval station from Filipino rebels.
In 1918, under authorization from Congress, the Marine Corps takes control of all of Parris Island-a total of roughly3,000 acres of land and 3,000 acres of marsh.
Until this time the government had owned just 78 acres.
In 1928, Edson and his Coco River patrol defeat Sandino and his men at Ililiquas, Nicaragua, killing 10 at a cost of one Marine dead and three wounded.
Ten days later the patrol occupies Sandino’s former lair at Poteca.
The Coco Patrol retains control of this site until March 1929.
In 1942, in the Southern Solomons, the 1st Marine Division (less the 7th Marines) and reinforcing elements (2nd Marine Marines, 1st Raider Battalion, 1st Parachute Battalion, 3rd Defense Battalion) conduct Operation Watchtower, the first Allied offensive amphibious operation in the Pacific.
The objectives of Tulagi, Gavutu-Tanambogo, and the half-finished airfield on Guadalcanal are all taken by the next day.
In 1944, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade reenters the corps front on the left flank (western coast of Guam), with the 3rd Marine Division in the center and the 77th Infantry Division on the right.
IIIAC launches its final attack to seize northern Guam.
VMF-225 launches the first combat air patrol and close air support missions from Orote Airfield.
In 1946, the Commandant authorizes the retention of 100 Women Reservists on active duty until 30 June 1947 to perform administrative tasks at Headquarters Marine Corps in connection with new laws providing benefits to demobilizing personnel.
Soon after this number is increased to 300.
In 1947, a new law establishes the permanent rank of the billet of Commandant of the Marine Corps at four stars.
In 1950, on the eighth anniversary of the Guadalcanal landings, the Marine brigade launches its first counterattack, to relieve pressure on the southern flank of the Pusan Perimeter.
The Marines move southwest to clear a peninsula, while Army units drive west on their right flank.
The objective is the town of Chinju, 25 miles to the west.
The offensive runs right into NKPA soldiers resuming their attack on the perimeter.
The Marine Corps alerts its 80,000 individual reservists for call up to active duty.
The first men and women will report on 15 August.
In 1953, Staff Sergeant Barbara O. Barnwell becomes the first female Marine to earn the Navy-Marine Corps Medal for Heroism, by saving a fellow Marine from drowning.
In 1964, Congress passes the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which authorizes President Johnson to use military force in Vietnam.
In 1967,during the period 7 through 11 August, the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3) participated in OPERATION BEACON GATE, a series of sweep operations in the Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces.
In 1990, five days after Iraq invades Kuwait, President George Herbert Walker Bush orders U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf to contain further Iraqi aggression against oil-producing states in the region.
In 1998, truck bombs explode at U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
More than 250 are killed, including one Marine security guard.
FAST platoons deploy to secure the sites.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!