Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 19th day of August in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1812, Lieutenant William Sharp Bush, serving aboard the USS Constitution, to oversee the ship’s detachment of Marines, called them aft. Bush, who was mounting the taffrail with sword in hand, was yelling out,” shall I board her?” Immediately after, he was shot by a musket ball in his left cheek bone which passed through the back of his skull killing him instantly, naming him the first Marine to die at sea.
In 1818, Sergeant McFadian and his Marines from the sloop Ontario help raise the flag along the Columbia River to strengthen the U.S. claim to the Oregon Territory.
In 1838, Marines sail from New York on board the sloops Vincennes and Peacock and the brig Porpoise with the Wilkes Expedition.
The primary objective is exploration of Antarctica’s coastline, but the squadron also conducts many scientific studies and charts the coasts and waters of south Pacific islands and the Pacific rim of North America.
In 1919, “The Marines Hymn” was registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
In 1937, a company of 104 Marine officers and enlisted men arrives in Shanghai from the Philippines.
In 1942, three companies of the 5th Marines conduct attacks against Japanese forces around Matanikau and Kokumbona villages.
In 1943, the 4th Marine Base Defense Aircraft Wing departs Hawaii for the central Pacific.
In 1945, Task Force 31 is formed in Guam for the mission of occupying Japan.
The headquarters of 1st MAW and MAG-61 complete their movement to the Philippines.
In 1946, Marine Corps Base Guantanamo Bay is redesignated Marine Barracks, Naval Operating Base Guantanamo Bay.
In 1950, the 5th Marines cleans out the remainder of the Naktong Bulge.
In 1952, in another Marine innovation, Operation Ripple uses HMR-161 helicopters to move the division’s 4.5-inch rocket battery into firing position and then displace it before enemy counter battery-fire strikes.
In 1967, Captain Stephen W. Pless, flying a Huey gunship, rescues four American soldiers from a beach where they are being attacked by dozens of Viet Cong.
After driving back the enemy with low-level strafing guns, he lands and picks up the men, then strikes the water four times as he struggles to get the overloaded helicopter safely airborne.
He subsequently receives the Medal of Honor for his intrepidity, while his three crewmen receive the Navy Cross.
In 1972, the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines (2/6) is again assigned to civil disturbance duty, this time in conjunction with the upcoming Republican Party national convention.
1974, despite the efforts of a 15-man Marine Security Guard detachment, U.S. ambassador Roger P. Davies is murdered during a riot at the embassy in Nicosia.
In 1990, RLT 4 and BLT 1/6 begin loading on ships in Okinawa for deployment to Saudi Arabia and (you guessed it) Operation Desert Shield.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!