Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 4th day of September in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1777, Marines on board the frigate Raleigh assist in a bold attack on the British sloop Druid escorting a large convoy, but are unable to sink or capture any ships.
In the fall of 1782 Major Samuel Nicholas is in charge of safeguarding the delivery from Boston to Philadelphia of a million silver coins, a loan from France to the Continental government.
In 1813, Marines of the Enterprise assist in her victory over the British Brig Boxer in the waters near Maine.
In 1851, Marines from Philadelphia assist authorities in Christiana, Pennsylvania, in apprehending persons charged with murder following a riot.
In 1871, Marines from the Brooklyn Navy Yard assist revenue agents in seizing ships with cargoes of contraband whiskey in New York harbor.
In 1910, a Marine Battalion under Major Smedley D. Butler sailed from Nicaragua for Panama.
In 1912, Colonel Joseph H. Pendleton and his provisional regiment of 29 officers and 752 enlisted Marines goes ashore a Corinto from the Buffalo.
He assumes command of all Marine forces in western Nicaragua.
In 1921, the Marine Corps shooting team wins all four National Match events (rifle and pistol team and individual) at Camp Perry, the first time it has done so.
In 1942, two companies of the 1st Raider Battalion sweep Savo Island for reported enemy, but find nothing.
In 1943, MAG-24 headquarters departs Ewa Field for Efate, New Hebrides.
MAG-12 departs Guadalcanal for New Zealand.
In 1945, a force of Marines and Seabees moves on to Rota Island in the Marianas and begins repairing its airstrip.
The Japanese garrison on Wake Island formally surrenders to Brigadier General Lawson H. M. Sanderson, commander of the 4th MAW.
VMF-511 and VMTB-233 on the Block Island assist in rescuing Allied prisoners of war from Formosa.
The Marine Corps replaces the F-series tables of organization (adopted in early 1944) with the G series.
The change increases the size of a full-strength division by 1,700 men.
In 1967, during the period 4 through 15 September, the 5th Marines participated in OPERATION SWIFT, a search and destroy operation in the Que Son Basin, located astride the boundary between the Quang Nam and Quang Tin provinces in the southern portion of South Vietnam’s I Corps Military Region.
The populous, rice-rich Que Son Valley which was seen as one of the keys to controlling South Vietnam’s five northern provinces had become infested in late February 1967 by at least two regiments of the first-rate 2nd North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Division.
The operation kills 571 enemy at a cost of 127 dead and 352 wounded.
all CH-46s are grounded due to unexplained accidents, which turn out to be the result from structural failure in the aft rotor pylon.
The situation is not resolved until December.
In 1973, the first selectees of the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program begin their study in September, with male Marines attending The Citadel and women Marines at the University of Washington, Seattle.
(Separate but equal? In 1973?)
Cowabunga, Kemosabe!
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!