Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 29th and penultimate day of September in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1776, the frigates Philadelphia and Essex and their Marines battle two gunboats near Tripoli.
In 1906, Two thousand Marines go ashore at Havana and fan out to garrison various key points in the country.
In 1940, the Midway detachment arrives on Midway Atoll and begins setting up defenses.
It consists of nine officers and 168 enlisted and one-third of the equipment of the 3rd Defense Battalion.
In 1944, While 3/5 completes the conquest of Ngesebus, the rest of the 5th Marines wipes out the last significant Japanese positions in northern Peleliu.
All enemy resistance is now bottled up in the central ridges, an area roughly one-half mile long by one-quarter-mile wide and henceforth known as the Umurbrogol Pocket.
The 7th Marines assumes responsibility for squeezing out this position.
The 321st RCT begins mopping up operations in northern Peleliu.
In 1951, the draft calls scheduled for November and December are supposed to provide a total of 19,900 men for the Corps, which has grown to 211,000 personnel since June 1950.
President Truman has authorized a fresh increase to 236,000.
In 1958, the 6th Marines’ helicopters and BLT 2/6 go ashore in Lebanon.
The relieve BLT 3/6, which departs the next day.
In 1966, Marine KC-130 transports land the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3) and an artillery battery of the 1st Battalion, 13th Marines (1/13) at the airfield of Khe Sanh, a Special Forces base camp southwest of the Rockpile.
In 1968, the Battleship New Jersey (BB-62) arrives on station off I Corps Zone and fires her first missions in support of Marines in the Vietnam War.
In 1969, the Marine Corps announces a cut of 20,300 in its active-duty strength.
In 1982, in response to massacres of Palestinian refugees by militiamen, the 32nd MAU lands as part of a multi-national force comprised of American, French, Italian, and British troops.
The Marines take up positions at the Beirut International Airport.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!