Good morning Leathernecks! Although I could not find a specific date, this is what happened during the month of October in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1775, Connecticut Marines on the Spy assist in the capture of a large British ship.
In 1776, Sergeants William Hamilton and Alexander Neilson are promoted to Lieutenant.
These are the first recorded “mustangs,” (enlisted Marines who become officers).
Many Marines in the future will follow the same path.
In 1782, Major Samuel Nicholas (considered to be the 1st Commandant of the Marines) is entrusted with the delivery of a million silver coins, on loan from France to the Continental Government, from Boston to Philadelphia.
In 1859, among other new uniform regulations, the Mameluke sword for officers is replaced by the same sword used by U.S. Army infantry officers.
It also becomes the sword for Marine NCOs.
In 1900, the 1st and 2nd Regiments at Cavite and Olongapo are organized into the 1st Marine Brigade.
In 1911, a battalion of 15 officers and 360 enlisted Marines sail from the Philippines to Shanghai on board the tender Rainbow (AS-7), where they serve as a floating reserve for the next several months.
In 1919, the 2nd Advance Base Force is activated to serve as the West Coast Expeditionary Force for the Marine Corps.
Its mission is to defend expeditionary overseas naval bases.
In 1940, the Marine Corps receives its first prototype of Donald Roebling’s Alligator, a tracked aluminum vehicle capable of swimming in the water and crawling onto land.
In 1944, MAG-35 moves from Corvallis to El Centro, California.
In 1961, four enlisted Marines, including two as voting members, serve on the gunnery sergeant selection board, the first-time enlisted Marines participate in making selections for promotion.
In 1975, for the first time since WWI, Marines train in northern Germany, as part of NATO Exercise Autumn Forge.
And on this the 1st day of October in the history of our beloved Corps:
1 October
In 1847, The Dale’s Marines and sailors drive Mexican forces out of Muleje, Mexico.
In 1911, part of a fifth Marine battalion departs Norfolk for Cuba.
A sixth battalion of 804 officers and enlisted, formed from detachments of ships in the Atlantic Fleet, arrives in Havana Harbor.
Colonel L. W. T. Waller assumes command of all Marines in Cuba and organizes them into a brigade with two regiments.
The eventual strength of the brigade is 97 officers and 2,795 enlisted.
In 1918, the 2nd Division moves into the front lines at Blanc Mont, with the 4th Marine Brigade occupying the forward trenches.
In 1919, the 2nd Advance Base Force is activated serve as the West Coast Expeditionary Force for the Marine Corps.
Its mission is to defend expeditionary overseas naval bases.
In 1940, Marine units of the East Coast FMF participate in Landing Operation 2 in the Caribbean.
It lasts until 9 December.
Following the exercise, the 1st Marine Brigade goes into camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In 1942, General H.M. Smith’s Amphibious Training Staff, FMF is disbanded and takes over the duties of the headquarters element of the Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet at San Diego.
The I Marine Amphibious Corps is formed at San Diego under Major General Clayton B. Vogel.
VMO-155 and VMF-ee1 are organized on Samoa.
In 1943, The first Marine Ammunition Company is formed at Montford Point.
It is the initial one of 12 such units, which have the mission of moving and storing ammunition during an amphibious assault.
The baptism of fire of the ammunition and depot companies in battle comes at Saipan.
VMF-313 is organized at El Centro.
VMF-314 and 324; VMF (N)-533 and 534; VMB-611, 612, 613, and 614 are commissioned at Cherry Point.
In 1944, VMF-122 and the rest of VMF(N)-541 arrive on the island of Peleliu.
The 322nd RCT of the 81st Infantry Division has compressed the remaining Japanese into a small pocket on Anguar.
Thereafter the regiment primarily uses heavy firepower rather than infantry assault to reduce these well-fortified positions.
In 1945, 1/7 arrives at Chinwangtao and arranges a halt in fighting between Communist Chinese forces and Japanese troops and their allies (forces of the former Japanese puppet government in North China).
- 3/7 arrives in Tientsin to secure the city.
- The 1st Marines follows soon after to assume occupation of Tientsin.
- The primary mission of Marine forces in north China is to accept the surrender of Japanese forces and oversee their repatriation to Japan.
- Marines also assume security for the vital coal trains that carry fuel to power the urban areas of China.
- They become involved inevitably in the ongoing Chinese civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists, each of whom hopes to take over Japanese-controlled territory and arms.
In 1946, The Marine Corps essentially reaches its postwar planning levels with a strength of 95,000 regulars (out of 100,000 planned) now serving on peacetime contracts.
In 1947, the headquarters of 1st MAW moves to El Toro from Guam.
The 9th Marines is reactivated on Guam.
The 3rd Marines is reactivated at Tsingtao, China.
In 1948, the Marine Corps Reserve achieves a strength of 116,000, with 37,742 men and women serving in units.
In 1949, the Marine Corps replaces the J-series tables of organization, reestablishing true regiments and reverting infantry units to historic nomenclature.
The 1st Marine Division converts first , with the 1st, 6th, and 7th Marines (J-series battalions) being re-formed into the headquarters of the 5th Marines, 1/5, and 2/5.
The 3rd Marines is deactivated at Camp Pendleton.
In China, Mao proclaims the People’s Republic of China in Peking (formerly Peiping).
The last territory in southern China falls into Communist hands before the end of the month, with the Nationalists retreating to the island of Formosa.
In 1950, the 7th Marines attacks northward toward the town of Uijongbu and captures it two days later.
Elements of the South Korean Army cross the 38th Parallel into North Korea in pursuit of Communist forces.
Following an auction, Representative McDonough sells President Truman’s letter about the Marine Corps for $2,500, which he donates to the Marine Corps League for welfare efforts.
***A copy of that letter is found below***
“My dear Congressman McDonough:
“I read with a lot of interest your letter in regard to the Marine Corps. For your information the Marine Corps is the Navy’s police force and as long as I am President that is what it will remain. They have a propaganda machine that is almost equal to Stalin’s.
“Nobody desires to belittle the efforts of the Marine Corps but when the Marine Corps goes into the army it works with and for the army and that is the way it should be.
“I am more than happy to have your expression of interest in this naval military organization. The Chief of Naval Operations is the Chief of Staff of the Navy of which the Marines are a part.
“Sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN”
In 1951, the Joint Landing Force Board is formed at the Marine Corps Schools.
The first president of the board is Marine Lt. General Franklin A. Hart.
In 1952, Navy and Marine aircraft are slowly able to begin reemphasizing close air support missions over deep interdiction sorties.
In 1960, VMA-242 is reactivated at Cherry Point.
In 1965, during the period 1 October through 13 November, the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7) and the ARVN 22nd Division participated in OPERATION GOOD FRIEND II, an operation in the vicinity of Qui Nhon to secure the area for the arrival of the ROK Capital Division.
In 1966, during the period 1 through 25 October, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4) and the 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment ARVN 2nd Division participated in OPERATION KERN, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
In 1968, since the inception of the battlefield commissioning program in June 1965, more than 8,000 enlisted Marines have become officers.
In 1969, the Corps implements stricter reenlistment criteria, in particular with regard to disciplinary records.
In 1970, the number of Marines in Vietnam has fallen to 29,600.
In 1992, VMA-331 is deactivated. VMAQ-4 is reactivated as an active duty squadron at Chery Point.
In 1994, HMH-366 is activated at Kaneohe Bay.
In 1997, the Marine Corps takes over Miramar from the Navy as a replacement for El Toro.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!