Originally Posted October 23, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 23rd day of October in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1777, Continental Marines helped foil General William Howe’s plans to capture Philadelphia.
In 1846, during these the 23rd through the 26th days of October, Commodore Matthew C. Perry uses Marines and sailors from his squadron to seize Frontera, Mexico.
He then conducts a raid 70 miles up the Tabasco River to briefly capture the town of San Juan Bautista.
In 1917, during World War I, the 5th and 6th Marines and the 6th Machine Gun Battalion become part of the A.E.F.
In 1918, German planes shoot down the bomber of Lieutenant Harvey G. Norman and his observer, Lieutenant Caleb W. Taylor.
This is the first Marine aircraft lost to enemy action.
Both men die in the crash.
In 1942, the 4th Raider Battalion is organized under Major James Roosevelt.
In 1944, during the period 23 through 26 October, the U.S. Navy destroys the remnants of the Japanese Navy in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
VMF-321 and VMTB-232 arrive to join MBDAG-45 on Ulithi Atoll in the Carolines.
VMF(N)-542 joins soon after.
In 1951, VMA-121 arrives at K-3 airfield from the U.S.
VMF-441 is reestablished as a reserve squadron at Niagara Falls, New York.
In 1962, President Kennedy publicly announces a quarantine to force Soviet withdrawal of missiles from Cuba.
The 5th MEB (over 11,000 troops) is prepared to sail from San Diego for the Caribbean.
In 1969, VMO-6 departs for Okinawa.
In 1982, completed field tests of the Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) show that Marines prefer the new field food to the old C Rations, which will be replaced by MREs as stocks are depleted.
In 1983, 218 Marines were killed during the terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!