Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 10th day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
HAPPY 249TH BIRTHDAY, MARINES!!!
In 1775, The Continental Congress formally establishes an organization of Marines with the following resolution:
“Resolved, That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant-colonels, two majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to office, or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war with great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress; that they be distinguished by names of First and Second Battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the Continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.”
In 1864, Marines from the steamer Lancaster assist in the capture of agents attempting to seize a Union cargo ship off the coast of Columbia, South Carolina.
In 1871, Journalist-explorer Henry M. Stanley found Scottish missionary David Livingstone, who had not been heard from for years, near Lake Tanganyika in central Africa.
In 1872, Marines from the Boston Navy Yard help restore order following a destructive fire in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1918, the 4th Marine Brigade makes a night attack across the Meuse River and gains a foothold on the opposite bank by the next morning.
Marine losses in the Meuse-Argonne offensive total 1,263.
In 1919, the American Legion opened its first national convention in Minneapolis.
In 1928, Hirohito (hee-roh-hee-toh) was enthroned as Emperor of Japan.
In 1942, three more companies of the 2nd Raider Battalion land at Tasimboko and move to join the rest of the battalion.
The 3rd MAW is organized at Cherry Point.
The 16th Defense Battalion is activated on Johnston Island.
In 1944, the ammunition ship Mount Hood (AE-11) exploded while moored at the Manus Naval Base in the Admiralty Islands in the South Pacific, leaving 45 confirmed dead and 327 missing and presumed dead.
4th Marine Base Air Defense Aircraft Wing is redesignated 4th MAW and its groups (MBDAG-41, 42, 44, 45, and 46) are redesignated as MAGs.
MAG-44 is moving from California to Hawaii.
VMSB-235 is decommissioned.
In 1945, Frederick C. Branch is commissioned a second lieutenant.
A veteran of the 51st Defense Battalion, he is the first black Marine to achieve officer rank in the Corps.
In 1947, the 1st Marine Division begins a large-scale amphibious exercise off the coast of southern California that lasts for five days.
In 1948, Commandant Cates personally enlists the first eight women (all former reservists) to join the regular component of the Corps.
In 1950, To celebrate the 175th anniversary of its birth, the Marine Corps opens an exhibit of its historical documents and artifacts at the Navy Museum in the Washington Navy Yard.
the 7th Marines occupies the village of Koto-ri at the top of Funchilin Pass.
From here a grassland leads to the Chosin Reservoir several miles to the north.
Colonel Katherine Towle wears the first evening dress uniform for women to the HQMC birthday ball.
It is patterned after the male uniform.
In 1951, a limestone version of Felix de Weldon’s statue of the Iwo Jima flag raising is unveiled at the front gate of the Quantico base.
The sculptor is working on a much larger-scale casting for what will become the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
Customer-dialed long-distance telephone service began as Mayor M. Leslie Denning of Englewood, New Jersey, called Alameda, California Mayor Frank Osborne without operator assistance.
In 1954, on the 179th anniversary of the Marines, the Corps dedicated sculptor Felix de Weldon’s heroic bronze statue of the Iwo Jima flag raising, as the Marine Corps War Memorial.
It is located adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery.
In 1958, the first permanent Marine aviation detachment afloat is activated on board the Boxer at Norfolk, Virginia, to provide supply, maintenance, and flight deck control to Marine helicopter squadrons assigned to the ship.
In 1969, the children’s educational program “Sesame Street” made its debut on National Educational Television (later PBS).
In 1971, the U.S. Senate approves a treaty to return Okinawa to Japan.
After revision, the U.S. would maintain military bases on Okinawa on the same basis as it now does on the Japanese home islands, in accordance with the U.S.-Japanese Mutual Security Treaty.
In 1975, the U.S. Marine Corps celebrates the 200th anniversary of its founding.
In 1992, flags were lowered at Marine Barracks, Guam for the last time.
It was established on 1 August 1899.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!