And on this the 3rd and 4th days of January in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the 3rd and 4th of January 1966, the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9) and the 3rd Tank Battalion participated in OPERATION WAR BONNET, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
And on this the period 3 through 8 January in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 3 through 8 January 1966, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) participated in OPERATION LONG LANCE, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
And on this the 4th through the 9th days of January 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 4 through 9 January 1967, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5) participated in OPERATION LINCOLN (I CORPS), a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 4th day of January in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1777, Samuel Nicholas’s battalion goes into camp at Sweets Town, not far from Washington’s bivouac at Jockey Hollow, Morristown, New Jersey.
The American forces begin a long winter of hardship due to inadequate clothing and food.
In 1797, the first recorded mention is made of U.S. Marines serving on a U.S. Navy ship, the frigate United States.
The detachment provides sharpshooters, boarders, and guards.
In 1861, 40 Marines left the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. to garrison Fort Washington.
In 1928, Marines participated in the Battle of Quilali during the occupation of Nicaragua.
In 1936, Marines participate in FLEX 2 in the Caribbean, which continues through 24 February.
In 1943, the command of the 2nd Marine Division and the 6th Marines arrive on Guadalcanal.
In 1951, General Ridgeway orders a fresh withdrawal to Line D, roughly 50 miles south of the 38th parallel.
Communist forces capture Seoul as U.N. troops fall back.
Eighth Army and X Corps are in position on 7 January.
In 1967, during the period 4 through 9 January 1967, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5) participated in OPERATION LINCOLN (I CORPS), a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1971, General Chapman announces that the Corps will not relax conduct and appearance standards but will adhere to its traditional rules:
“We’ve decided that the Corps is going to be leaner, tougher, more ready, more disciplined and more professional than ever before.”
In 1973, due to the Supreme Court’s recent upholding of a lower court decision, Secretary of Defense Laird orders an end to compulsory attendance at religious services at military academies and elsewhere in the armed services.
In 1991, Marines evacuated 260 U.S. and foreign citizens from the American Embassy, Mogadishu, Somalia, during Operation Eastern Exit.
In 2002 during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM elements from II MEF (primarily the 2nd FSSG) begin deploying to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to set up and operate a detention facility (soon to be known as Camp X-Ray for Al Quijada and Taliban detainees.
Four days later Marine Brigadier General Michael Lehnert assumes command of JTF-160, newly established to run the camp.
The first detainees begin arriving on 11 January.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!