History of Our Corps – January 8

Originally Posted January 14, 2025

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 1^st Battalion, 1^st Marines (1/1) participated in OPERATION LONG LANCE, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.

And on this the 4^th 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 2^nd Battalion, 5^th Marines (2/5) participated in OPERATION LINCOLN (I CORPS), a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.

And on this the 5^th through the 8^th days of January 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1967, During the period 5 through 9 January 1967, the 2^nd Battalion, 1^st Marines (2/1) participated in OPERATION COUNTY FAIR 1-25, a security operation in the Quang Nam Province.

And on this the 5^th through the 9th days of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1927, Marines and sailors from the Special Service Squadron land at several points on the Nicaraguan coast to safeguard U.S. interests.

The Galveston’s Marines move inland to protect the U.S. Legation in Managua.

During the period 6 through 8 January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1928, Lieutenant Christian F. Schilt makes 10 flights in an O2U Corsair into a dangerous makeshift airstrip in Quilali to bring in a new commander and supplies and bring out the patrol’s most seriously wounded.

The two patrols have a combined 31 wounded and are surrounded by rebels.

And on this the 6^th – the 11th days of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1944, the 7^th Marines and 3/5 seize Aogiri Ridge to expand the Cape Gloucester perimeter.

During the period 6 through 15 January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1967, during the period 6 through 15 January 1967, a Marine SLF (1^st Battalion, 9^th Marines (1/9) and the 3^rd and 4^th Battalions of Vietnamese Marines supported by HMM-362 from the USS Iwo Jima, participated in OPERATION DECKHOUSE V/OPERATION SONG THAN, a search and destroy operation in the Kien Hoa Province.

And during the period 7 January through 9 January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1967, during the period 7 through 9 January 1967, the 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marines (3/1), participated in OPERATION COUNTY FAIR 1-28 a security operation in the Quang Nam Province.

During the period 7 through 17 January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1902, during the period 7 through 17 January 1902, Waller, with fresh Marines, searches in vain for the remainder of his force.

And on this the 7^th through the 27th days of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1972, elements of the 2^nd Marine Division and 2^nd MAW joined naval forces of the Atlantic Fleet in cold weather landing operations at Reid State Park on the coast of Maine in Exercise Snowy Beach.

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 8th day of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1801, the Marine Band plays for the first New Year’s reception held at the White House in Washington.

In 1804, the tradition of the Marine Band serenading the Commandant was established.

In 1815, Marines participate in Andrew Jackson’s repulse of the British assault on his lines.

The enemy lose more than 2,000 soldiers, while American forces suffer only 13 casualties.

In 1832, Marines and sailors from the sloop Lexington go ashore in the Falklands to rescue three American commercial ships detained by the Argentinians in a dispute over ownership of the islands.

In 1837, the Army of the South reorganizes itself into two brigades, with Colonel Henderson commanding the Second Brigade (composed of his Marine regiment, the Army’s Fourth Infantry Regiment, a regiment of Georgia volunteers, a battalion of Creek Indians, and an artillery regiment).

In 1847, Stockton’s force defeats Californians in the battle of San Gabriel.

In 1864, one officer and 30 enlisted Marines, reinforced by sailors, land at Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina, and destroy a Confederate schooner.

In 1900, the three battalions of Marines in the Philippines are reorganized into two battalions of four companies each and designated as the 1^st Regiment.

In 1916, the Navy Department directs the establishment of a permanent Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California.

In 1934, Aircraft Squadrons, East Coast Expeditionary Force is redesignated Aircraft One, FMF.

In 1946, the last Corps-level elements of VAC sail from Japan, with most returning to the States and a few units shifting to Guam.

The 2^nd Marine Division continues on occupation duty and gradually assumes complete responsibility for all of Kyushu.

The 12^th Marines is deactivated at Camp Pendleton.

In 1951, a Communist attack near Wonju in easy-central Korea force the U.S. 2^nd Division to fall back.

The U.N. line now has a salient roughly 20 miles deep.

Large numbers of North Korean soldiers penetrate the gap and begin operating as guerrillas in the U.N. rear.

Ridgeway alerts the 1^st Marine Division for movement toward this threatened zone.

In 1952, Battalion Landing Team 3/8 sails from Morehead City to assume duty as the landing force for the Sixth Fleet.

It will return on 20 May.

In 1967, HMH-463 brings the first Sikorsky CH-53A Sea Stallion heavy helicopters into Vietnam, at Marble Mountain.

The CH-53A can lift 8,000 pounds internally or 12,000 externally.

In 1968, a CH-53 crash kills 36 Marines and five others in Vietnam.

In 1970, III MAF establishes the Combined Unit Pacification Program (CUPP), a cousin to the Combined Action Program.

Unlike CAP, Marine rifle squads deployed to villages under CUPP receive no special training and remain a part of their parent companies.

Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!

-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC

And damn proud of it!