History of Our Corps – January 17

Originally Posted January 17, 2025

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.

And on this the 11^th through the 17^th of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1966, during the period 11 through 17 January 1966, the 1^st Battalion, 3^rd Marines (1/3) and the 3^rd Battalion, 7^th Marines (3/7) participated in OPERATION MALLARD, a search and destroy operation in An Hoa, Quang Nam Province.

And on this the 11^th day of January through the 29th day of March in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1971, during the period 11 January through 29 March 1971, Marines of the 1^st Reconnaissance Battalion, the 1^st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) and the 1^st Battalion, 11^th Marines (1/11) participated in OPERATION UPSHUR STREAM, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.

And on the 13th of January through the 9^th of February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1969, during the period 13 January through 9 February 1969, Marines of HMM-362, SLF-A, ARVN 2^nd Division, the 2^nd Battalion, 26^th Marines (2/26), and HMM-164 participated in OPERATION BOLD MARINER, a part of OPERATION GAME WARDEN, a cordon, search, and sweep operation in the Batangan Peninsula, Quang Ngai Province.

This was the largest amphibious assault of the war.

And on this the 14^th – 17th days of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1924, the 5^th Marines conduct amphibious exercises simulating the seizure of the Panama Canal.

And on this the 15^th through the 17^th of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1966, during the period 15 through 17 January 1966, the 2^nd Battalion, 9^th Marines (2/9) participated in OPERATION BIG LODGE, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.

And on the 15th of January through the 20^th of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1969, during the period 15 through 20 January 1969, the 198^th Infantry Brigade, the 3^rd Battalion, 26^th Marines (3/26) and ARVN units participated in OPERATION RUSSEL BEACH, a joint operation to remove Vietnamese refugees from the area before pushing forward to root out VC troops and fortifications in the Batangan Peninsula, Quang Tin Province.

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 17th day of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1904, Marines and sailors from the screw sloops Hartford and Detroit go ashore at Puerto Plata when fighting breaks out near the city.

In 1907, Marines and sailors from several U.S. warships land at Kingston, Jamaica, to assist in rescue efforts following a severe earthquake.

In 1913, the remaining battalion of Marines in Nicaragua returns to normal garrison duties in Panama.

A force of four officers and 101 enlisted Marines remains behind to guard the legation in Managua.

The Legation detachment will remain until August 1925.

In 1934, the headquarters of the FMF is organized at Quantico. At the same time, the designation of the 1^st Battalion, 7^th Marines (1/7) is changed to 1^st Battalion, FMF, in Quantico. The 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Marines (2/7), is redesignated 2^nd Battalion, FMF, while it is on board the Wyoming in Havana Harbor, Cuba.

In 1944, Company B, 1^st Tank Battalion spearheaded the assault against Japanese positions on Arawe Peninsula, New Britain.

In 1945, the Russians captured Warsaw.

In 1951, the 1^st Marine Division began mop-up action at Pohang, Korea.

China rejects the U.N. peace proposal of 12 January.

In 1967, the 28^th Marines is reactivated as part of the 5^th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.

In 1993, Floods caused Camp Pendleton to close its gates to all but essential personnel.

In 1996, the Commandant and other major elements of HQMC move into the Pentagon from the Navy Annex, where they have been located for more than five decades.

In 2002, the first of the new digital-pattern-camouflage utility uniforms are issued.

In 2003, the 1^st Marines and reinforcing elements of I MEF (roughly 6,000 Marines and attached Navy personnel) depart southern California for the Middle East embarked in Amphibious Task Force West.

Ships of the Maritime Prepositioning Force begin to offload equipment and supplies in Kuwait.

Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!

-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC

And damn proud of it!