History of Our Corps – January 18

Originally Posted January 17, 2025

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 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 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 18th day of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1836, Marines reinforced the Army to repulse Indians at Fort Brook, Florida.

In 1902, the famous “March across Samar” ended during the Philippine Insurrection.

In 1934, Aircraft Squadrons, West Coast Expeditionary Forc, is redesignated as Aircraft Two, FMF.

In 1944, 1^st Lieutenant Robert M. Hanson of Torokina-based VMF-215 shoots down five Japanese planes in a single mission.

The 1^st and 2^nd Parachute Battalions sail from Guadalcanal for San Diego.

In 1947, the remainder of the 11^th Marines, 1 Tank Battalion, and the ground echelon of VMF-115 sail from Chinwangtao, China.

In 1951, the 1^st Marine Division begins operating in a 1600-square-mile area north and west of Pohang with the missions of keeping the main road open, clearing out Communist guerrillas, and being prepared to counterattack any penetration of the U.N. line in that region.

The division assigns each of its regiments and combat support elements a zone of action.

Combat patrols search for enemy forces.

In 1961, Bertha L. Peters becomes the first female Marine promoted to Sergeant Major.

In 1966, the headquarters of the 1^st Marines arrives in Vietnam at Chu Lai.

Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!

-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC

And damn proud of it!