History of Our Corps – January 23

Originally Posted January 20, 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 these the 19th through the 23^rd days of January 1970 in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1970, the Okinawa Military Employees Labor Union’s five-day strike is held without a major confrontation.

It does not seriously affect the continuation of essential Marine Corps activities.

And during the period 21 January through 24 January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1968, during the period 21 through 24 January 1968, Marines of the 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines (2/4) and the 1^st Battalion, 9^th Marines (1/9) participated in OPERATION NEOSHO, a clearing operation to provide cover for the 1^st Calvary Division’s arrival at Camp Evans, 24 Km northwest of Hue.

And during the period 21 January through 16 February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1968, during the period 21 January through 16 February, 1968, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) and the 1^st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3) participated in OPERATION OSCEOLA, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Tri Province.

And during the period 21 January through 23 November in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1968, during the period 21 January through 23 November, 1968, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1), the 1^st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3), 1^st Battalion, 4^th Marines (1/4), the  2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines (2/4), 3^rd Battalion, 4^th Marines (3/4), the 1^st Battalion, 9^th Marines (1/9), 2^nd Battalion, 9^th Marines (2/9), the 3^rd Battalion, 9^th Marines (3/9) and the 2^nd Battalion, 26^th Marines (2/26) participated in OPERATION LANCASTER II, a search and clear operation to safeguard Route 9 between Cam Lo and Cam Lu.

And on the 22^nd of January through the 18^th of March in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1969, during the period 22 January through 18 March, 1969, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9), the 3rd Battalion, 9^th Marines (3/9), the  2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines (2/4), 3^rd Battalion, 4^th Marines (3/4), the 1^st Battalion, 9^th Marines (3/9), and the ARVN 2^nd Regiment participated in OPERATION DEWEY CANYON, an offensive against PAVN communication lines in Laos, north of the A Shau Valley in the Thua Thien Province

And during the period 23 January through 26 January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1968, during the period 23 through 26 January Marines of a BLT comprised of the 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marines (3/1) and HMM-165 participated in OPERATION BADGER CATCH/SALINE.

On the morning of 23 January, the planning for OPERATION BADGER CATCH/SALINE began and at 19:00 that evening the Marines of the 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marines (3/1) began landing at Blue Beach on the northern mouth of the Cua Viet River.

The Badger Catch operational area extended 5 Km north of the Cua Viet and 7 Km inland overlapping with a large part of the Napoleon area.

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 23rd day of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1780, Marines participated in the capture of a British brig by the USS Providence and the USS Ranger off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina.

In 1909, the 1^st Provisional Marine Regiment returned from duty in Cuba.

In 1942, the Japanese invaded New Britain, New Ireland, and the Solomons.

In 1943, an Australian-U.S. counterattack recaptured Buna-Sanananda from the Japanese.

Tripoli fell to the Allies.

In 1951, MAG-33 and VMF-312 move to newly rebuilt Bofu airfield in Japan, which places them in reasonable range of Korea.

The 1^st MAW and VMF-214 and 323 arrive the next day.

In 1968, during the period 23 through 26 January, Marines of a BLT comprised of the 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marines (3/1) and HMM-165 participated in OPERATION BADGER CATCH/SALINE.

On the morning of 23 January, the planning for OPERATION BADGER CATCH/SALINE, began and at 19:00 that evening the Marines of the 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marines (3/1), began landing at Blue Beach on the northern mouth of the Cua Viet River.

The Badger Catch operational area extended 5 Km north of the Cue Viet and 7 Km inland overlapping with a large part of the Napoleon area.

North Korean naval forces seized the U.S. intelligence ship Pueblo (AGER-2) in international waters off their coast.

In 1973, President Nixon announces that the United States has reached an agreement in Paris, “to end the war and bring peace with honor in Vietnam.”

Under terms of the accord, all U.S. prisoners of war will be released and the remaining 23,700 American personnel in South Vietnam will be withdrawn within 60 days.

Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!

-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC

And damn proud of it!