History of Our Corps – January 31

Originally Posted January 20, 2025

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 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 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 on this the 25^th of January through the 7^th of February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1967, during the period 25 January through 7 February, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines and the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines participated in OPERATION LAFAYETTE, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.

And during the period 26 January through 29 February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1968, during the period 26 January through 29 February, Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines and the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion participated in OPERATION SALINE, a search and clear operation to keep the Cua River supply line open.

OPERATION SALINE was combined with OPERATION NAPOLEAN on 28 Feb 1968.

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

In 1967, during the period 27 January through 7 April, the 3^rd Battalion, 7^th Marines participated in OPERATION DESOTO, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Ngai Province.

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

In 1969, during the period 27 January through 7 February, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines participated in OPERATION LINN RIVER a clear and search operation in Quang Nam Province.

During the period 28 January through 17 of February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1966, during the period 28 January through 17 February, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, and the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines participated in OPERATION DOUBLE EAGLE linking in with Operation Masher/White Wing, Operation Lien Ket 22 and Operation Thang Phuong II in the Quang Ngai and Quang Tri Provinces.

And on this the 29^th of January through the 1^st of February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1967, during the period 29 January through 1 February, the 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Marines participated in OPERATION COUNTY FAIR 1-30, a security operation in the Quang Nam Province.

And on this the 31^st of January through the 3^rd of February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1967, during the period 31 January through 3 February, the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Marines participated in OPERATION CLAY, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Tri Province.

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 31st and final day of January in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1943, 1^st Lieutenant Jefferson J. DeBlanc of VMF-112 shoots down five enemy zeroes in a single mission over the central Solomons, giving him a total of eight kills.

For this feat, he will receive the Medal of Honor.

In 1924, the 5^th Marines launch amphibious assaults against the 10^th Marines on Culebra.

The operations lasts through the next day.

In 1944, the American flag was first raised over Japanese soil by B Company 1^st Battalion 25^th Marines.

Against light resistance, the 25^th Marines seizes the islands of Mellu, Ennuebing, Ennumennet, Ennubir, and Ennugarret in the northern end of Kwajalien Atoll.

The 14^th Marines place artillery here to support the 4^th Marine Division’s landings scheduled for the next day on Roi-Namur.

The VAC Reconnaissance Company occupies Majuro Atoll in the Marshalls.

Elements of the Army 7^th Infantry Division capture outlying islands in southern Kwajalein Atoll in preparation for their attack on Kwajalein Island.

In 1945, VMO-155 is redesignated VMF-155 on Kwajalein

VMO-251 is redesignated VMF-251 on Samar.

VMB-621 is redesignated VMTB-621 at Cherry Point.

In 1946, the 51^st Defense Battalion is disbanded at Montford Point.

VMO-5, VMF-124, VMTB-622, VMF-913, VMF-914, VMSB-932, VMSB-931, and VMD-954 are decommissioned.

In 1947, the Navy Department announces that naval services lost a total of 88,939 dead and missing during World War II, of which 24,479 were Marines.

In 1948, a Marine patrol engages in a firefight with Chinese Communist forces near Tsagkoou airfield, the home of the aviation elements of FMFWESPAC.

In 1952, the first 500 of the new flak vests are delivered to the 1^st Marine Division in Korea and put into immediate use by troops most exposed to enemy fire.

They immediately prove their worth.

In Operation HELEX I, HMR-261 and 262 lift 1/8 from the Siboney (CVE-112) and place it ashore at Camp Lejeune in an elapsed time of four hours and 25 minutes.

In 1956, MAG-25 is decommissioned at El Toro.

Headquarters FMFPAC dedicates its new home base, Camp H.M. Smith, at Hawala Heights on the island of Oahu.

In 1961, the number of Women Marines on active duty is 124 officers and 1,486 enlisted.

VMA-225, the first Marine squadron equipped with the new Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk, deploys on board the Shangri-La (CVA-38) with the Sixth Fleet.

In 1962, VMR-252 becomes VMR-152.

In 1967, during the period 31 January through 3 February, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) participated in OPERATION CLAY, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Tri Province.

          After 182 days, OPERATION PRAIRIE is terminated.

In 1972, intelligence indicates that NVA traffic along the Ho Chi Minh Trail (the infiltration route from North Vietnam) increased during January to 10 times the level of September and October 1969.

In 1973, Sergeant Major Clinton A. Puckett succeeds Sergeant Major Dailey as the sixth Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

In 1997, VMFA-451 is deactivated.

In 1998, the Marine Corps begins deactivating the last of its ship’s detachments.

Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!

-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC

And damn proud of it!