Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 22nd day of May in the history of our beloved Corps: 1912, Lieutenant Alfred A. Cunningham reports for pilot training at the Navy’s flying school at Annapolis, Maryland.           This marks the birth of Marine aviation. In 1917, Congress authorizes expansion of the Marine Corps to 1,323 officers and 30,000 enlisted. In 1946, in one of the rare instances of fighting involving Marines

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 21st day of May in the history of our beloved Corps: In 1836, President Jackson accepts Colonel Commandant Henderson’s offer of a Marine regiment to assist in the fighting in Florida. In 1847, the Secretary of the Navy directs the Corps to form a regiment for service with Scott’s army in Mexico. In 1855, the Powhatan puts her Marines ashore in Shanghai for

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 20th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps: In 1919, Squadron C of the former 1st Marine Aviation Force arrives in Quantico for duty. In 1942, Cunningham Field is commissioned at Cherry Point, North Carolina.           It is capable of supporting a MAW. In 1944, VMS-3 is deactivated on the Virgin Islands. In 1946, the 8th Military Police Battalion (Provisional)

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 19th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps: In 1910, Marines and sailors from the Paducah go ashore at Bluefields, Nicaragua, to protect American lives and property when revolutionary forces threaten the town. In 1917, Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels offers a Marine regiment for service in France.           The Secretary of War accepts the proposal on 23 May.

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 18th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps: In 1775, at St. John’s on Lake Champlain, Marines from Liberty assist Arnold’s force in capturing another British sloop.           Arnold mans her with more improvised sailors and Marines  and renames her Enterprise.           The crew of the sloop was reinforced with 18 Marines in all.           The first known Marine officer,

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 17th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps: In 1776, Marines assist the Franklin of Washington’s fleet in capturing the transport Hope, laden with 1,000 carbines and 75 tons of gunpowder. In 1962, the 3rd MEU arrived in Thailand, easing Communist pressure. In 1966, the first Marine-oriented Junior Naval ROTC program is instituted, at Jesuit High School in New Orleans,