Orginally Posted April 21, 2025
And on this the 26th of February through 30 April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 26 February through 30 April, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Battalion, the 327th Airborne Infantry and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Airborne Infantry participated in OPERATION HOUSTON, an operation to open Route 1 between Da Nang and Phu Bai in the Thua Thien Province.
And on this the 27th of February through the 8th of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 27 February through 8 May, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines and the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines participated in OPERATION PURPLE MARTIN, a clear and search in the Quang Tri Province.
Interestingly, this was originally named OPERATION MASSACHUSETTS BAY.
And on this the 29th of February through 31 October in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 29 February through 31 October, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines and the 2/1 Cavalry participated in OPERATION NAPOLEON/SALINE, an operation along the Cua Viet River in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 1 March – 29 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 29 May through 23 June, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, 7th Marines, the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and the 51st Regiment of the ARVN participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS, an operation southwest of Da Nang, in the Quang Nam Province.
And during the period, 2 March through 1 November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1965, during the period 2 March 1965 through 1 November 1968, the USAF, U.S. Navy and RVNAF participated in OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER a sustained and escalating bombing campaign of North Vietnam to destroy military infrastructure, interdict supply routes and undermine the North’s willingness to continue the war.
During the period 15 March through 2 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 15 March through 2 May, the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines and the 1st Battalion, 12th Marines participated in OPERATION MAINE CRAG a reconnaissance in force operation along the Laotian border, west of Khe Sanh in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 31 March through 29 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 31 March through 29 May, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and the ARVN 51st Regiment participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS a clear and search operation in Happy Valley, Quang Nam Province.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 21st day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1889, thirty Marines arrive in Le Harve, France to provide security for U.S. exhibits during the Universal Exposition in Paris (which feature the opening of the Eiffel Tower).
In 1898, the U.S. declares war upon Spain.
In 1914, in an effort to forestall delivery of munitions to revolutionary forces in Mexico, lead elements of the 2nd Regiment go ashore at Veracruz, Mexico, from the auxiliary cruiser Prairie.
They are reinforced by Marines and sailors of the fleet.
Fighting erupts in the city with Mexican soldiers.
In 1917, Two companies of Marines occupy St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and establish harbor defenses.
In 1939, the Division of Operations and Training of Headquarters Marine Corps is renamed the Division of Plans and Policies.
In 1945, the 77th Infantry Division completes the conquest of Ie Shima on Okinawa.
In 1951, in the first Marine air-to-air action of the Korean war, Captain Philip C. DeLong of VMF-312 and the Bataan shoots down two Communist Yak fighters and his wingman 1st Lieutenant Harold D. Daigh, gets another.
DeLong had scored 11 kills during World War II.
Chinese anti-aircraft grows increasingly effective.
During the first three weeks of this month, 16 Marine aircraft are downed by ground fire, with the loss of nine pilots killed and one captured.
In 1952, VMA-312 shifts from the Bairokoto the Bataan.
In 1966, during the period 22 through 24 April, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1), 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7), 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7), ARVN 5th Regiment, VNMC 1st Battalion, and the 5th Airborne Battalion participated in OPERATION HOT SPRINGS and LIEN KET 36, a combined operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
In 1967, During the period 21 through 25 April, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7) participated in OPERATION GRAND, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
Also, during the period 21 April through 17 May, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1), 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5), 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5), and the ARVN 1st Ranger Group participated in OPERATION UNION I/OPERATION LIEN KET 102, a search and destroy operation in the Que Son Valley, in the Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces.
And during the period 21 April through 21 May, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9), and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines (2/26) participated in OPERATION SHAWNEE, a search and destroy operation in the Thua Thien Province.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!