Originally Posted April 24, 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 24th day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1778, the Ranger and her Marines defeat the British sloop Drake in the Irish Sea.
In 1862, Marine detachments man ship’s guns in Admiral David G. Farragut’s fleet as it fights past two Confederate forts and several enemy warships below New Orleans.
Marine losses total six killed and 22 wounded in the fierce battle.
In 1914, the remainder of the 2nd Regiment arrives on board the battleship Mississippi (BB-23)
In 1942, Glider Group 71 (MLG-71) and Marine Glider Squadron 711 (VML-711) are formed from the Glider Detachment at Marine Corps Air Station, Parris Island.
In 1944, the 1st Marines sails from Cape Gloucester for Pavuvu Island in the Russells.
In 1945, on Okinawa, the 1st Marine Division is assigned the role of Tenth Army reserve.
Prior to dawn, the Japanese withdraw to the second layer of their Shuri Line defenses.
In 1946, VMF-213 is deactivated.
In 1947, the advance echelons of the headquarters of 1st MAW and MAG-24 arrive on Guam as part of the withdrawal from China.
In 1952, MIGs attack two Marine photographic reconnaissance planes, which escape unharmed, marking the first air-to-air combat of the year.
In 1967, Company B, 1/9 (the Khe Sanh defense force) encounters strong enemy forces on Hill 861 near the base.
3/3 arrives at the base the next day and 2/3 on the 26th.
The fight to defeat two NVA regiments dug in on Hills 861, 881South, and 881 lasts through 13 May.
The Marines kill 940 enemy and capture six at a cost of 155 dead and 425 wounded. 1st MAW flies over 1,100 close air support sorties, while artillery units fire 25,000 rounds.
In 1975, Marine Barracks Guam participates in setting up and guarding a refugee camp on the island.
The camps remain in operation until 30 October.
In 1980, in what becomes known as Operation Desert One, Marines pilot Navy helicopters in a failed attempt to rescue the hostages held in Tehran.
Three Marines and five other servicemen die in an accident on a desert landing strip after the raid is called off.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!