Originally Posted April 26, 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 26th day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1784, the last recorded mention of a Continental Marine is of Private Robert Stout serving on the Alliance.
With the end of the war, the Continental Navy and Marines are disbanded.
In 1911, Colonel Franklin J. Moses calls together the officers of the brigade in Cuba for the purpose of forming an association to preserve the Corps.
This becomes the genesis of the Marine Corps Association.
In 1945, on Okinawa, XXIV Corps opens a three-division assault against the second ring of Shuri Line defenses.
In 1951, VMF-251, recently brought back onto permanent active duty from reserve status, is redesignated as VMA-251.
In 1952, all of HMR-161’s HRS-1 helicopters are grounded due to a defect in the tail rotor driveshafts.
They do not resume flying until mid-May.
In 1966, during the period 26 through 30 April, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1) and the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5) participated in OPERATION WYOMING, a search and destroy operation 15 Km northwest of Chu Lai in the Quang Tin Province.
In 1967, during the period 26 April through 12 May, the 3rd Marine Division participated in OPERATION BEACON STAR, an operation in the Khe Sanh area of the Quang Tri Province.
The headquarters of the 26th Marines arrives in Viet Nam.
In 1973, the DOD increases the combat arms enlistment bonus for the Army and Marine Corps from $1,500 to $2,500.
In 1983, HMM-266 is activated at New River.
In 1994, VMO-4, the last OC-10D Bronco squadron in the Marine Corps, is deactivated.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!