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 27th day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1805, supported by American warships, O’Bannon and his force storm and capture the fortress town of Derna, in western Tripoli.
Two Marines are killed and Eaton and one Marine are wounded.
In 1859, the Marion and her Marines seize another slave ship off the African coast.
In 1897, the Marine Band and two battalions of Marines take part in the dedication ceremonies for Grant’s Tomb in New York City.
In 1899, a detachment of 80 Marines arrives at Havana, Cuba, to guard the naval base at Guantanamo.
In 1904, Gunnery Sergeant J. F. Cox arrives at the naval station at Tutuila, Samoa, to become the first drill instructor for the “Fita-Fita” native constabulary.
In 1917, the aviation detachment with the Advance Base Force in Philadelphia is designated the Marine Aeronautic Company.
In 1925, drawn from Quantico, San Diego, and the ships of the fleet, 2,500 Marines initiate an amphibious landing against U.S. Army forces on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, as part of annual naval exercises.
The Marines simulate two divisions (20 times their number).
The one-day operation only serves to prove that ships’ boats remain inadequate for making a large-scale amphibious assault against a defended coast.
In 1944, MAG-35 arrives at the newly designate Marine Corps Air Facility Corvallis, Oregon.
In 1961, during the period 27-30 April the 26th MEB conducts an amphibious exercise at Porto Scudo, Sardinia.
In 1964, HMM-364 lifts Vietnamese troops during OPERATION SURE WIND 202 in northern II Corps.
In 1965, following a coup and fighting, HMM-264 evacuates 556 American citizens to U.S. warships off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
In 1966, during the period 27 April through 2 May, an SLF (1st Battalion, 5th Marines participated in OPERATION OSAGE, a security operation to protect the rice harvest in Thua Thien Province.
In 1969, a grass fire near the ammunition dump at Da Nang ignites a store of unserviceable ammunition and spreads to other areas, destroying 38,000 tons of ground and air munitions and 20,000 drums of fuel, as well as closing the airbase for 18 hours.
One Marine and a civilian are killed and dozens injured.
In 1970, this is the first day, in 1970, in which no Marine casualties are reported in Vietnam.
In 1972, Peace talks resume in Paris between the United States, South Vietnam, and the Communists, but are suspended again on 4 May.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!