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 28th day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1922, the Cruiser Albany (CL-23), lands her Marines in China to reinforce the Legation Guard in Peking.
In 1942, Major General Charles F. B. Price and his staff arrive in Samoa and establish the Headquarters Samoan Area Defense Force.
The 1st Raider Battalion and 2nd Barrage Balloon Squadron also reinforce the Samoan garrison.
In 1944, the 1st Marine Division hands over responsibility for western New Britain to the Army’s 40th Division.
In 1945, during another large kamikaze attack at Okinawa, TAF Marines shoot down 35 planes, while Marines on the carriers get another 14.
Meanwhile, in the European Theater, Benito Mussolini is killed by Italian Partisans.
In 1962, Marine Dave Tork of Camp Pendleton sets a world record in the pole vault with a jump of 16 feet, 2 inches, at the Mt. San Antonio Relays in Walnut, California.
In 1965, Elements of BLT 3/6 go ashore by helicopter to guard the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic and protect American lives in the city of Santo Domingo.
The remainder of the BLT lands the next day.
U.S. Army forces also begin to deploy soon after.
In 1967, during the period 28 April through 12 May, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3) participated in OPERATION BEAVER CAGE, an operation to sweep a long-established VC stronghold 40 Km south of Da Nang in the Quang Nam Province.
During the operation, SLF Alpha (one of two now afloat with the 7th Fleet) makes a landing into the Que Son Valley.
In 1970, the Caribbean landing force departs the waters of Trinidad and resumes normal operations.
In 1975, Camp Pendleton is designated as a refugee reception center.
MAG-13 is assigned to begin building a tent city for some of the 130,000 Vietnamese fleeing Communism.
The first of the refugees begins arriving the next day.
The camp, holding a maximum of 18,000 people, processes a total of more than 50,000 before it closes on 31 October.
In 1993, Secretary of Defense Les Aspin promulgates new policy that opens more occupational specialties and billets to servicewomen, to include pilots and crew of combat aircraft.
In 2003, the Commandant appoints Sergeant Major John L. Estrada as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps effective 26 June 2003.
Sergeant Major Estrada is currently deployed with the 3rd MAW in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!