Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 29th and penultimate day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1814, Marines participate in the sloop Peacock’s defeat of the British warship Epervier in the Atlantic.
In 1862, Captain John L. Broome and 200 Marines land and occupy New Orleans pending the arrival of Army forces.
In 1907, Marines from the Paducah (Gunboat No. 18) land at Laguna and Choloma, Honduras, to protect American lives and property during a war between Honduras and Nicaragua.
In 1914, another Marine regiment created at Philadelphia arrives with 33 officers and 861 enlisted. Army occupation forces begin to go ashore at Veracruz.
In 1935, West Coast FMF units participate in Fleet Problem XVI, which includes a landing operation against Midway Island and the establishment of an advance base.
The exercise continues through 12 June.
In 1953, Colonel Katherine Towle becomes the first female line officer to retire from the U.S. military.
She is succeeded as director of Women Marines by Lieutenant Colonel Julia E. Hamblet.
In 1970, U.S. Army and ARVN units attack Communist base areas in Cambodia.
Marine participation is limited to a handful of bombing missions and advisors with the VNMC.
In 1975, prior to dawn, Communist troops launch a fierce rocket attack on Saigon, killing two U.S. Marines and destroying an American C-130 at Tan Son Nhut Airfield.
The 9MAB executes OPERATION FREQUENT WIND, the evacuation from Saigon of Americans, other third-country nationals, and some South Vietnamese officials and citizens.
With a security force of more than 800 Marines protecting the landing zones and controlling the evacuees, 68 Marine and 10 Air Force helicopters airlift 6,968 people from Saigon in 17 hours.
The last Marine helicopter lifted off the roof of the U.S. Embassy at 0753 on 30 April carrying Marine security guards.
An AH-iJ Cobra and CH-46 Sea Knight crash, with the loss of two Marines dead.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!