Originally Posted April 29, 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 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!