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 30th and final day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1866, the Marine detachment of St. Mary’s boards the mail steamer Golden City in the Caribbean at the request of her captain to quell a riot.
In 1904, a Marine unit assumes duties at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, to conduct exhibition drills and guard displays.
In 1945, on Okinawa, the 1st Marine Division is attached to the XXIV Corps and begins moving forward to replace the 27th Infantry Division in the front lines.
The 77th Infantry Division replaces the 96th Infantry Division at the same time.
Meanwhile, in the European Theater, Adolph Hitler commits suicide as Berlin is being overrun by Soviet forces.
In 1946, following their return from China, VMTB-134 and VMF(N)-541 are deactivated at San Diego. VMF-422 is decommissioned.
In 1947, Mag-32, VMF-113, and VMH-314 are deactivated.
In 1951, the U.N. withdrawal ends.
The 1st Marine Division, in Korea, is now near Hongchon, roughly half of the way back to Wonju, where it had started in February.
In 1952, seven VMF-311 jets on an interdiction mission engage eight MIGs and damage one.
In 1953, President Eisenhower submits a defense reorganization plan to Congress to strengthen the power of the Secretary of Defense.
In 1961, VMA-343 is deactivated at El Toro, after just having been recommissioned on 1 October 1960.
In 1963, the Marine Corps training mission is withdrawn at the request of the Haitian government.
In 1964, the last Marine officer to serve during WWI retires.
Chief Petty Officer Percy L. Smith had enlisted in April 1916 at the age of 16.
In 1965, two Marines are killed in street fighting as BLT 3/6 seeks to clear part of the city of Dominican fighters.
In 1967, BLT 2/4 attacks 4 NVA battalions dug in around the village of Dai Do and interdicting the Cua Viet River.
The battle lasts until 3 May.
Marine losses are 81 dead and almost 300 wounded, while estimated enemy dead exceed 500.
In 1968, during the period 30 April through 3 May, the U.S. Navy River Assault Group, Battalion Landing Team, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), B Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3), and the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment participated in OPERATION DAI DO, an operation against the 48th and 52nd Regiments of the PAVN 320th Division to eliminate the threat to the junction of the Bo Dieu and Cua Viet Rivers.
In 1970, The 26th Marines and the 1st Battalion, 13th Marines (1/13) are deactivated at Camp Pendleton.
The 1st Battalion, 6th Marines (1/6), 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines (3/6), and the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines (3/8) deploy to Quonset Point, Rhode Island, to standby aid to local authorities in handling a civil disturbance in New Haven, Connecticut.
They remain there until 3 May, but are not employed.
In 1975, Saigon falls to the NVA and Vietnam is effectively reunited under Communist rule.
In 1993, MAG-32 is deactivated at Cherry Point.
In 1999, elements of the 26th MEU(SOC) go ashore in Albania to provide security and assistance to a camp housing refugees from Kosovo.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!