Originally Posted April 4, 2025
And on this the 27th of January through the 7th of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 27 January through 7 April, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines participated in OPERATION DESOTO, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
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 19 March through 19 April 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 19 March through 19 April, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines participated in OPERATION PRATRIE III, search and destroy operations against the PAVN 324B and 341st divisions in the DMZ.
During the period 26 March through 6 April 1966 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 26 March through 6 April, an SLF (1st Battalion, 5th Marines) and 2 Battalions of Vietnamese Marines participated in OPERATION JACKSTAY, a search and clear operation along the Long Tau shipping channel.
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 4th day of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1854, the sloop Plymouth’s Marines and sailors go ashore at Shanghai, China to protect American lives during a Taiping rebellion.
In 1868, the steamers Monocacy and Iriquois land Marines and seamen at Yokohama, Japan, to safeguard American lives and property during a period of hostility towards foreigners.
In 1919, a Marine patrol of four officers and 51 enlisted attacks and scatters 500 Cacos near Hinche, Haiti.
In 1920, Sergeant Lawrence Muth of the Gendarmerie d’Haiti is the last Marine killed in action during the Caco revolt, during the ambush of his patrol by Benoit Batraville’s band.
In 1943, MAG-12 moves to Guadalcanal in place of MAG-14 which shifts to New Zealand.
In 1945, on Okinawa, the 1st Marines clear out the Katchin Peninsula while the 6th Marine Division completes its wheel to the left and begins its drive north. XXIV Corps continues its drive south.
The 147th Infantry assumes responsibility for the ground defense of Iwo Jima and the 9th Marines begins departing.
In 1947, the Navy Department reactivates the Reserve Officer Training Corps at college campuses.
In 1962, more than 400 Marines help combat forest fires around Jacksonville, North Carolina.
In 1967, during the period 4 through 21 April, the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9), and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines (2/26) participated in OPERATION BIG HORN, a search and destroy operation in the Thua Thien Province.
In 1975, the Amphibious Evacuation RVN Support Group begins assisting refugees fleeing Communist forces in the vicinity of Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.
In 1975, the Amphibious Evacuation RVN Support Group begins assisting refugees fleeing Communist forces in the vicinity of Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.
In 1984, the 2nd Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Battalion is activated at Camp Lejeune.
In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 1st Marine Division battles its way through the AL Nida Division of the Republican Guard and into the southeastern outskirts of Baghdad while the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division consolidates its hold on Saddam International Airport in the western suburbs of the Iraqi capital.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!