Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 11th day of August in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1919, this is the final day of active service for women Marine reservists enlisted for the World War.
A total of 305 women served in clerical billets.
In 1923, the Marine Corps recruit depot at Mare Island, California, is transferred to its current location at San Diego.
In 1945, a Fleet Landing Force headquarters is formed with a Marine staff for future occupation duty.
IIIAC makes preliminary plans for Task Force Able, to consist of an infantry regiment, an amphibian tractor company, and a medical company.
In 1949, Marine Brigadier General William E. Riley is assigned as Chief of Staff of the United Nations Palestine Truce Mission, which oversees the truce between Israel and her Arab neighbors.
In 1950, Marine artillery bombardment rousts a large North Korean motorized force from the town of Kosong.
Marine air destroys roughly 100 trucks, jeeps, and motorcycles retreating along the road.
The brigade takes the town that morning.
In 1952, the 1st Marines launches a complex night attack and captures Bunker Hill, which dominates Siberia.
The fighting continues through the afternoon of 15 August, with the Chinese making determined attempts to regain the position.
1st MAW conducts numerous missions for the division during this period.
American casualties exceed 38 killed and 268 wounded, in part due to increasingly heavy enemy use of artillery.
The division estimates Chinese losses at 3,200.
The Combat Duty Pay Act goes into effect, providing extra compensation for personnel in a combat zone. (In ’63-’67, the pay was $50.00 per month which was the same as Jump pay for Force Recon).
Never did find out if they got both the jump pay and combat pay).
In 1965, Marine aircraft make their first combat use of the cluster bomb unit (CBU) in Vietnam.
In 1967, during the period 11 through 28 August, the 1st Marine Division Task Force X-Ray (comprising 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3), 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5), and the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (2/11) participated in OPERATION COCHISE, search and destroy operations in the Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces.
In 1971, the Secretary of the Navy issued a directive to Navy and Marine Corps base commanders instructing them to advise local government officials, community leaders, and private groups that failure to enforce open-housing laws would be a factor in any future decision to close bases.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!