Originally Posted August 12, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 12th day of August in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1898, Marines from the steamship Mohican and the cruiser Philadelphia (C-4) participate in ceremonies at Honolulu marking the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands by treaty on 7 July.
In 1914, the newly formed 5th Regiment embarks on the Hancock at Guantanamo Bay and sails to Hispaniola, where it remains offshore troubled Santo Domingo and Haiti almost continuously through mid-December.
In 1918, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the enlistment of women into the Marine Corps Reserve.
In 1919, the 4th Marine Brigade marches for President Wilson in Washington, D.C., and then disbands.
In 1937, in an expansion of the undeclared war between Japan and China, Japanese forces launch an offensive to seize control of the Chinese portion of Shanghai.
The 4th Marines establishes defensive positions around the U.S. sector of the International Settlement.
The cruiser Augusta (CA-31) places her Marines and some sailors ashore to augment the regiment.
In 1942, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Goettge, 1st Marine Division intelligence officer, leads a 25-man patrol to the Matanikau River area of Guadalcanal to check out reports of Japanese ready to surrender.
The patrol is attacked, and only three Marines escape alive.
In 1944, Major General Roy Geiger departs Guam for Guadalcanal.
His IIIAC headquarters begins to follow the next day.
Geiger and his staff assume responsibility for planning the Palaus campaign, slated to begin on 15 September.
In 1945, VMTB-144 goes on board the Salerno Bay (CVE-110).
Plans are initiated for the establishment of separation centers at Great Lakes, Illinois, and Bainbridge, Maryland, to speedily demobilize eligible personnel.
In 1950, the Marine brigade advances to the village of Changchon, several miles south of Chinju.
Although the Army-Marine counterattack is short of its objective, it is called off as a Communist attack pierces the Naktong River line and threatens the Pusan Perimeter.
In 1957, due to budget constraints, the Secretary of the Navy directs a reduction in strength in both the Navy and Marine Corps over the next two fiscal years.
The Corps is slated to end up with 175,000 personnel by mid-1959.
In 1965, on the 12th of August, the 3rd Marines participated in OPERATION MIDNIGHT, a search and destroy operations in the Elephant Valley, about 16 Km northwest of Da Nang, in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1968, during the period 12 through 16 August, elements of the 1st Marines, 7th Marines, and the 27th Marines participated in OPERATION DODGE VALLEY, a search and clear operation in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1972, Captain Larry J. Richard, an exchange pilot with the Air Force’s 58th Tactical Fighter Squadron, downs a MIG-21 northeast of Hanoi.
He is the second Marine pilot to claim an aerial victory in the war.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!