Originally Posted August 13, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 13th day of August in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1779, during the period 13 through 15 August, after a British fleet arrives off Penobscot Bay, the American landing force re-embarks in an attempt to withdraw.
The American fleet tries to evade the British, but all American ships are subsequently captured or scuttled.
Escaping Marines, sailors, and soldiers start an overland trek back to Massachusetts.
In 1812, Marines participate in the frigate Essex’s defeat of the British Sloop Alert.
In 1846, Marines and sailors, reinforced by volunteers, march into Los Angeles, California.
In 1898, Huntington’s battalion was preparing to go ashore to assault Manzanillo, Cuba, when word arrived of the armistice ending the Spanish-American War. Spain eventually gave the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the United States.
In 1918, Opha M. Johnson, a civil service employee at Headquarters Marine Corps, becomes the first female to enroll in the Marines. A total of 305 are enlisted during the war.
In 1942, Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Barbara, California, is established.
In 1943, during the period 13 through 19 August, the 9th Defense Battalion’s 155mm guns support the Army seizure of Baanga Island near Munda Airfield.
In 1944, VAC assumes command of all Marine ground units remaining in the Marianas that are not under control of the recently established island garrison commands.
In 1945, Marine aircraft make their last raid on Wake Island’s Japanese garrison.
In 1953, the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Division departs Camp Pendleton for Japan. Its subordinate elements also shift during the month. MAG-16 (a helicopter transport group) arrives in Japan with HMR-162 and 163, both flying the HRS-2.
As part of the transfer to Japan, the 4th Marines disbands 4/4 and the fourth rifle company in ¾.
In 1955, President Eisenhower signs an executive order directing the Army and Marine Corps to begin enlisting personnel under the Armed Forces Reserve Act of 1955. The law authorizes an initial six-month active-duty training program for new reservists. For the first time, reserve enlistees now must complete recruit training and initial specialty training in the same fashion as enlistees in the regular component.
In 1960, Commandant Shoup announces that plans are on track to reactivate the remainder of the six infantry battalions deactivated in Fiscal Year 1959.
In 1961 East Germany seals off the border between East and West Berlin and soon after begins erecting permanent concrete and barbed wire barriers, dubbed the Berlin Wall.
In 1966, during the period 13 through 21 August, the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9 and the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines participated in OPERATION SUWANEE, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1969, HMM-165 flies from Marble Mountain to the Valley Forge (LPH-8), the first 1st MAW element to depart the country as part of the reduction in forces. The 1st LAAM Battalion also begins to leave Da Nang for 29 Palms, while the last elements of the 9th Marines board ship the next day for Okinawa.
In 1970, during the period 29 August through 9 September, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5), 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5), and the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5) participated in OPERATION RTPLEY CENTER, a search and clear operation in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1971, the USMC Night Observation Gunship System detachment, flying two specially adapted OV-10s, completes the last of 207 missions conducted to test an integrated 20mm gun and an infrared target acquisition system.
In 1974, VMA-513 arrives at Iwakuni with 16 AV-8A Harriers. This is the first deployment of a Harrier squadron to the western Pacific.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!