Originally Posted August 20, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 20th day of August in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1912, Alfred Cunningham completes his solo flight to become the first Marine aviator.
In 1920, a Marine guard is established at the U.S. consulate in Tungchow, China.
In 1942, the first echelons of MAG-23 and 1st MAW (19 F4Fs of VMF-223 and 12 SBD-3s of VMSB-232) land on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.
In 1945, the reinforced 4th Marines join TF 31 in Guam.
In 1949, VMO-3 is deactivated.
In 1950, the Marine brigade reverts to Eighth Army reserve and moves to the coastal town of Masan, where it goes into bivouac in a field, soon to be dubbed the Bean Patch.
In 1952, Marine aircraft participate in a mass aerial attack on the Communist supply area at Changpyng-ni on the west coast.
In 1957, in an unusually large deployment, the headquarters of the 6th Marines, HMR(L)-261, and HMR(L)-262 depart Morehead City, North Carolina, for duty with the Sixth Fleet.
This marks one of the first deployments afloat for Marine helicopter squadrons.
In 1966, during the period 20 through 22 August, the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4) participated in OPERATION OTTAWA, a search and destroy operation in the Thua Thien Province.
The headquarters of the 26th Marines arrives on Okinawa and becomes a part of the 9th MAB.
OPERATION ALLEGHANY in the Quang Nam Province, RVN began and concluded on 29 August.
In 1970, a DOD study indicates that about 30 percent of U.S. service personnel have used marijuana or other illegal drugs.
In 1990, Lieutenant General Walter E. Boomer, (I always thought George Scott was the BOOMER) commander of the I MEF, arrives in Saudi Arabia.
His headquarters will command all Marine forces in the operation, except for those afloat.
Meanwhile, in Liberia, elements of the 26th MEU begin relieving the 22nd MEU in Operation Sharp Edge.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!