Originally Posted August 24, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 24th day of August in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1775, the Hannah, the first ship in the fleet fitted out by General Washington, goes into Continental service.
Soldiers from Washington’s army serve as the crew and Marines of the ship.
In 1797, the Secretary of War prescribes the uniform for Marines: blue coats with red lapels.
In 1814, Captain Samuel Miller’s force of 103 Marines and Captain Barney’s sailors beat back three British assaults during the closing stages of the Battle of Bladensburg in Maryland.
Almost encircled by the British, the Marines withdrew from Bladensburg.
The British subsequently occupy and burn Washington, D.C.
In 1912, a Marine force from the Rainbow lands at Shanghai, China to protect Americans from revolutionaries.
In 1922, the 3rd Air Squadron at Quantico is redesignated Marine Fighting Squadron 1 (VF-1M).
In 1942, on Guadalcanal, Marine fighter planes of VMF-223 have their first big aerial battle with the Japanese, downing 16 enemy at a cost of four of their own aircraft.
Captain Marion E. Carl becomes the first Marine Ace of the war after he destroys three enemy planes.
Air battles become an almost-daily occurrence hereafter.
Eleven Navy SBDs from the damaged Enterprise (CV-6) land at Henderson Field to temporarily reinforce what is now referred to colloquially as Cactus Air Force.
General H.M. Smith turns over command of the Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet to the Army.
Smith and his staff then form the Amphibious Training Staff, FMF.
MAG-25 begins arriving in Hawaii.
In 1944, Administrative Command FMFPAC is redesignated Provisional Headquarters FMFPAC.
VMSB-942 is organized at Bogue Field, NC.
In 1950, elements of the remainder of 1st MAW begin sailing from San Diego for Japan and Korea.
In 1987, a court martial convicts Sergeant Clayton J. Lonetree of espionage and related charges involving his duties at embassies in Vienna and Moscow.
He is the first Marine ever convicted of spying.
What a piece of shit.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!