Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 16th day of December in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1824, Marines serve aboard Navy Lieutenant Thomas Catesby Jones’s small squadron of gunboats, which battle a larger British fleet of small craft and delay the enemy’s advance on New Orleans.
In 1899, Major Littleton W. T. Waller’s Third Marine Battalion, with15 officers and 325 enlisted men, lands at Cavite to reinforce the garrison.
In 1917, Captain Roy Geiger establishes the Aeronautic Detachment at Philadelphia.
In 1932, all Marine leaders are withdrawn from the Guardia Nacional and concentrated in Managua in preparation for the return of all Marines in Nicaragua to the United States.
In 1942, the 2nd Raider Battalion departs Guadalcanal for Espiritu Santo.
In 1943, the campaign on New Britain begins with Marine amphibian tractors from the 1st Marine Division carrying the Army’s 112th Cavalry Regiment in the assault against Arawe Peninsula on the southern coast of the large island.
The Army’s XIV Corps headquarters assumes command of the Bougainville campaign in place of I MAC.
The 52nd Defense Battalion is formed at Montford Point.
In 1944, planes of MAG-12 and VMF(N)-541 provide combat air patrol over the landing of the Sixth Army on Mindoro Island.
The headquarters of 2nd MAW move from Peleliu to Hawaii.
It subsequently serves as the nucleus for Tactical Air Force, the aviation component of Tenth Army, which will conduct the invasion of Okinawa.
VMO-7 is organized at Quantico.
The 3rd Marines (less 1/3) arrives at Camp Pendleton.
In 1948, the U.S. Army general directing the military advisory group in China reports that the Nationalist Army is no longer making effective resistance to the Communists and can be expected to lose control of the country.
In 1950, with the exception of the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, the last elements of the 1st Marine Division depart Hungnam.
In 1960, the Marine Corps abolishes drill based on eight-man units (the old squad prior to WWII) and reestablishes drill as conducted in the Landing Party Manual.
In 1966, VMO-5 (a helicopter unit) is activated at Camp Pendleton.
It will subsequently be redesignated as HML-267.
In 1968, during the period 15 through 23 December, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines participated in OPERATION CITRUS, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1969, President Nixon announces a third round of troop withdrawals, to be completed by 15 April 1970.
In 1970, the State Department announces that the United States will build a $19 million naval communications facility on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, a British possession.
MAG-33 is deactivated at El Toro.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!