Originally Posted December 17, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 17th day of December in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1914, Marines from the gunboat Machias (PG-5) escort the Haitian government’s gold stocks from Port-au-Prince onto the ship for transport to New York and safekeeping there.
In 1919, the 8th Regiment is reactivated in the States and shipped to Haiti to reinforce the Brigade.
In 1941, 17 SB 2U-3s of Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 281 flew 1,137 miles, the longest massed flight over water.
In 1942, the Japanese complete an airstrip at Munda Point.
In 1943, Major Gregory Boyington of VMF-214 leads the first fighter sweep against Rabaul.
Results are disappointing since few Japanese planes rise from the ground to challenge the 76 U.S. Marine and Navy and New Zealand aircraft.
In 1950, remaining MAG-12 units depart Yonpo airfield for South Korea.
Marine losses during the fighting from 26 October until this date total 908 dead and missing, 3,508 wounded, and 7,313 non-battle casualties (mostly frostbite or severe illness due to the weather).
Enemy losses approach 40,000.
In 1966, during the period 17 through 21 December 1966, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1) participated in OPERATION GLENN, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1967, Captain Doyle D. Baker, flying an exchange tour with the Air Force’s 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, destroys a MIG-17 with cannon fire and a missile while escorting a bombing mission over North Vietnam.
He is the first Marine pilot to score an aerial victory in the war.
In 1969, the Battleship New Jersey is decommissioned and placed into mothballs again.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!