Originally Posted February 13, 2025
And during the period 21 January through 16 February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 21 January through 16 February, 1968, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) and the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3) participated in OPERATION OSCEOLA, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Tri Province.
And on the 22nd of January through the 18th of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 22 January through 18 March, 1969, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9), the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9), the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4), the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9), and the ARVN 2nd Regiment participated in OPERATION DEWEY CANYON, an offensive against PAVN communication lines in Laos, north of the A Shau Valley in the Thua Thien Province
And during the period 26 January through 29 February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 26 January through 29 February, Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines and the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion participated in OPERATION SALINE, a search and clear operation to keep the Cua River supply line open.
OPERATION SALINE was combined with OPERATION NAPOLEAN on 28 Feb 1968.
And on this the 27th of January through the 7th of April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 27 January through 7 April, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines participated in OPERATION DESOTO, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
During the period 28 January through 17 of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 28 January through 17 February, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, and the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines participated in OPERATION DOUBLE EAGLE linking in with Operation Masher/White Wing, Operation Lien Ket 22 and Operation Thang Phuong II in the Quang Ngai and Quang Tri Provinces.
And on this the 1st of February through 2 March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 1 February through 2 March, the 1st Marines and the 5th Marines participated in OPERATION HUE CITY, to drive the PAVN/VC out of Hue during the Tet Offensive.
The Marines focus on the area south of the Perfume River, while the 1st ARVN Division is responsible for the Citadel, the old city north of the river.
HMM-165 provides lift for ARVN forces into the city.
The battle quickly devolves into typical building-to-building fighting.
And on this the 1st of Feb. through 18th of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 1 February through 18 March, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines and the 2nd Battalion,26th Marines participated in OPERATION PRAIRIE II, a search and destroy operation to prevent the PAVN 324B Division from entering the DMZ area, around Con Thien and Gio Linh, in the Quang Tri Province.
And during the period 3 February through the 10 March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1971, during the period 3 February through 10 March, Marines of the III MAF, the ROK’s 2nd Marine Brigade and the ARVN’s 51st Regiment participated in OPERATION HOANG DIEU 103, a counter-offensive in the Quang Nam Province.
And on this the 7th through 16th of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 7 February through 16 February, Marines of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion participated in OPERATION TAUT BOW, a reconnaissance in force operation in “Happy Valley”, Quang Nam Province.
NOW HEAR THIS!
For all you women out there, how about celebrating GALentines Day today.
Romance may top the agenda for couples on Valentine’s Day, but before lovers get in the mood on Friday, gal pals across the country will celebrate their friendships on GALentine’s Day.
The unofficial holiday, which arrives on the eve of Valentine’s Day marks a time for women to celebrate and recognize the platonic relationships they share with their girlfriends. Although brunch and mimosas has been associated with GALentine’s Day since it was introduced on a 2010 episode of Parks and recreation, the main point of the day is for women to spend time with their closest friends and participate in the activities they enjoy the most.
For the men out there, I offer this reminder.
Did you remember to get something special for your wife or loved one (or both) for Valentines Day?
How about next year you start a little earlier and include a card to a deployed Marine?
Mark your calendars now for next year, not everyone receives something at mail call.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 13th day of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1848, the Dale’s Marine detachment, reinforced by sailors, marches inland from Guaymas and captures Bocachicacampa after a small skirmish.
In 1917, 1st Lieutenant Francis T. “Cocky” Evans makes the first successful loop in an N-9 seaplane, in the process determining how to come out of a spin after an initial failed attempt.
His spin-recovery technique becomes a standard flying procedure.
In 1941, A Marine Corps Air Station is established at Oahu’s Ewa Mooring Mast Field (originally constructed for dirigibles in the 1920s) when the 2nd Marine Aircraft Group deploys there from Ford Island.
In 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was formed.
the first women are enlisted for World War II.
In 1945, MAG-94 arrives on Kwajalein.
In 1948, Communist forces confirm that they had captured five Marines on 25 December 1947 and that one of them had died soon after of wounds received.
The Chinese demand an official apology for what they claim was U.S. participation in the ongoing civil war with Nationalists.
In 1951, MAG-33 sets up its command post at K-3 airfield near Pohang.
The squadrons at K-1 soon transfer there.
VMF-311 and its jets, restored to good condition after a month of work, also begin moving to K-3.
VMF(N)-513 and 542 are scheduled to arrive at the field before the end of the month.
In 1957, the Corps takes delivery of its first Sikorsky HUS-1 utility helicopters, which can carry nearly 6,000 pounds of cargo or 12 Marines at a speed of 90 knots.
In 1963, fifty-three Marines from Camp Lejeune deploy on board the Spiegal Grove (LSD-32) for a 14-week goodwill tour of the African continent dubbed Solant Amity IV.
In 1967, some Marine training establishments in the United States began receiving the M-16 rifle, which will replace the M-14.
The rifle is already being fielded to III MAF.
In 1968, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) begins its attack on the Citadel and is soon joined by two battalions of Vietnamese Marines.
In 2002, during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, four CH-53E helicopters from the 26th MEU(SOC) deploy more than 700 miles from the sea to Bagram Airfield to support Army operations.
They remain ashore for a week.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!