History of Our Corps – February 15

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 Marines2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, and the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines participated in OPERATION DOUBLE EAGLE linking in with Operation Masher/White WingOperation 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 Marines2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines3rd Battalion, 4th Marines1st Battalion, 9th Marines3rd 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.

Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 15th day of February in the history of our beloved Corps:

In 1898, The Battleship Maine explodes and sinks in Havana Harbor, Cuba.

          28 Marines and 232 sailors lives were lost.

          Private William Anthony, orderly to the ship’s captain, wins acclaim for calmly reporting to his superior below decks and aiding the captain’s movement to the quarterdeck of the sinking ship.

In 1941, Congress approves the purchase and construction of a new Marine Corps base at New River, North Carolina.

          It is selected to provide sufficient room for training a division.

In 1943, all land-based aircraft in the southern Solomons are placed in a single new command, Aircraft Solomons (AirSols).

          This is a joint (multiservice) and combined (multinational) force.

In 1944, the first aircraft of MAG-31 arrive on ROI.

          They include 10 planes of VMF-224 and seven of VMF(N)-532.

          VMF-451 and 452 are commissioned at Mojave.

          VMF-512 and 513 are organized at Oak Grove.

          VMF(N)-451 is formed at Cherry Point.

          VMO-5 is established at Quantico.

In 1946, VAC headquarters is disbanded at San Diego and the corps ceases to exist.

          The headquarters of the 2nd MAW departs from Okinawa for Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

          In Yokosuka, the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines is redesignated as the 2nd Separate Guard Battalion (Provisional), with primary duty as the security force for the naval base.

          MAG-14 and 33 depart for the United States from Okinawa.

In 1955, Marines landed at the Green Islands.

In 1983, the 22nd MAU (BLT 2/6, HMM-264, and MSSG-22) relieves the 24th MAU in Lebanon.

Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!

Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!

-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC

And damn proud of it!