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.
And on this the 16th of Feb. through 3 March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 16 February through 3 March, a Marine SLF (BLT 1/4 and HMM-363) participates in OPERATION DECKHOUSE VI, an amphibious assault at the southern tip of the Quang Ngai Province.
Although it does not meet strong resistance, Stingray teams call in supporting arms to kill more than 200 of the enemy moving out of the area.
The SLF withdraws to its ships on 26 February and conducts a new assault the next day a little farther north.
The operation terminates on 3 March.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 16th day of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1804, Navy Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, 52 sailors and eight Marines (led by Sergeant Solomon Wren) use the Intrepid to enter Tripoli Harbor during the night and burn the captured Philadelphia.
In 1900, a party of Marines obtaining water for the outpost at Olongapo is ambushed by rebels and rescued by a relief column.
In 1914, Marines from the Wheeling (Gunboat No. 14) go ashore at Port-de-Paix in Haiti to safeguard American citizens as political unrest continues.
In 1915, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment establishes a model military camp at the Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.
In 1945, U.S. Army parachute troops assault Corregidor.
On 16 and 17 February, Marine planes of Task Force 58 participate in air strikes in the Tokyo area.
Marine pilots claim 21 Japanese aircraft shot down and another 60 destroyed on the ground.
In 1947, VMSB-236 is reestablished as VMF-236, a Reserve squadron in Denver, Colorado.
In 1953, following his participation in a massive air raid, Marine Captain Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox baseball legend, crash landed his F9F Pantherjet near his base, after his aircraft was shot up.
Williams is able to walk away from the wrecked Panther.
In 1967, during the period 16 February through 3 March, a Marine SLF (BLT 1/4 and HMM-363) participated in OPERATION DECKHOUSE VI, an amphibious assault at the southern tip of the Quang Ngai Province.
Although it does not meet strong resistance, Stingray teams call in supporting arms to kill more than 200 of the enemy moving out of the area.
The SLF withdraws to its ships on 26 February and conducts a new assault the next day a little farther north.
The operation terminates on 3 March.
In 1971, the Staff NCO Academy is officially opened at Quantico.
In 1973, the Marine Corps ends its advisory program with the Vietnamese Marines and the last two advisors depart Quang Tri City.
In 2003, the 2nd MEB begins to go ashore in Kuwait to reinforce the 1st NEF.
Its aviation elements transfer to 3rd MAW control and the ground elements are re-designated as Task Force Tarawa.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!