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.
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 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.
And on this the 17th of Feb. through 28 February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 17 through 28 February, the3rd Marine Division participates in OPERATION CHINOOK II, “Street without joy” in the Thua Thien Province.
Writer Bernard B. Fall was killed by a VC mine while observing this operation.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 19th day of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1844, Marines joined the US Army assault on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands (Island secured on 20 February 1944).
In 1868, Naval forces again land at Montevideo to guard the American consulate during renewed rebel activity.
In 1927, Marine forces take control of the main railroad line between Corinto and Managua.
In 1928, Captain Merritt A. Edson and the 56 Marines of his detachment land from the cruiser Denver (CL-19) at Puerto Cabezas in eastern Nicaragua.
In 1945, under the command of Lieutenant General H. M. Smith’s Expeditionary Troops headquarters, VAC’s 4th and 5th Marine Divisions lead the amphibious assault on the southeast coast of Iwo Jima.
The 28th Marines reaches the western shore at the narrow neck of the island and seals off Mount Suribachi before the end of the day, while the 27th and 23rd Marines make it to the edge of Airfield No. 1.
Heavy Japanese artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, aided by mines and machine guns, inflicts over 2,400 casualties on the assault divisions.
Marine aircraft aboard Task Force 58 participate in air strikes in support of the landing, and continue to do so through 22 February.
During World War II, Mangaldan, in the Pangasinan Province of the Philippines had an airstrip that was used by forty-eight Marine aircraft to strike derelict ships in Manila harbor to silence enemy opposition to Army forces.
In 1946, the Secretary of the Navy authorizes establishment of the Marine Air Reserve Training Command (MARTC) to administer and direct the training of Marine Corps Reserve aviation units.
In 1955, SEATO extends its collective protection guarantee to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
In 1970, the United States and Japan hold combined ceremonies at Mt. Suribachi to commemorate the dead of both nations on the 25th anniversary of the battle.
Major General William K. Jones, commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division, represents the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!