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.
And on this the 23rd of Feb. through 27 February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 23 through 27 February, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines participated in OPERATION PULASKI a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 24th day of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1813, the Marines assist the sloop Hornet in defeating and sinking the British brig Peacock off the coast of British Guiana.
In 1899, Marines and seamen from the gunboat Marietta (PG-15) go ashore at Bluefields during a period of turmoil in Nicaragua.
In 1902, two thousand Marines form the honor guard for Prince Henry of Prussia on his visit to Washington.
In 1914, Commandant William P. Biddle retires after 39 years of service to the Corps.
In 1927, the 4th Marine Regiment arrives in Shanghai from San Diego and takes responsibility for a sector of the International Settlement.
Other foreign forces assume control over portions of the enclave.
The regiment will remain in Shanghai until 1941.
In 1931, the Marine squadron on Guam is withdrawn after 10 years of service there.
In 1944, elements of the 5th Marines seize the Iboki Plantation on the north-central coast of New Britain.
In 1945, the 3rd Marine Division (less the 21st Marines already ashore and the 3rd Marines still held as Expeditionary Troops reserve) begins to go ashore on Iwo Jima.
In 1951, the commanding general of IX Corps dies in a helicopter accident and is temporarily replaced by Marine Major General O. P. Smith.
Brigadier General Chesty Puller moves up to temporary command of the 1st Marine Division.
In 1968, in an effort to cut down the number of helicopters being hit by enemy fire during resupply missions to the hill posts, 1st MAW institutes the Super Gaggle.
It typically involves a KC-130 refueler, eight or more CH-46 helicopters carrying sling loads, up to 12 A-4s, and four Huey gunships providing fire support, and a two-seat TA-4 with the backseater coordinating the mission.
The attack aircraft would suppress enemy antiaircraft positions with napalm and tear gas, lay smoke on both sides of the helicopter path, then attack with bombs and guns anything that fired as the helicopters swooped in to drop their loads.
In 1991, the ground campaign of OPERATION DESERT STORM begins before dawn, with the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions and the Tiger Brigade attacking toward Kuwait City through Iraqi obstacle belt.
The 5th MEB begins going ashore to become the I MEF reserve.
Nearly all 3rd MAW sorties are in support of the MEF.
I MEF strength, including attachments and 11,703 Marine reservists, is 84,515.
Additional Marine forces afloat conduct deception operations to pin down Iraqi defenders on the coast.
In 2003, during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Amphibious Task Force West begins offloading its Marine units in Kuwait to reinforce I MEF.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!