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.
And on this the 25th through the 28th of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 25 through 28 February, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines participates in OPERATION LANOKE, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
And on this the 26th of February through 30 April in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 26 February through 30 April, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Battalion, the 327th Airborne Infantry and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Airborne Infantry participated in OPERATION HOUSTON, an operation to open Route 1 between Da Nang and Phu Bai in the Thua Thien Province.
And on this the 27th of February through the 3rd of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 27 February through 3 March, Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, and HMM-163 participated in OPERATION NEW YORK, a sweep operation joining with the ARVN’s OPERATION THUA THIEN 177 east of Phu Bai in the Thua Thien Province.
And on this the 27th of February through the 8th of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 27 February through 8 May, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines and the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines participated in OPERATION PURPLE MARTIN, a clear and search in the Quang Tri Province.
Interestingly, this was originally named OPERATION MASSACHUSETTS BAY
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 27th and penultimate day of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1900, Olongapo Marines participate in a landing at Perez to rescue prisoners held by the Filipino rebels.
In 1924, a force of Marines and sailors from the cruiser Denver (C-14) lands at La Ceiba to protect U.S. interests during revolutionary activity.
In 1928, on 27 and 28 February, Sandinista forces ambush a Marine mule team at Bromaderos, Nicaragua, A patrol from the 11th Regiment assists in driving off the enemy.
Marine losses are five killed and eight wounded.
There are 10 counted enemy dead.
In 1944, the 51st Defense Battalion relieves the 7th Defense Battalion in the Ellice Islands.
In 1945, the 9th Marines completes the seizure of Airfield No. 2 and also takes Hill Peter and Hill 199 Oboe, key terrain dominating the exposed strip.
Army forces of the Island Command begin to come ashore.
Planes of VMO-5 begin arriving.
In 1946, the 2nd Battalion, 21st Marines sails from Truk for Guam, where it will be disbanded on 5 March.
In 1966, during the period 27 February through 3 March, Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1) and HMM-163 participated in OPERATION NEW YORK, a sweep operation joining with the ARVN’s OPERATION THUA THIEN 177, east of Phu Bai in the Thua Thien Province.
In 1967, Communist forces launch 51 140mm rockets into the Da Nang airbase area, killing 11 men, wounding 97, and damaging 18 aircraft.
In the first use of large rockets by the enemy, 72 Vietnamese civilians are also casualties.
In 1968, a CH-46 is shot down near the base at Khe Sanh, resulting in 22 Marines dead and 1 wounded.
In 1969, during the period 27 February through 8 May, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4), 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), and the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4) participated in OPERATION PURPLE MARTIN, a clear and search operation in the Quang Tri Province.
Interestingly, this was originally named OPERATION MASSACHUSETTS BAY
In 1971, VMA-311 Skyhawks destroy three NVA PT-76 amphibious tanks attacking a South Vietnamese firebase.
In 1991, Desert Storm offensive operations ceased.
Marines captured or damaged 1,060 tanks, 608 APCs, 432 artillery pieces and two scud launchers during 100 hours of combat.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!