Originally Posted February 28, 2025
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 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 28th and final day of February in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1928, Marines participated in the Battle of Bromaderos, Nicaragua.
In 1934, Major General Commandant Fuller retires at the mandatory age of 64 and is replaced by newly promoted Major General John Russell.
He is the 16th Commandant of the Marine Corps.
In 1938, following the withdrawal of the Army’s 15th Infantry Regiment from Tientsin, China, a detachment of about 200 Marines is sent from the Legation Guard at Peiping to establish a post at the former Army barracks.
In 1945, the 21st Marines captures Motoyama Village and the high ground overlooking Airfield No. 3 on the northern plateau of Iwo Jima.
VMB-463 is decommissioned.
In 1949, The Hoover Commission on the Organization of the Executive Branch recommends that the Secretary of Defense receive stronger authority over the branches of the armed forces to end interservice rivalry and effect unification.
In 1950, VMF-461 is deactivated.
In 1952, HMR-361 is activated at Santa Ana, California.
In 1962, the 34th Marine Expeditionary Unit, with BLT 2/8, sails from Morehead City for duty afloat in the Caribbean.
In 1968, at Khe Sanh, two NVA battalions attempting to attack the 37th Ranger Battalion sector of the perimeter are hit by artillery fire and air support as they assemble.
Elements of the 1st Marine Brigade landed at DaNang.
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 OPERATIONS KENTUCKY and SCOTLAND II, two long-term operations.
OPERATION KENTUCKY had started on1 November 1967 and focused on search and cordon operations in the area between Cam Lo, Dong Ha, and Con Thien.
The division suffered 52 dead and 3,079 wounded while killing 3,921 enemy.
OPERATION SCOTLAND II had begun on 14 April 1968 and encompassed the region around Khe Sanh.
Marine losses were 463 dead and 2,555 wounded, most suffered in the numerous small battles after the siege.
Communist dead numbers 3,311.
In 1971, HMM-365 is deactivated at New River.
In 1975, the 31st MAU (BLT 2/4, and HMH-462) deploys to the Gulf of Thailand for a potential non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) as Communist forces gain the upper hand in Cambodia.
In 1991, OPERATION DESERT STORM ended as President Bush orders a cease fire at 0800 Kuwaiti time.
The I MEF force had reached Kuwait City, captured more than 22,000 prisoners, and destroyed hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces.
24 Marines were killed in action or died of wounds, and there were 92 wounded.
Five Marine aviators captured by the enemy are released soon after.
Four Harriers and two Broncos were shot down, while five Hornets were damaged.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!