Originally Posted June 12, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 12th day of June in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1805, Marines cover the withdrawal of Eaton’s force from Derna.
In 1814, Captain Samuel Miller leads a small battalion of Marines from Washington, D.C., to reinforce American units guarding the approaches to the capital along the Patuxent River.
In 1919, Marine Corps Base, Quantico leases a site for its first flying field for land planes, and construction begins on hangars and other supporting facilities.
In 1944, the Marine Administrative Command of VAC becomes the Administrative Command, FMFPAC.
Two days later the Marine Supply Services, VAC, becomes Supply Services FMFPAC.
In 1948, President Harry Truman authorized the first women Marines in the Corps.
In 1961, President Kennedy decrees that the U.S. flag will be flown 24 hours a day at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington.
BLT 1/3 deploys from Okinawa to serve as the Seventh Fleet special landing force in Southeast Asian waters.
In 1968, during the period 12 June through 9 July, the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9), the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division and the ARVN 1st Division participated in OPERATION UTAH MESA, a clear and search operation in the vicinity of Khe Sanh in the Quang Tri Province.
In 1991, following the volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, Marines from III MEF and the Barracks at Subic Bay begin assisting in relief work (dubbed Operation Fiery Vigil).
The devastation results soon after in an early closure of damaged U.S. military facilities in the Philippines, including the naval base at Subic Bay, which had been home to Marines and sailors since 1898.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!