Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 25th day of June in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1776, Samuel Nicholas is promoted to the rank of Major, Innkeeper Robert Mullan is commissioned as a captain in Philadelphia and begins recruiting enlisted men from his establishment, Tun Tavern.
In 1873, Marines from the St. Mary’s assist in putting out a fire aboard an Italian merchant ship in the harbor of Callao, Peru.
In 1927, VF-3M is redesignated VF-10M in China.
In 1938, the Naval reserve Act reorganizes the Marine Corps into three groups:
- Fleet Marine Corps Reserve (now consisting of active-duty retirees still subject to recall).
( 2) The Organized Marine Corps Reserve (units).
- The Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve (individuals).
In 1944, the 2nd Marine Division captures Mount Tapotchau, the key point for observers controlling Japanese artillery fire on Saipan.
The 4th Marine Division complete its mission of destroying enemy forces in the Kagman Peninsula.
U.S. destroyers disperse a Japanese attempt to reinforce Saipan from Tinian with 11 troop-laden barges.
VMB-453 is organized at Cherry Point.
VMF-911 is formed at Kinston, North Carolina.
In 1946, VMSB-142 is reestablished as VMF-142 in the Reserve at Miami.
In 1950, eight divisions of the Communist North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) sweep over the 38th Parallel into South Korea and begin to roll over their weaker neighbor.
In 1951, the Chinese publicly endorse the idea of truce talks.
In 1965, a Vietnam-bound military transport plane crashes after takeoff from El Toro, killing 79 Marines.
In 1966, during the period 25 June through 2 July, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1), 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), and the ARVN participated in OPERATION JAY/LAM SON 284, an operation an operation to engage the PAVN 806th and 812th Battalions, 6th Regiment that had recently moved into the Quang Dien District between Route 1 and the South China Sea about 20 Km north of Hue in the Thua Thien Province.
In 1967, during the period 25 June through 1 July, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines participated in OPERATION CALHOUN, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces.
In 1973, Rear Admiral James B. Stockdale, a former prisoner of war, files charges against two other former prisoners, a Navy captain and a Marine lieutenant colonel.
Although the Secretary of the Navy later dismisses the charges, he issues letters of censure and both officers retire.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!