Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 4th day of June in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1805, Tripoli signs a peace treaty with the United States.
In 1917, the Commandant directs that all future commissioned officers for the World War come from the enlisted ranks of the Marine Corps (with the exception of Naval Academy graduates).
The mechanism for turning selected enlisted men into lieutenants is Officer’ Training Camp, a three-month course that soon begins at Quantico.
In 1942, in the initial aerial attacks 0f the Battle of Midway, 108 Japanese planes strike the atoll.
VMF-221 loses most of its Brewsters and Wildcats, though they destroy or damage about 40 of the enemy.
VMSB-241 also suffers heavy losses among its dive bombers, buts fails to achieve hits on the enemy fleet.
Captain Richard E. Fleming’s aircraft crashes into the cruiser Mikuma.
He subsequently receives the Medal of Honor.
U.S. Navy aircraft sink four Japanese carriers, and the enemy abandons the planned invasion of the atoll.
Over the next two days, American planes from carriers sink and damage more Japanese ships as they withdraw.
One U.S. carrier is sunk.
In 1944, the U.S. Fifth Army enters Rome.
In 1945, the 6th Marine Division launches a shore-to-shore amphibious assault against the Oroku Peninsula in southwest Okinawa.
In 1956, the FMF Organization and Composition Board (known as the Hogaboom Board) meets at Quantico to study changes to the FMF.
Its work continues through 1 December.
In 1964,
U.S. Marines and troops from Australia, France, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Great Britain participate in SEATO Exercise Ligta, a massive amphibious and airborne assault on the island of Mindoro.
In 1965, General Lewis W. Walt assumes command of III MAF and 3rd Marine Division.
In company-sized actions around Da Nang and Phu Bai, Marines engage in their first major ground combat.
At a cost o two dead and 19 wounded, they kill 79 Viet Cong.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!