Originally Posted March 11, 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 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 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 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 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.
And on this the 29th of February through 31 October in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 29 February through 31 October, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines and the 2/1 Cavalry participated in OPERATION NAPOLEON/SALINE, an operation along the Cua Viet River in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 1 March – 29 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 29 May through 23 June, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions, 7th Marines, the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and the 51st Regiment of the ARVN participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS, an operation southwest of Da Nang, in the Quang Nam Province.
And during the period, 2 March through 1 November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1965, during the period 2 March 1965 through 1 November 1968, the USAF, U.S. Navy and RVNAF participated in OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER a sustained and escalating bombing campaign of North Vietnam to destroy military infrastructure, interdict supply routes and undermine the North’s willingness to continue the war.
During the period 10 March through 12 March 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 10 March through 12 March, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines participated in OPERATION YUBA, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
And during the period, 11 March 1965 through 1972 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1965, during the period 11 March 1965 through 1972, OPERATION MARKET TIME was the United States Navy and South Vietnam‘s successful effort begun in 1965 to stop the flow of troops, war material, and supplies by sea, coast, and rivers, from North Vietnam into parts of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Also participating in Operation Market Time were the United States Coast Guard Squadron One and Squadron Three.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 11th day of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
Betcha ya didn’t know the difference between “Aye Sir” and Aye, Aye Sir.
In 1853, Marines from the Cyane landed at San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua to stabilize unsettled conditions as American prospectors pass through on their way to the California gold fields.
In 1862, Marines from the Wabash assist in accepting the surrender of St. Augustine, Florida.
In 1941, President Roosevelt approves the lend-lease Act, which allows the transfer of armaments and vital commodities to Allied nations without payment.
In 1948, Forrestal and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) meet in Key West, Florida, to discuss the roles and missions of the services.
Four days later, they complete the Key West Agreement.
It stipulates that the Corps will not form a second land army, will not expand beyond four divisions in wartime, and will not command units larger than a corps.
In 1952, the Marine Corps announces that it will no longer take draftees after 30 June because voluntary enlistments are again beginning to meet its requirements.
By the end of this month, the Corps will have taken in 73,430 draftees.
In 1965, during the period 11 March 1965 through 1972, OPERATION MARKET TIME was the United States Navy and South Vietnam‘s successful effort begun in 1965 to stop the flow of troops, war material, and supplies by sea, coast, and rivers, from North Vietnam into parts of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Also participating in OPERATION MARKET TIME were the United States Coast Guard Squadron One and Squadron Three. The difference to “Aye sir” and Aye, Aye Sir”: “Aye sir” indicates an agreement to an order, whereas “Aye, Aye Sir” indicates that an order has been received, is understood, and will be carried out immediately.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!