Originally Posted March 14, 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 12 March through 26 March 1968 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 12 March through 26 March, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines and the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment participated in OPERATION WORTH a search and destroy operation 24 Km northwest of Da Nang, in the Quang Nam Province.
During the period 13 March through 18 March 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 13 March through 18 March, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines participated in OPERATION TIPPECANOE, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
During the period 14 March through 20 March 1968 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1968, during the period 14 March through 20 March, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, and the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines participated in OPERATION FORD a sweep of the Phu Thu Peninsula to engage the VC 804th Main Force Battalion east of Phu Bai.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 14th day of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1863, Marines man heavy guns in Farragut’s fleet as it tries to fight its way past the Confederate fort at Port Hudson, Louisiana, in the Mississippi River.
The Mississippi is destroyed and other ships are severely damaged.
Orderly Sergeant Pinkerton Vaughn later becomes the second Marine to receive the Medal of Honor.
In 1905, the first Marine military attaché was appointed to the Legation at Peking, China.
In 1943, MAG-21 begins deploying to Banika Island in the Russells.
In 1945, as the official flag raising on Iwo Jima is held at the VAC command post, the flag raised on 23 February over Suribachi is lowered.
Army aircraft fly the last close air support mission on the island, since the remaining areas under Japanese control are too small to permit further attacks.
TF 38 sails from Ulithi Atoll.
With the addition of the Franklin and her two Marine Corsair squadrons (VMF-214 and 452), there are now six Marine squadrons in the task force.
In 1951, the 1st Marine Division takes Hongchon. ROK forces retake abandoned Seoul.
In 1960, during the period 14 through 30 March, the 5th Marines (less 3/5) with support from VMO squadrons, conducts a 150-mile foot march in the desert at 29 Palms.
In 1968, during the period 14 through 20 March, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines (2/3) and the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1) participated in OPERATION FORD, a sweep of the Phu Thu Peninsula to engage the VC 804th Main Force Battalion east of Phu Bai.
In 1972, VMA(AW)-224 and the Coral Sea, depart Yankee Station.
In 1973, Sub Unit One, a detachment of 1st ANGLICO that has been providing support to South Vietnamese forces, is the last Marine unit to depart Vietnam.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!