Originally Posted March 19, 2025
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 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 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.
During the period 15 March through 2 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 15 March through 2 May, the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines and the 1st Battalion, 12th Marines participated in OPERATION MAINE CRAG a reconnaissance in force operation along the Laotian border, west of Khe Sanh in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 19 March through 19 April 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 19 March through 19 April, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines participated in OPERATION PRATRIE III, search and
destroy operations against the PAVN 324B and 341st divisions in the DMZ.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 19th day of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1863, Farragut’s flagship, the Hartford and her Marines engage a fort at Grand Gulf, Mississippi.
In 1928, Marine planes bombed a bandit group at Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua.
This was the first use of close air support.
In 1945, the Franklin is hit by bombs from a Japanese plane and is severely damaged.
Among the 772 dead in her crew, 65 are Marines from the two Corsair squadrons.
Marine planes from other carriers shoot down 18 enemy aircraft.
VMTB-233 (formerly VMSB-233) goes aboard Block Island, which sails from San Diego.
The 4th Marine Division from Iwo Jima completes embarkation and departs for Hawaii.
In 1953, the Chinese launch company-sized night assaults against outpost Hedy and Esther and the MLR in the 1st Marines sector. The attacks are beaten back.
In 1967, during the period 19 March through 19 April, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4), the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4), the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9), and the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines participated in OPERATION PRAIRIE III, search and destroy operations against the PAVN324B and 341st divisions near Dong Ha and Cam Lo.
At the end of the operation, the Marines have killed 252 enemy and lost 55 dead and 529 wounded.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!