Originally Posted March 31, 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 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.
During the period 20 March through 3 April 1967 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1967, during the period 20 March through 3 April, Marines of the 3rd Marine Division participated in OPERATION BEACON HILL, search and destroy operations in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 23 March through 3 April 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 23 March through 3 April, the 3rd Marine Division, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division and the ARVN 2nd Regiment participated in OPERATION MAINE CRAG a reconnaissance in force operation in the vicinity of Con Thien, in the Quang Tri Province.
During the period 26 March through 6 April 1966 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1966, during the period 26 March through 6 April, an SLF (1st Battalion, 5th Marines) and 2 Battalions of Vietnamese Marines participated in OPERATION JACKSTAY, a search and clear operation along the Long Tau shipping channel.
And on 31 March 1965 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1965, on 31 March the ARVN 5th Airborne Battalion, MAG-16, HMM-163 and HMM-162 participated in OPERATION QUYET THANG 512, an air assault near Tam Ky, 40 Km south of Da Nang in the Quang Tin Province.
During the period 31 March through 29 May 1969 in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1969, during the period 31 March through 29 May, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines and the ARVN 51st Regiment participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS a clear and search operation in Happy Valley, Quang Nam Province.
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 31st and final day of March in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1800, Marines arrive in Washington, D.C. to establish a Marine Barracks and guard the Navy Yard there.
In 1801, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Burrows records, “I have been all this morning engaged in riding with the President [Thomas Jefferson] looking for a proper place on 8th and I to fix the Marine Barracks on.”
In 1833, Marines guard the Treasury Building in Washington, D.C., after it is partially destroyed by fire.
In 1836, Marines and sailors from the Vandalia join Army troops in an expedition up the Myacca River, returning to Tampa Bay on 27 April.
In 1885, the screw sloop Shenandoah lands a company of Marines and reinforcing sailors at Panama City, the Pacific terminus of the rail line.
The screw frigate Tennessee and screw sloop Swatara put a landing force ashore at Colon.
In 1919, Squadron E arrives in Haiti to provide an aviation element to the 1st Marine Brigade.
In 1931, a major earthquake devastates Managua and starts fires that rage throughout the city.
Roughly 15 percent of the population is killed or injured.
Marine and Guardia forces provide emergency assistance throughout the stricken city.
In 1943, the 2nd Marine Brigade is disbanded in Samoa.
In 1944, MacArthur asks to retain the 1st Marine Division until late June.
In 1946, the 9th MAW headquarters is disbanded at Cherry Point.
The 1st Battalion, 29th Marines (1/29) is disbanded in China.
In 1947, the wartime draft expires.
In 1951, U.S. Army forces in Korea, cross to the north of the 38th parallel for the first time since the retreats of December.
In 1965, On 31 March, the ARVN 5th Airborne Battalion, MAG-16, HMM-163, and HMM-162 participated in OPERATION QUYET THANG 512, an air assault near Tam Ky, 40 Km south of Da Nang in the Quang Tin Province.
In 1968, President Johnson announces a partial halt to the bombing of North Vietnam in an attempt to begin negotiations to end the war.
He also declares an end to his campaign for reelection.
In 1969, during the period 31 March through 29 May, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7), the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7), the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7), the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines (3/26), and the ARVN 51st Regiment participated in OPERATION OKLAHOMA HILLS, a clear and search operation in Happy Valley, in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1977 SgtMaj John R. Massaro succeeds SgtMaj Black and becomes the eighth Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.
In 1992, VMFA-333 and 531 are deactivated.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!