Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 15th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1847, the steamer Mississippi’s Marines take part in the landings at, and capture of, Carmen, Mexico.
In 1862, a Navy squadron battles the Confederate fort at Drewry’s Bluff on the James River below Richmond, Virginia.
Union Marines on ship return the musket fire of Confederate Marines on shore.
When a gun crew on the Galena is wiped out by a shell, the Marine detachment takes over and keeps it in action.
For his leadership in this battle, Corporal John Mackie later will become the first Marine ever awarded the Medal of Honor.
In 1944, VMF-471 is organized at El Centro. VMB-623 and VMSB-932 are formed at Cherry Point.
In 1945, MAG-14 ends combat operations on Samar in preparations for its shift to Okinawa.
VMB-622 is redesignated VMTB-622 at Mojave.
In 1946, the 52nd Defense Battalion is redesignated the 3rd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion at Montford Point.
In 1951, VMF-121 is redesignated VMA-121.
It is equipped with the Douglas AD Skyraider, a propeller attack plane that can carry over 5,000 pounds of bombs.
In 1952, VMR-353 is reactivated at Miami.
In 1957, the 4th Marine Provisional Exercise Brigade (composed of BLT 2/5, MAG-26, and VMA-223) takes part in atomic exercise Operation Plumbbob at Desert Rock, Nevada.
The operation continues through 5 July.
In 1961, BLT 3/9 and HMR(L)-162 deploy from Okinawa to serve as the Seventh Fleet landing force off Southeast Asia.
In 1966, during the period 15 through 17 May, the 3rdt Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7) participated in OPERATION YUMA, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
In 1972, the United States ends 27 years of American administration and transfers control of the Ryukyu Islands back to Japan.
In 1975, under the cover of air and naval gunfire, nearly 200 Marines are extracted by helicopter from Koh Tang.
Losses in the operation total 14 Marines, two corpsmen, and two airmen killed and 41 Marines, two corpsmen, and six airmen wounded.
Another 23 airmen died in a related but accidental helicopter crash in Thailand.
In 1991, two weeks after a devastating cyclone strikes the country, 5th MEB (on its way home from Operation Desert Storm) arrives off the coast to support the international relief effort.
The 5th MEB participates in Operation Sea Angel through 28 May.
It is replaced by Contingency MAGTF 2-91 from Okinawa, which remains through 7 June.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!