Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 23rd day of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1837, Commandant Henderson and part of his staff depart for Washington, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Miller as the Senior Marine in the field in Florida.
In 1899, at the request of Admiral Dewey, a Marine battalion of 15 officers and 260 enlisted men arrives at Cavite, Luzon, to protect the naval station from Filipino rebels.
In 1912, within 24 hours of receiving orders to organize the 1st Provisional Regiment, 32 officers and 777 enlisted are gathered and readied for overseas duty at Philadelphia.
In 1942, the Training Center, FMF, is established at New River, North Carolina.
During the course of the war, the base becomes the home of numerous schools and training programs.
In 1944, Marine and Navy torpedo bombers from Cape Torokina mine the waters off the Japanese-held southern end of Bougainville.
In 1947, Marines evacuate civilians (including 66 Americans) from Peitaiho Beach after they had fled Chinese Communist troops attacking the surrounding area.
In 1948, in the first-ever amphibious use of Marine helicopters, HMX-1 ferries 66 men and their equipment from the Palau to an objective inland during Operation Packard II at Camp Lejeune.
In 1951, Eighth Army counterattacks against Communist forces weakened by losses sustained in their spring offensive.
The 1st Marine Division drives north in a zone just to the east of the Hwachon Reservoir.
Opposition is sporadic and large numbers of the enemy surrender.
Within days, U.N. forces regain and cross much of the 38th parallel.
Fifth Air Force begins shutting down Communist supply lines deep behind the front.
1st MAW receives the mission of shutting down key roads in the Iron Triangle, the area near the formal North Korean capital city Pyongyang.
In the next seven weeks, 20 Marine aircraft are downed by flak, with 14 pilots killed or captured.
Only a third of 1st MAW sorties go to close air support during this period.
In 1957, Sergeant Major Wilbur Bestwick is appointed as the first Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, the Commandant’s senior enlisted advisor.
In 1966, during the period 23 May through 25 June, the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4) participated in OPERATION ATHENS, search and destroy operation 25 Km south of Hue in the Thua Thien Province.
In 1988, Bell Textron rolls out the first V-22 Osprey, a revolutionary tilt-rotor aircraft that lands and takes off like a helicopter but flies like a prop-driven fixed-wing plane.
It is designed to replace the aging CH-46 fleet.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!