Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 24th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1846, Marines on board the sloop St. Mary’s participate in the shelling of Tampico, Mexico.
In 1898, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Huntington’s 1st Marine Battalion goes ashore at Key West, Florida.
In 1942, the headquarters of MAG-24 departs Efate for Santa Barbara, California.
In 1945, as part of a larger kamikaze raid that night, six Japanese transport planes loaded with commandos attempt to land on Yontan Airfield.
Five are shot down by antiaircraft fire, but one makes it to the ground and the enemy soldiers destroy eight planes and cause other damage.
Lieutenant Albert F. Dellamano of VMF(N)-533 shoots down three enemy planes during the night.
The 8th Marines sails from Saipan for Okinawa.
The carrier Gilbert Islands and her Marine squadrons arrive off Okinawa.
In 1947, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines sails for Guam.
In 1949, the 3rd Marines arrives in Hawaii following completion of its duty in China.
It is on its way to Camp Pendleton.
In 1966, during the 24th of May, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines participated in OPERATION CHEYENNE I, a search and destroy operation along the coast, 20 Km north of Chu Lai in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1985, a revised Marine Corps order increases the amount of combat-related training, to include marksmanship and defensive tactics, required of female Marines.
In 1995, Marine aircraft participate in strikes on Serbian ammunition dumps in support of continuing NATO action in the troubled region.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!