Good morning, Leathernecks, and on this the 6th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1864, Marines aboard Union gunboats in Albermarle Sound, North Carolina, participate in the battle with the CSS Albermarle.
In 1893, a Marine detachment assumes guard duties for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
In 1914, the 44th Company (three officers and 125 enlisted men) arrives off Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo, and remains there for a month for potential deployment due to revolutionary disorder in that country.
In 1926, The Marine detachment of cruiser Cleveland (now redesignated as CL-21) lands at Bluefields to establish a neutral zone during a civil war in Nicaragua.
The Marines remain there for a month.
In 1937, Marines join civil forces in performing security duties following the fiery crash of the German airship Hindenburg at Lakehurst, New Jersey.
In 1945, the 1st Marine Division begins attacking the Awacha Pocket on Okinawa.
In 1946, Commandant Vandegrift testifies before the Senate Naval Affairs Committee against the unification bill.
In his presentation he argues against an emasculated role for the Marines:
“The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps.
If the Marine as a fighting man has not made a
case for himself after 170 years of service, he
must go. But I think you will agree with me
that he has earned the right to depart with
dignity and honor, not by subjugation to the
status of uselessness and servility planned for
him by the War Department.”
His powerful words help stop consideration of the proposed legislation for that session of Congress.
In response to a question, he also reveals the existence of the classified 1478 papers, in which Army leaders had plainly stated their desire to reduce the Marine Corps to a small force operating landing craft.
FYI, I read this as an attempt by the President of the United States and the Army to steal all Marine Corps valor. The Bastards!
In 1965, the 9th MEB dissolves and III MEF assumes command of Marine forces in the I Corps zone.
The 3rd Marine Division headquarters assumes command of ground elements.
The MEF is redesignated as II Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) the next day.
Amphibious is substituted in all Marine designations as a result of a request from General Westmoreland due to the connotations of the French Expeditionary Force in an earlier Vietnam intervention.
In 1969, III MAF reaches its fourth anniversary.
It commands the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, 1st MAW, Force Logistics Command, the Army’s XXIV Corps headquarters, the Americal Division, the 101st Airborne Division, and the 1st Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division.
It rivals the size of Tenth Army at Okinawa and is a field army in all but name only.
In 1978, The Marine Corps Aviation Museum opens at Brown Field on board the base at Quantico.
In 1985, a CH-53D crashes in the Sea of Japan killing 17 Marines.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!