Good morning, Leathernecks, and on this the 9th day of May in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1775, Soldiers from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold’s Massachusetts force capture a British sloop at Skenesborough on Lake Champlain and rename her Liberty.
Massachusetts soldiers, turned sailors and Marines, man her.
In 1803, Marines participate in the action between the frigate John Adams and seven gunboats off Tripoli.
In 1862, Orderly Sergeant Aaron Gilbert and the Marines of the steamer Iroquois raise the flag over Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In 1918, French units begin to relieve the 2nd Division in the lines at Verdun, and the division moves to a training area in the rear.
In 1940, British troops occupy Iceland due to its key location along sea lanes in the Atlantic.
In 1945, on Okinawa, after the darkness sets in, the 6th Engineer Battalion builds a footbridge over the Asa.
Four companies of the 22nd Marines cross before the Japanese blow it up early the next morning.
In 1947, the last elements of the headquarters of MAG-24 transfers from China to Guam.
In 1949, HMX-1 conducts a simulated heliborne amphibious assault at Quantico for visiting members of Congress.
Eight HRP-Is carry 56 Marines in a single lift.
A second lift brings in 75mm pack howitzers and their gunners.
In 1950, the Communist government releases two airmen (including a Marine) it had been holding since 19 October 1948, when their plane had gone down in Manchuria.
In 1951, 1st MAW Corsairs and Panthers participate in a raid by more than 300 U.S. aircraft against Sinuiju. North Korea’s temporary capital and the site of key bridges spanning the Yalu River to China.
In 1952, most of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines conduct a raid to destroy Chinese forces that have occupied an outpost abandoned earlier by the division.
Marines lose seven killed and 66 wounded, but inflict greater losses on the enemy.
In 1962, eight Marine helicopters are hit by small arms fire during a landing on the Ca Mau Peninsula in Vietnam.
In 1966, during the period 9 through 14 May, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5), 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7), and the VNMC 2nd and 5th Battalions participated in OPERATION MONTGOMERY/OPERATION LIEN KET 40 , a security operation in the Quang Ngai Province.
In 1969, the 5th Marines, during OPERATION ARIZONA TERRITORY, conducts a search and clear mission using air and artillery that kills 230 enemy in the area northwest of An Hoa.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!