Originally Posted November 1, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks! Although I could not find a specific date, these actions happened during the month of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1781, Major Samuel Nicholas (de facto 1st Commandant) is placed in charge of safeguarding the delivery from Boston to Philadelphia of a million silver coins.
This is a loan from France to the Continental government.
In 1868, Brooklyn Navy Yard Marines make another foray into the city to enforce the distillery laws.
In 1890, U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings publishes an article by Navy Lieutenant William Fullum that argues that Marines are no longer needed on warships.
In 1909, Major Smedley Butler’s battalion, boards the auxiliary cruiser Buffalo in Philadelphia early in the month for duty in Panama.
It ends up in Nicaraguan waters pending the resolution of a civil war in that nation and stays there until 16 March 1910.
In 1912, a detachment of 36 Marines from Guam lands in Chefoo to protect U.S. interests during instability in China.
In 1942, MAG-11 moves to Espiritu Santo.
In 1943, MAG-12 moves from New Zealand to Efate in the New Hebrides.
In 1948, the Marine Corps publishes “Amphibious Operations- Employment of helicopters (tentative)”, its first doctrine on the subject.
Its short title is Phib-31.
Before I forget; Betcha ya didn’t know that Marines also served in the Mexican-American War. This was during Commandant Archibald Henderson’s tenure. At the end of the he was presented with a sword that was inscribed, “From the Halls of Montezuma, to the Shores of Tripoli”, which we all know are the opening words to the Marines Hymn. Interestingly, no one knows who composed the Hymn which was authorized by Commandant in 1929.
And now you know the rest of the story.
And on this the very 1st day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1827, Marines and sailors from the sloop Warren land and burn the pirate town of Miconi in the Cyclades Islands near Greece.
In 1876, Commandant Jacob Zeilin retires.
Colonel Charles G. McCawley assumes duties as the eight Commandant of the Marine Corps.
In 1901, during the period 1 November through 10 November, Marine patrols on Samar skirmish with numerous enemy bands, driving them back to a rebel stronghold dug into the cliffs along the Sohoton River.
In 1906, the remaining 1,000 Marines in Cuba are organized into the 1st Provisional Regiment.
It remains there until January 1909.
In 1918, the 2nd Division, with the 4th Marine Brigade in the lead, joins in the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
The brigade attack overruns all German defensive lines and creates a salient forcing an enemy withdrawal all across the front.
In pursuit, the division reaches the Meuse River on 9 November.
In 1921, Commandant Lejeune directs that every Marine be reminded of the honorable service of the Corps on the 10 November birthday of the Marine Corps.
He personally wrote out the words, which are repeated every year in ceremonies around the globe.
In 1928, VF-6M arrives in San Diego from China.
The squadron resumes duty as part of the aviation element of the West Coast Expeditionary Force.
In 1939, the 1st Defense Battalion is organized at San Diego.
In 1942, during the period 1 November through 3 November, with support from the division scout-snipers and 3/7 screening the flank, the 5th Marines attack west across the Matanikau and destroy a pocket of Japanese around Point Cruz.
The 2nd Marines and the 164th Infantry move past Point Cruz to establish a new defensive line to the west.
VMF-112 arrives on Guadalcanal.
In 1943, following air and naval bombardments (including attacks by Marine air based at Munda), the reinforced 3rd Marine Division conducts an amphibious assault at Cape Torokina, Empress Augusta Bay, on west coast of Bougainville.
The 3rd and 9th Marines and the 2nd Raider Battalion make the main landing, while the 3rd Raider Battalion goes ashore on Puruata Island.
The Marines (under command of I MAC) overwhelm the enemy company defending the Cape Torokina area and establish a beachhead perimeter.
The 3rd Defense Battalion comes ashore, as well.
VMO-2 is commissioned at Quantico.
In 1944, MAG-34 and 94 swap designations.
The old MAG-92 redesignated as MAG-91.
Upon its arrival at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, MAG-52 is redesignated as the new MAG-92.
In 1945, the Eighth Army gives control of the 4th Marines to the U.S. Navy command at Yokosuka.
VMSB-333 is deactivated.
In 1952, VMF(N)-513 gains full operational status following incorporation of upgrades to its F3D-2 Skynight jets.
Soon after, it assumes responsibility for escorting Air Force B-29 night- bombing raids over North Korea.
In 1956, after British and French forces begin attacking Egypt on 31 October, BLT 3/2 and the Sixth Fleet evacuate over 1,500 people (mostly U.S. citizens) from Alexandria, Egypt, as well as a U.N. observer force from the Gaza Strip.
In 1961, HMR(L)-264, flying off the Antietam (CVS-36), aids the victims of Hurricane Hattie.
MAG-31 is reactivated at Beaufort.
In 1963, the government of South Vietnam is overthrown in a military coup and President Diem is killed.
In 1966, VMA(AW)-242 arrives in DaNang, bringing with it the first Marine Grumman A6 Intruders.
Four Marines die while fighting a brush fire in the Piedro de Lumbre Canyon area of California.
In 1967, during a visit to III MAF in Da Nang, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey presents the presidential Unit Citation to the 3rd Marine Division for its performance along the DMZ.
During the period 1 November through 20 January 1968, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines participated in OPERATION LANCASTER.
a search and destroy operation located on Route 9 between Cam Lo and in the old Operation Kingfisher area around Ca Lu.
During the period 1 November through 20 January 1968, the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines and 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines participated in OPERATION NEOSHO northwest of Hue.
During the period 1 November through 31 March, the 1st Battalion, 13th Marines and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 26th Marines participated in OPERATION SCOTLAND, a series of operations (including the Battle of KheSanh). The operation terminates with commencement of OPERATION PEGASUS.
During the period 1 November through 28 February 1969,
the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st and 2nd Battalions, 26th Marines and 3rd Tank Battalion participate in OPERATION KENTUCKY an anti-infiltration operation around Leatherneck Square between Con Thien, Gio Linh, Cam Lo and Dong Ha.
In 1968, during the period 1 November through February 1969, the 3rd Marine Division, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division strike operation in the vicinity of Quảng Trị City in coordination with ARVN forces including the 1st Regiment, 1st Division participate in OPERATION NAPOLEON SALINE II to support the pacification of Quảng Trị Province.
In 1969, with the 3rd Marine Division returning to Okinawa, 9th MAB is deactivated.
In 1972, VMA-542 is activated at Beaufort.
In 2001, during Operation Enduring Freedom, Task Force 58 is activated in Central Command to control the 15th and 16th MEU(SOC)s.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!