Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 15th day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1923, a detachment of Marines goes ashore at Tunghan, China, to safeguard American missionaries in the aftermath of factional fighting.
In 1934, VO-8M is reactivated by combining the personnel and planes remaining at the deactivation of VS-14M and VS-15M.
In 1946, VMSB-235 is reestablished as VMF-235, a Reserve squadron at Squantum, Massachusetts.
In 1950, the 7th Marines occupies Hagaru-ri, at the southern end of the Chosin Reservoir.
The remainder of the division is slowly beginning to close up behind the 7th, on a single road (dubbed the Main Supply Route or MSR) from Hungnam to the reservoir.
In 1951, the 1st Marine Division finishes issuing the new thermal boot to all its personnel.
This footgear has a pocket of air between two layers of rubber, which helps retain the wearer’s body heat.
The bulky boots are awkward for marching, but prevent frostbite and are especially effective in the static tactical situation facing the division.
In 1960, the 24th Expeditionary Unit is activated at Camp Lejeune.
It consists of an infantry battalion and a provisional MAG with a light helicopter squadron and a fixed-wing attack squadron.
In 1963, USMACV announces that 1,000 of the 16,575 U.S. military personnel in Vietnam will be withdrawn due to progress made in training the South Vietnamese armed forces.
The first 220 servicemen depart on 3 December.
In 1969, MAG-36 begins to transfer from Vietnam to Okinawa.
In 2002, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the headquarters of I MEF Forward begins deploying to Kuwait to command Marine elements in the theater in support of efforts to force the Suddam Hussein regime of Iraq to give up its weapons of mass destruction.
The command element of the 2nd Marine Division and detachments of II MEF are designated as headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).
It deploys on the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) to take command of efforts to seek out and destroy terrorists operating in the vicinity of the Horn of Africa.
In 2022, Captain Kelsey M. Hastings became the first female promoted to Commander of the Marine Corps’ prestigious Silent Drill Platoon and will formally take charge on 21 November 2022.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!