Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 16th day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1856, the landing force in Canton, China begins to return to its ships. Upriver from the city, a ship’s boat is fired upon from one of the Barrier Forts.
The Portsmouth engages the forts with cannon fire, and a Marine is wounded.
In 1899, Marines from the USS Castine and the USS Manila captured Zamboanga, Philippines.
In 1901, Waller’s force attacks the Moro bastion at Sohoton and routs the enemy with heavy rifle and machine-gun fire.
In 1942, the first Marine night fighter squadron, VMF(N)-531, is organized at Cherry Point.
In 1945, VMTB-131 and 232 and VMO-7 are deactivated in California.
In 1965, during the period 16 November through 19 November a BLT (3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines) tied in with two ARVN to participate in OPERATION BLUE MARLIN II an amphibious operation 35 Km south of Da Nang.
In 1973, a new Skylab III team, commanded by Marine Lieutenant Colonel Gerald P. Carr, blasts off from the Kennedy Space Center atop the Saturn 1B rocket, for a 56-day mission.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!