Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 28th day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1775, Samuel Nicholas of Philadelphia is commissioned a captain of Marines by the Continental Congress.
The senior Marine throughout the Revolutionary War, he is regarded as the first Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Over the next several weeks, Marines aboard ships of Washington’s fleet help capture numerous British ships off Boston.
In 1812, Marines and sailors join Army troops in capturing the British fort during the “Battle of Red House Red House, in Canada.
In 1915, elements of the 4th Regiment embark on the cruiser San Diego (ACR-6) and take station off the west coast of Mexico until 3 February 1916.
In 1945, the 4th Marine Division is disbanded at Camp Pendleton. MAG-45 is decommissioned.
In 1948, in accordance with Secretary Forrestal’s announcement, BLT-9 (the 9th Marines-a battalion sized force-plus additional reinforcing elements) sails from Guam on the transport Bayfield (APA-33).
Its mission is to assist in the evacuation of 2,500 Americans from Shanghai, which is in danger of falling to the Communists.
After a stopover at Tsingtao, the BLT will arrive at Shanghai on 16 December.
In 1950, Smith halts his division’s attack beyond Yudam-ni and concentrates the efforts of his Marines in opening up the MSR, now cut in several places by the Chinese.
The 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7) succeeds in linking up with its Charlie Company and bringing it back into the Yudam-ni perimeter.
That night, the Chinese hit Hagaru-ri and renew their attacks on Fox Company.
In addition to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1), division support elements and small numbers of U.S. soldiers man the Hagaru-ri perimeter and largely hold off the CCF, although losing some ground on East Hill (the key terrain feature dominating the town).
As U.S. and British Marines fight together in Korea, the Royal Marines present the Canton Bell, captured by them in China in 1875, to the U.S. Marine Corps for display in the museum at Quantico.
In 1968, during the period 29 November through 26 January 1969, Marines of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9) and 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9) participated in OPERATION DAWSON RIVER, a clear and search operation in the vicinity of Khe Sanh in the Quang Tri Province.
In 2001, during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, a detachment from I MEF deploys to Kuwait to head up Combined Joint Task Force Consequence Management (CJTF-CM) with the mission of coordinating the response to any use of chemical or biological weapons in the region.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!