Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 29th and penultimate day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1804, Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon and seven Marines landed in Alexandria, Egypt.
In 1843, Commodore Matthew Perry lands with 75 Marines and sailors in Liberia, to root out the slave trade and piracy in the area.
In 1911, the cruiser Saratoga (ACR-2) departs Shanghai for Taku to protect foreign missionaries.
In 1943, the 1st Parachute Battalion, reinforced by Mike Company of the 3rd Raider Battalion, makes an amphibious raid at Koiari, about 10 miles east of the Bougainville perimeter.
They encounter a large Japanese force and make an amphibious withdrawal under pressure late in the day.
In 1944, MAG-33 arrives at Espirito Santo, New Hebrides.
In 1948, the 9th Marines went to Shanghai to evacuate U. S. nationals.
In 1950, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, (1/1) launches a spoiling attack to drive off enemy forces gathering outside Chinhung-ni.
Task Force Drysdale (41 Commando, the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1’s) Golf Company, Marine tanks, and an Army infantry company) attempts to escort a convoy of headquarters and support elements from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri.
The convoy and the Army company are stopped on the road that night and overrun by the Chinese.
The Communists attack Koto-ri, but are beaten back by the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1).
In 1966, during the period 29 November through 7 December, Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5) participated in OPERATION MISSISSIPPI, a search and destroy operation in Quang Nam Province.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!