Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 30th and final day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1845, Marines on the sloop Yorktown help capture a slave ship off Africa.
In 1864, the blockading squadron furnishes a naval brigade, including a battalion of Marines, for a joint expedition with army troops to link up with General Sherman’s army during its march to the sea.
The combined force is defeated at Honey Hill, South Carolina.
In 1910, the 10th Commandant of the Marine Corps Major General George F. Elliot retires.
In 1936, the 16th Commandant of the Marine Corps Major General John H. Russell, Jr. retired.
In 1942, the 2nd Raider Battalion surprises and routs a Japanese force on the slopes of Mount Austen.
A U.S. Navy task force loses one cruiser sunk and three heavily damaged while turning back a resupply run by Japanese warships in the Battle of Tassafaronga.
The Japanese lose one destroyer.
In 1943, the scout company of the 2nd Tank Battalion searches for enemy on Abaiang and Makakei Atolls north of Tarawa and finds only five Japanese.
The first Marine aircraft (six SBDs of VMSB-331) arrive on the Betio airstrip (named after 1st Lieutenant William D. Hawkins, posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the battle).
In 1944, four Corsair squadrons of 1st MAW are ordered to Leyte under operational command of Fifth Air Force to free Navy carriers for duty elsewhere.
In 1945, Mag-13 recently returned to San Diego from the Marshall Islands, is deactivated.
VMO-8, VMN-413, VMB-423, VMB-443, and VMB-611 are decommissioned.
In 1949, VMF-322 is deactivated.
In 1950, MAG-12 and its squadrons begin shifting from Wonsan to Yonpo airfield near Hungnam.
The move is completed the next day.
The Chinese make a night attack on Hagaru-ri, but without success.
In 1953, the total strength of the Marine Corps is 251,770, its maximum during the Korean War era.
In 1959, about 100 Marines from Camp Lejeune arrive at Guantanamo Bay to reinforce the security element already there.
They remain ashore until 15 January 1960.
In 1960, Golf Company of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines (2/6) and HMR(L)-264 sail from North Carolina to conduct Operation Solant Amity, a goodwill tour of the African continent.
They will return to the United States on 15 May 1961.
In 1962, Master Sergeant Catherine Murray was the first woman Marine to retire.
She continued to serve however, as she became the first enlisted woman to join the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve, where she continued to serve until 1972.
Sadly, she passed away December 20, 2017 at the age of 100 years.
She was laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington Cemetery.
In 1966, during the period 30 November through 6 December, Marines of the 1st Battalion 5th Marines participated in OPERATION SUTTER, a search and destroy operation in Quang Tin Province.
In 1984, HMH-466 is activated at Tustin, California.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!