Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 4th day of November in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1898, Marines from the Baltimore, the Boston, and the cruiser Raleigh (C-8) land at Taku, China, and proceed to Peking to establish a guard at the U.S. legation.
In 1903, a day after Panamanians revolted against Colombia, Marines and sailors from the Nashville land at Colon to protect American lives and secure the railroad from use by the forces of either side.
In 1911, two dozen Marines land near Shanghai from the cruiser Albany (CL-23) to protect a cable station.
In 1928, Marine forces, with Navy reinforcements, oversee a free and fair election in Nicaragua by preventing interference from Sandinista forces and supervising every single polling place.
In 1939, the Neutrality Act of 1939 repeals a 1937 total arms embargo and allows other nations to purchase U.S. armaments, as long as they transport them.
That effectively permits only Great Britain and France to take advantage, since Germany’s coast is effectively blockaded by Allied naval power.
In 1942, the 8th Marines and 1/10 arrive at Lunga Point on Guadalcanal.
Two companies of the 2nd Raider Battalion secure a new beachhead at Aola Bay and are joined by the 1st Battalion, 147 Infantry, a battery of Army artillery and a Seabee unit.
In 1943, before first light, the 2nd Parachute Battalion conducts an unopposed amphibious withdrawal from the island of Choiseul.
In 1944, Marine Base Air Defense Group 48 at Santa Barbara and MAG-51 at Mojave are redesignated as Marine Air Support Groups (MASG).
Each will be composed of four carrier air groups (MCVG). An MCVG will operate from a single escort carrier with a fighter squadron and a torpedo bomber squadron.
The mission of the MASGs is to provide close air support to ground troops during an amphibious assault and subsequent fighting ashore.
In 1948, Colonel Katherine Towle became the first Director of Women Marines as regulars and not reservists.
In 1950, in moving upward as the road rises through Funchilin Pass, the 7th Marines encounters the 124th CCF Division.
The regiment fails to dislodge the enemy in three days of heavy fighting, but the Chinese withdraw on the night of 6-7 November.
Marine losses total about 50 killed and 200 wounded, while Chinese casualties are estimated at 2,000.
In 1951, Captain William F. Guss of VMF-311 becomes the first Marine pilot to shoot down a Chinese MIG jet.
In 1976, the first Marine Corps Marathon kicked off in Washington, DC.
In 1979, a mob overruns the U.S. Embassy in Teheran. 65 Americans, including 13 Marine guards, are taken hostage.
Two weeks later, four Marines and nine others are released.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!