Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 2nd day of September in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1858, sixty-five Marines from the New York Navy Yard and the steamer Sabine protect government buildings housing yellow fever patients on Staten Island from mobs intent on burning them.
In 1940, the U.S. agrees to give Britain 50 World War I-era destroyers in exchange for leases on British bases in the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Trinidad, and British Guiana. Marine detachments later occupy those bases.
In 1943, Marine Corps Airbase Kearney, Mesa, California is renamed Marine Corps Air Depot Miramar.
In 1945, Japanese representatives sign the formal surrender documents on board the battleship Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay.
The ship’s Marine detachment and Marines on several senior staffs are present.
The Marine Corps is at its peak strength of the war (and all time) with a total of 485.833 officers and men.
U.S. Army occupation forces begin to arrive in Tokyo Bay.
Japanese garrisons all over the Pacific begin surrendering.
In 1951, 1/6 departs Morehead City to assume duty as the landing force of the Sixth Fleet. It will remain afloat until 12 February 1952.
In 1952, 1st MAW pulls its Douglass F3D-2 Skynight jet night fighters out of combat operations due to the possibility of engine explosions.
The 4th Marines is reactivated at Camp Pendleton. Its final battalion is not formed until the end of November, at which point the 3rd Marine Division is finally filled out.
In 1958, RLTs 1 and 5, 3/7, and MAGs 33 and 36 participate in PHIBLEX 2-59 at Camp Pendleton. The exercise lasts through 14 September.
HMR-773 and 774 are activated as part of the Marine Corps Reserve.
In 1965, MAG-36 begins arriving in Chu Lai with an HMH, three HMMs, and a VMO squadron.
In 1990, the 7th MEB deactivates and is subsumed into I MEF.
1st MEB follows suit a few days later. The major subordinate elements of I MEF (3rd MAW, 1st Marine Division, and 1st FSSG) take control of their respective parts of the force.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!