Originally Posted September 20, 2024
Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 20th day of September in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1776, Marines participate in the action between the sloop Providence and the British frigate Milford. Although surprised while the crew is fishing, the smaller American ship is able to escape in a day of expert sailing.
In 1856, Marines and seamen from the St. Mary and the Independence guard the railroad station on the Panama Isthmus to protect American travelers from rioters.
In 1915, Marine patrols engage in the first major battle with Caco bandits in northern Haiti, killing 40 at a cost of 10 wounded Marines.
In 1942, the 3rd Raider Battalion is organized in Samoa.
In 1943, the 4th Marine Division is assigned to VAC.
In 1944, the seven dive-bombing squadrons of the 1st MAW are slated to support Army forces in the upcoming Luzon campaign.
In 1945, the advance echelons of MAG-22 fly onto Omura Airfield on Kyushu.
In 1950, the 5th Marines attacks across the Han River and establishes a bridgehead eight miles northwest of Seoul.
In subsequent days the regiment is engaged in heavy fighting in well-defended hills outside the South Korean capital.
The 1st Marines begin an attack on Yongdungpo, an industrial suburb of Seoul on the west bank of the Han River.
In 1951, the 1st Marine Division ends the attack begun on the 11th.
Although it is not known at the time, this marks the end of true offensive warfare on the part of U.S. forces in Korea. Henceforth, the only assaults made are to gain local positional advantage to better defend front lines existing on this date.
The division also begins to assume control of terrain on its right flank in relief of the ROK 11th Division. This extends the division front by 9,000 yards to a total of nearly 23,000 yards (13 miles).
VMF-323 debarks from the Sicily and moves in the next two days to Pusan.
In 1955, some 600 Marines from the 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton help battle fires in Los Padres National Forest near Santa Barbara, California.
In 1984, a suicide truck bomb explodes in front of the U.S. Embassy Annex in Beirut, killing 23 people and wounding numerous others, including four Marine guards.
In 1994, Special Purpose MAGTF Carib (built around the headquarters of the 2nd Marines, 2/2, and HMM-264) goes ashore at Cap Haitien as part of Operation Uphold Democracy.
This is an unopposed intervention designed to restore the authority of the elected president of Haiti.
The MAGTF will remain in Haiti for 12 days.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!