Good morning Leathernecks, and on this the 7th day of September in the history of our beloved Corps:
In 1903, Marines and sailors from the cruiser Brooklyn (ACR-3) land at Beirut, then a part of Syria, to defend U.S. interests during a period of unrest.
In 1924, at the request of the U.S. consul, the cruiser Rochester (CA-2) lands Marines and seamen at La Ceiba to protect American citizens.
In 1942, The 1st Raider Battalion and attached 1st Parachute Battalion conduct an amphibious raid at Tasimboko and defeat the rear echelon of the Kawaguchi Brigade.
Elements of the 3rd Barrage Balloon Squadron arrive on Tulagi.
VMF-123 and VMSB-144 are organized at San Diego and VMF-124 and VMSB-143 at Kearney.
In 1944, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade headquarters is deactivated on Guadalcanal and its units (primarily the 4th and 22nd Marines) are absorbed by the 6th Marine Division, organized the same day.
The other main elements of the division are the 29th Marines (infantry) and the 15th Marines (artillery).
In 1945, the headquarters of MAG-31 and the p[lanes of VMF-441 fly onto the Yokosuka Airfield and become the first U.S. aviation unit to operate from Japan.
They are followed in the next few days by VMF-224, VMF-311, VMF(N)-542, and VMTB-131.
In 1951, the United States signs an agreement to provide economic assistance to the French-controlled government of Vietnam.
In 1965, during the period 7 through 10 September, BLT 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7), 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines (3/3), the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7), the ARVN 2nd Battalion, 4th Regiment and the 3rd Vietnamese Marine Battalion participated in OPERATION PIRANHA, a series of operations on the Batangan Peninsula and the An Ky Peninsula aimed at the remnants of the 1st VC Regiment and to counter seaborne infiltration.
This operation, situated a few miles south of Van Tuong killed 163 enemy.
Although the numbers of volunteers are increasing, the Marine Corps announces it will have to resort to the draft in January to meet its expanded strength.
In 1966, during the period 7 through 12 September, the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1), and the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9) participated in OPERATION CANNON, a search and destroy operation in the Quang Nam Province.
In 1990, the 13th MEU(SOC) arrives in the Persian Gulf and remains afloat under Navy command.
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas!
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever!
-Richard W. Pettengill, Corporal USMC
And damn proud of it!