On this day in a Philadelphia tavern, the Continental Congress gave birth to the Marine Corps almost a full year before the Declaration of Independence. More than two centuries later in Fallujah, America still looks to the Marines to do the job no one else can.
General Hagee's Marine Corps 229th birthday message
Master Sgt. David Szablewski of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit celebrates the Marine Corps birthday by taking a bite of cake as the oldest Marine present on Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. Szablewski, 54, is a Naperville, Ill., native and Communications Detachment chief with Marine Wing Communications Squadron-48, a reserve unit from Chicago attached to the MEU's aviation combat element. The 24th MEU is currently conducting security and stability operations in northern Babil province.
54 years old and still in the field.
As our Marines once more go into the breach, stop and reflect on the character of the men and women who become marines.
Sgt. Albert A. Schmid
As part of the 11th Machine Gun Squad, Co. H, 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Schmid became part of the largest Marine force ever engaged in landing operations. They assaulted Guadalcanal in the first American offensive against the Japanese. After one buddy was killed and another injured, Schmid was left loading and firing a machine gun for more than four hours. Then came the Japanese grenade that would take Schmid's sight -- but not his courage.
Shouting at an injured friend to "tell me which way [they're] coming from and I'll get [them]," he resumed firing, sightless. After the field cleared on Aug. 21, Marines on the scene credited Schmid with 200 kills.
. . . . . .
The 3/5 brings the fight to Fallujah, Marines Hold 70% of Fallujah.
NEAR FALLUJAH, Iraq - U.S. Marines said American forces today had taken control of 70 percent of Fallujah in the third day of a major offensive to retake the insurgent stronghold.Major Francis Piccoli, of the First Marine Expeditionary Force, said enemy fighters were bottled up in a strip of the city flanking the major east-west highway that splits Fallujah.
God Speed, Gentlemen.
From "the Old Corps" Happy birthday Marines!
Rod Stanton
A 1/5 VietNam 1967+1968
S/F and God Speed in Iraq