« A Special Thank You For Veterans Day Weekend | Main | "Agenda" Disappears From Obama Web Site »
November 10, 2008
Semper Fi - Happy 233rd Birthday USMC
The Few, The Proud, The United States 233rd Marine Corps Birthday
A Birthday Message From The Commandant Of The Marine Corps
During the summer of 1982, in the wake of a presidential directive, Marines went ashore at Beirut, Lebanon. Fifteen months later, on 23 October 1983, extremists struck the first major blow against American forces—starting this long war on terrorism. On that Sunday morning, a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden truck into the headquarters of Battalion Landing Team 1/8, destroying the building and killing 241 Marines and corpsmen.
Extremists have attacked our Nation, at home and abroad, numerous times since that fateful day in Beirut. Their aim has always been the same—to kill as many innocent Americans as possible. The attacks of 11 September 2001 changed our Nation forever, and our President has resolved that this Nation will not stand idle while murderous terrorists plan their next strike. Marines will continue to take the fight to the enemy—hitting them on their own turf, crushing them when they show themselves, and finding them where they hide.
Only a few Americans choose the dangerous, but necessary, work of fighting our Nation’s enemies. When our chapter of history is written, it will be a saga of a selfless generation of Marines who were willing to stand up and fight for our Nation; to defend those who could not defend themselves; to thrive on the hardship and sacrifice expected of an elite warrior class; to march to the sound of the guns; and to ably shoulder the legacy of those Marines who have gone before.
On our 233rd birthday, first remember those who have served and those “angels” who have fallen—our reputation was built on their sacrifices. Remember our families; they are the unsung heroes whose support and dedication allow us to answer our Nation’s call. Finally, to all Marines and Sailors, know that I am proud of you and what you do. Your successes on the battlefield have only added to our illustrious history. Lieutenant General Victor H. “Brute” Krulak said it best when he wrote, “… the United States does not need a Marine Corps … the United States wants a Marine Corps.” Your actions, in Iraq and Afghanistan and across the globe, are at the core of why America loves her Marines.
Happy Birthday, Marines!
Semper Fidelis,
James T. Conway
General, U.S. Marine Corps
.
.
"We're surrounded? Good, now we can kill the bastards in any direction."
~ Colonel Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller; Korean War
Only seven chaplains have ever been awarded the Medal of Honor. Father Capodanno earned his on Sept. 4th 1967 while serving as the battalion chaplain for 3rd Bn. 5th Marines during Operation Swift in Quang Tin province Viet Nam.
Vincent Capodanno was born on February 13, 1929 in Richmond County NY, and grew up in a large Italian-American family on Staten Island. Graduating from Fordham University in 1949 he joined the Maryknoll Seminary in May of that year and was ordained a priest in June of 1948. He was a missionary in Taiwan and Hong Kong until 1965 when he saw the Viet Nam War heating up. Realizing the need for chaplains he joined the Navy and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the US Navy Reserves on December 28, 1965, arriving in Viet Nam in April of 1966.
He was assigned to the 7th Marines for his first tour, but when it was over he extended another 6 months and was assigned as the Battalion Chaplain for 3/5. During his tour Father Capodanno quickly earned a reputation as an infantryman’s chaplain. He was always in the field and would learn from the battalion intelligence officers which unit was likely to see the heaviest contact and make sure he was with them, often times incurring the wrath of the Battalion HQ staff who were very protective of him.
Father Capodanno regularly would share his salary, cigarettes, and rations and could always be counted on for a cold soda. He ensured that Marines who were forgotten when Christmas rolled around always received a gift through a relentless campaign he waged through friends back in the world. And when the hippie peace movement began to take a toll on the Marines morale, he reminded them of the nobility of their cause and of the evilness of the communist aggression they were fighting against. It was not long before Father Capodanno’s tireless efforts on behalf of his Marines earned him the nick name “The Grunt Padre”. On the night of September 3rd “The Grunt Padre” told Pete Morales, a Marine with H&S 3/5 that he was getting short, but that he intended on extending another 6 months. He said he loved his Marines and wanted stay where he was needed so much.
On September 4th 1967 the 3rd Battalion became heavily engaged with NVA forces outside the hamlet of Chau Lam. M Company was loading up on the choppers and everyone knew that there was a heavy fight going on. Ducking the Battalion HQ staff, Father Vincent grabbed his gear and rushed towards the waiting CH46’s. Doc Dave Magnenat, a corpsman with 3/5 saw him and for some reason he never understood asked him if he had forgotten a bible he had promised him. The priest said that he had indeed forgotten, ran back to his hooch and retrieved one for him. The doc tucked the bible away and wished the Father luck as he ran off to catch the last of the choppers heading into a Labor Day fight that would kill 15 Marines and wound 31 others that day alone.
3/5 soon became engaged with 2500 NVA soldiers, outnumbered 5 to 1. Every Marine that was there said that SWIFT was one of the toughest operations they had ever been in. It was in the middle of this fight that Father Vincent Capodanno would prove his love and devotion to his flock.
With the battle at it’s height Father Capodanno was constantly on the front line, tending to the wounded and ministering to the dying. When reports came in that the 2nd Platoon was about to be overrun, he left the relative safety of the company command post and ran across an open area raked with enemy fire to get to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the heavy enemy machine gun, automatic weapon and mortar fire he moved about the field administering the last rites and providing first aid to the wounded. When his right hand was partially severed by an enemy round he refused to be removed from the field. Moving from wounded to dead to wounded, he used his left hand to support his shattered right as he gave absolution to the wounded and dying.
Chaplains are easily identifiable on the battlefield, but mortar rounds are indiscriminate in their destruction. When a round landed close by, his arms and legs were peppered with painful shrapnel. He still refused medevac and instead with calm vigor he directed corpsmen to wounded men and continued ministering to his Marines, providing encouragement through his own valiant example.
Then he saw Doc Leal, a corpsmen who was treating a wounded Marine, go down. Despite his own wounds, he moved quickly, placing his self between the wounded corpsman and the line of enemy fire. Father Capodanno administered the Sacrament of the Sick to the wounded Marine while Doc Leal worked to save his life.
Fifteen yards away the same NVA gunner who had felled the corpsman lined his sights on Father Capodanno’s back. At fifteen yards he could not miss.
27 rounds tore through Father Vincent’s back, neck and head. The Grunt Padre fell dead along side the corpsman who was killed in the same burst of fire. They were both killed together, Father Capodanno giving the last rites to the wounded Marine, while Doc Leal worked to patch him up.
Jim Hamfeldt, a Marine there that day, says he wishes he could have taken those bullets instead. “But I would have had to stand in line for the chance because so many guys would have done the same thing”.
Father Vincent Capodanno, Lt., USNR CHC, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously on January 7th 1969.
On May 21, 2006 the Vatican declared him a Servant of God, the first step towards canonization as a Saint.
Doc Magnenat still has the bible Father Vincent gave him before he boarded the chopper that bore him to his death. “I’ve used it a lot over the years. For the remainder of my military service it was the last thing into my sea bag and the first thing out. Wherever I went it had a place of honor and has always been available for anyone to read who desired to do so.”
Father Capodanno is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Staten Island, New York.
.
Wild Thing's comment......
Thank you to all who have served in the Marine Corps. To my Uncle Steve, Uncle Hank, Uncle Peter and my cousin James. They are no longer with us but they serve now in the Marines in Heaven.
I was thinking since this election how days like this and Veterans Day are so close to my soul and how much we need to hold tight to these days when we celebrate the various branches and their birthdays; and to all our awesome Veterans.
Our country has been so blessed with Heroes and men and women that served our country.
....
Thank you Mark USMC for the story about Grunt Padre, Navy Lt. Vincent Capodanno.
Thank you SSGT Steve USMC, for the Message From The Commandant of othe Marine Corps James T. Conway.
Posted by Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 05:55 AM
Comments
Thanks for this wonderful story WT.Happy Birthday
USMC. God bless all of you.
Posted by: James R McKenna at November 10, 2008 07:10 AM
Thank you, Chrissie for this good post.
By the way, Mark, I was on Operstion Swift in '67.
Get my e*mail from Chrissie if you choose.
Semper Fi, Mac.
Posted by: SSgt Steve, at November 10, 2008 07:14 AM
"SOUND TAPS!...Day is done...Gone the sun...From the hills...From the plains...From the sky...All is well...Safely rest...God is nigh." Gyrenes, Grunts and Jarheads, Leathernecks and Devil Dogs, Happy 233rd Birthday Gung-Ho 'teufel hunden' and Semper Fi forever U.S. Marines!!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at November 10, 2008 08:28 AM
Happy Birthday Marines!
Posted by: BobF at November 10, 2008 09:10 AM
Happy Birthday Marines!!!!!!! May God always Bless you and keep you safe and strong!!!!
Having served in the SeaBees, many of my close friends were and are Marines. Some have gone on to serve God in a greater capacity. To each of you I will always be indebted for my FREEDOM!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.....FOR ALL THAT YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!! May you have many birthdays to come!!!!
Posted by: John at November 10, 2008 09:26 AM
On April 10, 1963 I got my title, at Parris Island. But I remember, History & Tradition Class, that is where you learn about, guys like Smedley Butler, Dan Daley, John Basilone. These were the ones we were to be compared with. One story I remember was about a Jap suicide attack on Guadalcanal, a machine gun position right near Basilones. The gunner was blinded by a grenade, but was fully functional his A gunner was wounded and couldn't help, the one blinded told his A gunner tell me where they are and together we will get them and they did. This is team work but also American Exceptionalism.
A freind of mine was a Seabee during WW 2, he was at Tarawa, he told me watching the first wave of small boats heading to shore and getting hung up on the coral reefs and the Marines would run off the Mike boats and go under the water and they were not coming back up.
These were the men we were to measure up to ?
My father and brother were both 1st Mar.Div. Not me I wound up in the 2nd for 3 1/2 years then extended my enlistment for vietnam and wound with the 3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment. When I got there they were called 'Di bo chet' aka the Walking dead and we even had our own theme song thanks to Hanoi Hanna, No where to run, no where to hide. Which we were quite proud of.
When it was all over I remember thinking well we did our job what we were trained to do. And I think we measured up and looking back at it that is what we were supposed to do.
Happy Birthday, Marines
Saepe Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas
Posted by: Mark at November 10, 2008 10:19 AM
Happy Birthday Marine Corps.
I hope that Padre Capodanno is cannonized by the Vatican. He was certainly doing God's work.
Posted by: TomR at November 10, 2008 11:11 AM
Happy Birthday Marines
Thank you Mark and Steve
I haven't forgotten the Seebees, thank you John.
A special thank you to all those Marines who served from Khe Sanh, The Rockpile, The Razorback, Ca Lu and Con Thien all along the 17th parallel.
It has been a long time, people forget. Those who served can't forget and I never will, my arrival was as the Army Air Mobile was taking over former Marine positions, that didn't mean the fighting was over nor that the beloved Marines had left, they were short on men and supplies, there were a lot of NVA still around and it wasn't a picnic. You all occupy a special place in my heart. Semper Fidelis
Some forget the events of Khe Sanh 1968 and what it was like:
Jan 2 - Five NVA officers killed near western edge of main perimeter. Intelligence
reports indicate influx of two NVA divisions, and possibly a third, into
the Khe Sanh TAOR.
Jan 16 -17 LtCol Heath's 2/26 transferred to operational control of 26th Marines and
arrives KSCB; 2/26 occupies Hill 558 north of the base. ASRT-B of
MASS-3 displaces from Chu Lai to Khe Sanh to handle ground
controlled radar bombing missions.
Jan 17 - Team from "Bravo", 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion ambushed near Hill
881N.
Jan 19 - While searching the recon ambush site, patrol from I/3/26 comes under fire
from an estimated 25 NVA troops and withdraws under cover of supporting
arms. Two platoons from M/3/26 helilifted to Hill 881S as reinforcements
for I/3/26 which prepares for sweep toward Hill 881N the next day.
Jan 20 - Capt Dabney's I/23/26 attacks and, with the aid of air and artillery, badly
mauls the NVA battalion entrenched on the southern slopes of Hill 881N;
7 Marines and 103 NVA KIA. On strength of testimony of captured NVA
lieutenant that enemy attack is imminent, I/3/26 is withdrawn to Hill 881S
and KSCB is placed on Red Alert. DASC of MASS-3 moves to Khe
Sanh.
Jan 20-21 Estimated NVA battalion attacks K/3/26 on Hill 861. After penetrating
southwestern portion of Marines' perimeter, the enemy is repulsed leaving
47 dead; NVA reserves are hit by heavy air strikes and artillery fire.
Jan 21 - KSCB comes under heavy mortar, artillery, and rocket attack which
destroys main ammunition dump. NVA battalion attacks and partially
overruns Khe Sanh village before CAC and RF companies drive off enemy.
After second attack, Col Lownds withdraws defenders to KSCB.
Jan 22 - US MACV initiates Operation NIAGARA to provide massive air support
for Khe Sanh. LtCol Mitchel's 1/9 arrives at KSCB and takes up
postions which encompass rock quarry southwest of combat base. E/2/26
is relocated from Hill 558 to prominent ridgeline northeast of 861 as
covering force for flank of 2/26; E/2/26 passes to operational control of 3rd
Battalion. New position is called 861 Alpha.
Jan 23-28 Large number of tribesmen and families are evacuated from Khe Sanh area
to avoid hostile fire.
Jan 27 - 37th ARVN Ranger Battalion arrives at KSCB and takes up positions in
eastern sector of combat base.
Jan 30 - Communists launch nation-wide TET Offensive.
Feb 5 - NVA battalion attacks E/2/26 on Hill 861A in concert with heavy shelling
of KSCB. Enemy gains foothold in northern sector of Company E perimeter
but is driven out by savage counterattack; 109 NVA and 7 Marines KIA.
Feb 7 - Special Forces camp at Lang Vei overrun by enemy battalion supported by
PT-76 Soviet-built tanks; first use of NVA tanks in South Vietnam.
Feb 8 - Some 3,000 indigenous personnel, both military and civilian, from Lang Vei
move overland to Khe Sanh. After being searched and processed, several
hundred refugees are air evacuated.
A/1/9 combat outpost 500 meters west of 1/9 perimeter hit and partailly
overrun by reinforced NVA battalion. During three-hour battle, reinforcements
drive NVA from Marine positions and with the aid of supporting arms kill
150 NVA; Col Lownds decides to abandon outpost and units withdraw to
1/9 perimeter. 27 Marines from A/1/9 die in battle.
Feb 10 - Marine C-130 of VMGR-152, hit by enemy fire during approach, crashes after
landing at Khe Sanh and six are killed.
Feb - Apr Paradrops, low-altitude extraction systems, and helicopters are primary means
of resupplying 26th Marines due to bad weather and heavy enemy fire.
Feb 21 - After heavy mortar and artillery barrage, NVA company probes 37th ARVN
Ranger lines but withdraws after distant fire fight. It is estimated that 25-30
NVA were killed.
Feb 23 - KSCB receives record number of incoming rounds for a single day - 1,307.
First appearance of enemy trench system around KSCB.
Feb 25 - B/1/26 patrol ambushed south of KSCB; 23Marines KIA. Patrol is later
called the "Ghost Patrol".
Feb 29 - Estimated NVA regiment maneuvers to attack 37th ARVN Ranger positions
Mar 1 but fail to reach defensive wire.
Mar 6 - USAF C-123 shot down east of runway; 43 USMC, 4 USAF, and 1 USN
personnel KIA.
Mar 7 - Large groups of refugees begin to filter into the base and are evacuated.
Mar 8 - ARVN patrols attack enemy trenchline east of runway and kill 26 NVA.
Mar 15 - American intelligence notes withdrawal of major NVA units from KSCB area.
Mar 22-23 - KSCB receives heaviest saturation of enemy rounds for the month - 1,109.
Mar 24 - A/1/9 patrol kills 31 NVA west of 1/9 perimeter.
Mar 25 - 1/9 CavSqd, 1st ACD begins reconnaissance in force operations east of
Khe Sanh in preparation for Operation PEGASUS.
Mar 30 - B/1/26 attacks enemy fortified position south of combat base and kills 115
North Vietnamese; 9 Marines are KIA. Operation SCOTLAND I terminates
with 1,602 confirmed NVA and 205 Marines KIA; estimates place probable
enemy dead between 10,000 and 15,000.
Task Force KILO launches diversionary attack along Gio Linh coastal plain to
divert attention away from Ca Lu where 1st ACD, and 1st Marines are staging
for Operation PEGASUS.
Apr 1 - Operation PEGASUS begins; 2/1 and 2/3 (1st Marines) attack west from Ca Lu
along Route 9. Elements of 3d Bde, 1st ACD conduct helo assaults into LZ
Mike and Cates. Joint engineer task force begins repair of Route 9 from Ca Lu
to Khe Sanh.
Apr 3 - 2d Bde, 1st ACD assaults LZs Tom and Wharton.
Apr 4 - 1/5 CavSqd moves northwest from LZ Wharton and attacks enemy units near
old French fort; 1st Battalion, 9th Marines moves southeast from rock quarry
and assaults Hill 471.
Apr 5 - 1/9 repulses enemy counterattack on Hill 471 and kills 122 North Vietnamese.
1st Bde, 1st ACD departs Ca Lu and assaults LZ Snapper.
Apr 6 - One company of 3d ARVN Airborne Task Force airlifted to KSCB for the
initial link up with defenders. Elements of 2d Bde, 1st ACD relieve 1st Battalion,
9th Marines on Hill 471; 1/9 commences sweep to northwest toward Hill 689.
1st Bde, 1st ACD helilifted north of KSCB. 2/26 and 3/26 push north of combat
base; Company G, 2/26 engages enemy force and kills 48 NVA.
Apr 8 - 2/7 CavSqd links up with 26th Marines and conducts official relief of combat
base. 1/26 attacks to the west. 3d ARVN Airborne Task Force air assaults into
LZ Snake west of Khe Sanh and kills 78 North Vietnamese.
Apr 10 - LtGen Rosson arrives Khe Sanh and directs LtGen Tolson to disengage and
prepare for Operation DELAWARE in A Shau Valley.
Apr 11 - Engineers complete renovation of Route 9 and road is officially opened. Elements
of 1st ACD begin withdrawal to Quang Tri City in preparation for Operation
DELAWARE; 37th ARVN Ranger Battalion airlifted to Da Nang.
Apr 12 - Col Meyers relieves Col Lownds as CO, 26th Marines.
Apr 14 - 3/26 attacks Hill 881N and kills 106 NVA; 6 Marines are KIA.
Apr 15 - Operation PEGASUS terminated; Operation SCOTLAND II begins.
Apr 18 - 26th Marines withdrawn to Dong Ha and Camp Carroll.
May 23 - President Johnson presents the Presidential Unit Citation to 26th Marines and
supporting units during White House ceremony.
Jun 23 - Although forward fire support bases are maintained in Khe Sanh area, the KSCB
is dismantled and abandoned. LZ Stud at Ca Lu is selected as base for air mobile
operations in western DMZ area.
Posted by: Jack at November 10, 2008 12:49 PM
To my dad, USMC California, 1955 (Honorman of the Honor Platoon, San Diego, 1955)
My brother, Billy, 1979-1986
My former brother in law, Jeff, veteran of the first Desert Storm (ballistics) and Somalia.
Ooh-rah and semper fi!
Posted by: Lynn at November 10, 2008 01:57 PM
I am without a doubt, the luckiest guy I know, today is the 233 birthday of the USMC, it is also MY birthday, I was intended, it was predestined, that I become a Marine...
Semper Fidelis Marines, and to you Chrissie, YOU deserve a medal for the unflinching LOVE you give to ALL of our wonderful service men and women!!
Posted by: TexasFred at November 10, 2008 03:38 PM
James R McKenna, God bless you too and thank you for serving our country.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:00 PM
SSgt Steve, thank you. Thank you too for sending me the message from Conway.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:06 PM
Darth, I love that, thank you for sharing that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:08 PM
BobF, thank you and thank you for serving our country in the Air Force.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:09 PM
John, how wonderful, thank you for your service to our country. Love the SeaBee's.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:12 PM
Mark, thank you so much for sharing about your Father and brother and sharing about your service. I remember about the Walking dead, thanks for sharing about that too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:29 PM
Tom, I hope the Padre is too. What an amazing story about him.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:32 PM
Jack, that is fantastic to have it listed like that. Thank you so much for posting that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:40 PM
Lynn awesome, thank you so much and thank you too to each family member of yours.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:41 PM
TexasFred, Happy Birthday, that is so neat to have it on the same say as the Marines and then also to have served in the Marines Corps. Thank you for your service TexasFred.
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 10, 2008 06:43 PM
Happy Birthday Marines, you folks are just fine in my book.
US Army 66-68
Posted by: cuchieddie at November 10, 2008 06:55 PM
Happy Birthday, Marines.
We got you, the other countries got the leftovers.
USN, 1972-1993
Posted by: Rick at November 11, 2008 01:16 AM
