3rd Amphibious Corps Progresses on Okinawa
On April 3, 1945, Marines with the 3rd Amphibious Corps continued to progress along their front on the Japanese island of Okinawa, clearing Zampa Misaki and seizing the Kachin Peninsula. This effectively cut the island in two, and was accomplished more than a week ahead of the schedule originally set by Marine Corps leaders.
*Image info: 1st Marine Division insignia.
1st Marine Division Clashes with Communist Chinese Forces
On April 5, 1947, five Marine guards were killed and eight more were wounded during an attack by Communist Chinese forces near the Hsin Ho ammunition depot in northern China. This was the last major clash between the 1st Marine Division and Communist Chinese forces and occurred just four days after the 1st Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing had received their withdrawal and redeployment plans from China on April 1
*Image info: John H. Glenn, Jr. (USMC photo/released.)
Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn Selected for Space Training
On April 10, 1959, Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn, Jr. was named as one of the original seven Project Mercury astronauts selected for space training. All seven astronauts were volunteers and were selected by NASA out of a pool of 110 candidates, all of whom were leading military test pilots. Just under three years later, in February of 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.
*Image info: Aerial view of Fort Douaumont, the largest of the 19 forts protecting the town of Verdun, France, prior to the battle. (image released)
4th Marine Brigade Attacked in Verdun, France
During the late night and early morning hours of April 12-13, 1918, the 4th marine Brigade suffered its first gas attack by German forces. In the attack, German forces bombarded the 74th Company, 6th Marines near Verdun, France with mustard gas. Nine Marine officers and 305 enlisted Marines were gassed during the attack and evacuated. 30 Marines were killed in the attack.
*Image info: Joe Foss
(USMC photo/released.)
Joe Foss Born
On April 17, 1915, future Medal of Honor recipient Joseph “Joe” Foss, was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
In 1940, Foss joined the Marine Corps as a pilot, and went on to become a leading American “ace” during World War II. During his time in the Corps, Foss won 26 aerial victories and received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Medal of Honor for his actions over Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands where he recorded 23 confirmed (and numerous other probable) kills in just over a month between October and November of 1942.
Following his time in the military, Foss had a number of jobs, including serving as the 20th Governor of South Dakota, the Commissioner of the American Football League, and the President of the National Rifle Association. He died in Arizona in 2003 at the age of 87.
*Image info: The U.S. Embassy three days after the bombing
(USMC photo/released)
Marine Security Guard Killed in Lebanon
On April 18, 1983, more than 60 people, including 17 Americans, were killed when a car bomb exploded outside the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. Among those killed was Marine Security Guard Lance Corporal Robert McMaugh, who was later buried at Arlington National Cemetery. A further seven Marine Security Guards were wounded in the explosion.
*Image info: The USS Bataan in January 1952 in preparation for her second Korean War deployment.
(U.S.Navy photo/released)
Marine Aviators See First Action in Korean War
On April 21, 1951, carrier-based Marine airplanes made their first contact with enemy planes over North Korea. Captain Philip C. Delong shot down two YAK fighters and 1st Lieutenant Harold D. Daigh destroyed one more and damaged another near Pyongyang. Both pilots were with VMF-312 flying from the USS Bataan.