3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY
Date Signed: 6/15/2007 | ALMARS Number: 050/04
ALMARS : 050/04
R 142055Z SEP 04
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(uc)
TO AL ALMAR(uc)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLASSIFIED
ALMAR 050/04
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
POC/SGT K. PTAK/ADMIN CHIEF/CMC STAFF GROUP/-/TEL:(703) 614-2326
/EMAIL:PTAKKK@HQMC.USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  SIXTY TWO YEARS AGO, THE 3D MARINE DIVISION WAS
FORMED AS OUR NATION FACED DESPERATE ODDS DURING THE OPENING MONTHS
OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.  SOON TESTED IN BATTLE, THE DIVISION WAS
MOLDED IN THE CRUCIBLE OF THE LANDING BEACHES AND BATTLEFIELDS OF
THE PACIFIC THEATER.  ON BOUGAINVILLE, GUAM, AND IWO JIMA, THE
NICKNAME "THE FIGHTING THIRD" WAS WELL EARNED.  
2.  IN THE JUNGLES, RICE PATTIES AND HILLS OF VIET NAM, THE MARINES
OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES THROUGH
INNUMERABLE ACTS OF TENACITY, COURAGE UNDER FIRE, AND SELFLESS
SACRIFICE. ELEMENTS OF THE DIVISION HAVE REINFORCED OUR FORCES AND
CONTRIBUTED TO OUR CORPS' SUCCESS IN KUWAIT, AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.
AS WE ARE AGAIN ENGAGED IN COMBAT AROUND THE GLOBE, WE ARE PROUD
THAT OUR MARINES ARE UPHOLDING THE STORIED LEGACY OF OUR THIRD
DIVISION, ADDING TO THE INHERITANCE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE,
AND REMAINING FAITHFUL TO THE DIVISION'S MOTTO OF "HONOR, VALOR, AND
FIDELITY."
3.  ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE MARINE CORPS, IT IS MY HONOR TO EXTEND
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION
AS YOU MARK YOUR ANNIVERSARY ON 16 SEPTEMBER.  KNOW THAT ALL
MARINES, AS WELL AS YOUR FELLOW AMERICANS, VALUE YOUR HONORABLE
SERVICE AND ARE PROUD OF YOUR MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SEMPER FIDELIS
AND KEEP ATTACKING!  M. W. HAGEE.  GENERAL, U. S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//