R 121200Z SEP 02
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(n)
TO ML ALMAR(n)
ALMAR
BT
UNCLAS
ALMAR 047/02
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/CMC//
SUBJ/60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION//
POC/SGT WOODS/ADMIN CHIEF/CSG/-/TEL:(703) 614-2326
/EMAIL:WOODSJP@HQMC.USMC.MIL//
RMKS/1. ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINES, I EXTEND WARMEST GREETINGS
TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION ON THE
OCCASION OF YOUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY. AS YOU GATHER TO
CELEBRATE THE 3D DIVISION'S MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
CORPS' HISTORY, KNOW THAT YOUR SACRIFICES AND SELFLESS
SERVICE HAVE MADE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE FOR THE NATION
AND OUR ALLIES WORLDWIDE.
2. ACTIVATED IN 1942, THE 3D MARINE DIVISION QUICKLY
ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION FOR MILITARY PROWESS IN THE
BOUGAINVILLE CAMPAIGN AND LATER IN ACTIONS AGAINST ENEMY
FORCES ON GUAM. DURING THE EPIC BATTLE FOR IWO JIMA, THE
DIVISION'S MARINES AND SAILORS EARNED THE FIGHTING THIRD
A HALLOWED PLACE IN OUR CORPS' DISTINGUISHED LINEAGE.
IN VIETNAM, THE DIVISION WOULD GO ON TO EXECUTE MORE THAN
120 MAJOR OPERATIONS, INCLUDING DEWEY CANYON AND HASTINGS,
AS WELL AS ITS DETERMINED STAND AGAINST THE NORTH VIETNAMESE
ARMY IN THE KHE SANH AREA DURING OPERATION SCOTLAND II.
ITS SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE IN EVERY OPERATION SINCE HAS ADDED
TO THE DIVISION'S GROWING LEGACY AS A FIERCE AND TENACIOUS
WARFIGHTING ORGANIZATION.
3. TODAY, IT IS FITTING TO CELEBRATE THIS ANNIVERSARY, AND
TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE PRECEDED YOU, KNOWING THAT
MARINES EVERYWHERE, AS WELL AS YOUR FELLOW AMERICANS, VALUE
YOUR HONORABLE SERVICE AND ARE PROUD OF THE MANY
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS, J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//