R 251946Z JAN 13
UNCLASSIFIED/
ALMAR 003/13
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS //
SUBJ/1ST MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY //
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE MARINE CORPS FAMILY, IT IS MY HONOR TO CONGRATULATE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION (1ST MARDIV) ON YOUR 72ND ANNIVERSARY.
2.  A MERE 18 MONTHS AFTER ACTIVATION ON 1 FEBRUARY 1941, THE 1ST MARDIV CONDUCTED THE INITIAL U.S. GROUND OFFENSIVE OF WORLD WAR II IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS.  SINCE THEN, MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 'BLUE DIAMOND' HAVE ACQUITTED THEMSELVES WITH THE HIGHEST DISTINCTION, WINNING NEW HONORS ON EACH OCCASION AND CONTINUING TO BOLSTER OUR LEGACY.  TODAY, WITH THE SAME VALOR, COURAGE AND FIDELITY AS THEIR 'OLD BREED' PREDECESSORS, MARINES OF 1ST MARDIV CONTINUE TO SELFLESSLY SERVE.
3.  AS WE COMMEMORATE YOUR RICH HISTORY, KNOW THAT ALL AMERICANS, AS WELL AS YOUR FELLOW MARINES AND SAILORS, ARE PROUD OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.  IT IS FITTING THAT WE PAUSE TO REMEMBER ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING OUR GREAT NATION.
4.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND SEMPER FIDELIS.  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//