R 091140Z SEP 13
UNCLASSIFIED/
ALMAR 032/13
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS(UC)/F002//
SUBJ/3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I CONGRATULATE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF 3D MARINE DIVISION ON THEIR 71ST ANNIVERSARY.
2.  ACTIVATED ON 16 SEPTEMBER 1942 IN THE EARLIEST DAYS OF AMERICA'S PARTICIPATION IN WORLD WAR II, 3D MARINE DIVISION WAS FORMED IN THE HILLS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.  THE "FIGHTING THIRD" WAS SWIFTLY CAST AS A FORMIDABLE FOE IN THE PACIFIC AND ESTABLISHED A LEGACY OF HONORABLE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE TO OUR GREAT NATION.
3.  WHETHER IN THE JUNGLES OF BOUGAINVILLE OR THE SANDS OF IWO JIMA, THE RICE PADDIES OF VIETNAM OR THE MOUNTAINS OF AFGHANISTAN, THE 3D MARINE DIVISION FACED THE ENEMIES OF FREEDOM IN EVERY CLIME AND PLACE WITH PROFESSIONALISM AND SKILL.  THE TRADITIONS OF GALLANTRY AND VALIANCE CONTINUE TO THIS DAY AS 3D MARINE DIVISION REMAINS A DIGNIFIED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARINE CORPS.
4.  AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR STORIED PAST, PAUSE TO REMEMBER AND HONOR YOUR 3D MARINE DIVISION COMRADES WHO GAVE THE LAST FULL MEASURE FOR THEIR FELLOW MARINES AND A GRATEFUL NATION.
5.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND SEMPER FIDELIS!  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//