YOUR HEART IS WITH THE BOYS OF 3/5, NOW AND ALWAYS!
The 3rd Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment forged its tradition and reputation in the Bois de Belleau in June, 1918. Against heavy odds, they fought with such ferocity in winning through to victory that the German Field Marshall Von Ludendorf conferred upon them the sobriquet “Teufelhunden” (Devil-Dogs).
The Battalion blazoned this tradition of victory through heavy odds in WWII in the great battles of Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa.
In Korea, the saga continued at the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, Seoul and the Frozen Chosin.
The legend was emblazoned in Vietnam, where the Battalion served in Chu-Lai, Da Nang, Quang Nam, and in such battles as Operation Union and Union II in the Que Son valley, the epic Battle of Hue, engagements in and around An Hoa, the Arizona Territory, Gonoy Island and the highlands to the west.
Most recently, the Battalion served in a highly successful deployment to the Sangin District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. I have spoken on several occasions with GySgt. Terence D’Alesandro, USMC, Company Gunny of Lima 3/5 in Afghanistan during the Sangin Deployment. To anyone who questions the quality of today’s Marines, I suggest you have a conversation with Gunny D! He is a straight shooter and an inspirational leader. OORAH, Gunny D!
The courage, professionalism and esprit de corps demonstrated by today’s 3/5 Marines does the battered heart of this old FMF Corpsman good. They have upheld, embellished and augmented a proud tradition.
My heart is with them now as it was over forty years ago, and as it will ever be. May the Lord be praised that our Nation produces warriors like these! It augurs well for the future of our Nation that we continue to do so in these perilous days.
SEMPER FI, BROTHERS, UNTIL WE MEET GUARDING THE GATES!
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