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Iceman, if you were referring to the "Halls of Montezuma", ie; the Mexican Military Acadamy, That objective was ACTUALY taken by the 4th U.S. Artillery, acting as infantry. But then the Marines have always had a better PR section. Now don't get in a snit, since there is one of Uncle Sams Misguided Children in my family.
Oh Yeah, I do remember those 1942 dated C-Rats, the Green lucky Strikes, the OD Pall Malls, and the O.D. matchbooks with ---_V on them. If I had had any foresight back then, I would have saved those cigarettes instead of smoking them.;)
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Hi John,
I'm not sure where you are getting your history about the battle of Chapultepec (Sept. 1847), but there were many U.S. units in the battle, as well as officers Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant, Pierre Beauregard and George Pickett, who would all lead units during our Civil War. Marines of the time were formed into ships companies and detachments.
40 Marines took point in one of two storming parties of 250 hand-picked men organized by the CG, Winfield Scott. They assaulted the walls from the Southwest side of the castle. Later, another group of Marines would move behind Mexican lines, scale a building and direct deadly volley fire onto the Mexican artillery gunners.
The red stripe on all Marine Officers and NCOs dress blue uniform trousers are known as "blood" stripes and are worn to commemorate the fact that 90% of the Marine Officers and NCOs who fought at the Halls of Montezuma were KIA.
Please have the courtesy not to attempt to minimize the Marine sacrifice nor contribution to the battle of Chapultepec Castle and Mexico City.
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