30 January 1968

Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive begins on the first day of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Viet Cong broke a prior agreement of a cease-fire on the Tet holiday to launch the “largest and best coordinated offensive” of the Vietnam War. More than 80,000 North Vietnamese forces attacked over 100 towns and cities in South Vietnam. A 19-man Viet Cong force seized the US Embassy, in Saigon. The Viet Cong held the Embassy for six hours until US paratroopers landed on the roof and freed the building. Five US personnel were killed in the siege.

The Offensive was largely subdued by February 10^th, although it did damage the outlook, and President Johnson’s handling of the Vietnam War back in the United States.

3 February 1944

Marshall Islands Captured

Japan had controlled the Marshall Islands since the First World War and they were using the islands military base of operations in the Second World War. The 5^th Fleet from Pearl Harbor, aided by the 4^th Marine Division, invaded the islands with 53,000 troops. The island of Kwajalein, an atoll that was part of the Marshall Islands, housed the administrative and communications center for the Japanese and had been bombed by the US prior to the invasion. By February 3^rd, the Marshalls had been captured. 400 Americans troops were lost.

4 February 1962

US Helicopter Shot Down

The first US helicopter is shot down in the Vietnam War. Fifteen helicopters were transporting South Vietnamese Army troops into combat in the Mekong Delta.

George Washington Elected

George Washington became the first United States President to be elected. The commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Washington was unanimously chosen by the 69 electors. He would achieve the same feat on the same day four years later.

Sources

History.com

United States Marine Corps History Division

Image from Cosmeo.com