BLT 1/6 as it conducted its first Med landing back in 1963.

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

07.02.2019

Courtesy Story

Marine Corps Installations East       

This week we are republishing a story that appeared on our pages on this date in history. We hope it will give you an appreciation for our Corps’ illustrious heritage and a unique look at the style and tone of journalism during these years. Today’s article features
BLT 1/6 as it conducted its first Med landing back in 1963.
U.S. SIXTH FLEET IN THE MEDITERRANEAN—BLT 1/6 under the command of Lt. Col. M. W. Schmidt, conducted its first Mediterranean amphibious and vertical assault exercise on June 14, 1963 when amphibious tractor and helicopters and landing craft from ships of Task Force 61 transported the Marines to a landing beach located eight miles south of Kavalla, Greece.
On hand to witness the impressive Marine and Navy operation were Lt. Gen. W. M. Greene, Chief of Staff of the Marine Corps, and the V. Adm. W. E. Gentner, Jr., Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet and several hundred members of the Royal Hellenic Armed forces.
Supporting the Marine assault unit as it penetrated through a terrain of mountains and valleys were attack aircraft from the USS Enterprise and naval gunfire from ships of Task Force 61 and the USS Little Rock flagship of the U.S. Sixth Fleet.
From their vantage point, the ruins of a stone fortification high above the harbor of Nea Peramos where the landing took place, Lt. Gen. Greene and V. Adm. Gentner, in company with several Greek Generals from the Greek War College watched as Capt. Gordon E. Malone’s company “D” assaulted the beach objective from the amphibious tractors.
Additional Marine ground support followed the company “D’s” assault utilizing landing craft and helicopters from HMM 262 Sub Unit 2 under the command of Maj. H. V. Larson.
As the drive moved inland, a static display of battalion weapons and equipment was established on the beach for the convenience of the visiting Greek personnel.
The Kavalla landing was the first landing operation conducted by the BLT 1-6 since it arrived in the Mediterranean last month from its home with the 2d Marine Division.

• Date Taken: 07.02.2019
• Date Posted: 07.02.2019 08:15
• Story ID: 330058
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US