SUBJ/4TH MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE//

1. ON BEHALF OF MARINES AROUND THE GLOBE, I SEND BEST WISHES TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION ON YOUR 64TH ANNIVERSARY. ON 16 AUGUST 1943, THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION WAS OFFICIALLY ACTIVATED AT CAMP PENDLETON. UNITS FROM BOTH EAST AND WEST COASTS CAME TOGETHER BY TRAIN AND BOAT AND WERE SOON ENGAGED IN SOME OF THE BLOODIEST FIGHTING OF WORLD WAR II.
2. SINCE THE BATTLES OF IWO JIMA, SAIPAN, TINIAN, AND THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, WARRIORS OF THE 4TH MARINE DIVISION HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES WORTHY OF THE NICKNAME, THE FIGHTING FOURTH. TODAY, WHILE CONDUCTING OPERATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD, THE DIVISION CONTINUES TO LEAVE ITS MARK ON HISTORY AS IT EXEMPLIFIES A HIGH LEVEL WARFIGHTING EXCELLENCE AND ESPRIT DE CORPS.
3. THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIVISION'S ACTIVATION IS AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL MARINES TO REFLECT UPON OUR HISTORY AND REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE VALUES ON WHICH OUR CORPS WAS BUILT.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS MARINES! JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//