Today in Marine Corps history

7 July 1941: The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was activated in Quantico, Virginia. Within a year of activation, the Wing would participate in the Marine Corps offensive at Guadalcanal. That bitter campaign would be the first in a series of battles in which the Wing would add luster to its reputation. The 1st MAW would earn five Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry in campaigns spanning World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.