3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines

3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines

3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, abbreviated as, is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps, based out of Kāne’ohe, Hawai’i. The unit consists of approximately 1124 U.S. Marines and United States Navy sailors. The battalion was originally formed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1942 and saw action on both Bougainville and Guam during World War II. In 1965, the Marines of 3rd Battalion were deployed to the Vietnam War and participated in Operation Starlite, the first major Marine engagement of that conflict. In the early 21st century the battalion deployed overseas six times as part of the Global War on Terror: three times for Operation Enduring Freedom in

About 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in brief

Summary 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, abbreviated as, is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps, based out of Kāne’ohe, Hawai’i. The unit consists of approximately 1124 U.S. Marines and United States Navy sailors. The battalion was originally formed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1942 and saw action on both Bougainville and Guam during World War II. In 1965, the Marines of 3rd Battalion were deployed to the Vietnam War and participated in Operation Starlite, the first major Marine engagement of that conflict. In the early 21st century the battalion deployed overseas six times as part of the Global War on Terror: three times for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and three times for Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. One Marine from the battalion, Dakota Meyer, was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Global war on Terror. During the 1980s, the battalion was briefly commanded by Charles Krulak, later the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps. He nicknamed it ‘America’s Battalion’ because it was similar to the nickname used by the Dallas Cowboys. The Battalion was deactivated for a second time in 1974. In 1975, it was reformed for the third time at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. In June 1943, they were reassigned to the Fleet Marine Force, 1st Special Troops, Marine Division. In May 1943 they were redeployed to Auckland, New Zealand, and reassigned as the 3rd Marine Force.

On June 16, 1943, the Battalion was redesignated as the 2nd Marine Brigade. In August 1942, they deployed to Tutuila, American Samoa and reassignmented to the American Marine Regiment. From September 1942 to September 1942, the rest of the3rd Marine Regiment deployed with the 3nd Marine Regiment to Tutusila, Tutuela, and then to New Zealand. In September 1942 the Battalion deployed to Auckland and was reassigned to 3rd Fleet Force, Fleet Marine force. In December 1942, it deployed to New York City and the Pacific Ocean. In July 1943, it moved to Hawaii and was re-designated 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines. It was disbanded in 1951 and reformed in California. It has since been re-activated in Hawaii and is currently based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. It is one of the three battalions that make up the 3th Marine Division, the other two being the 1st Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Brigade. It also has a Headquarters and Service Company and a Weapons Company. The three rifle companies have traditionally been I Company, K Company, and L Company. Because the NATO phonetic alphabet, these companies are commonly known as India, Kilo, and Lima. The rifle companies are designed to act as maneuver elements for the battalion. With attachments they can also be employed independently for short periods of time. H&S provides command and control, surveillance, target acquisition, and service support.