3rd Marine Division (United States)
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| 3rd Marine Division | |
|---|---|
 3rd Marine Division insignia |
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| Active | Sept. 16, 1942 - Dec. 28, 1945 Jan. 7, 1952 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Infantry division |
| Role | Locate close with and destroy the enemy |
| Part of | III Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler |
| Nickname | "Fighting Third" |
| Motto | Fidelity, Valor, Honor |
| Engagements | World War II * Battle of Bougainville * Battle of Guam * Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Major Gen. Robert B. Neller |
| Notable commanders |
MajGen Charles D. Barrett, MajGen Graves B. Erskine |
The 3rd Marine Division is an infantry division in the United States Marine Corps based out of Okinawa, Japan. It is one of three active duty divisions in the Marine Corps, and together with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1stMAW) and the 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rdMLG) forms the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). The division was first formed and fought during World War II and since then most notably saw combat during four years of continuous combat in the Vietnam War.
Contents |
[edit] Subordinate units
- Headquarters Battalion
- 3rd Marine Regiment (Infantry)
- 4th Marine Regiment (Infantry)
- 12th Marine Regiment (Artillery)
- 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion
- Combat Assault Battalion
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
The 3rd Marine Division was officially activated on September 16, 1942 at Camp Elliott, San Diego, California. Most of the original members of the division were drawn from the cadre staff of the 2nd Marine Division[1]. The division was initially built around the 9th Marine Regiment, commanded by Colonel Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. who later became the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Major General Charles D. Barrett was the first Commanding General of the Division.
The division echeloned into Auckland, New Zealand between January and March 1943. In June of that year they moved onto Guadalcanal for additional training. September 27, 1943 saw the division land as part of the Battle of Bougainville and fight on the island until their last unit to arrive, the 21st Marine Regiment, embarked on January 9, 1944. During the course of the battle the division had approximately 400 Marines killed.[2]
They returned to Guadalcanal in January, 1944 to rest, refit and train. The next operation the division took part in was the Battle of Guam. From July 21, 1944 until the last day of organized fighting on August 10, the division fought through the jungles on the island of Guam. During these 21 days of fighting, the Division captured over 60 square miles (160 km²) of territory and killed over 5,000 enemy soldiers.[3] The next two months saw continuous mopping up operations in which the Marines continued to engage left over Japanese forces. At the end of the battle the Division had sustained 677 Marines killed, 3,626 wounded and 9 missing.[4]
| 3rd Marine Division (1941 - 1945) | |
|---|---|
| Parent unit | V Amphibious Corps |
| Components | 3rd Marine Regiment 9th Marine Regiment 12th Marine Regiment 21st Marine Regiment 3rd Tank Battalion |
The Division remained on the island of Guam for training purposes until they embarked as part of the landing force for the Battle of Iwo Jima. The 3rd Marine Division was initially in reserve for the battle[5] however they were committed one regiment at a time as the initial regiments that landed needed to be relieved. The 21st Marines cames ashore on February 20[6] followed by the 9th Marines on February 25.[7] The Marines of these two infantry regiments, supported by the artillery of the 12th Marine Regiment and tanks of the 3rd Tank Battalion, fought on Iwo Jima until the end of organized resistance on March 16 and the subsequent mopping up operations for the next month. All elements of the Division were back on Guam by April 17, 1944.[8] The fighting on Iwo Jima would cost the 3rd Marine Division 1,131 killed in action and another 4,438 wounded.[9]
After the return to Guam, the Division began preparing for the invasion of Japan. This however never took place as Japan surrendered in August of 1945. The Division was deactivated on December 28, 1945.[10]
[edit] Korean War
The Division was reactivated on January 7, 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California. Immediately after its activation and still in its organizational state, the Division began intensive combat training, including new tactics and maneuvers based on lessons learned in Korean War. During the remaining part of 1952 elements of the Division participated in numerous exercises and training problems, including vertical envelopment (helicopter landing), airborne operations and attack, and defense against atomic weapons and missiles.
In August 1953 the Division arrived in Japan to support the 1st Marine Division in the defense of the Far Eastern area. In March 1956 the Division moved to Okinawa and remained there in a readiness posture until 1965.
[edit] Vietnam War
On May 6, 1965, the 3rd Marine Division opened the Marine Compound at the Danang Air Base, Vietnam. They operated in Vietnam from this time participating in operations from Danang to Phu Bai to Quang Tri/Dong Ha Combat Base. For Meritorious Service in the Republic of Vietnam during the period January 1 – September 30, 1968 the Division was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. 3rd Marine Division departed Vietnam in November 1969 and moved to Camp Courtney, Okinawa, where it is presently located.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Bibliography
- Aurthur, Robert A.; Cohlmia, Kenneth (1948). The Third Marine Division. Washington, D.C.: Infantry Journal Press.
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle – Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War.. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Web
- 3rd Marine Division official website
- O'Brien, Cyril J. (1994). Ashore in the North (brochure). LIBERATION: Marines in the Recapture of Guam. Marine Corps Historical Center. Retrieved on 2007-01-01.
- 3d Marine Division Association website
- History of the 3d Marine Division
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