Robert Lauria

The 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force (FMF), was activated on September 16, 1942, at Camp Elliott, California, and quickly distinguished itself during World War II in the Pacific Theater, notably at Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima. Following World War II, the division was reactivated in 1952 and later deployed to Okinawa, Japan, establishing a forward presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The 3rd Marine Division played a crucial role during the Vietnam War, conducting major combat operations such as at Khe Sanh and along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Today, the division remains headquartered on Okinawa, serving as a key rapid-response force for the United States Marine Corps in the Indo-Pacific.