1sr Antitank Battalion

The 1st Antitank Battalion was a specialized unit of the United States Marine Corps, activated during World War II to counter the growing threat of enemy armor in the Pacific theater. Established in 1942, the battalion was equipped with towed and self-propelled antitank guns, supporting Marine infantry during key island-hopping campaigns such as Guadalcanal and Tarawa. The unit played a vital role in providing direct fire support against Japanese tanks and fortified positions, contributing significantly to Marine Corps successes. After the war, advances in combined arms doctrine and changing battlefield requirements led to the deactivation of the 1st Antitank Battalion, with its legacy carried on by subsequent Marine Corps anti-armor units.