About this Unit
The 3rd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, originally activated during World War II, was a vital unit of the United States Marine Corps specializing in amphibious assault operations. Formed in 1942, the battalion participated in major Pacific campaigns, including the battles of Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima, where its amphibious tractors (LVTs) were crucial for landing troops and supplies under heavy enemy fire. After World War II, the battalion was deactivated but later reactivated for service during the Korean War, continuing its legacy of providing armored amphibious support. Throughout its history, the 3rd Amphibious Tractor Battalion earned a distinguished reputation for bravery, adaptability, and effectiveness in amphibious warfare.
Historical Facts
•
World War II Origins: The 3rd Amphibious Tractor Battalion (3rd Amtrac Bn) was activated on September 16, 1942, at Camp Elliott, San Diego, California, to provide amphibious tractor support for Marine assault operations.
•
Saipan and Tinian Landings: The battalion played a crucial role in the landings at Saipan and Tinian in 1944, ferrying troops and supplies through heavy enemy fire and difficult surf conditions.
•
Iwo Jima Heroics: During the Iwo Jima invasion in February 1945, the 3rd Amtrac Bn was among the first units to land, transporting Marines from the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions ashore in their LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked).
•
Heavy Casualties: The battalion suffered significant losses at Iwo Jima, with many vehicles destroyed by Japanese mines and artillery as they delivered assault waves onto the beaches.
•
Postwar Deactivation: Following the end of World War II, the battalion was deactivated in November 1945, as part of the general postwar drawdown.
•
Korean War Reactivation: The 3rd Amtrac Bn was reactivated in 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California, in response to increased demands for amphibious capability during the Korean War era.
•
Vietnam War Deployments: The battalion deployed to Vietnam and provided amphibious assault and riverine support, using newer LVT models to transport personnel and supplies through difficult terrain.
•
Evolution of Equipment: The unit transitioned through several generations of amphibious vehicles, from the WWII-era LVT-1 and LVT-4 to the LVTP-5 and later the LVTP-7 (now AAV-7A1).
•
Pacific Legacy: The 3rd Amtrac Bn is remembered for its prominent role in the Pacific island-hopping campaign, helping to establish the U.S. Marine Corps’ reputation for expertise in amphibious warfare.
•
Modernization and Deactivation: The battalion was inactivated in 1972, but its legacy continues in the U.S. Marine Corps’ current amphibious assault units, which trace their lineage and traditions back to the 3rd Amtrac Bn.
