About this Unit
**3rd Guided Missile Battalion, Battery B** was an integral component of the U.S. Marine Corps’ early Cold War air defense capabilities. Activated in the 1950s, Battery B was equipped with the Nike-Ajax and later more advanced HAWK surface-to-air missile systems to protect Marine forces from aerial threats. The battery participated in numerous exercises and deployments, honing its operational readiness during a period of heightened global tensions. By the late 1960s, as missile technology and organizational needs evolved, Battery B was eventually deactivated along with the rest of the 3rd Guided Missile Battalion.
Historical Facts
• Origins in the Cold War: The 3rd Guided Missile Battalion was activated during the height of the Cold War, reflecting the U.S. Marine Corps' push to modernize with missile technology in response to new threats.
• Battery B’s Role: Battery B was one of several firing batteries within the battalion, tasked specifically with the operation and maintenance of the then-cutting-edge guided missile systems.
• Missile System: The battalion was equipped with the Honest John and later the Hawk missile systems, representing a shift from traditional artillery to surface-to-surface and surface-to-air guided missiles.
• Rapid Deployment: 3rd Guided Missile Battalion, including Battery B, was trained for rapid deployment, able to set up and launch missile systems within a matter of hours upon arrival in a combat zone.
• Innovative Training: Marines in Battery B underwent specialized training in electronics and guidance systems, a rarity in the Corps at the time, bridging the gap between infantry and high-tech warfare.
• Pacific Presence: The battalion was often stationed in Okinawa, Japan, serving as a deterrent and quick reaction force in the Asia-Pacific region during periods of heightened tension.
• Joint Exercises: Battery B regularly participated in joint exercises with U.S. Army and Air Force units, as well as allied forces, to ensure interoperability and readiness for multi-branch operations.
• Deactivation and Legacy: As missile technology advanced and the Marine Corps shifted its focus, the battalion was eventually deactivated, but its pioneering work laid the groundwork for future Marine Corps air defense and missile units.
• Historical Firsts: The unit was among the first in the Marine Corps to field and fire guided missiles, making it a trailblazer in the adoption of new weaponry and tactics.
• Reunions and Remembrance: Veterans of the 3rd Guided Missile Battalion, including Battery B, have held reunions to honor their unique service and to preserve the history of missile units in the Marine Corps.
