4th Tank Battalion

• Origins in World War II: The 4th Tank Battalion was activated on May 12, 1943, at Camp Pendleton, California, as part of the 4th Marine Division. • Saipan Heroics: During the Battle of Saipan in 1944, the battalion played a pivotal role in supporting infantry and breaking through Japanese defenses. • “The Pride of the Pacific”: The unit earned the nickname “The Pride of the Pacific” for their outstanding performance in Pacific island-hopping campaigns. • Iwo Jima Valor: 4th Tank Battalion tanks were among the first armored vehicles to land on Iwo Jima, providing crucial fire support during the brutal assault. • Medal of Honor Connection: Gunnery Sergeant Harold G. Epperson, serving with the battalion, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism at Saipan. • Reserve Component: After World War II, the battalion was reactivated in 1947 as a Marine Corps Reserve unit, headquartered in San Diego, California. • Gulf War Deployment: The battalion was mobilized for Operation Desert Storm in 1990–1991, where it played a key role in the liberation of Kuwait. • “Task Force Ripper”: In the Gulf War, the battalion was attached to Task Force Ripper, making a rapid armored advance through Iraqi defenses. • Modernization: Over the decades, the battalion operated several tank models, from the M4 Sherman in WWII to the M1A1 Abrams in recent years. • Deactivation: The 4th Tank Battalion was officially deactivated in 2021 as part of the Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030 initiative, ending an illustrious chapter in Marine armor history.