1:1st

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Branch

U.S. Marine Corps

Members

201

About 1:1st

Certainly! The designation "1/1st" often refers to the 1st Battalion of the 1st Regiment in British or Commonwealth military tradition, and was commonly used during World War I to distinguish first-line Territorial Force units. The 1/1st Battalion was typically composed of pre-war volunteers and was mobilized for active service at the outbreak of war in 1914. After initial training in the United Kingdom, the battalion was deployed to major theaters such as the Western Front, where it participated in key battles and endured the hardships of trench warfare. Over the course of the war, the 1/1st earned a reputation for discipline and bravery, contributing significantly to the regiment’s battle honors before being demobilized or reorganized at the war’s end.

Unit Members

Donald Stabile

U.S. Marine Corps

1:1stView Profile

Linda Peterson

U.S. Marine Corps

1:1stView Profile

Photos

U.S. Marine Corps

115 Phantom in Chu Lai

VMFA-115 • U.S. Marine Corps • 1970

U.S. Marine Corps • 1976

About 1:1st

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Origins: The 1st Battalion, 1st Marines (1/1st), also known as "The First of the First," was originally activated on March 1, 1941, at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. • World War II Service: The unit participated in major Pacific campaigns including Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa, earning a distinguished combat record. • Peleliu Assault: During the Battle of Peleliu in September 1944, 1/1st faced some of the fiercest fighting and suffered heavy casualties while securing the island's airfield. • Korean War Involvement: The battalion was among the first Marine units to land at Inchon in 1950 and participated in the legendary Chosin Reservoir campaign. • Vietnam War Actions: 1/1st deployed to Vietnam in 1965, participating in major operations such as Starlite, Hue City, and the Tet Offensive, earning multiple unit citations. • Nickname "First of the First": Their nickname comes from being the first battalion of the Corps' first regiment, symbolizing their place as a cornerstone of the Marine Corps. • Gulf War Operations: The battalion was deployed in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, leading assaults into Kuwait and liberating the country from Iraqi occupation in 1991. • OIF and OEF Deployments: 1/1st has deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting operations in Fallujah, Ramadi, and Helmand Province. • Presidential Unit Citations: The battalion has received several Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary heroism and gallantry in action during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. • Tradition of Service: Many notable Marines, including Medal of Honor recipients and future Commandants, have served in the ranks of 1/1st, cementing its legacy in Marine Corps history.