1:3rd Marines, HM2

**1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3), United States Marine Corps** The 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (1/3), known as the "Lava Dogs," was activated in 1942 and has served with distinction in numerous major conflicts, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism. The battalion participated in iconic campaigns such as Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima during WWII, and later saw extensive combat operations in Vietnam. In the 21st century, 1/3 deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, conducting counterinsurgency and security operations. Hospital Corpsmen Second Class (HM2) have played a critical role within 1/3, providing life-saving medical care to Marines and Sailors on the front lines throughout the unit’s storied history.