1:5th Marine Division

• Formation and World War II: The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) was activated in 1917 but is best known for its service during World War II as part of the legendary 1st Marine Division. The 5th Marines were activated for World War II in 1940. • Guadalcanal Campaign: 1/5 played a key role in the Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-43), which marked the first major Allied offensive against Japan and a turning point in the Pacific War. • Peleliu Battle: The battalion fought in the bloody Battle of Peleliu (1944), where it faced fierce Japanese resistance and endured one of the highest casualty rates of the war. • Korean War Heroism: During the Korean War, 1/5 fought in the Inchon Landing, liberation of Seoul, and the brutal Chosin Reservoir campaign, earning a Presidential Unit Citation. • Vietnam War Operations: 1/5 was among the first Marine units to fight in Vietnam (1966), participating in major operations like Hue City during the Tet Offensive, where it engaged in intense urban combat. • Valor at Hue City: 1/5’s actions in the Battle of Hue City earned the unit its third Presidential Unit Citation, with many Marines receiving individual awards for bravery. • Operation Desert Storm: 1/5 was deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 as part of Operation Desert Shield and participated in the ground assault into Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. • Global War on Terror: The battalion deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11, notably participating in the 2004 Battle of Fallujah (Operation Phantom Fury). • Medal of Honor Recipients: Several Marines of 1/5 have received the Medal of Honor, including 2nd Lt. John Bobo (Vietnam) and PFC Robert Simanek (Korean War). • Motto and Legacy: The battalion’s motto is “Make Peace or Die,” reflecting its fierce combat legacy and commitment to mission success throughout over a century of service.