About this Unit
The 1st Marine Brigade, originally formed in 1912, has a distinguished history within the United States Marine Corps as an expeditionary unit. It saw early service in the Caribbean and Central America, participating in interventions such as those in Haiti and Nicaragua. During World War II, the brigade was reorganized and played a key role in the Pacific Theater, notably at the Battle of Guadalcanal. Over the decades, its designation and mission have evolved, but the unit’s legacy of rapid deployment and combat excellence remains central to its identity.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War I: The 1st Marine Brigade was originally formed in 1912 as an expeditionary force, but it played a prominent role in World War I, especially in the Caribbean and Central America, as part of the U.S. military's "Banana Wars."
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Nickname – "The Brigade": The unit has often been referred to simply as "The Brigade," a nod to its pioneering status as one of the first modern Marine brigades.
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Interwar Deployments: Between the World Wars, the 1st Marine Brigade participated in several interventions, including service in Haiti and Nicaragua, demonstrating the Marines’ expeditionary capability.
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Transformation to 1st Marine Division: In 1941, as the U.S. prepared for World War II, the brigade was expanded and redesignated as the 1st Marine Division, which would go on to earn fame in the Pacific theater.
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Camp Lejeune Roots: The 1st Marine Brigade was the first major unit to occupy the newly established Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina in 1941.
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Korean War Reactivation: In 1956, the 1st Marine Brigade was reactivated as a separate unit based in Hawaii, serving as a rapid deployment force during the Cold War.
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Vietnam War Staging: While not deployed directly to Vietnam, the 1st Marine Brigade played a vital role as a strategic reserve and training unit during the Vietnam conflict.
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Evolution into 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1st MEB): In the 1980s, the brigade was redesignated as the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, reflecting its combined-arms role and ability to deploy quickly as a crisis response force.
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Modern Deployments: The 1st MEB has participated in numerous exercises and operations, including humanitarian missions, joint exercises with allied nations, and as part of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
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Legacy of Flexibility: The 1st Marine Brigade’s history exemplifies the Marine Corps’ expeditionary ethos, serving in roles from occupation and intervention to modern rapid-response and joint operations.
