3:1st Marines

• Historic Origins: The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1) was originally activated in March 1941 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Its early formation predates the U.S. entry into World War II. • Bougainville Campaign: 3/1 saw its first combat during the Bougainville Campaign in late 1943, fighting in dense jungle against Japanese forces. • Iwo Jima Heroics: The battalion played a significant role in the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, enduring fierce resistance and heavy casualties while securing Mount Suribachi. • Korean War Valor: During the Korean War, 3/1 participated in the legendary Inchon Landing and the brutal Chosin Reservoir campaign, earning a Presidential Unit Citation. • Vietnam Deployments: 3/1 was deployed multiple times to Vietnam, notably participating in Operation Starlite in 1965—the first major offensive action undertaken by a purely American unit in Vietnam. • Gulf War Service: The battalion was deployed to Saudi Arabia and participated in Operation Desert Storm, advancing into Kuwait and liberating the country from Iraqi occupation. • Iraq War Tragedy: In 2005, 3/1 was involved in the Battle of Haditha, and tragically, some members were later implicated in the Haditha incident, leading to national and international scrutiny. • Battle of Fallujah: 3/1 played a pivotal role in Operation Phantom Fury (Second Battle of Fallujah) in 2004, one of the bloodiest urban battles for U.S. forces since Vietnam. • Nickname: 3/1 is known as the "Thundering Third," a nickname that reflects its reputation for tenacity and combat effectiveness. • Modern Deployments: In addition to Iraq and Afghanistan, 3/1 has participated in humanitarian missions and multinational exercises, maintaining a forward-deployed posture as part of the 1st Marine Division.