About this Unit
The 34th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU), Fleet Marine Force (FMF), was a provisional, battalion-sized unit of the United States Marine Corps, activated for specific operational deployments during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The 34th MAU provided a forward-deployed, rapid-response force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and contingency missions, primarily in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions. Notably, the 34th MAU participated in operations such as the multinational peacekeeping mission in Lebanon during the early 1980s. In 1988, the Marine Corps redesignated its MAUs as Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), and the 34th MAU evolved into the 24th MEU, continuing its legacy of expeditionary readiness.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Designation: The 34th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) was a Marine Corps task force-level unit, which is now called the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The unit designation "34th MAU" was used in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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Rapid Deployment Force: The 34th MAU was a rapid response force, designed to deploy quickly aboard US Navy amphibious ships for global contingencies, reflecting the Marine Corps' expeditionary ethos.
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Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission: The 34th MAU is most famously known for its deployment to Beirut, Lebanon, in 1982-1983 as part of the Multinational Force during the Lebanese Civil War.
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Beirut Barracks Bombing: Marines from the 34th MAU were tragically affected by the 23 October 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which killed 241 American servicemen, including 220 Marines.
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Humanitarian Operations: During its time in Lebanon, the 34th MAU also provided humanitarian aid, including medical assistance and food distribution, to civilians affected by the conflict.
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Unit Composition: A typical MAU, including the 34th, consisted of about 2,200 Marines and Sailors, organized as a command element, a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite helicopter squadron, and a logistics battalion.
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Transformation to MEU: In 1988, the Marine Corps redesignated all MAUs as Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), so the 34th MAU became part of this modernized force structure.
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Training for Amphibious Warfare: The 34th MAU regularly participated in rigorous amphibious assault training exercises, honing skills in ship-to-shore operations, urban combat, and noncombatant evacuation.
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International Cooperation: While in Lebanon, the 34th MAU operated alongside French, Italian, and British forces as part of the Multinational Force, fostering international military cooperation.
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Legacy and Honors: The sacrifice and service of the 34th MAU in Beirut are memorialized at the Beirut Memorial in Jacksonville, North Carolina, honoring those who served and lost their lives during the mission.
