3rd Battalion, 1st Marines

• Establishment: The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1) was first activated on March 1, 1941, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as part of the build-up for World War II. • Guadalcanal Campaign: 3/1 participated in the historic Guadalcanal Campaign in 1942, which marked the first major Allied offensive against Japan in the Pacific. • Peleliu Assault: During the Battle of Peleliu in September 1944, 3/1 was involved in some of the fiercest fighting, suffering heavy casualties but playing a crucial role in securing the island. • Korean War Heroics: 3/1 landed at Inchon in September 1950, a daring amphibious assault that turned the tide of the Korean War in favor of United Nations forces. • Frozen Chosin: The battalion fought valiantly at the Chosin Reservoir, enduring brutal winter conditions and heavy enemy attacks, earning the nickname "The Chosin Few" alongside other Marine units. • Vietnam War Operations: 3/1 was deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and participated in numerous operations, including Operation Hastings and Operation Hue City, facing intense jungle warfare. • Operation Desert Storm: The battalion deployed to Southwest Asia in 1990-1991 as part of the liberation of Kuwait during the Gulf War. • Battle of Fallujah: In 2004, 3/1 played a prominent role in Operation Phantom Fury (Second Battle of Fallujah), considered one of the bloodiest urban battles for Marines since the Vietnam War. • Haditha Incident: In 2005, 3/1 was involved in the controversial Haditha incident in Iraq, leading to significant media attention and changes in rules of engagement and training. • Motto and Legacy: The battalion's motto is "Thundering Third," and today 3/1 continues to serve as a deployable force, reflecting a proud legacy of valor and sacrifice in every major US conflict since World War II.