About this Unit
Headquarters Company, 3rd Marines, 1st Marine Brigade has played a pivotal role in the command and control of 3rd Marine Regiment operations since its establishment. During the Vietnam War, the unit provided essential administrative and logistical support for combat operations in Southeast Asia, ensuring effective coordination among subordinate elements. In the post-war era, Headquarters Company continued to support training and deployment activities, notably during the Brigade’s rapid response missions in the Pacific. The unit remains a critical component of the 3rd Marines, upholding a legacy of operational excellence and readiness.
Historical Facts
•
Origins in World War II: Headquarters Company, 3rd Marines traces its lineage to the 3rd Marine Regiment, which was activated in 1942 during World War II and participated in major campaigns in the Pacific, including Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima.
•
Korean War Reactivation: After World War II, the regiment was deactivated but was quickly reactivated in 1952 in response to the Korean War, reflecting the need for a strong Marine presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
•
Role in the 1st Marine Brigade: As part of the 1st Marine Brigade, the Headquarters Company provided command and control, administrative support, and essential services to the entire regiment, playing a vital behind-the-scenes role in operations.
•
Hawaiian Deployments: The 1st Marine Brigade, with Headquarters Company, was based in Hawaii for much of the Cold War, serving as a strategic reserve force positioned for rapid deployment to trouble spots in the Pacific.
•
Vietnam War Preparation: While not deployed as a whole unit to Vietnam, the Brigade and its Headquarters Company were heavily involved in training, preparing, and supplying replacement Marines for combat operations in Southeast Asia.
•
Operation Blue Marlin: In 1961, the 1st Marine Brigade participated in Operation Blue Marlin, a large-scale amphibious exercise in Hawaii, demonstrating rapid deployment capabilities and logistical prowess of its HQ elements.
•
Cold War Readiness: Throughout the Cold War, the Headquarters Company maintained high readiness, participating in joint exercises with the Army, Navy, and allied forces, and ensuring that communication and coordination were always at peak levels.
•
Humanitarian Missions: Marines from the Headquarters Company were involved in disaster relief efforts in the Pacific, including responses to typhoons and earthquakes, showcasing the unit’s versatility beyond combat roles.
•
Motto and Traditions: The 3rd Marines’ motto, “Fortes Fortuna Juvat” (“Fortune Favors the Brave”), is proudly upheld by the Headquarters Company, which maintains rich traditions of Marine Corps discipline and camaraderie.
•
Modern Legacy: The Headquarters Company, 3rd Marines, continues to serve as a vital nerve center, adapting to new technologies and missions while remaining true to its storied history as part of the Marine Corps’ expeditionary forces.
