HQ BTY 12th Marines

• Origins in World War II: Headquarters Battery, 12th Marine Regiment (HQ BTY 12th Marines) was activated on 1 September 1942 at San Diego, California, as part of the 3rd Marine Division. • Pacific Theater Campaigns: The unit participated in major battles during WWII, including Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima, providing critical artillery support and coordination. • Iwo Jima Operations: On Iwo Jima, HQ BTY 12th Marines operated under intense enemy fire, helping coordinate the fire missions that were essential to the island’s capture. • Korean War Service: Although the 12th Marines were not deployed as a whole to Korea, many of its veterans and organizational lessons contributed to Marine operations during the war. • Vietnam War Involvement: The HQ Battery deployed to Vietnam in 1965, supporting combat operations in Chu Lai, Da Nang, and Khe Sanh until 1969. • Operation Frequent Wind: Elements of the unit assisted with the evacuation of Saigon in 1975 during the final days of the Vietnam War. • Humanitarian Missions: HQ BTY 12th Marines has participated in disaster relief efforts in the Asia-Pacific, including after typhoons and earthquakes. • Cold War Presence in Okinawa: The unit has been continuously forward-deployed to Okinawa, Japan, since the 1950s, serving as a deterrent and rapid-response force in the Pacific. • Modern Deployments: Members of HQ Battery have supported operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the Global War on Terror, providing command, control, and logistics for artillery units. • Unit Motto: The 12th Marines’ motto, “Fidelity and Accuracy,” reflects the HQ Battery’s dedication to precise support and unwavering commitment to the mission and the Marines they serve.