1st Battalion, 11th Marines

Last updated

1st Battalion, 11th Marines
1 11unitlogo.jpg
1/11 Insignia
Active20 August 1917 – 11 August 1919
3 December 1923 – 1 October 1947
1 October 1949 – present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
BranchFlag of the United States Marine Corps.svg  United States Marine Corps
Type Artillery
RoleProvide fire support to the 1st Marine Division
Size800
Part of 11th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
Garrison/HQ Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
San Diego County, California
Motto(s)"Ultima Ratio Regum"
"The Final Argument of Kings"
Engagements World War II

Korean War

Vietnam War
Gulf War
War on terror

Commanders
Current
commander
LtCol Daniel J. O'Connell
Notable
commanders
Harry K. Pickett
Lewis J. Fields

1st Battalion, 11th Marines (1/11) is an artillery battalion comprising five firing batteries and a Headquarters battery. The battalion is stationed at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. Its primary weapon system is the M142 HIMARS rocket artillery launcher and the M777 lightweight howitzer. The battalion is under the command of the 11th Marine Regiment, part of the 1st Marine Division.

Contents

Mission

The Marines and Sailors of 1st Battalion, 11th Marines prepare mentally, physically, and operationally for the rigors of combat to provide 24/7 all-weather continuous artillery fires and achieve accurate first round fire for effect in support of maneuver elements.

Subordinate units

History

Early years

The 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, was activated together with rest of the regiment on 20 August 1917 at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. The battalion underwent intensive infantry training until September 1918, when it was attached to the 5th Marine Brigade and ordered to France. The 1st Battalion arrived on 13 October to Brest, but too late to see combat. The battalion was stationed in the area around the town of Tours until July 1919. when it was ordered stateside and deactivated at Norfolk Navy Yard on 11 August 1919. [1]

The 1st Battalion was reactivated on 3 December 1923 at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, as the 1st Battalion, 10th Regiment. It participated in mail guard duty in the mid-western United States from October 1926 to February 1927. The battalion deployed during April to June 1927 to Tientsin in China and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade. The unit returned during September 1928 to MCB Quantico and was detached from the 3rd Marine Brigade during December 1928. It were re-designated on 10 July 1930 to the 1st Battalion, 10th Marines.

The battalion was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade during September 1935. It was re-designated on 1 September 1940 as the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. During October 1940, it was deployed to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. On 1 February 1941, the 1st Marine Brigade was re-designated as the 1st Marine Division. The battalion relocated to New River, North Carolina during April 1941.

World War II

1st Battalion, 11th Marines was reassigned during March 1942 to the 3rd Marine Brigade. It was deployed during March 1942 to Western Samoa. The battalion was again reassigned to the 1st Marine Division in September 1942. The battalion participated in the Guadalcanal and New Britain campaigns; it also carried out operations on Finschhafen, Peleliu and Okinawa.

After the war the battalion was redeployed in September 1945 to Tientsin, China. It participated in the occupation of North China from September 1945 to January 1947. It was then redeployed during January 1947 to Guam, and detached from the 1st Marine Division. While in Guam, the unit constructed Camp Witek, the 1st Marine Brigade base. The battalion was reassigned during June 1947 to the 1st Marine Brigade. It was deactivated on 1 October 1947.

Korean War

The battalion was reactivated on 1 October 1949 at Camp Pendleton and assigned to the 1st Marine Division. It was then reassigned during July 1950 to the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. The battalion was then deployed in July and August 1950 to Pusan in Korea. The battalion participated in the Korean War, from August 1950 to July 1953, taking part in the actions at the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, at Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir. Personnel also saw action on the East-Central and Western Fronts, (such as the Battle of the Punchbowl). 1st Battalion, 11th Marines participated in the occupation of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from August 1953 to March 1955. It returned to Camp Pendleton in April 1955.

Vietnam War

The battalion deployed during August 1965 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa and redeployed during January 1966 to Chu Lai, in the Republic of Vietnam. It was reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division. During March 1966, the unit was reassigned to the 1st Marine Division.

The battalion operated from Chu Lai, Da Nang, Quang Tri, Phu Bai, Con Thien, Ca Lu, Khe Sanh, Cua Viet, Dong Ha and Quang Nam from January 1966 to March 1971. It was reassigned during 1971 to the 3rd Marine Amphibious Brigade; it returned during March 1971 to Camp Pendleton and reassigned to the 1st Marine Division.

Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines was known as Alpha North in early 1966. On the night of 18 April 1966 Alpha North was overrun. It suffered 5 Marines killed and 28 wounded. All of the howitzers received damage. The battery moved to the 1-1 compound at Hoi An.

Gulf War and the 1990s

1st Battalion, 11th Marines participated in Operation Desert Storm from September 1990 to March 1991. Elements participated in Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh from May to June 1991. Elements also participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia from December 1992 to March 1993.

Global War on Terror

The battalion during the 2003 invasion of Iraq as depicted in the film Severe Clear

In January 2003 the battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After participating in the invasion of Iraq it returned to Camp Pendleton in July 2003. Individual firing Batteries have continued to support the MEU cycle in the war on terror since 2003. The battalion HQ deployed to Anbar Province, Iraq with Battery A, Battery C, and Battery K as a provisional infantry battalion in June 2007. The unit returned to Camp Pendleton in late April 2008.

In April 2010 the battalion deployed to Helmand Province, in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1. The battalion was attached to the 1st Marine Division (Forward) Task Force Leatherneck. The battalion was reinforced, comprising three gun batteries (Bravo, India 3/12, and Lima 3/12) and a HiMARS rocket Battery (Tango 5/11, later Sierra 5/11). 1/11 was assigned an artillery tactical mission of General Support to Task Force Leatherneck.

The battalion returned from Afghanistan in November 2010 and began fielding the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS).

In 2023, the battalion became a combined rocket and cannon artillery battalion as a component of force design 2030. With the deactivation of 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, the HIMARS batteries were transferred to 1/11. Currently, the HIMARS batteries support the unit deployment program and Battery C (M777) supports the WESTPAC MEU cycle.

See also

Notes

  1. "A Brief history of the 11th Marines – USMC Military History Division". USMC Military History Division. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2017.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4th Marine Division (United States)</span> Ground combat element of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

The 4th Marine Division is a reserve division in the United States Marine Corps. It was raised in 1943 for service during World War II, and subsequently fought in the Pacific against the Japanese. Deactivated after the war, the division was re-formed in 1966 and elements of the division deployed during the Gulf War in 1990–1991, as well as during the Iraq War. It is currently the ground combat element of the Marine Forces Reserve and is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has units throughout the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Marine Regiment</span> Military unit

The 5th Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the most highly decorated regiment in the Marine Corps and falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Battalion, 11th Marines</span> Military unit

3rd Battalion, 11th Marines (3/11) is an artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries, a Liaison Unit, and a headquarters battery. The battalion is based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California and its primary weapon system is the M777 lightweight howitzer with a maximum effective range of 25 miles. They fall under the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Battalion, 6th Marines</span> Military unit

3rd Battalion, 6th Marines (3/6) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Also known as "Teufelhunden", it consists of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. They fall under the 6th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, 5th Marines</span> Military unit

1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California consisting of approximately 800 Marines and sailors. Nicknamed Geronimo, it falls under the command of the 5th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division. The battalion was formed in 1914 and has served in every major conflict that the United States has been involved in since then.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">11th Marine Regiment</span> Military unit

The 11th Marine Regiment is an artillery regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Known as the "Cannon Cockers", the regiment falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force. Its primary weapon system is the M777A2 howitzer with a maximum effective range of 30 km, however the 5th Battalion has converted to fire the HIMARS weapon system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Battalion, 11th Marines</span> Military unit

2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (2/11) is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Its primary weapon system is the M777 lightweight howitzer. The battalion was the first in the Marine Corps to fully transition from the M198 Howitzer. They fall under the command of the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Battalion, 11th Marines</span> Military unit

5th Battalion, 11th Marines (5/11) was a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) battalion consisting of four Firing Batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the first active duty HIMARS Unit in the Marine Corps. They fall under the command of the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division. This is the only battalion in the 11th Marine Regiment not using the M777A2 lightweight howitzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, 10th Marines</span> Military unit

1st Battalion, 10th Marines (1/10) is an artillery battalion composed of five firing batteries and a headquarters battery. The battalion is stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and falls under the command of 10th Marine Regiment, part of 2d Marine Division. Its primary weapon system is the M777A2 155 mm lightweight howitzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Battalion, 10th Marines</span> Military unit

3rd Battalion 10th Marines (3/10) was an artillery battalion that consisted of four cannon firing batteries and a headquarters battery. The battalion was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and its primary weapon system was the M777-A2 howitzer with a maximum effective range of 30 km and the M-252 Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS). 3/10 fell under the 10th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division. The battalion was deactivated at Camp Lejeune on 26 April 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, 14th Marines</span> Military unit

1st Battalion 14th Marines (1/14) was a reserve artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries and a headquarters battery. The battalion was based in Alameda, California. Its primary weapon system was the M198 Howitzer. It was part of the 14th Marine Regiment of the 4th Marine Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Battalion, 14th Marines</span> Military unit

2nd Battalion, 14th Marines (2/14) is a reserve artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries and a headquarters battery. The battalion headquarters is in Grand Prairie, Texas. In 2006 the battalion became the first fully operational HIMARS battalion in the Marine Corps. Fox Battery, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. was deployed in July 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has the distinction of being the first Marine Corps HIMARS battery to deploy into combat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">14th Marine Regiment (United States)</span> Military unit

The 14th Marine Regiment is a reserve artillery regiment of the United States Marine Corps consisting of three artillery battalions and a headquarters battery. The regiment is based in Fort Worth, Texas however its units are dispersed among 15 different sites in 12 states. Its primary weapon system is the M777A2 Howitzer with a maximum effective range of 30 km however one of its battalions has converted to fire the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) weapon system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9th Marine Regiment</span> Military unit

The 9th Marine Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War II, it served until 1994, when it was deactivated during the post Cold War drawdown. Battalions of the Ninth Marine Regiment, but not the regiment itself, were reactivated from 2007 to 2014 as part of the Marine Corps' growth during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The battalions have subsequently been deactivated again.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, 9th Marines</span> Military unit

The 1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9) was an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, it served until the mid-2000s when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions. During the Vietnam War, 1/9 sustained an especially high casualty rate as they faced extraordinary challenges and hardships during their tour. General Võ Nguyên Giáp promised President Ho Chi Minh that he would wipe out the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, as a present for the leader's birthday. In describing the fate that awaited the Marines in the valley, Giap allegedly used the term "Di Bo Chet", translated as the "Walking Dead". He viewed that the Marines should be considered already dead, just not buried yet. However, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, proudly and defiantly adopted "The Walking Dead" as its nickname due to the unit's persistence and resilience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Battalion, 12th Marines</span> Military unit

3rd Battalion, 12th Marines (3/12) is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The firing batteries are not permanently assigned to the battalion- they are all on 6-month rotations in Okinawa from the 10th Marine Regiment and the 11th Marine Regiment. The battalion is stationed at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, and its primary weapon systems are the M777 lightweight howitzer with a maximum effective range of 30 km, along with the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The battalion utilizes the Unit Deployment Program to fill its four firing batteries with detachments from artillery units across the Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, 12th Marines</span> Military unit

1st Battalion, 12th Marines (1/12) was an artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion was stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and fell under the 12th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division. It was deactivated on 26 May 2023.

82nd Field Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the United States Army. The regiment has been involved in American conflicts dating back to the Mexican Civil War, as well as modern operations such as the War on Terrorism. There are two active and three inactive battalions in the regiment. Traditionally, the regiment has been aligned with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Cavazos, Texas and Fort Bliss, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">212th Field Artillery Brigade</span> Military unit

The 212th Fires Brigade is an artillery brigade in the United States Army. It was based at Fort Bliss, Texas and was a subordinate unit of III Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">75th Field Artillery Brigade (United States)</span> Field artillery brigade of the III Armored Corps, US Army

The 75th Field Artillery Brigade is an artillery brigade in the United States Army. It is currently based in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and supports the III Armored Corps. The brigade is officially tasked to train and prepares for combat; on orders deploys to any area of operations to plan, synchronize and execute combined, and joint fires and effects. Integrate attached ground and air maneuver forces and on order function as a maneuver headquarters in support of full spectrum operations.

References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps .
Bibliography
Web