3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite)

3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite)
3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite)
	Insignia for the 52d Defense Battalion
Active	15 Dec 1943 – 15 May 1947 ;
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Air Defense/Coastal Defense
Size	~1100 men
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Current; commander	N/A

Last updated March 31, 2024

The 3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite) (3d AAA Bn (Composite)) was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1943 as the 52d Defense Battalion, one of the first African American units in the Marine Corps. Its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion served as garrison forces on Roi-Namur, Majuro, and Guam. The battalion returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after the war. It was the last of the defense battalions before it was re-designated as the 3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in May 1946. The battalion was decommissioned on May 15, 1947.

History

Organization

The 52d Defense Battalion was commissioned on December 15, 1943 at the Montford Point Camp near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It was the last defense battalion commissioned in the Marine Corps.^[3] The first 400 men in the battalion came from the 51st Defense Battalion that had been training at Montford Point since August 1942.^[4] The technical and leadership experience these men brought with them meant that the 52d did not experience as many of the early growing pains that the 51st did.^[5] In February 1944 the battalion moved to the old Civilian Conservation Corps barracks at Camp Knox which was adjacent to Montford Point. While there, they also incorporated the men of the recently decommissioned 7th Separate Pack Howitzer Battery which provided another boost of experienced personnel.^[4]

During the first half of 1944 the battalion honed its craft at Onslow Beach.^[5] Along with all of the other defense battalions in the Marine Corps, the 52d's coastal artillery was removed in order to form additional heavy artillery units for the Fleet Marine Force.^[6] The 52d Defense Battalion, along with the 6th and 51st were the only units to retain the moniker of Defense Battalion. All of the others were re-designated Antiaircraft Artillery Battalions.^[7]

On August 19, 1944 the battalion departed North Carolina for the West Coast. Prior to departure the battalion was reorganized into two similarly organized detachments.^[8] It arrived at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on August 24, 1944.

Majuro & Roi-Namur

On September 21 the battalion departed the United States embarked upon the USS Winged Arrow (AP-170).^[4] Once ashore, the battalion remained divided defending two different atolls from October 1944 through May 1945.^[9]

One detachment from the battalion arrived at Majuro Airfield, Majuro Atoll on October 17, 1944. They relieved Marines of the 1st Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion that had been stationed their since the island was secured in February 1944.^[8] Along with its mission of protecting Marine Aircraft Group 13's airfield, Marines from the 52d were also tasked with conducting patrols through the nearby islands to search for Japanese activity.^[10] The detachment remained at Majuro until March 9, 1945 when it departed on board the USS De Grasse (AK-223).^[10]

The other half of the battalion sailed for Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll where it disembarked on October 22 and relieved the 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion protecting Marine Aircraft Group 31's airfield.^[8] It remained on Roi-Namur until April 28, 1945 when it departed on board the SS George W. Julian.

Guam

The Majuro detachment arrived at Guam on March 29 and immediately established camp near the village of Barrigada. The Roi-Namur detachment arrived on May 4, 1945.^[10] With the battalion reunited on Guam when it took part in garrison duty relieving the 14th Defense Battalion. While on Guam they aggressively patrolled for Japanese stragglers and participated in construction duty.^[11] In the summer of 1945, the battalion began preparing for deployment to Okinawa however with the mitigation of the kamikaze threat their orders were changed and they remained on Guam.^[12] Knowing they were not deploying to Okinawa had a very deleterious effect on the unit's morale as they came to view themselves as nothing more than an available pool of men for working parties. Gilbert Johnson successfully lobbied his commanding officer to resume aggressive patrolling in order to restore unit morale.^[12] Garrison duty on Guam was also difficult because of severe racial discrimination at the hands of white Sailors and Marines.^[13]

After the War

On August 19, 1945, four days after the Japanese surrender, the battalion began transitioning to being a support unit. This became official on September 30 when it was placed under the command of the 5th Service Depot. A detachment from the battalion relieved elements of the 51st Defense Battalion on Eniwetok from October 1945 until January 29, 1945 when it returned on the USS Hyde (APA-173).^[14] On February 28, the battalion's Heavy Antiaircraft Group was permanently detached to form the Heavy Antiaircraft Group (Provisional), Saipan. The remainder of the battalion departed Guam on May 13, 1946 on the USS Wakefield (AP-21) sailing for San Diego.^[2] Arriving on May 26, it discharged some Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and boarded trains for the east coast.^[2] The battalion arrived back at MCB Camp Lejeune April 4, 1946 and on May 15, 1946 the battalion was re-designated as the 3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite).^[15]^[2] The 3d AAA Battalion was not long for the Marine Corps as it was officially decommissioned on May 15, 1947.^[2]

Notable former members

Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. The 3d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite) has been presented with the following awards:^[16]

Streamer	Award	Year(s)	Additional Info
	World War II Victory Streamer	1941–1945	Pacific War

Related Research Articles

The Battle of Tinian was part of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from 24 July until 1 August 1944. The 9,000-man Japanese garrison was eliminated, and the island joined Saipan and Guam as a base for the Twentieth Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine defense battalions</span>

Marine Defense Battalions were United States Marine Corps battalions charged with coastal and air defense of advanced naval bases during World War II. They maintained large anti-ship guns, anti-aircraft guns, searchlights, and small arms to repel landing forces.

3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion is a United States Marine Corps aviation command and control and air defense unit that is optimized for operations in the first island chain. The battalion is based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division.

The 2nd 90mm Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that was active during the 1940s & 1950s. Originally formed during World War II as the 9th Defense Battalion, the battalion took part in combat operations on Guadalcanal, Rendova, Munda Point, and Guam. Like most other Marine defense battalions, the unit was re-designated in September 1944, becoming the 9th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Returning to the United States in 1946, the battalion was again re-designated, this time as the 1st Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. The battalion received its final designation as the 2nd 90mm Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion on August 21, 1950. It was later decommissioned on September 15, 1956 at Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of ground based air defense in the United States Marine Corps</span>

The History of ground based air defense in the United States Marine Corps dates back to the early 1930s with the establishment of the Advanced Base Force. World War II would be the high-water mark for air defense units when 20+ defense/anti-aircraft battalions were formed with many seeing significant action throughout the Pacific Theater. Following the war, the Marine Corps divested itself of most of its air defense capability at a time when the service was facing deep personnel cuts and fighting for its institutional survival. Beginning in the early 1950s the Marine Corps aligned itself with the Navy and their development of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). The Marine Corps retained both flak weapons and SAMs throughout the 1950s until the fielding of the MIM-23 Hawk Missile System in 1960. The HAWK Missile was employed by Light Antiaircraft Missile (LAAM) battalions and remained a mainstay of Marine Corps ground based air defense for the next four decades.

The 2d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 2d Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended Hawaii, Tutuila in American Samoa and Guam and took part in combat operations at Tarawa Atoll and Okinawa. The battalion returned to the United States after the war and was decommissioned at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on 28 November 1945.

The 8th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 8th Defense Battalion, its original mission was the air and coastal defense of advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended Tutuila in American Samoa, Wallis Island and Apamama and took part in combat operations at Okinawa. The battalion returned to the United States after the war and was decommissioned on 28 November 1945.

The 16th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 16th Defense Battalion, its original mission was the air and coastal defense of advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended Johnston Island, Hawaii and Tinian and took part in combat operations at Okinawa. The battalion returned to the United States after the war and was decommissioned on 30 November 1945 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

The 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 12th Defense Battalion, its original mission was providing air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended the Russell Islands and took part in combat operations at Woodlark Island, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. The battalion remained on Peleliu for the duration of the war and was finally decommissioned on Guam on 22 September 1945.

The 2d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (Composite) (2d AAA Bn [Composite]) was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1943 as the 3d Airdrome Battalion, its original mission was strictly providing air defense. On 1 October 1943 the battalion was redesignated the 18th Defense Battalion. During the war the battalion provided air defense for the Saipan and Tinian area of operations. The battalion returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after the war receiving its final designation on 16 May 1946. The battalion was decommission in September 1947.

The 4th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 4th Defense Battalion, its original mission was providing air and coastal defense of advanced naval bases. It was one of first five defense battalions deployed in support of the color-coded war plans that called for the defense of Hawaii and other outlying United States possessions in the Pacific Ocean. These five battalions were nicknamed the "Rainbow Five." During the war the battalion took part in combat operations during the attack on Pearl Harbor and at Vella Lavella. The battalion was decommissioned on 9 June 1945 before the end of the war.

The 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 5th Defense Battalion, its original mission was providing air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. Prior to World War II the battalion deployed to Iceland as part of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade in order to defend the neutral country from possible German attack. Following the Iceland deployment and a period of rest and refitting at home the battalion again deployed overseas to provide air defense for Funafuti in the Ellice Islands from September 1942 through February 1944. Also in 1942, two batteries from the 5th were dispatched to support operations on Tulagi during the Guadalcanal Campaign. These two batteries were later reorganized as part of the newly formed 14th Defense Battalion. The 5th Defense Battalion was re-designated as the 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion in April 1944 and took part in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After the war the battalion returned to the United States where it was decommissioned in November 1945. Because the 14th Defense Battalion was formed from batteries belonging to the 5th Defense Battalion the two units retained close ties throughout the war. The 14th was nicknamed "Five:Fourteenth" and after the war the battalions formed a single alumni association.

The 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1940 as the 7th Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. It was one of first five defense battalions deployed in support of the color-coded war plans that called for the defense of Hawaii and other outlying United States possessions in the Pacific Ocean. These five battalions were nicknamed the "Rainbow Five." During the war the battalion defended Tutuila, Upolu, Savai'i and Nanumea and took part in combat operations at Anguar. The 7th was decommissioned before the end of World War II on 2 August 1945.

The 10th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 10th Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion took part in combat operations in the Russell Islands and at the Eniwetok. The battalion's tank platoon also saw extensive action on New Georgia and Arundel Island. The battalion was decommissioned before the end of the war on 25 November 1944.

The 11th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was a United States Marine Corps antiaircraft unit that served during World War II. Formed in 1942 as the 11th Defense Battalion, its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion defended took part in combat operations in the Solomon Islands. The battalion's tank platoon also saw extensive action on New Georgia and Arundel Island. The battalion was decommissioned before the end of the war on December 15, 1944.

The 17th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1942 as the 2d Airdrome Battalion and has the distinction of being the last defense battalion formed in the Marine Corps during the war. Its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion spent significant time defending Nukufetau and took part in combat operations at Tarawa and Tinian. The battalion was decommissioned on December 6, 1945.

The 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1942 as the 1st Airdrome Battalion. Its original mission was to provide air defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion took part in combat operations in the Marshall. The battalion was one of the first defense battalions to be decommissioned on November 25, 1944.

The 14th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1943 as the 14th Defense Battalion. Its mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion took part in combat operations in the Solomon Islands and on Guam. The battalion was decommissioned on June 30, 1945. Since then no other unit has carried the lineage and honors of the 14th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">51st Defense Battalion</span> World War II American coastal defense unit

The 51st Defense Battalion was an antiaircraft and coastal defense unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in August 1942 and was the first African American unit in the Marine Corps. Its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion served in the Ellice and Marshall Islands, in the Pacific Theater. The 51st returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina after the war and was decommissioned on January 31, 1946. To date, no other Marine Corps battalion has carried the lineage and honors of the 51st Defense Battalion.

The 1st Provisional Antiaircraft Artillery Group was a provisional unit that served as the headquarters for all United States Marine Corps antiaircraft battalions that participated in the Battle of Okinawa. The group was formed on Kauai, Territory of Hawaii in November 1944 under the command of the III Marine Amphibious Corps. For the Battle of Okinawa, the group was under the command of the 53d Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade of the Tenth United States Army and was responsible for air defense of the area surrounding Yontan & Kadena Airfields. Following the end of the war, the group returned to the United States and was decommissioned on December 5, 1945. To date, no other Marine Corps unit has carried the group's lineage and honors

References

Citations

↑ Rottman 2002, pp. 212.
1 2 3 4 5 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 28.
↑ Rottman 2002, pp. 211–212.
1 2 3 Nalty 1995, pp. 17.
1 2 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 23.
↑ Rottman 2002, pp. 216.
↑ Rottman 2002, pp. 216–217.
1 2 3 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 24.
↑ Nalty 1995, pp. 18.
1 2 3 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 25.
↑ Melson 1996, pp. 24.
1 2 Nalty 1995, pp. 22.
↑ Nalty 1995, pp. 23.
↑ Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 27.
↑ Melson 1996, pp. 32.
↑ Updegraph 1972, pp. 98.

Bibliography

Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle: Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939–1945. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.

Web

Melson, Charles D. (1996). Condition Red: Marine Defense Battalions in World War II (PDF). Marines in World War II Commemorative Series. Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center. LCCN 96174419. OCLC 34920984 . Retrieved 2020-05-25. Part 2
Nalty, Bernard C. (1995). The Right to Fight: African American Marines in World War II (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center. Retrieved 2020-05-31.
Shaw, Henry I.; Donnelly, Ralph W. (1976). Blacks in the Marine Corps (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center.
Updegraph, George (1972). Special Marine Corps Units of World War II (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Marine Corps Historical Center. Retrieved 2020-05-25.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[FOOTNOTERottman2002212-1] Rottman 2002, pp. 212.

[FOOTNOTEShawDonnelly197628-2] 1 2 3 4 5 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 28.

[FOOTNOTERottman2002211–212-3] Rottman 2002, pp. 211–212.

[FOOTNOTENalty199517-4] 1 2 3 Nalty 1995, pp. 17.

[FOOTNOTEShawDonnelly197623-5] 1 2 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 23.

[FOOTNOTERottman2002216-6] Rottman 2002, pp. 216.

[FOOTNOTERottman2002216–217-7] Rottman 2002, pp. 216–217.

[FOOTNOTEShawDonnelly197624-8] 1 2 3 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 24.

[FOOTNOTENalty199518-9] Nalty 1995, pp. 18.

[FOOTNOTEShawDonnelly197625-10] 1 2 3 Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 25.

[FOOTNOTEMelson199624-11] Melson 1996, pp. 24.

[FOOTNOTENalty199522-12] 1 2 Nalty 1995, pp. 22.

[FOOTNOTENalty199523-13] Nalty 1995, pp. 23.

[FOOTNOTEShawDonnelly197627-14] Shaw & Donnelly 1976, pp. 27.

[FOOTNOTEMelson199632-15] Melson 1996, pp. 32.

[FOOTNOTEUpdegraph197298-16] Updegraph 1972, pp. 98.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]