3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Horno on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Nicknamed the "Thundering Third", the battalion consists of approximately 1,200 Marines and Sailors and falls under the command of the 1st Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.
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3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1) was activated on 1 March 1941 at Guantanámo Bay, Cuba and assigned to the 1st Marine Division. In April of that year, they were relocated to Marine Barracks, Parris Island, South Carolina; the battalion was subsequently deactivated in October of that year.
On 16 February 1942, 3/1 was re-activated at New River, North Carolina. In July 1942, 3/1 deployed to Wellington, New Zealand and participated in the following World War II campaigns: Guadalcanal, Eastern New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Beginning in April 1946, 3/1 participated in the occupation of North China. The battalion was again deactivated on 20 March 1947, as part of the post-war drawdown of forces. [1]
The start of the Korean War saw the reactivation of 3/1 on 4 August 1950 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and their quick deployment to Korea in September. The battalion's first action was at the Battle of Inchon in September 1950. Following the recapture of Seoul, 3/1 along with the rest of the 1st Marine Division, was put back on ships and sailed around the Korean peninsula to the eastern coast of Korea. The battalion eventually landed at Wonsan in late October and from there participated in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. During the battle they were the only battalion from the Chesty Puller's 1st Marine Regiment to make it as far north as Hagaru-ri. [2]
After the withdrawal from Chosin Reservoir, 1st Marine Division marched to Hungnam to be evacuated. The battalion took part in fighting on the East Central Front and Western Front of the Jamestown Line for the remainder of the war. After the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, they participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from July 1953 to April 1955. In April 1955, the battalion re-located to Camp Pendleton, California.
From October to December 1962, 3/1 was part of the amphibious task force sent to the Caribbean in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
From January 1966 to May 1971, 3/1 fought in the Vietnam War, operating in Chu Lai, Da Nang, Thang Binh, Thanh Thuy, Cửa Việt, Ca Lu, Vandegrift Combat Base, Route 9, An Hoa, and Hoa Vang. In May 1971, the battalion re-located to MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
During this drawdown period, the Marines and Sailors of 3/1 participated in multiple Unit Deployment Program (UDP) rotations and Marine amphibious unit deployments.
The battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia in December 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield and in March 1991, they transitioned to combat operations during Operation Desert Storm.
In May 1992, 3/1 made the short drive up Interstate 5 to assisted local police with riot control operations during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
In February and March 1995, 3/1 deployed to Somalia in support of Operation United Shield, to help the remaining UN troops evacuate.
The next major deployment was in October 2000 to support Operation Determined Response after the USS Cole bombing in the Aden harbor of Yemen. Seventeen sailors died in the explosion and more than 35 were injured. [3]
While on deployment in 2002 with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), 3/1 was part of the Failaka Island attack in Kuwait. A terrorist attack on unarmed Marines conducting training exercises on the island which resulted in the death of one Marine, Lance Corporal Antonio J. "Tony" Sledd. Though the Iraq War itself would not begin until a few months later in March of the following year, Sledd is considered by some to be the first U.S. combat casualty of the war, as he was killed by hostile fire while training for its commencement.
In January 2003, 3/1 re-deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In March of that year the battalion took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, including the Battle of Nasiriyah. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in the summer of 2003.
The unit then re-deployed to Iraq in mid-2004, and was based near Fallujah. They were the main effort in November 2004 during Operation Al Fajr (pronounced Al Fad-jer), tasked with liberating the city of Fallujah from insurgents. Before the assault commenced, the operation was known as Operation Phantom Fury. This battle would later be described as "some of the heaviest urban combat U.S. forces have been involved in since the Battle of Huế City in Vietnam in 1968".
The battalion was part of the composition of Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT 1). RCT 1 was partly responsible for clearing the infamous Jolan District among others. Alongside RCT 7, four Marine battalions (including 1/3, 1/8, and 3/5) and various US Army units, 3/1 was tasked with reclaiming the city of Fallujah from unrest. This historical deployment would be well-documented and its footage spawned many "combat montages," of which one in particular is often shown to Marine recruits to motivate them for the field phase of recruit training.
The battalion re-deployed back to Iraq in September 2005 and were attached to 2nd Marine Regiment (known as Regimental Combat Team 2), and on 20 February 2006 were attached to the 7th Marine Regiment (known as Regimental Combat Team 7) in western Iraq, carrying out security and stabilization operations. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in late March 2006. [4]
On 10 April 2007, 3/1 deployed as the ground combat element (GCE) of the 13th MEU. They were ordered into Iraq as part of Operation Phantom Thunder. Operating north of Fallujah and Karmah in the Tharthar region in AO Anaheim, MARSOC units attached to the MEU were operating for several days before the GCE began operating on 15 June 2007. They were to establish a Coalition presence in an area that had only had 14 days of Coalition presence since the invasion in March 2003. The battalion concluded operations in Iraq after 90 days on 20 September 2007, and soon after re-embarked on the naval strike group and set sail for the United States and returned to Camp Pendleton on 17 November 2007.
In July 2008, 3/1 deployed as the GCE for the 31st MEU. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in January 2009.
In 2006, Time magazine published an article about an incident that took place on 19 November 2005 in which a group of Marines from Kilo Company 3/1 allegedly killed 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians in the city of Haditha as retribution for an IED attack that killed Lance Corporal Miguel Terrazas. [5] [6] [7]
An initial Marine Corps communique reported that 15 civilians were killed by the bomb's blast and eight insurgents were subsequently killed when the Marines returned fire against those attacking the convoy. However, other evidence uncovered by the media contradicted the Marines' account, prompting the United States military to open an investigation into the incident. [6]
On 21 December 2006, eight Marines from 3/1 were charged in connection with the incident. [8] [9] By 17 June 2008, six defendants had had their cases dropped and a seventh found not guilty. [10] The exception was former Staff Sergeant, now-Private Frank Wuterich, who was convicted of a single count of negligent dereliction of duty on 24 January 2012. [11] [12] Wuterich received a rank reduction and pay cut but avoided jail time. [13] [14]
In April 2010, 3/1 deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The battalion conducted combat operations in the Garmsir District, including activity in the Koshtay and Safar regions. [15] The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in November 2010. [16]
In November 2011, 3/1 served as the GCE for the 11th MEU and deployed to the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in June 2012. On 14 February 2012, 3/1 suffered a tragedy when Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kyler L. Estrada, assigned to India Company, was shot and killed during a live-fire and maneuvering night training exercise in Djibouti.
In October 2013, 3/1 was part of a UDP rotation to Camp Hansen, Japan. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in April 2014.
In May 2015, 3/1 served as the GCE (Battalion Landing Team 3/1 aka BLT 3/1) for the 15th MEU and deployed to the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The battalion was tasked with providing combat training and tactical advisement to foreign militaries to prepare them to fight the Islamic State. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in December 2015. On 17 May 2015, 3/1 suffered a tragedy when one of their MV-22 Osprey helicopters crashed during a training event in Hawaii, resulting in the loss of two Marines.
In late 2016, 3/1 was part of a UDP rotation to Camp Fuji, Japan. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in spring 2017.
In July 2018, 3/1 served as the GCE for the 13th MEU and deployed to the Indo-Pacific and Middle East. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in March 2019.
Between October 2020 and April 2021, 3/1 was assigned to the Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force and deployed to the Middle East region.
In March 2023, 3/1 was assigned to Marine Rotational Force – Darwin and deployed to the Australia and the Indo-Pacific. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in October 2023. During this deployment, 3/1 suffered another tragedy when one of their MV-22 Osprey helicopters crashed during a training event, resulting in the loss of three Marines.
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. 3/1 has been presented with the following awards:
| Streamer | Award | Year(s) | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Silver and four Bronze Stars | 1942, 1944, 1945, 1950, 1950, 1951, 1966, 1966–1967, 1967, 1968, 2003 | Guadalcanal, Peleliu-Ngesebus, Okinawa, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq |
 | Joint Meritorious Unit Award Streamer | 1992–1993 | Somalia |
 | Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with two Bronze Stars | 1952–1953, 1968, 1990–1991, 2004-2005 | Korea, Vietnam, Southwest Asia, Iraq |
 | Meritorious Unit Commendation with three Bronze Stars | 1969, 1971, 1987, 2000 – 2001, 2007, 2010 | Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan |
 | Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer | 2001 | Yemen |
 | American Defense Service Streamer with one Bronze Star | 1941 | World War II |
 | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Silver and one Bronze Star | Guadalcanal, Eastern New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu, Okinawa | |
 | World War II Victory Streamer | 1941–1945 | Pacific War |
 | Navy Occupation Service Streamer with "ASIA" | ||
 | China Service Streamer with one Bronze Star | September 1946 – June 1947 | North China |
 | National Defense Service Streamer with three Bronze Stars | 1950–1954, 1961–1974, 1990–1995, 2001–present | Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War on Terrorism |
 | Korean Service Streamer with two Silver Stars | Inchon-Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, East-Central Front, Western Front | |
 | Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer | 1992–1993 | Somalia |
 | Vietnam Service Streamer with two Silver and two Bronze Stars | July 1965 – April 1971, April – December 1975 | Chu Lai, Da Nang, Dong Ha, Qui Nhon, Hue, Phu Bai, Quang Tri, Operation New Arrival |
 | Iraq Campaign Streamer | 2003-2009 | Al Anbar, Fallujah, Haditha, Baghdad, Ramadi, Operation Phantom Fury |
 | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer | March 2003 – December 2004, 2015 | |
 | Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer | 2001–present | |
 | Korea Presidential Unit Citation Streamer | 1950-1953 | Korean War |
 | Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Streamer | ||
 | Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer | ||
In 2005, 3/1 was "adopted" by the citizens of nearby Huntington Beach, California. The Huntington Beach 3/1 Marines Foundation was formed the following year to oversee all programs, projects and activities in support of the Marines, Sailors and families of the Thundering Third. The city annually hosts a "3/1 RUN" in early March and the funds raised are used to support the Marines, Sailors, and families of the battalion during peace and wartime.
3rd Battalion 1st Marines Association is a non-profit organization formed to help connect generations of Thundering Third Marines, Sailors, and families, to honor the fallen, and to preserve the battalion's brotherhood and family.
In 2006, writer and historian Patrick K. O'Donnell published his book We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah detailing the heroic actions he witnessed while embedded with Lima Company's 1st Platoon during 3/1's Fallujah deployment. The book has received overwhelming praise and is on the Commandant's Professional Reading List as of 2023.
In 2012, writer Nathaniel R. Helms published his book My Men are My Heroes: The Brad Kasal Story recounting Sergeant Major Bradley Kasal's Navy Cross actions while serving as First Sergeant of Weapons Company 3/1 during Operation Phantom Fury.
In 2006, a documentary series on The History Channel called Shootout! ran two episodes covering the actions of Cpl. Sean Stokes, SgtMaj. Bradley Kasal, and 1st Marine Division during Operation Phantom Fury.
In 2007, a drama film called Battle for Haditha was released. It is based on 3/1's involvement in the Haditha Massacre.
In 2010, a documentary called The Western Front was released. Directed and produced by Zachary Iscol, a former Captain in 3/1, the movie documents his experiences as a Marine officer and the change in tactics during the war.
In 2005, Close Combat: First to Fight was released. Designed with input from former and active-duty Marines from 3/1 who had participated in Fallujah, Iraq during Operation Phantom Fury.
In 2011, Phantom Fury: The 2nd Battle for Fallujah, a solitaire board game based on the actions of 3/1 during Operation Phantom Fury was released by Nuts! Publishing.
In 2023, Six Days in Fallujah released to the public. Set in the Second Battle of Fallujah the game follows the Marines of 3/1 as they fight the Iraqi insurgency in the city of Fallujah, Iraq.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps .
The Second Battle of Fallujah, initially codenamed Operation Phantom Fury, Operation al-Fajr was an American-led offensive of the Iraq War that lasted roughly six weeks, starting 7 November 2004. Marking the highest point of the conflict against the Iraqi insurgency, it was a joint military effort carried out by the United States, the Iraqi Interim Government, and the United Kingdom. Within the city of Fallujah, the coalition was led by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, the battle was later described as "some of the heaviest urban combat Marines have been involved in since Huế City in Vietnam in 1968" and as the toughest battle the U.S. military has been in since the end of the Vietnam War. It was the single bloodiest and fiercest battle of the entire conflict, including for American troops.
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