3rd Battalion, 8th Marines

Last updated
3rd Battalion 8th Marines
3rdBn 8thMar insignia.jpg
3rd Battalion 8th Marines Unit Insignia
ActiveNovember 1, 1940 – March 26, 1946
January 15, 1951 – May 18, 2021
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Marine Corps.svg  United States Marine Corps
Type Light infantry
RoleLocate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver
Part of 8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
Garrison/HQ Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Motto(s)"Fortuna Favet Fortibus"
"Fortune Favors the Strong"
Engagements World War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders
John C. Miller Jr.
David H. Berger
Robert R. Blackman Jr.

3rd Battalion 8th Marines (3/8) was an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was consisted of approximately 1,100 Marines and Sailors. The battalion fell under the command of the 8th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division.

Contents

Subordinate units

Mission

The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and/ or repel enemy assault by fire and close combat.

History

World War II

The battalion was activated on November 1, 1940, in San Diego and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade. The 2nd Marine Brigade was re-designated February 1, 1941, as 2nd Marine Division. It participated in the action at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tarawa, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, they re-deployed during September 1945 to Nagasaki, Japan and participated in occupation of Japan from until February 1946. The battalion was deactivated March 26, 1946.

1950s & 1960s

3/8 was reactivated on January 15, 1951, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as 3rd and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. During the 1960s they participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis from October to December 1962 and Operation Powerpack in the Dominican Republic in 1965.

1970s

3/8 went to the Med in January 1979 as part of the 32 MAU. Major Oliver North was 3/8’s S3 officer.

1980s & 1990s

3/8 went to the Med in January 1980 and 1981as part of the 32 MAU. The company first sergeant Lewis G. Lee would eventually become Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

The battalion was part of the Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from October 1982 to February 1983, and February through October 1984.

Global War on Terrorism

Marine from 3/8 breaching a door in 2005. Door breaching original version.jpg
Marine from 3/8 breaching a door in 2005.
A Marine from Company I, 3/8, holds onto a parachute attached to a supply of water and food dropped by CLB-3 Marines from a C-130 cargo transport aircraft during Operation Backstop in Helmand province, Afghanistan, December 11, 2008. USMC parachutist Afghanistan 081208-M-0000J-002a.jpg
A Marine from Company I, 3/8, holds onto a parachute attached to a supply of water and food dropped by CLB-3 Marines from a C-130 cargo transport aircraft during Operation Backstop in Helmand province, Afghanistan, December 11, 2008.
3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conduct a local security patrol in the abandoned village, Afghanistan, on April 12, 2009 Defense.gov News Photo 090412-M-6159T-077.jpg
3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conduct a local security patrol in the abandoned village, Afghanistan, on April 12, 2009

Deactivation

Commandant Gen. David H. Berger, former Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, released a press statement stating,"Developing a force that incorporates emerging technologies and a significant change to force structure within our current resource constraints will require the Marine Corps to become smaller and remove legacy capabilities". In May 2020, 3rd Battalion was listed as one of the units proposed to be deactivated. U.S. Marine Corps Col. John H. Rochford, the commanding officer of 8th Marine Regiment, and Sgt. Maj. Keith D. Hoge, the sergeant major of 8th Marine Reg., both with 2d Marine Division, cased the regimental colors during a deactivation ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 28, 2021.

Awards

Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, partnered with Afghan National Police, patrol through Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 1, 2012 Marine Patrol Helmand Province w. Afghan Security Forces.jpg
Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, partnered with Afghan National Police, patrol through Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 1, 2012

[4]

See also

Notes

  1. "Marines repel assault in Iraq - The Boston Globe". www.boston.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
  2. "Marine Corps News -> Marines clean mean streets of Ramadi". March 26, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-03-26.
  3. Jones, LCpl Brian D. (14 December 2008). "U.S. Marines Provide British Forces Security in Afghanistan During Operation Backstop". DVIDS News. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
  4. NAVMC 2922, MMMA, 26 November 2019 and the Historical Resources Branch, Marine Corps History Division

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References

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