3rd Battalion 3rd Marines
| 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines | |
|---|---|
The official emblem for 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines
|
|
| Active | 1 June 1942 – 20 December 1945 1 August 1951 – 1 June 1974 31 October 1975 – present |
| Country |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Type | Light infantry |
| Role | Locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver |
| Size | ~800 |
| Part of |
 3rd Marine Regiment 3rd Marine Division
|
| Garrison/HQ |
 Marine Corps Base Hawaii
|
| Nickname(s) | "Trinity", "America's Battalion" |
| Motto(s) | "Fortuna Fortes Juvat" "Fortune Favors the Brave" |
| Anniversaries | 1 June – Battalion Birthday |
| Engagements |
World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
 Lieutenant Colonel Steven J. Eastin
|
| Notable commanders |
Ralph Houser Charles Krulak |
World War II
3rd Battalion 3rd Marines, abbreviated as (3/3), is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps, based out of Kāne'ohe, Hawai'i. Known as either "Trinity" or "America's Battalion", the unit falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division. The unit consists of approximately 1124 U.S. Marines and United States Navy sailors. Like most battalions of the U.S. Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines is made up of three rifle companies (India, Kilo, and Lima), a Headquarters and Services (H&S) company, and a weapons company. The battalion was originally formed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1942 and saw action on both Bougainville and Guam during World War II, where it was awarded the first of its Presidential Unit Citations for "gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions"; and the first of its Navy Unit Commendations for "outstanding service". Marines in the battalion were also awarded one Medal of Honor and seven Navy Crosses during the war. Following World War II, 3rd Battalion was disbanded until 1951, when it was reformed in California. The battalion was alerted for possible deployment during the 1956 Suez War and the 1958 intervention in Lebanon. In 1965, the Marines of 3rd Battalion were deployed to the Vietnam War and participated in Operation Starlite, the first major Marine engagement of that conflict. The battalion continued to see major action through Vietnam and was rotated back to the United States in 1969. Famous alumni from its time in Vietnam include Corporal Robert Emmett O'Malley, the first Marine in Vietnam to be awarded the Medal of Honor, Oliver North, and John Ripley. Around the end of the Vietnam War, the Battalion was deactivated for a second time in 1974.
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