3rd Battalion 8th Marines | |
---|---|
Active |
|
Country | United States |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Type | Light infantry |
Role | Locate, 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 |
Multinational Force in Lebanon |
Commanders | |
Current commander |
Lt. Colonel Kemper A. Jones |
Multinational Force in Lebanon
Operation Secure Tomorrow
War on Terror
3rd Battalion 8th Marines (3/8) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina consisting of approximately 1,100 Marines and Sailors. They fall under the command of the 8th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division.
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.
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. They 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.
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.