4th Marine Regiment | |
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4th Marine Regiment insignia
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Active | 1914–1942; 1944–1949; 1952–present |
Country | United States of America |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Type | Infantry regiment |
Nickname(s) | "The Oldest and the Proudest" or "China Marines" |
Motto(s) | Hold High the Torch |
Engagements |
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Commanders | |
Notable commanders |
Samuel L. Howard Alan Shapley Fred D. Beans |
The 4th Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Based at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan, it is part of the 3rd Marine Division of the III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or repel the enemy's assault by fire and close combat.
The regimental Headquarters Company is based at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, and hosts Marine infantry battalions from across the Corps that forward deploy to Okinawa and the 3rd Marine Division for six-month rotations under the Unit Deployment Program.
Currently each of the Regiment's three organic infantry battalions are reinforcing other Marine infantry regiments in the 1st Marine Division.
The 4th Marine Regiment was first activated on 16 April 1914, in Puget Sound, Washington, & Mare Island, California Naval Yards, under the command of Colonel Joseph Henry Pendleton. This activation was a direct result of deteriorating relations between the United States and Mexico. On 21 April, President Woodrow Wilson ordered U.S. Naval Forces to Vera Cruz. Shortly after activation, 4th Marines embarked upon the USS South Dakota (ACR-9) headed for San Francisco. Upon their arrival they received four companies (the 31st, 32nd, 34th and 35th) which were to become attached to the regiment. The regiment then sailed for Mexico.