U.S. 4th Marine Regiment

4th Marine Regiment
4th Marine Regiment insignia
Active	1914–1942; 1944–1949; 1952–present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Infantry regiment
Part of	3rd Marine Division III Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison/HQ	Camp Schwab, Okinawa
Nickname(s)	"The Oldest and the Proudest" or "China Marines"
Motto(s)	Hold High the Torch
Engagements	Banana Wars Occupation of Veracruz Occupation of the Dominican Republic World War II Battle of Corregidor Battle of Guam Battle of Okinawa Vietnam War Operation Starlite Operation Hastings Operation Prairie Operation Prairie IV Operation Hickory Operation Kingfisher Operation Kentucky Operation Desert Storm
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Kevin A. Norton
Notable commanders	Samuel L. Howard Alan Shapley Fred D. Beans Charles I. Murray

Banana Wars

World War II

Vietnam War

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.