3d Marine Division

3d Marine Division operates as a Stand-In Force in the first island chain to secure, seize, or defend key maritime terrain in order to deny and disrupt adversary actions in support of the Fleet, the Joint Force, and partnered and allied forces.

3d Marine Division operates as a Stand-In Force in the first island chain to secure, seize, or defend key maritime terrain in order to deny and disrupt adversary actions in support of the Fleet, the Joint Force, and partnered and allied forces.

3d Marine Division has five major subordinate elements: 3d Marine Littoral Regiment based in Hawaii and 12th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, and Headquarters Battalion based in Okinawa, Japan.

The 3d Marine Division was officially activated Sept. 16, 1942 at Camp Elliott, San Diego, California. Most of the Division’s first members were drawn from the 9th Marines, commanded by Colonel Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., who later became the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Major General Charles D. Barrett was the first Commanding General of the Division. By Aug. 1943, the Division was based at Guadalcanal where special training and rehearsals for the Bougainville operation intensified. The Division landed at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Nov. 1, 1943. For approximately two months, the Division participated in its first fight against heavy enemy resistance. After the transfer of command in the area to the Army's XIV Corps, the last elements of the Division returned to Guadalcanal Jan. 16, 1944.

Following the Bougainville operation, the Division began training for the next campaign. Instructions received in Feb. 1944 led to planning for an operation against the Japanese on Emirau Island. The projected Emirau operation was subsequently cancelled and instructions were received to instead plan an operation against enemy forces at Kavieng, New Ireland. This operation was also called off. A few days later, the Division began training for the amphibious assault against the Japanese on Guam.

The Division left Guadalcanal on June 2-3, 1944 and sailed for Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, en route to the Marianas. It remained afloat off of Saipan June 15-18, 1944 as part of the reserve force for the Saipan operation, conducted by the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions in conjunction with the Army’s 27th Infantry Division. With the situation on Saipan under control, the Division returned to its staging area in preparation for the Guam operation.

On July 21, 1944, the Division landed on the western beaches of Guam near Asan Point. After twenty days of savage fighting, the Division troops reached the northern coast of the island. Guam was declared secure Aug. 10, 1944. The Division continued conducting security operations on Guam until its departure for the Iwo Jima campaign in Feb. 1945.

Initially, the Division remained in reserve off the coast of Iwo Jima. The Division landed on Feb. 24, and the next morning the 3d Marine Division launched an attack in its zone between the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions. The 3d Marine Division faced well-organized and determined enemy resistance. The terrain, ideal for defense, was heavily fortified by pillboxes, caves, and covered artillery emplacements. Progress was slow and casualties were heavy during the first few days of fighting. The Division slowly pushed the enemy back and, by Mar. 3, severed the last enemy east-west artery of communication by occupying positions overlooking the sea. The 3d Marine Division secured its zone of action Mar. 11, and then initiated intensive patrolling and security operations. On Mar. 16, units of the 3d Marine Division relieved elements of the 5th Marine Division and delivered the final attack of the Iwo Jima operation - a drive to Kitano Point. Iwo Jima was declared secure on the same day. On Apr. 4, the 3d Marine Division was relieved by U.S. Army units.

By mid Apr. 1945, the Division was back on Guam preparing for the next operation. On Aug. 3 1945, the Division received initial plans for Operation Olympic, which called for an amphibious landing of Kyushu in early Nov. 1945. The 3d Marine Division, along with the 2nd and 5th Marine Divisions, was assigned to the V Amphibious Corps for the operation. Japan's agreement to cease hostilities and subsequent surrender cancelled Operation Olympic, and the Division remained on Guam until it was deactivated on Dec. 28, 1945.

The Division was reactivated on Jan. 7, 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California. Immediately after its activation, the Division began intensive combat training. During the remaining part of 1952, elements of the Division participated in numerous exercises and experimentation with new concepts, including vertical envelopment, airborne operations and attack, and defense against atomic weapons and missiles.

In Aug. 1953, the 3d Marine Division arrived in Japan to support the 1st Marine Division in the defense of the region. In Mar. 1956, the Division moved to Okinawa and remained there as an expeditionary force-in-readiness until 1965. 

On May 6, 1965, the 3d Marine Division opened the Marine compound at the Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam. The Division subsequently operated combat bases at Da Nang, Phu Bai, Quang Tri and Dong Ha. The Division departed Vietnam in November 1969 and moved to Camp Courtney, Okinawa, where it is presently located.

From 2004 to 2011, elements of the 3d Marine Division participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2004 to 2014, elements of the 3d Marine Division participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. From Mar. to May 2011, elements of the Division participated in the joint humanitarian relief effort Operation Tomodachi in the wake of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Today, the 3d Marine Division remains forward deployed in the western Pacific, prepared to fight and win alongside allies and partners with the technology of today while experimenting with the tools, systems, and organization for the force of tomorrow.

The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest award for military valor in action. And while over 150 years have passed since its inception, the meaning behind the Medal has never tarnished. Etched within are the very values that each Recipient displayed in the moments that mattered—bravery, courage, sacrifice, integrity. A deep love of country and a desire to always do what is right.

A distinguished award presented only to the deserving, the Medal tells a story of its own.

(*) - Award presented posthumously

PFC Henry Gurke*          3d Raider Bn.        Neche SD        Bougainville

2nd Lt. John H. Leims        Co. B, 1st Bn, 9th Mar.        Chicago, IL        Bougainville

PFC Leonard F. Mason*        Co. E, 2d Bn, 3d Mar.        Middlesboro, KY        Guam

Sgt. Robert A. Owens*        Co. A, 1st Bn, 3d Mar.        Greensville, SC        Bougainville

PFC Luther Skaggs Jr.        Co. K, 3d Bn, 3d Mar.        Henderson, KY        Guam

Sgt. Herbert J. Thomas        Co. B, 1st Bn, 3d Mar.        Colombus, OH        Bougainville

Pvt. Wilson D. Watson        Co. G, 2nd Bn, 9th Mar.        Tuscumbia, AL        Iwo Jima

Cpl. Hershel W. Williams        Co. C, 1st Bn, 21st Mar.        Fairmont, WV        Iwo Jima

Capt. Louis H. Wilson        Co. F, 9th Mar.        Brandon, MS        Guam

PFC Frank P. Witek*        Co. B, 1st Bn, 9th Mar.        Derby, CT        Guam

(*) - Award presented posthumously

PFC James Anderson Jr.*        Co. F, 2d Bn, 3d Mar.        Los Angles, CA

LCpl. Richard A. Anderson*        Co. E, 3d Recon Bn        Washington, DC

HM2 Donald E Ballard        Co. M, 3d Bn, 4th Mar.        Kansas City, MO

LCpl. Jedh C. Barker*        Co. F, 3d Bn, 4th Mar.        Franklin, NH

1stLt. Harvey C. Barnum        Co. H. 2d Bn, 9th Mar.        Waterbury, CT

2dLt. John P. Bobo*        Co. I, 3d Bn, 9th Mar.        Niagara Falls, NY

PFC Bruce W. Carter*        Co. H, 2d Bn, 3rd Mar        Schenectady, NY

PFC Ronald L. Coker*        Co. M, 3d Bn, 3d Mar.        Alliance, NE

SSgt. Peter S. Conner*        Co. F, 2d Bn, 3d Mar        Orange, NJ

Col. Donald G. Cook*        Co. HQ Bn 3d MarDiv        Los Angeles, CA

LCpl. Thomas E. Creek*        Co. I, 3d Bn, 9th Mar.        Joplin, MO

PFC Douglas E. Dickey*       Co. C, 1st Bn, 4th Mar.        Greenville Drake, OH

Sgt. Paul H. Foster*        2d Bn, 4th Mar.        San Mateo, CA

1stLt. Wesley L Fox        Co. A, 1st Bn, 9th Mar.        Herndon, VA

2dLt. Terrence C. Graves*        3d Force Recon Co, 3d Recon Bn.        Corpus Christi, TX

PFC Robert H. Jenkins Jr.*        Co. C, 3d Recon Bn.        Interlachen, FL

Capt. Howard V. Lee        Co. E, 2d Bn, 4th Mar.        New York, NY

Capt. James E. Livingston        Co. E, 2d Bn, 4th Mar.        Towns Telfair, GA

Cpl. Larry L Maxam*        Co. D, 1st Bn, 4th Mar.        Glendale, CA

SSgt. John J. McGinty        Co. K, 3d Bn, 4th Mar.        Boston, MA

Capt. Robert J. Modrzejewski        Co. K, 3d Bn, 4th Mar.        Milwaukee, WI

Cpl. William D, Morgan*        Co. kf, 2d Bn, 9th Mar.        Pittsburgh, PA

LCpl. Thomas Noonan Jr.*      Co. G, 2d Bn, 9th Mar.        Brooklyn, NY

Cpl. Robert E. O’Malley       Co. I, 3d Bn, 3d Mar.        New York, NY

LCpl. Joe C. Paul*      Co. H, 2d Bn, 4th Mar. Serv.        Williamsburg, KY

Cpl. William T. Perkins Jr.*     Co., Hq. Bn, 3d Mar. Div.        Rochester, NY

LCpl. William R. Prom*        Co. I, 3d Bn, 3d Mar.        Pittsburgh, PA

1stLt. Frank S. Reasoner*       Co. A, 3d Recon Bn.        Spokane, WA

Sgt. Walter K. Singleton*        Co. A, 1st Bn, 9th Mar.        Memphis, TN

SSgt. Karl G. Taylor Sr.*        Co. I, 3d Bn, 26th Mar.        Laurel, MD

Capt. Jay R. Vargas        Co. G, 2d Bn, 4th Mar.        Winslow, AZ

PFC Alfred M. Wilson*        Co. M, 3d Bn, 9th Mar.        Olney, IL

3D MARINE DIVISION

1942-1945

ACTIVATED 16 SEPTEMBER 1942 AT CAMP ELLIOTT, CALIFORNIA, AS THE 3D MARINE DIVISION

DEPLOYED DURING JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1943 TO AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

PARTICIPATED IN THE FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II CAMPAIGNS

BOUGAINVILLE

NORTHERN SOLOMONS

GUAM

IWOJIMA

DEACTIVATED 28 DECEMBER 1945

1952-1975

REACTIVATED 7 JANUARY 1952 AT CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, AS THE 3D MARINE DIVISION REDEPLOYED DURING AUGUST 1953 TO CAMP GIFU, JAPAN

REDEPLOYED DURING FEBRUARY 1956 TO CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA

REDEPLOYED DURING APRIL- MAY 1965 TO THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

PARTICIPATED IN THE WAR IN VIETNAM, APRIL 1965-NOVEMBER 1969, OPERATING FROM

QUANG TRI PROVINCE QUANG NAM PROVINCE THUA THIEN PROVINCE

REDEPLOYED DURING NOVEMBER 1969 TO CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN EVACUATION OPERATIONS IN VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA, 

MARCH-MAY 1975 1976-2006

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM, 

SOUTHWEST ASIA, 1990-1991

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION SEA ANGEL, BANGLADESH, MAY-JUNE 1991 ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION FIERY VIGIL, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, 

JUNE-JULY 1991

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, AFGHANISTAN AND PHILIPPINES

2001 INTO 2006

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, IRAQ

2003 INTO 2006
ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION UNIFIED ASSISTANCE, SOUTHEAST ASIA. 

DECEMBER 2004 - FEBRUARY 2005

ELEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EFFORTS, PHILIPPINES, 

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2006 

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR WORLD WAR II 

IWO JIMA-1945 VIETNAM 1965-1967 NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR WORLD WAR II 

IWO JIMA-1945 2001 -2003 MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER 2004-2005 ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH FOUR BRONZE STARS 

WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER

NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS

KOREAN SERVICE STREAMER 

VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER AND ONE BRONZE STARS

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE STREAMER 

VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM STREAMER