1st Battalion 1st Marines
| 1st Battalion 1st Marines | |
|---|---|
 1/1 Insignia |
|
| Active | July 10, 1930 - October
31, 1947 August 9, 1950 - May 28, 1974 October 15, 1975 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | President of the United States and the United States Constitution |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Light infantry |
| Role | Locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver |
| Size | ~2000 Marines |
| Part of | 1st Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton |
| Nickname | "First of the First" |
| Motto | Ready to Fight First a Foot, Right of Line |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal **Battle of Edson's Ridge * Battle of Peleliu * Battle of Okinawa Korean War * Battle of Inchon * Battle of Chosin Reservoir Vietnam War * Operation Union * Battle of Hue Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Col. Brian D. Beaudreault |
1st Battalion 1st Marines (1/1) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Pendleton, California consisting of anywhere from 1000-2000 Marines and Sailors. They fall under the 1st Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.
Organization
1/1 is a battalion-level infantry unit composed of infantry Marines and support personnel.
The battalion has been organized around fire and maneuver warfare in tropical, woodland, desert, or Arctic environments. From at least 2002-2003, the units were organized as such:
- Company A (truck company) - trained for insertion by trucks.
- Company B (boat company) - trained for insertion by boats (zodiacs). Also complimented with mountain warfare and various swimming specialties (CWSS, scout swimmer, etc.)
- Company C (hielo company) - trained for insertion by helicopter.
- Weapons company - usually split into 3 infantry platoons, each vehicle-borne through a variation of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), or hum-vee.
- Mortar platoon - deploy and deliver 81mm mortars via a M252 mortar system.
- Javelin platoon - employ the SMAW and, since its introduction in 2002, the Javelin weapons systems.
- CAAT platoon - includes heavy machine gunners (the 50-caliber machine gun or the Mk-19) and anti-armor misslemen (employ the TOW-2 missle).
- Headquarter and Service Company - The largest company, H&S includes the Sergeant Major and the Battalion Commander. It is
organized as such:
- S-1 (personnel)
- S-2 (intelligence)
- S-3 (operations)
- S-4 (supply and logistics)
- S-6 (communications)
See also
Variations
Since 2003, after the fall of Saddam Hussein's government, the strategic[1] operations in the middle east have (Iraq, Afghanistan) encompassed more than just a single objective. For units in the Marines operating on a tactical level (relative to the DOD) such as a battalion landing team, the actual execution of its traditional mission-oriented operations have adapted depending on the unit's objective (capturing high value targets, providing stability and support operations, training local police and military units, a three block war, &c). Some of these operations have demanded reconfiguring the battalion's organization in order to conduct missions which are not included in traditional maneuver warfare (such as fire-team rushing, anti-armor tactics, &c).
Military transition teams
Military transition teams (MiT teams) have been used to provide assistance for the transition of power from the coalition forces to the local police and army in Iraq. While these MiT teams would draw personnel from other companies, Marines for other part of the division would often rotate into the battalion for a deployment in order to supplement the various companies' rosters.
Infantry company reorganization
In addition, the various companies were redrawn in order to reflect their new duties. Normal training was complemented with responsibilities befitting an urban environment:
- Rifle companies (A, B, and C) focused less on fire team rushing and more on variations of it within an urban environment (accounting for the 360 degree fields of fire of the enemy and the possibilities of improvised explosive devices).
- The mortar platoon of the Weapons company (usually resigned to the rear of the fighting line in linear warfare in order to set up and deliver indirect mortar projectiles) has experimented with various vehicleof mortarmen as riflemen.
- Weapons company utilized Mobile Assault Platoons[2][3] to provide quick reaction and mobility in urban missions.
1/1 in a MEU (SOC)
When trained as a battalion landing team, the battalion can attach to a Marine Expeditionary Unit and become the ground combat element. This designation gives the battalion a much broader role in its employment with the Navy, including non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO), humanitarian assistance operations (HAO), and ship-to-shore deployment (via air and sea).
History
World War II
1st Battalion 1st Marines was activated on March 1, 1941 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A month later they redeployed to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina but were quickly deactivated on June 18, 1941.
1/1 was reactivated on February 7, 1942 at New River, North Carolina. After a few months of training they were deployed to Wellington, New Zealand in July of 1942. During the War in the Pacific the battalion fought in the following campaigns:
Following the end of the war 1/1 returned to MCB Camp Pendleton in September of 1945 and were deactivated on October 31, 1947.
Korean War
Following the outbreak of the Korean War, 1/1 was reactivated at MCB Camp Pendleton on August 9, 1950. Later that month they deployed to Kobe, Japan and from there took part in the amphibious landing during the Battle of Inchon. In October the Marines were withdrawn from the Seoul area and moved to the east coast of Korea landing at Wosnan in late October. From there 1st Battalion 1st Marines participated in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. They pushed as far north as Koto-ri, spending much of the battle defending their perimeter in this vicinity.
All told, the battalion fought in the Korean War from September 1950 through July 1953.
Following the war, the battalion participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from July 1953 to April 1955.
Vietnam War
1/1 deployed to Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam in August of 1965 and were reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division. They remained in Vietnam until May of 1971 serving in or around Da Nang, Dong Ha, Con Thien, Quang Tri, Huế, Phu Bai and Khe Sahn. They returned to Camp Pendleton, California in may 1971. They were again deactivated on May 28, 1974 but quickly reinstated on October 15, 1975.
Persian Gulf War & the 90's
The 1st Battalion, 1st Marines deployed from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in December, 1990, to Saudi Arabia in part of a call to defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the aggressive Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in Operation Desert Shield. In the coming months, Regimental Combat Team 1 became Task Force Papa Bear, along with Companies Bravo and Charlie of the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion; 3rd Battalion,9th Marines; 1st Tank Battalion; 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion. After the start of Operation Desert Storm in Feb 1991, the Mechanized Battalion, commanded by LtCol Michael O. Fallon and task force commander Colonel Richard W. Hodory, saw considerable combat as it crossed into Kuwait, fought a pitched armored battle at Al Burquan, and consolidated at Kuwait International Airport on 27 Feb 1991. The battalion backloaded on April 24 to Camp Pendleton, but not before completing a search for a downed OV-10 recon aircraft on 10 March.
Global War on Terror
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On September 11, 2001, the Marines of 1/1 were deployed on a WestPac (a deployment in a Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) making rounds in the western pacific) as part of the 15th MEU. [2] Specifically, they were in Perth, Australia on port leave. The marines were recalled early from leave, shipped out, and began preparing for the first major combat operations since the first Gulf War. The flotilla sped to the Persian Gulf and was the first MEU to land in Afghanistan. Later the 26th MEU would join them and assist in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Afghanistan
Among 1/1's missions in Afghanistan was to assist in securing an airstrip outside of Kandahar, Afghanistan and establish Camp Rhino. The marine battalion performed security operations around the area in support of the Northern Alliance's removal of the Taliban from power. The battalion also performed operations in Northern Pakistan.[3] The Marines returned to the United States in early March of 2002.
Iraq
OIF I
Training
1/1 took post-deployment leave and then returned to train their new Marines and prepare for another deployment. The unit traveled to the army base Fort Hunter Liggett for small unit training. Some marines from other parts of the regiment were transferred to 1/1 and began training with their new unit. As far as when and how the unit would next deploy remained uncertain. As the "war drums"[4] began to beat in late 2002, it became more and more certain that the Marines would be used to help invade Baghdad, but no one knew when it would happen. By Thanksgiving of 2002, it was still unclear whether the unit would even be around for the Marine Corps Ball in early November. During winter holiday leave, staff officers from 1/1 and other 1st Regiment battalions were recalled from their leave in preparation for an invasion of Baghdad, but ultimate 1/1 was not chosen. In early January, 1/1 joined the 13th MEU and began combined arms (CAX) training in 29 Palms at Camp Wilson. Here the battalion received more new Marines and trained them in desert warfare. After a successful CAX, the battalion returned to Camp Pendleton and completed a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCREE) hike of 24 miles in 6 hours and 10 minutes, lead by the Battalion Commander, then Lt. Col. Brian D. Beaudreault.
Deployment
The unit finally deployed on a WestPac. They traveled to the Persian Gulf and in support of OIF I, assisted the local police and performed security operations in southern Iraq, mainly Um Qasar and Basra, co-located with British units there.[5] After 2 weeks the unit left and finished their deployment and returned to Camp Pendleton. Then Lt. Col. Beaudreault gave the colors to Lt. Col. Furness who took over command.
OIF II
Training
The war on terror was not waning, and the unit began receiving new Marines and trained them as quickly as possible after a post-deployment leave. The unit continued to receive new Marines up until they left for deployment. The unit began training in more specific safety and security operations (SASO), emphasizing close-quarter combat in an urban environment. The unit traveled again to 29 Palms and Camp Wilson, and then to Victorville, California where they trained at the Fort Irwin Military Reservation in Operation Mojave-Viper. After 6 months of training, the unit left on another WestPac.
Deployment
The threat of an extended deployment loomed for the unit, which was now a part of the 15th MEU on the first Naval Expeditionary Strike Group, ESG 1. During this deployment in early 2005, the tsunami that hit Indonesia and Sri Lanka diverted the MEU and they provided as much assistance as was politically viable. After 3 weeks, the MEU left and began a movement towards the Persian Gulf. There, they provided safety and security operations in Babil province south of Baghdad. Their forward operating base was Camp Falcon near Al-Mahmoudiyah and they spent 1 month there. There were no casualties and only one major acute injury, a communications PFC was hit in the leg by mortar shell shrapnel. The combat units performed continuous foot and vehicle patrols around the area, finding many weapons caches and unearthing many IEDs. In the vehicle and foot patrols, only a handful of roadside bombs actually detonated, none resulting in any visible injuries. 1/1 handed off the territory to 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (3ACR), which, after staying for many months, endured much more violence and conflict. A PBS documentary on the unit, Warriors, by Ed Robbins, documents this unit's deployment[6].
OIF III-IV
Training
The unit returned to Camp Pendleton in mid-2005 and prepared again to deploy in 6 months. After a post-deployment leave the unit began receiving new Marines and quickly training them in desert and urban combat techniques, both in small unit and combined arms training. They returned to Camp Pendleton and left in three days beginning on Jan 21, 2006 to be flown over to Iraq for a full deployment.
Deployment
In mid-January 2006 the battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV. They were operating in the farmlands north of Fallujah but in March, C Company began operations in the area around Abu Ghraib prison which is located about 20 miles west of Baghdad. [4] [5] [6] After two and a half months, Charlie Company returned to the Camp Fallujah area and the entire battalion was re-united in Gharmah. C Company later moved to Saqlawiyah to replace 1st Battalion, 25th Marines. The battalion completed their deployment and returned to Camp Pendleton in mid-August 2006.
MOST RECENT DEPLOYMENT
The "First of the First" Marines deployed to the Anbar Province of Iraq in mid-July 2007 and are now working in the areas in and around Habbaniyah, Iraq.
References
- ^ MCDP-1 Warfighting, p. 28-29.
- ^ USMC History Division, Global War on Terrorism Chronology, 2001-2005.
- ^ 15th MEU, History of the 15th MEU.
- ^ Personal communication, Col. Joe Dowdy, then 1st MarReg CO and soon to be 1st Mar Regimental Combat Team of which he would later be relieved[1]
- ^ Global Security, 13th MEU Provides Assistance in Southern Iraq.
- ^ America at a Crossroads, "What is it really like to be a soldier in Iraq?"
Awards and honors
- Presidential Unit Citation with two silver stars
- Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- American Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver star
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal with "Asia" China Service Streamer
- National Defense Service Medal with three bronze stars
- Southwest Asia Service Medal
- Korean Presidential Unit Citation
- Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer
- Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
See also
External links
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