3rd Battalion 8th Marines

3rd Battalion 8th Marines
Active
  • November 1, 1940 – March 26, 1946
  • January 15, 1951 – present
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 World War II
* Battle of Guadalcanal
* Battle of Tarawa
* Battle of Saipan
* Battle of Tinian
* Battle of Okinawa
*Multinational Force in Lebanon
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lt. Colonel Kemper A. Jones

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.

Subordinate units

Mission

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.

History

World War II

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.

1950s & 1960s

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.

1980s & 1990s

The battalion was part of the Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from October 1982 to February 1983, and February through October 1984.

Global War on Terror

A Marine from 3/8 breaching a door during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A Marine from Company I, 3/8, holds onto a parachute attached to a supply of water and food dropped by CLB-3 Marines from a C-130 cargo transport aircraft during Operation Backstop in Helmand province, Afghanistan, December 11, 2008.
3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conduct a local security patrol in the abandoned village, Afghanistan, on April 12, 2009

Awards

Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, partnered with Afghan National Police, patrol through Garmsir District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 1, 2012

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Marines repel assault in Iraq
  2. ↑ Marines clean mean streets of Ramadi
  3. ↑ Jones, LCpl Brian D. (14 December 2008). "U.S. Marines Provide British Forces Security in Afghanistan During Operation Backstop". DVIDS News. Retrieved December 22, 2008.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
Bibliography
  • Rottman, Gordon L., "U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle: Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939-1945". Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. 2002.
Web

External links

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