العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
Español1ST MARINE DIVISION (UNITED STATES)
(Redirected from 1st Marine Division)
The '1st Marine Division' is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women. It is one of 3 active duty divisions in the Marine Corps today and is a multi-role, expeditionary ground combat force. Nicknamed "The Old Breed", it falls under the command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
The division is employed as the ground combat element (GCE) of I MEF or may provide task-organized forces for assault operations and such operations as may be directed. The 1st Marine Division must be able to provide the ground amphibious forcible entry capability to the naval expeditionary force (NEF) and to conduct subsequent land operations in any operational environment.
The 1st Marine Division is currently composed of :
★ Headquarters Battalion;
★ 1st Marine Regiment
★ 5th Marine Regiment
★ 7th Marine Regiment
★ 11th Marine Regiment
★ 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
★ 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
★ 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
★ 1st Tank Battalion
★ 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion
★ 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
The division's regiments were in existence as early as March 8, 1911, when the
1st Marine Regiment was formed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They saw action throughout the Caribbean during World War I. The 5th Marines were created in Vera Cruz, Mexico on July 13 1914 and participated in 15 major engagements during World War I, including Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry, and St. Mihiel. On August 7, 1917, 7th Marines were activated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and spent the duration of World War I in Cuba and were disbanded after the war. The 11th Marines was formed in January 1918 at Quantico, Va., as a light artillery regiment. The regiment went to France as an infantry unit, providing a machine gun company and a guard company. Decommissioned and reactivated twice between world wars, the regiment was re-formed in 1940 as a full-fledged artillery unit.
The 1st Marine Division was activated aboard the USS Texas on February 1, 1941. They would see their first action at the Battle of Guadalcanal which was the first major American offensive of World War II. Launched August 7, 1942, this operation won the Division its first of three World War II Presidential Unit Citations (PUC). Others were awarded for the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa. Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, the division's Marines were sent to Melbourne, Australia to rest and refit. It was during this time that the division took the traditional Australian folk song "Waltzing Matilda" as its battle hymn. To this day, 1st Division Marines still ship out to this song being played.[1]
The 1st Marine Division participated in the amphibious assault at Inchon under the orders of General MacArthur. "The Old Breed" was the unit chosen to lead the Inchon landing on 15 September 1950, adding one more PUC to its list of decorations. The fifth PUC was for the division's "attack in the opposite direction", fighting its way out of the Chosin Reservoir against seven Communist Chinese divisions. The Marines suffered over 900 killed and missing, over 3,500 wounded and more than 6,500 non-battle casualties mostly from frostbite during the battle. The greater part of the Chinese 9th Army was rendered ineffective as they suffered an estimated 37,500 casualties trying to stop the Marines' march out of the "Frozen Chosin" [2]. Battles between April and September earned the division its sixth PUC. During the Korean War the division suffered combat casualties of 4,004 dead and 25,864 wounded.
In 1965, the 7th Marine Regiment participated in Operations Starlite and Piranha, the first major engagements for American ground troops in South Vietnam. March 1966 saw 1st Marine Division Headquarters established at Chu Lai. By June, the entire Division was in South Vietnam, its zone of operation—the southern two provinces of I Corps—Quang Tin and Quang Ngai. Between March and October 1966 to May 1967, the division conducted 44 named operations. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the division was involved in fierce fighting with both Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army elements. It was successful in beating back enemy assaults in its operation areas. The division received it 7th Presidential Unit Citation for service from 29 March 1966 to 15 September 1967 and an 8th one for the period 16 September 1967 to 31 October 1968.
After six hard years of combat, 1st Marine Division returned home to Camp Pendleton in 1971. In 1975, the division supported the evacuation of Saigon by providing food and temporary shelter at Camp Pendleton for Vietnamese refugees as they arrived in the United States.
In 1990, the 1st Marine Division formed the nucleus of the massive force sent to Southwest Asia in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. During Operation Desert Shield, the division supported I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) in the defense of Saudi Arabia from the Iraqi threat. In 1991, the division went on the offensive with the rest of Coalition Forces in Operation Desert Storm. In 100 hours of ground offensive combat, the 1st Marine Division helped to liberate Kuwait, smashing the Iraqi Army in the process.
Immediately following the Persian Gulf conflict, the Division sent units to assist in relief efforts following a typhoon in Bangladesh (Operation Sea Angel) and the eruption of volcano Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines (Operation Fiery Vigil). In December 1992, Operation Restore Hope, bringing relief to famine-stricken Somalia, kicked off with the early morning amphibious landing of Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was supported by 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. More than 15,000 metric tons of food was successfully distributed from 398 different food sites in the city during the operation. The final phase of the operation involved the transition from a U.S. peacemaking force to a United Nations peacekeeping force. U.S. Marine involvement in Operation Restore Hope officially ended on April 27, 1993, when the humanitarian relief sector of Mogadishu was handed over to Pakistani forces.
The 1st Marine Division, then under the command of Major General James Mattis, was one of the two major U.S. land forces that participated in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. The division was the land component of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and fought its way to Baghdad and then pushed further to secure Tikrit. This was the deepest penetrating ground operation in Marine Corps history. After the invasion the division settled in to conduct security and stabilization operations in Baghdad, Tikrit, and then in south-central Iraq from May to October 2003. For actions during the war as part of I MEF the division was awarded its 9th Presidential Unit Citation.
The division deployed back to Iraq in February 2004 and took control of the Al Anbar province in western Iraq. They were the lead unit in Operation Vigilant Resolve and Operation Phantom Fury in 2004. During February and March 2005, the division was relieved by the 2nd Marine Division concluding the largest relief in place in the history of the Marine Corps.
As of early 2006, the division is once again in Iraq as the ground combat element for I MEF in the Al Anbar province.
★ List of United States Marine Corps divisions
★ With the Old Breed
1.
Roger Clarke’s Waltzing Matilda Home-Page
2. Russ, Martin (1999). ‘’”Breakout” – The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea, 1950.’’ pp. 433-434. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-029259-4.
★ 1st Marine Division Website
★ Anniversary message from Commanadant of the Marine Corps
★ Brief History of the 1st Marines Johnstone, Major John H., USMC .
The '1st Marine Division' is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women. It is one of 3 active duty divisions in the Marine Corps today and is a multi-role, expeditionary ground combat force. Nicknamed "The Old Breed", it falls under the command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
| Contents |
| Mission |
| Subordinate units |
| History |
| World War II |
| Korean War |
| Vietnam War |
| Desert Shield/Storm |
| 1990s |
| Iraq War |
| See also |
| References |
| External links |
| Further reading |
Mission
The division is employed as the ground combat element (GCE) of I MEF or may provide task-organized forces for assault operations and such operations as may be directed. The 1st Marine Division must be able to provide the ground amphibious forcible entry capability to the naval expeditionary force (NEF) and to conduct subsequent land operations in any operational environment.
Subordinate units
The 1st Marine Division is currently composed of :
★ Headquarters Battalion;
★ 1st Marine Regiment
★ 5th Marine Regiment
★ 7th Marine Regiment
★ 11th Marine Regiment
★ 1st Combat Engineer Battalion
★ 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
★ 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
★ 1st Tank Battalion
★ 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion
★ 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
History
The division's regiments were in existence as early as March 8, 1911, when the
1st Marine Regiment was formed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They saw action throughout the Caribbean during World War I. The 5th Marines were created in Vera Cruz, Mexico on July 13 1914 and participated in 15 major engagements during World War I, including Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry, and St. Mihiel. On August 7, 1917, 7th Marines were activated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and spent the duration of World War I in Cuba and were disbanded after the war. The 11th Marines was formed in January 1918 at Quantico, Va., as a light artillery regiment. The regiment went to France as an infantry unit, providing a machine gun company and a guard company. Decommissioned and reactivated twice between world wars, the regiment was re-formed in 1940 as a full-fledged artillery unit.
World War II
Marines of 1st Division fighting at Okinawa.
The 1st Marine Division was activated aboard the USS Texas on February 1, 1941. They would see their first action at the Battle of Guadalcanal which was the first major American offensive of World War II. Launched August 7, 1942, this operation won the Division its first of three World War II Presidential Unit Citations (PUC). Others were awarded for the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa. Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, the division's Marines were sent to Melbourne, Australia to rest and refit. It was during this time that the division took the traditional Australian folk song "Waltzing Matilda" as its battle hymn. To this day, 1st Division Marines still ship out to this song being played.[1]
Korean War
Marines of 1st Marine Division at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
The 1st Marine Division participated in the amphibious assault at Inchon under the orders of General MacArthur. "The Old Breed" was the unit chosen to lead the Inchon landing on 15 September 1950, adding one more PUC to its list of decorations. The fifth PUC was for the division's "attack in the opposite direction", fighting its way out of the Chosin Reservoir against seven Communist Chinese divisions. The Marines suffered over 900 killed and missing, over 3,500 wounded and more than 6,500 non-battle casualties mostly from frostbite during the battle. The greater part of the Chinese 9th Army was rendered ineffective as they suffered an estimated 37,500 casualties trying to stop the Marines' march out of the "Frozen Chosin" [2]. Battles between April and September earned the division its sixth PUC. During the Korean War the division suffered combat casualties of 4,004 dead and 25,864 wounded.
Vietnam War
In 1965, the 7th Marine Regiment participated in Operations Starlite and Piranha, the first major engagements for American ground troops in South Vietnam. March 1966 saw 1st Marine Division Headquarters established at Chu Lai. By June, the entire Division was in South Vietnam, its zone of operation—the southern two provinces of I Corps—Quang Tin and Quang Ngai. Between March and October 1966 to May 1967, the division conducted 44 named operations. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the division was involved in fierce fighting with both Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army elements. It was successful in beating back enemy assaults in its operation areas. The division received it 7th Presidential Unit Citation for service from 29 March 1966 to 15 September 1967 and an 8th one for the period 16 September 1967 to 31 October 1968.
After six hard years of combat, 1st Marine Division returned home to Camp Pendleton in 1971. In 1975, the division supported the evacuation of Saigon by providing food and temporary shelter at Camp Pendleton for Vietnamese refugees as they arrived in the United States.
Desert Shield/Storm
In 1990, the 1st Marine Division formed the nucleus of the massive force sent to Southwest Asia in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. During Operation Desert Shield, the division supported I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) in the defense of Saudi Arabia from the Iraqi threat. In 1991, the division went on the offensive with the rest of Coalition Forces in Operation Desert Storm. In 100 hours of ground offensive combat, the 1st Marine Division helped to liberate Kuwait, smashing the Iraqi Army in the process.
1990s
Letter by Gen Mattis distributed throughout division before the 2003 invasion of Iraq
Immediately following the Persian Gulf conflict, the Division sent units to assist in relief efforts following a typhoon in Bangladesh (Operation Sea Angel) and the eruption of volcano Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines (Operation Fiery Vigil). In December 1992, Operation Restore Hope, bringing relief to famine-stricken Somalia, kicked off with the early morning amphibious landing of Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which was supported by 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. More than 15,000 metric tons of food was successfully distributed from 398 different food sites in the city during the operation. The final phase of the operation involved the transition from a U.S. peacemaking force to a United Nations peacekeeping force. U.S. Marine involvement in Operation Restore Hope officially ended on April 27, 1993, when the humanitarian relief sector of Mogadishu was handed over to Pakistani forces.
Iraq War
The 1st Marine Division, then under the command of Major General James Mattis, was one of the two major U.S. land forces that participated in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. The division was the land component of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and fought its way to Baghdad and then pushed further to secure Tikrit. This was the deepest penetrating ground operation in Marine Corps history. After the invasion the division settled in to conduct security and stabilization operations in Baghdad, Tikrit, and then in south-central Iraq from May to October 2003. For actions during the war as part of I MEF the division was awarded its 9th Presidential Unit Citation.
The division deployed back to Iraq in February 2004 and took control of the Al Anbar province in western Iraq. They were the lead unit in Operation Vigilant Resolve and Operation Phantom Fury in 2004. During February and March 2005, the division was relieved by the 2nd Marine Division concluding the largest relief in place in the history of the Marine Corps.
As of early 2006, the division is once again in Iraq as the ground combat element for I MEF in the Al Anbar province.
See also
★ List of United States Marine Corps divisions
★ With the Old Breed
References
1.
Roger Clarke’s Waltzing Matilda Home-Page
2. Russ, Martin (1999). ‘’”Breakout” – The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea, 1950.’’ pp. 433-434. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-029259-4.
External links
★ 1st Marine Division Website
★ Anniversary message from Commanadant of the Marine Corps
Further reading
★ Brief History of the 1st Marines Johnstone, Major John H., USMC .
This article provided by Wikipedia. To edit the contents of this article, click here for original source.
psst.. try this: add to faves
