1st Battalion 4th Marines

1st Battalion, 4th Marines
1st Battalion, 4th Marines insignia
Active	1 August 1922 – 6 May 1942 1 February 1944 – present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Light infantry
Role	Locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, and repel the enemies assault by fire and close combat.
Size	1,200
Part of	1st Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Nickname	"The China Marines"
Motto	"Whatever it Takes"
Engagements	World War II Battle of Corregidor Battle of Guam Battle of Okinawa Vietnam War Operation Prairie Operation Prairie IV Mayaguez incident Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 invasion of Iraq Battle of Nasiriyah Battle of Najaf (2004) Operation Phantom Fury
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Joseph R. Clearfield

1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California consisting of approximately 800 Marines and sailors. They fall under the command of the 1st Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

Subordinate units

• Headquarters and Service Company
• Alpha Company
• Bravo Company
• Charlie Company
• Weapons Company

History

Early years

Although originally activated in April 1911 as part of the 4th Marine Regiment, the battalion considers August 1, 1922 as its official birthday. This was when it was first addressed as the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, in the Dominican Republic. From September 1924 to January 1927, the battalion was based in San Diego, California. During that period elements of the battalion were assigned to guard the U.S. mail. From February 1927 to November 1941, the battalion served in China, where it was first addressed as “The China Marines,” and began using the Chinese dragon in different official and unofficial logos and mastheads. During November 1941, the battalion, with the entire 4th Marine Regiment, deployed from China to the Philippines.

World War II

World War II found the battalion stationed at Olongapo in the Philippines. Ordered to Corregidor, the battalion helped defend that strategic island from December 1941 to May 1942. The battalion was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, but was also forced to burn its colors and surrender.

On 1 February 1944, a new 1/4 was activated by the redesignation of the 1st Raider Battalion. For the remainder of World War II, the battalion fought at two of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific, the Battle of Guam and the Battle of Okinawa. The battalion was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for Guam and Navy Presidential Unit Commendation for Okinawa. After the war, the battalion was part of the occupation forces in Japan. The battalion served in China in 1946. It spent the Korean War stationed in Japan. In 1955 it was transferred to Hawaii and stayed there until May 1965.

Vietnam War

Marine from 1/4 building a bunker in the vicinity of Con Thien, January 1968.

In the spring of 1965 1st Battalion 4th Marines deployed to South Vietnam near Chu Lai. The Battalion was involved in many of the operations in I Corps (South Vietnam). In 1966 the unit was involved in Operation Prairie. This operation was located west of Camp Carroll in the foot hills and mountains around the Rockpile. Starting in 1967 the Battalion spent most of its time in and around Con Thien. Later they were involved in Operation Beacon Hill 1, Operation Desoto, Operation Deckhouse VI and Operation Prairie IV. 1/4 took over the security of Camp Carroll when the United States Army moved its 175mm guns back from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). They also provided security for the construction of the McNamara Line. This was a strip of land 400 to 600 yards wide and 6 miles (9.7 km) long that ran between Con Thien and Gio Linh just below the DMZ. In the summer of 1968 1/4 was operating out of FSB Loon and FSB Robin about 8 miles (13 km) south of Khe Sanh. In September the battalion was moved north to FSB Winchester just west of the Razorback. Then again in October the 1/4 return to Vandergrift Combat Base near Ca Lu and started patrolling areas around the base. In March 1969 the Battalion was involved in Operation Purple Martin. October 1 the battalion received orders to dismantle Vandergrift Combat Base. On October 22, 1969 1/4 left South Vietnam.

From October 1969 to 1977, the battalion served on Okinawa and participated in the rescue of SS Mayaguez and the Southeast Asia emergency evacuations. On 12 May 1975, a Khmer Rouge gunboat seized an American ship, the SS Mayaguez in the Gulf of Thailand and detained its crew. Elements of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines and the 9th Marine Regiment, were flown to an advanced staging of a joint US Task Force. They conducted a helo assault on the Cambodian island of Koh Tang where the Mayaguez was being held. United States Air Force helicopters landed Marines of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines on Koh Tang, where the crew was believed to be held. Marines from Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines boarded the Mayaguez only to find it deserted. The Khmer Rouge released the Mayaguez crew who were picked up by a U.S. destroyer at sea. On 15 May, with the recovery of the ship and its crew, the Marines withdrew from Koh Tang Island. The American forces sustained total casualties of 15 killed, 3 missing in action (later declared dead), 49 wounded, and 23 other personnel killed in a related helicopter crash. Khmer Rouge casualties were unknown.

Post Vietnam years

From 1977 to 1989, 1/4 was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. In January 1989, they were transferred to the 1st Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Following the August 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines was engaged in Western Pacific commitments as the ground combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and was rushed into the Persian Gulf to assist in tactical operations that became Operation Desert Shield. During that time the unit assisted in Iraq-bound shipping interdiction while land-based units organized and began receiving shipborne supplies. The unit remained in-theater until December 1990, when it was ordered to the Philippine Islands for repairs to its amphibious ships. The unit redeployed to the Persian Gulf in January 1991 for Operation Desert Storm and remained until March, returning to MCB Camp Pendleton after ten months afloat.

In 1992 1/4 deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit with the USS Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group. During this deployment the battalion participated in Operation Provide Relief assisting providing humanitarian assistance for the people of Somalia. The 11th MEU left Somalia following the arrival of Pakistani peacekeepers. In 1994, 1/4 returned to Africa as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit where they were tasked with providing several on-call missions, including the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP), Non-combatant Evacutaion Operation (NEO), and airfield seizure while in support of the United States Liaison Office relocation from Mogadishu to Nairobi, Kenya. In addition, the Marines and Sailors of the 15th MEU provided relief and airlift support for relief operations in Rawanda.

Global War on Terror

The battalion became the ground combat element of 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in July 2001. The 13th MEU earned its Special Operations Capable (SOC) certification in November, after completing the SOC Exercise early in the predeployment cycle. 1st Battalion, 4th Marines deployed with the 13th MEU a month and a half ahead of its scheduled mid-January departure date in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

A Hospital Corpsman hands out candy to Iraqi children in Fallujah, Iraq in 2008

In January 2003, 1/4 deployed as part of Amphibious Task Force West directly to Kuwait to stage for Operation Iraqi Freedom, which commenced on 20 March. The battalion fought engagements near An Nasiriyah, Al Shatrah, and Al Kut, on its push toward Baghdad. In executing the Nahr Diyala River crossing as part of the assault on Baghdad, 1/4 executed the first amphibious assault in the Marine Corps since the Korean War. After Baghdad was captured, 1/4 relocated to Al Hillah, where it remained until it returned to Camp Pendleton.

In May 2004 1/4 departed aboard the USS Belleau Wood as part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. In July, the battalion began conducting operations near the Iraqi cities of An Najaf and Ad Diwaniyah. In August 1/4 engaged in battalion level combat in Najaf, including the battle for the Wadi al-Salaam cemetery and several engagements with Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Militia. The battalion also participated in operations in Kufa in August, and Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah in November.

In September 2005, the battalion participated in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi. Following Special Operations Capable qualification, BLT 1/4 deployed aboard the USS Peleliu, the USS Germantown, and the USS Ogden in February 2006.

1/4 deployed to Al Qaim, Iraq from April-Nov 2007. The battalion was established as a task force upon arrival in country and would grow to over 4200 Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, and Iraqi Soldiers and Police. Task Force 1/4 operated out of 12 battle positions spread across 3,500 square miles (9,100 km²) of terrain and was partnered with the Iraqi 3rd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 3rd Brigade, two Iraqi Border Defense Battalions, and over 1500 Iraqi Police. Task Force 1/4 was assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2 (2nd Marines) and the 2nd Marine Division throughout this deployment.

The battalion deployed to Iraq again around September 2008 through march 2009 in Fallujah. The battalion was spread out around the city tasked to control and monitor the flow of personnel and vehicle traffic in and out of the city. Multiple vehicle and foot traffic checkpoints and scanners were established and the issuing of identification cards for civilians took place as well.

Medal of Honor recipients

World War II recipients

• Corporal Richard E. Bush received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa, April 16, 1945.

Vietnam War recipients

• Corporal Larry L. Maxam was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 2 February 1968 while participating in Operation Kentucky. Cpl Maxam single-handedly defended half of the perimeter of Cam Lo District Headquarters, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam against heavy enemy attack.

• Private First Class Douglas E. Dickey received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions while participating in Operation Beacon Hill 1, March 26, 1967. PFC Dickey threw himself upon a grenade, absorbing with his body the full and complete force of the explosion.

Notable former members

• Justin LeHew: Recipient of the Navy Cross for action during the Battle of Nasiriyah in 2003. Recipient of the Bronze Star with Combat V for heroic actions during the Battle of Najaf (2004).

Battalion Honors

During its history, the 1st Battalion 4th Marines has received these honors.

•   Presidential Unit Citation-3 Bronze Stars
•   Presidential Unit Citation(Army)-1 Bronze Oak Leaf
•   Joint Meritorious Unit Citation
•   Navy/Marine Unit Citation-2 Bronze Stars
•   Navy/Marine Meritorious Unit Citation-1 Bronze Star
•   Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
•   Yangtze Service Streamer-1 Bronze star
•   China Service Medal-1 Bronze Star
•   American Defense-1 Bronze Star
•   Asiatic-Pacific Service-1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars
•   World War II Victory
•   Navy Occupation-Asia Device
•   National Defense-2 Bronze Stars
•   Korean Service
•   Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
•   Vietnam Service
•   South West Asia-3 Bronze Stars
•   Humanitarian Service Medal
•   Philippine Defense Medal-1 Bronze Star
•   Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
•   Vietnam Gallantry Cross
•   Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions
•   Kuwait Liberation (Saudi Arabia)
•   Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait)

See also

• China Marines
• Organization of the United States Marine Corps
• List of United States Marine Corps battalions

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

Bibliography

• Condit, Kenneth W.; Turnbladh, Edwin T. (1960). Hold High the Torch - A History of the 4th Marines. Washington D.C.: Historical Branch, Headquarters Marine Corps. 

External Links

• BLT 1/4's official website (Archived 25 September 2009)