1st Battalion 12th Marines
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| 1st Battalion 12th Marines | |
|---|---|
 1/12 Insignia |
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| Active | September 1, 1942 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Artillery |
| Role | Provide fires in support of 3rd Marine Regiment |
| Part of | 3rd Marine Regiment 3rd Marine Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Hawaii |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Bouganville * Battle of Guam * Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom |
1st Battalion 12th Marines (1/12) is an artillery battalion comprised of three firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and falls under the 3rd Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division. Its primary weapon system is the M198 Howitzer with a maximum effective range of 30km. The battalion is currently transitioning to the M777 lightweight howitzer.
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[edit] Mission
Provide direct support of the 3rd Marine Regiment in time of conflict. That support may come in the traditional fashion of artillery support to maneuver forces, or by providing batteries to serve as provisional rifle companies. They also have the secondary mission of being the primary providers of Civilian Military Operations (CMO). CMO is defined as the activities of the commander that establish, maintain, influence, or exploit relations between military organizations, Government and civilian organizations and the civilian populace.
[edit] Current units
- Headquarters Battery
- Alpha Battery
- Bravo Battery
- Charlie Battery
[edit] History
[edit] World War II
1st Battalion 12th Marines came in to existence during World War II. The battalion was activated September 1, 1942, at San Diego, California as the 4th Battalion 12th Marines and assigned to the 3rd Marine Division.
During October 1942 the Battalion relocated to Camp Dunlap, California. They were deployed to Auckland, New Zealand during March 1943, only to be redeployed during July 1943 to Guadalcanal. During this period, the Battalion was heavily involved in numerous campaigns including the Battle of Bougainville, Battle of Guam and the Battle of Iwo Jima.
After being re-designated on 5 April 1945 as 1st Battalion 12th Marines, the Battalion was relocated during December 1945 to Camp Pendleton, California and as deactivated on January 8, 1946.
[edit] 1950s through the 1980s
Five years later, the Battalion was reactivated on 20 June 1951 at Camp Pendleton, California and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. In August 1953, 1st Battalion 12th Marines deployed to Camp Mcnair, Japan and redeployed to South Camp Fuji, Japan during March 1956. During March and April 1965, the battalion was called upon to deploy to the Republic of Vietnam. They participated in the Vietnam War from April 1965 to September 1969, operating from Phu Bai, Danang, Cam Lo, Khe Sanh and Camp Carroll. The battalion after the Vietnam war was reduced to cadre status.
During October 1969 the battalion was reestablished at Camp Pendleton, California and assigned to the 5th Marine Division. One year later, in November 1969, they were reassigned to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
In April 1971, the 1/12 was reassigned to the 1st Marine Division. The battalion deployed in June 1971 to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and was later reassigned to the 1st Marine Brigade. During the 1970s and 1980s, the unit participated in numerous training exercises to stay combat ready. 1st Marine Brigade re-designated on August 30, 1985 as the 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade. In the years that followed, 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade was re-designated as the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
[edit] 1990's & the Global War On Terrorism
1st Battalion 12th Marines participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in Southwest Asia during September 1990 to April 1991. In September 1994, the Battalion was reassigned to 3rd Marine Division as part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, Hawaii.
From July 2003 through April 2004, Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion 12th Marines, deployed in support of the global war on terrorism. They were attached to 1st Battalion 3rd Marines and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq participating in Operation Phantom Fury.
