3rd Battalion 8th Marines

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3rd Battalion 8th Marines

3/8 Insignia
Active November 1, 1940 - March 26, 1946
January 15, 1951 - present
Country United States
Branch USMC
Type Infantry battalion
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 "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
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current
commander
LtCol David L. Odom

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.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] World War II

The battalion was activated on April 1, 1940 in San Diego and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade.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.

[edit] 1950s & 1960s

3/8 was reactivated on January 15, 1951 at Marine Corps Base 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.

[edit] 1980s & 1990s

The battalion was part of the Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from September 1982 to February 1983, and February through October 1984. Following the Gulf War 3/8 participated in Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq fduring April and July 1991.

[edit] Global War on Terror

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
Bibliography
Web

[edit] External links