| 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment | |
|---|---|
3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine insignia |
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| Active |
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| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Infantry regiment |
| Role | Locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver |
| Size | 1,000 |
| Part of | 23rd Marine Regiment 4th Marine Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Belle Chase, Louisiana |
| Motto | "Non Sibi, Sed Patria" |
| Engagements | World War II *Battle of Kwajalein *Battle of Tinian *Battle of Saipan *Battle of Iwo Jima Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom |
3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment (3/23) is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps located throughout the Southern United States consisting of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors. The battalion is headquartered in Belle Chase, Louisiana with outlying units throughout the Southern United States. 3/23 falls under the command of the 23rd Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division.
Contents |
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Headquarters and Services Company | Belle Chase, Louisiana |
| India Company | Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Kilo Company | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Lima Company | Montgomery, Alabama |
| Weapons Company | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
Provide trained combat and combat support personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires; and have the capability to reconstitute the Division, if required.
3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines was activated on July 22, 1942 at what is now Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. In July 1943, the battalion relocated to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. In August 1943, they were assigned to 4th Marine Division and deployed to the South Pacific in January 1944. The battalion saw action in the Battle of Kwajalein, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian and the Battle of Iwo Jima. Following the war they returned to the United States in October 1945 and were deactivated on November 10, 1945.
3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines was activated in Nov 1990 and deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield. 3/23 was commanded by LtCol Ray Dawson, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and attached to the 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division and deployed along the Kuwait/Saudi Arabian border conducting patrolling and security operations. 2 days before G-Day, 3/23 attacked into Kuwait at Umm Gudair to secure forward artillery positions for the support of the attack into Kuwait. With this action, 3/23 became the first unit of the 2nd Marine Division to enter combat since World War II. 3/23 continued to advance as part of 8th Marines, fighting actions into Kuwait City when the ceasefire was called.
3/23 was activated on March 5, 2003 and deployed to Iraq initially with Task Force Tarawa located in Al Kut. Commanded by LtCol David Couvillon of Brusly, Louisiana, 3/23 conducted a relief in place with Task Force Tarawa, becoming responsible for the entire Wassit Province. Subsequently attached to the 1st Marine Division, 3/23 conducted Safety and Security Operations (SASO)through August 2003. LtCol Couvillon, acting also as Military Provincial Governor, and the Marines of 3/23 (supported by Marine and Army Civil Affairs Groups, as well as an Army MP Company) set about reestablishing government services, security actions, humanitarian actions, border security(Iraq/Iran), and general governance until relieved by a Ukrainian Brigade in Sept 2003.
3/23 was activated on May 17, 2007. They were then stationed in Camp Lejeune, NC to begin training for upcoming Combat Operations in Iraq. 3/23 and all supporting units deployed to Haditha, Iraq in late Sept. 07 conducting Counter IED Operations and Support and Stability Operations throughout Haditha and surrounding areas until April 2008 when they returned home.
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