Third Battalion

Third Battalion, Fourth Marines has a long and proud heritage. The Battalion was activated on 1 October, 1925 at the U.S. Naval Base, San Diego, California. In 1927 the Battalion departed the continental United States for assigned duties in garrison at the International Settlement in Shanghai, China: earning the legacy of "China Marines." The Fourth Marine Regiment was officially redesignated the "Fourth Marines" on 13 February, 1930. On the same date, letter designations replaced the numerical designations of the companies. In Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, the 19th Company became Company "I", the 21st Company became Company "K", the 22d Company became Company "L", and the 24th Company became Company "M".

In 1941, with war clouds on the horizon, the Battalion was assigned to the Phillipine Islands to help fortify defenses. At Corregidor, the Battalion fought corageously against overwhelming attacking Japanese forces. The order to surrender was given by the Army Command under General Wainwright in May, 1942. The Battalion Colors were ordered burned. The men tell how they cut pieces from the colors and distributed these among them. They secreted these portions with them through the Bataan March and years in a Japanese prison camp at Formosa, Phillipines.

The Fourth Marines ceased to exist on the rolls, and was deactivated on 18 June, 1942. In February, 1944, the Marine Raiders were disbanded, and the First Raider Regiment became the Fourth Marines. The Third Raider Regiment became the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, and participated in assaults on the islands of Emerau, Guam and Okinawa as part of the Sixth Marine Division. The newly formed Battalion, with Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, became the first American occupation forces on the Japanese mainland. The Battalion landed and secured Yokosuka Naval Base without resistance. They freed the many Allied Forces prisoners of war interred at Yokosuka and Yokohama.

One hundred and twenty of those freed were Marines of the Battalion captured on Corregidor. A moving, memorable testimony of tradition took place when these freed Marines reviewed a parade in their honor. Reports say the men gathered the pieces from the Battalion Colors they had cut up on Corregidor, and successfully hidden from their captors. They presented these to the new Battalion to show their belief that the colors had not been surrendered. Occupational duties ended in December, 1945, and the Battalion was reassigned to duty in China. There, the Battalion was deactivated on 1 October, 1947.

During the Korean war, on 28 November, 1952, the Battalion was reactivated at Camp Pendleton. On 23 August, 1953, they landed in Kobe, Japan and were later assigned to Korea. The Battalion did not engage enemy forces in combat, but guarded Chinese prisoners of war who refused repatriation. When the Korean war concluded, the Battalion was downsized and reassigned to the Brigade at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Third Battalion, Fourth Marines was returned to full combat strength on 1 June, 1961. They deployed to Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam in 1965, and were assigned to the Quang Tri province of I Corps. The Battalion distinguished itself in Operations Hasting to Scotland II, until it was rotated to its new home in Okinawa, Japan in 1969.

The Battalion returned to the continental United States for the first time in 56 years in June, 1983, and was assigned to the Sixth Marine Regiment of the Second Marine Division. It became the first Marine Corps Battalion size unit to be designated Special Operations Capable, as the ground combat element of the Twenty Sixth Marine Amphibious unit for Mediterranean deployment in November, 1983. The Battalion participated in the invasion of Panama in 1988, and was deactivated again on 30 September, 1988. The Third Battalion, Fourth Marines was reactivated at Camp Pendleton on 12 August, 1994 when Third Battalion, Ninth Marines was deactivated. The Battalion was assigned as the fourth Battalion for the Seventh Marine Regiment, First Marine Division.

The Battalion relocated to the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Twentynine Palms, California during May of 1998, and participated in the Unit Deployment Program in August, 1999, deploying to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. While deployed, they participated in exercises in Australia and mainland Japan, returning to Twentynine Palms, California in February, 2000. The Battalion is currently again deployed to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.

Battalion Lineage

1925-1926

Activated 1 October 1925 at the Naval Operation Base, San Diego, California. Deactivated 6 July 1926.

1927-1934

Reactivated on 10 January 1927. Relocated with Fourth Marines to Shanghai, China, 3 February 1927. Deactivated 19 December 1934.

1941-1942

Activated 1 May 1941 at Cavite, Philippine Islands as First Separate Marine Battalion, Navy Yard, Cavite. Relocated during December 1941 to Corregidor, Philippine Islands. Redesignated 1 January 1942 to the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Corregidor, Philippine Island. Fourth Marines participated in the defense of Corregidor, January – May 1942. Captured by enemy forces on 6 May 1942. Fourth Marines temporarily ceased to exist.

1944-1947

Reactivated 1 February 1944 on Guadalcanal by redesignation of the Third Battalion, First Raider Regiment. Fourth Marines assigned during April 1944 to the First Provisional Marine Brigade. Fourth Marines reassigned during September 1944 to Sixth Marine Division. Participated in the following World War II campaigns:

Fourth Marines redeployed during August 1945 to Yokosuka, Japan. Fourth Marines reassigned during November 1945 to Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Deactivated 15 February 1946. Fourth Marines reactivated 8 March at Tsingtao, China and assigned to the Sixth Marine Division. Participated in the occupation of North China, March 1946 – October 1947. Fourth Marines reassigned during April 1946 to the Third Brigade. Fourth Marines reassigned during June 1946 to the First Marine Division. Deactivated 1 October 1947.

1952-1956

Reactivated 28 November 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California and assigned to the Third Marine Division. Deployed during August 1953 to Camp Nara, Japan. Participated during January-February 1954 in exchange of prisoners of war at Inchon, South Korea. Relocated during February 1955 to Kaneohe Bay, territory of Hawaii and assigned to the First Provisional Marine Air-Ground Task Force. First Provisional Marine Air-Ground Task Force redesignated during May 1956 to the First Marine Brigade.

1965-1972

Deployed during April 1965 to the Republic of Vietnam and assigned to the Third Marine Division. Redeployed during December 1965 – March 1966 to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. Participated in the war in Vietnam, April – December 1965 and March 1966 – November 1969, operating from:

1983-1988

Relocated January 1983 to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and assigned to the Second Marine Division. Deployed during January 1984 to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. Deployed during November 1985 to the Mediterranean with the 26th Marine Amphibious Unit (Special Operations Capable). Deployed during July 1987 to the Republic of Korea and participated in BEAR HUNT 88. Deployed during January 1988 to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Deployed to Puerto Rico during April 1988 for participation in OCEAN VENTURE 88. Reinforced rifle companied deployed to augment security forces in the Republic of Panama, April – September 1988. Deactivated during ceremonies at 1300, 30 September 1988 at Camp Geiger, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

1994-Present

Reactivated at ceremonies at 0900, 12 August 1994 at Camp Margarita, Camp Pendleton, California as the Fourth Battalion for Seventh Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. Deployed during August 1995 to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. Deployed during February 1996 to Camp Margarita, Camp Pendleton, California. The Battalion relocated to the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command during May of 1998. In February of 1999, the Battalion completed the Winter Mountain Warfare Training package at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Ca. During August of 1999, the Battalion deployed to Camp Schwab, Okinawa returning to MCAGTFTC during February, 2000. In May, 2000, the Battalion participated in Amphibious Orientation Training in San Diego, California aboard the USS Commstock. The following July, the Battalion again deployed to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Ca to participate in the Summer Mountain Warfare Training Package. October, 2000, found India Company, reinforced, at the former George Air Force Base in Victorville, California to conduct training in Military Operations in Urban Terrain or Project Metropolis. The entire Battalion deployed for Project Metropolis II during January, 2001 returning to the MCAGTFTC in February. The following March, the Battalion again embarked aboard Naval Vessels, participating in Exercise Kernel Blitz at Camp Pendleton, California. In May, 2001, the Battalion participated in Combined Armed Exercise (CAX) 06-01. During August, 2001, the Battalion deployed to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP).

Battalion Commanding Officers

ACTIVATED 1 OCTOBER 1925

Maj Lowry B. Stephenson	1 Oct 1925 - 1 Jan 1926
Capt Norman C. Bates	2 Jan 1926 - 6 Jul 1926

TO INACTIVE STATUS 6 JULY 1926

Maj Alexander A. Vandergrift	10 Jan 1927 - 31 Mar 1927
Capt LeRoy P. Hunt	1 Apr 1927 - 2 Aug 1927
Maj Samual P. Budd	3 Aug 1927 - 10 Oct 1927
Maj James L. Underhill	11 Oct 1927 - 7 Sep 1928
Maj Adolph B. Miller	8 Sep 1928 - 13 Dec 1929
LtCol Howard W. Stone	14 Dec 1929 - 21 Feb 1931
Maj John M. Arthur	22 Feb 1931 - 24 Sep 1931
LtCol William C. Powers, Jr.	25 Sep 1931 - 30 Sep 1933
Maj Chester L. Gawne	1 Oct 1933 - 9 Dec 1933
Maj Archibald Young	10 Dec 1933 - 31 Mar 1934

DEACTIVATED 19 DECEMBER 1934

REACTIVATED 1 MAY 1941

LtCol Robert M. Montague	1 May 1941 - 16 May 1941
LtCol John P. Adams	17 May 1941 - 18 Jun 1942

DEACTIVATED 18 JUNE 1942

REACTIVATED 1 FEBRUARY 1944

Maj Ira J. Irwin	1 Feb 1944 - 16 Apr 1944
LtCol Hamilton M. Hoyler	17 Apr 1944 - 11 Oct 1944
Maj Hugh J. Chapman	12 Oct 1944 - 16 Oct 1944
Maj Anthony Walker	17 Oct 1944 - 13 Dec 1944
LtCol Bruno A. Hochmuth	14 Dec 1944 - 14 Jul 1945
Maj Wilson E. Hunt	15 Jul 1945 - 31 Dec 1945
LtCol Bruno A. Hochmuth	1 Jan 1946 - 15 Feb 1946

INACTIVATED BY REDESIGNATION 15 FEBRUARY 1946

REACTIVATED BY CHANGE OF DESIGNATION FROM 3/22, 8 MARCH 1946

LtCol Walter H. Stephens	8 Mar 1946 - 5 Aug 1946
Col Samuel B. Griffith	6 Aug 1946 - 5 Jun 1947
Col Jaime Sabater	6 Jun 1947 - 1 Oct 1947

DEACTIVATED 1 OCTOBER 1947

REACTIVATED 28 NOVEMBER 1952

LtCol Kirby B. Vick	28 Nov 1952 - 5 Jan 1953
LtCol James A. Moriarty, Jr.	6 Jan 1953 - 18 May 1953
Maj Ben L. Hoover	19 May 1953 - 30 Jun 1953
LtCol Cecil D. Ferguson	1 Jul 1953 - 25 May 1954
LtCol William H. Marsh	26 May 1954 - 29 Sep 1954
LtCol Richard L. Boll	7 Nov 1954 - 31 Mar 1955
Maj Eugene L. Hamon	1 Apr 1955 - 8 Jun 1955
LtCol James G. Juett	9 Jun 1955 - 20 Jun 1956
LtCol Earnest P. Freeman, Jr.	21 Jun 1956 - 2 May 1957
LtCol Milton A. Hull	3 May 1957 - 16 Jun 1958
LtCol Andrew M. Zimmer	17 Jun 1958 - 14 May 1959
Capt James E. Redmond	15 May 1959 - 28 Mar 1961
LtCol Robert A. McMullen	29 Mar 1961 - 1 Jul 1961
LtCol Paul F. Reese	2 Jul 1961 - 23 May 1962
Maj John H. Keith, Jr.	24 May 1962 - 21 Jul 1962
LtCol Dean N. McDowell	22 Jul 1962 - 23 Jan 1964
LtCol Norman W. Hicks	24 Jan 1964 - 3 Dec 1964
LtCol Donald H. Jones	4 Dec 1964 - 24 Apr 1965
LtCol William W. Taylor	26 May 1965 - 2 Oct 1965
LtCol Sumner A. Vale	3 Oct 1965 - 1 Aug 1966
LtCol William J. Masterpool	2 Aug 1966 - 3 Mar 1967
LtCol Wendell N. Vest	4 Mar 1967 - 21 Jul 1967
LtCol Lee R. Bendell	22 Jul 1967 - 26 Apr 1968
LtCol Frank L. Bourne, Jr.	27 Apr 1968 - 23 Oct 1968
LtCol James L. Fowler	24 Oct 1968 - 23 Nov 1968
LtCol William A. Donald	24 Nov 1968 - 5 May 1969
Maj Raymond D. Walters	6 May 1969 - 9 May 1969
LtCol James W. Wood	10 May 1969 - 5 Dec 1969
LtCol James P. Kehoe	6 Dec 1969 - 13 Oct 1970
LtCol Alphonse J. Castellana	14 Oct 1970 - 4 Oct 1971
Maj William Von Harten	5 Oct 1971 - 26 Jul 1972
LtCol Bruce A. Truesdale	27 Jul 1972 - 6 May 1973
LtCol Roger W. Badeker	7 May 1973 - 29 Nov 1973
LtCol Harold J. Field, Jr.	30 Nov 1973 - 18 Jul 1974
LtCol Edwin J. Godfrey	19 Jul 1974 - 3 Jun 1975
LtCol Donald L. Morris	4 Jun 1975 - 5 Mar 1976
Maj James W. Bower	6 Mar 1976 - 23 Apr 1976
LtCol Ray D. Ammon	24 Apr 1976 - 22 Apr 1977
LtCol Bruce A. Pifel	23 Apr 1977 - 18 Nov 1977
LtCol Justus K. Miller	19 Nov 1977 - 31 Jul 1978
LtCol George N. Robillard, Jr.	1 Aug 1978 - 5 Jul 1979
LtCol James M. Sims	6 Jul 1979 - 27 May 1980
LtCol John R. Clickener	28 May 1980 - 19 Jun 1980
LtCol Donald L. Price	20 Jun 1980 - 11 Jun 1981
LtCol Reginald G. Ponsford, III	12 Jun 1981 - 8 Jun 1982
LtCol Peter M. Hesser	9 Jun 1982 - 9 Feb 1983
LtCol John R. Kopra	10 Feb 1983 - 30 Jul 1984
LtCol Lawrence H. Livingston	31 Jul 1984 - 26 Jun 1986
LtCol Wayne E. Rollings	27 Jun 1986 - 16 May 1988
LtCol Martin R. Berndt	17 May 1988 - 30 Sep 1988

DEACTIVATED 1 OCTOBER 1988

REACTIVATED 12 AUGUST 1994

LtCol Timothy R. Larsen	12 Aug 1994 - 30 Jun 1996
LtCol Otis L. Hollar	1 Jul 1996 - 21 May 1998
LtCol James B. Laster	22 May 1998 - 7 Jun 2000
LtCol W. Blake Crowe	8 Jun 2000 - Present

Battalion Decorations

Presidental Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star.

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Streamer with one Bronze Oak Cluster.

Navy Unit Commendation Streamer.

Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with three Bronze Stars.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer

Korean Service Streamer.

American Defense Service Streamer

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with One Silver and One Bronze Star

World War II Victory Streamer

Navy Occupation Service Streamer with Asia Clasp

National Defense Service Streamer with Three Bronze Stars

Vietnam Service Streamer with Two Silver and One Bronze Stars

Phillipine Defense Streamer with One Bronze Star

Phillipine Presidential Unit Citation Streamer.

Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry with Palm

Republic of VIetnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Streamer

1968 - 1969 Battalion Medal Of Honor Receipients

Major Robert J. Modrezewski

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

MAJOR ROBERT J. MODRZEJEWSKI
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer, Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marines, Third Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam from 15 to 18 July 1966. On 15 July, during Operation HASTINGS, Company K was landed in an enemy infested jungle area to establish a blocking position at a major enemy trail network. Shortly after landing, the company encountered a reinforced enemy platoon in a well organized, defensive position. Major (then Captain) Modrzejewski led his men in the successful seizure of the enemy redoubt, which contained large quantities of ammunition and supplies. That evening a numerically superior enemy force counterattacked in an effort to retake the vital supply area, thus setting the pattern of activity for the next two and one-half days. In the first series of attacks, the enemy assaulted repeatedly in overwhelming numbers but each time was repulsed by the gallant Marines. The second night the enemy struck in battalion strength, and Major Modrzejewski was wounded in this intensive action which was fought at close quarters. Although exposed to enemy fire, and despite his painful wounds, he crawled 200 meters to provide critically needed ammunition to an exposed element of his command and was constantly present wherever the fighting was heaviest. Despite numerous casualties, a dwindling supply of ammunition and the knowledge that they were surrounded, he skillfully directed artillery fire to within a few meters of his position and courageously inspired the efforts of his company in repelling the aggressive enemy attack. On 18 July, Company K was attacked by a regimental size enemy force. Although his unit was outnumbered and weakened by the previous fighting, Major Modrzejewski reorganized his men and calmly moved among them to encourage and direct their efforts to heroic limits as they fought to overcome the vicious enemy onslaught. Again he called in air and artillery strikes at close range with devastating effect on the enemy, which together with the bold and determined fighting of the men of Company K, repulsed the fanatical attack of the larger North Vietnamese force. His unparalleled personal heroism and indomitable leadership inspired his men to a significant victory over the enemy force and reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/S/ LYNDON B. JOHNSON

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

SECOND LIEUTENANT JOHN J. MCGINTY III
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Acting Platoon Leader, First Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 July 1966. Second Lieutenant (then Staff Sergeant) McGinty's platoon, which was providing rear security to protect the withdrawal of the battalion from a position which had been under attack for three days, came under heavy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire from an estimated enemy regiment. With each successive human wave which assaulted his thirty-two-man platoon during the four- hour battle, Second Lieutenant McGinty rallied his men to beat off the enemy. In one bitter assault, two of the squads became separated from the remainder of the platoon. With complete disregard for his safety, Second Lieutenant McGinty charged through intense automatic weapons and mortar fire to their position. Finding twenty men wounded and the medical corpsmen killed, he quickly reloaded ammunition magazines and weapons for the wounded men and directed their fire upon the enemy. Although he was painfully wounded as he moved to care for the disabled men, he continued to shout encouragement to his troops and to direct their fire so effectively that the attacking hordes were beaten off. When the enemy tried to out flank his position, he killed five of them at point-blank range with his pistol. When they again seemed on the verge of overrunning the small force, he skillfully adjusted artillery and air strikes within fifty yards of his position. This destructive fire power routed the enemy, who left an estimated 500 bodies on the battlefield. Second Lieutenant McGinty's personal heroism, indomitable leadership, selfless devotion to duty, and bold fighting spirit inspired his men to resist the repeated attacks by a fanatical enemy, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/S/ LYNDON B. JOHNSON

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Donald E. Ballard

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

HOSPITAL CORPSMAN THIRD CLASS DONALD E. BALLARD
UNITED STATES NAVY

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 16 may 1968 while serving as a Corpsman with Company M, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic Of Vietnam. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the Third Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating two heat casulties, Petty Officer Ballard was returning to his platoon from the evacuation landing zone when the company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army unit employing automatic weapons and mortars and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded Marine, Petty Officer Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire-swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. Petty Officer Ballard then directed four Marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the four men prepared to move the wounded Marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the small group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the Marines, Petty Officer Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other Marine casualties. Petty Officer Ballard's heroic action and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow Marines. his courage, daring initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

/S/ LYNDON B. JOHNSON