The 4th Tank Battalion was activated at Camp Pendleton on 12 May 1943

The 4th Tank Battalion was activated at Camp Pendleton on 12 May 1943. Deploying in January 1944.

The formation of the 4th Tank Battalion began in early 1943 when on February 20 'C' Company 3rd Tank Battalion which was attached to the 23rd Marine Infantry Regiment in Camp Lejeune was redesignated 'C' Company 4th Tanks. March 26 "B" Company was formed at Camp Pendleton where on May 13th Headquarters and Service Company and June 8th 'A' Company was formed. A week later on June 15th "D" Company (Scout) a reconnaissance company was formed at Camp Pendleton and assigned to 4th Tanks. 'C' Company was transferred to Camp Pendleton on July 20th to join the rest of the Battalion. 'D' Company was originally organized as 'B' Company First Corps Tank Battalion (Medium) in August of 1943 Joined 3rd Tanks in February 1944 and then would be transferred to 4th Tanks in May of 1944.

The tank companies of the 4th Tank Battalion were assigned to specific Regimental Combat Teams or RCT which was built around a Marine infantry regiment. 'A' Company was with RCT-25 'B' Company with RCT-24 and 'C' Company with RCT-23. The tank companies would primarily remain with these units throughout the War.

After months of preparation the entire Fourth Marine Division departed the United States on January 13 1944. By February 1 D+1 "B" Company was ashore on the Island of Namur on the Roi-Namur Atoll supporting RCT-23. Their M5 tanks used their ability to move forward under enemy fire and deliver pinpoint accurate firepower to pound the Japanese fortifications, drastically cutting the time required to secure the island. By February 7th the atoll and its surrounding l Islets were secure and the Division was pulling out to head for a rest on the Hawaiian Island Of Maui.

The entire Division did not come back to Maui together 'D' Company (Scout) and elements of RCT-25 did not make it back from their assault on Entwetok until March 12, 1944. 'D' Company (Scout) was redesignated as Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division. On May 12th, 'B' Company, 3rd Tank Battalion was redesignated 'D' Company, 4th Tank Battalion .

On May 21st, the Division was sailing again and, after departure, the men would learn the destination was Saipan. Saipan proved to be a well defended island. With RCT-23 on the left, RCT-25 on the right, and RCT-24 in reserve, the Division assaulted the beaches of the western shore on June 15th. The initial assault of infantry in LVT(P)s was led by LVT(A)s mounting 75 mm howitzers. The battalions landing in the two center beaches quickly pushed inland while the two flanking battalions clung to the edge of the beach for hours. Unable to come through the channel as originally planned, the tanks had been forced to come over the reef and then, wade ashore under their own power. By 1040 on D-day, tanks of 'B' and 'C' companies began landing and enabling the landing forces to the push inland. D+1, RCT-25 with A Company landed and joined the attack. The medium and light tanks, M4s and M5s, began running in to extremely rough terrain which severely slowed or restricted their movement.

GySgt Robert H. McCard was a Platoon Sergeant in 'A' Company when his tank became cut off from the rest of the platoon. When a Japanese 77-mm gun immobilized his tank, his tank crew brought all its weapons to bear on the attacking enemy. Once the volume of fire hitting the tank became too great, he ordered his crew out the escape hatch. He covered their escape by hurling hand grenades while exposing himself to enemy fire. With his grenades all gone, GySgt McCard dismantled one of the tanks machine guns and went on to kill 16 more Japanese. This would cost him his life. For his valiant fighting spirit and Supreme loyalty in the face of almost certain death, GySgt McCard was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. On 9 July, Saipan was declared secure and the preparation began for Tinian.

MEDAL OF HONOR:
Marianas Operation:
GySgt. Robert H. McCARD
"For conspicuous gallantry and lntrepldlty at the risk of his life above and beyond tile call of duty while serving as Platoon Sergeant of Company .`A' , 4th Tank Battalion, Fourth Marine Division, during the battle for enemy Japanese-held Saipan, Marianas Islands, on 16 June 1944. Cut off from the other units of his platoon when his tank was put out of action by a battery of enemy 77-mm guns, Gunnery 8ergeant McCard carried on resolutely, bring all the tanks weapons to bear on the enemy, until the severity or hostile fire caused him to order his crew out the escape hatch while he courageously exposed himself to enemy guns by hurling hand grenades, in order to cover the evacuation of his men. Seriously wounded during this action and with his supply Of grenades exhausted, Gunnery Sergeant McCard then dismantled one of the tanks machine guns and faced the Japanese for the second time to deliver vigorous fire into their positions destroying sixteen of the enemy. His valiant fighting spirit and supreme loyalty In the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant McCard and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

When the 4th Marine Division hit the Northwestern beaches of Tinian on July 24th, the bulk of the Japanese forces had been drawn south by an amphibious feint. The Second Marine Division, along with substantial air and naval gunfire support, faked an invasion at the south end of the island near Tinian Town where the beaches were the best for landings. The beaches used by the 4th Marine Division were relatively narrow but lightly defended. White 2, the beach that RCT-25 crossed, was heavily mined forcing most of the tanks from both Teams to land with RCT-24 over White 1. July 25th the Japanese staged a massive banzai attacks in which the Marine infantry, tanks, and artillery combined to stop the attacking waves in a terrible slaughter. Tinian proved to be a much flatter island making tank operations much more effective. On July 26, however, the tanks were slowed by dense vegetation. Flame tanks were called in to burn it off. Tank and half-track progress along the roads was slowed again when it was discovered that the roads had been heavily mined. Despite this, by August 2nd, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions had secured Tinian

The Fourth Marine Division went back to Maui for some hard earned Rest and Relaxation. August 31st 'D' Company, 4th Tanks was disbanded. Also during this period, the new M4A3 Shermans were delivered to the 4th Tank Battalion. 4th Medical Battalion spent December inoculating the Division against the plague, typhus, dyptheria, cholera, and small pox.February 19, 1945 was, D-Day for the in vasion of Iwo Jima. The deep volcanic sand caused everything to get bogged down as it crossed the beaches. In addition to the sand, Marines in Alpha Company's tanks crossing Blue beaches 1 and 2 were slowed even more by a heavy minefield just above the beach. Yet by 0940, Charlie Company's tanks supporting RCT-23 were moving across Yellow beaches 1 and 2. Alpha Company's tanks were crossing the beach too, but they would encounter another heavy minefield just beyond the beach to slow them again. At the close of the 19th both the assaulting regimental combat teams had advanced 500 meters inland with RCT-23 at the east edge of the airfield closest to Mount Suribachi. During the next few days, the Division would sweep across the airfield and push across the island while swinging to the North. On February 25th, Charlie Company tanks were sent through the 3rd Marine Division zone of action to break a stalemate by flanking pill boxes and anti-tank guns that were holding up progress. Over to the right, RCT-25 Alpha Company used their flame tanks and demolitions to completely cut open Turkey Knob hill which had caused a large bulge in the Marines lines. It was not until March 16th that the entire 4th Marine Division zone was secure. On March 10th, the Fourth Marine Division re-embarked for Maui.During October 1945, the Battalion relocated to Camp Pendleton and on October 31, 1945 the Fourth Tank Battalion was deactivated.

In December 1946 a group of World War II veterans began meeting at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on a volunteer basis. They would form the first organized Marine Corps Reserve Unit in the San Diego area.

With then LtCol W R. (Rip) Collins USMC assigned as Inspector the unit was designated the 11th Tank Battalion in 1947. The Battalion was commanded by LtCol Daniel P. Clauser, USMCR. The first enlistee into the Battalion was SSgt Frank C. Tong, who was sworn in on January 14, 1947

The Battalion H&S and Alpha Companies began by meeting for 2 hours each Wednesday night at MCRD. The Battalion received its first tanks, 5 44-ton M-4 Shermans on March 25 1947. After driver qualification tests in June the Battalion participated in its first 2 week ATD, combining with several other reserve units starting August 9 1947. Utilizing quarters and some equipment from 1st Tank Battalion at Camp Pendleton The Battalion wound up its training with an exhibition of fire power that brought a'Well done from Maj. Gen. Erskine." On March 15, 1948,'B' Company was activated in Oceanside, CA. The entire Battalion, all three Companies, participated in the ATD starting on August 23, 1948.In July 1950, the Marines of the Battalion were activated for the Korean War. Those members with sufficient experience as tankers formed the nucleus of 'B' Company, 1st Tank Battalion at Camp Pendleton. These reservists, who had only been trained on the M-4 Sherman tank, first saw their new M-46 tanks at the dock in San Diego. The Marines were allowed to drive the new tanks for the first time when they moved them from the cargo ships to the landing ships in Japan. The first gunnery they did was upon their arrival at Inchon, Korea Serving with distinction in the landings at Inchon and Wonsan; then, fighting to Hagaru-Ri and Koto-Ri, 'B' Company stayed in Korea until the Armistice was signed.In May 1952 the unit was reactivated in San Diego, now bearing the name 1st Tank Battalion, and was headquartered at MCRD. In 1958 the Battalion was transferred to Camp Elliot on what is now part of Naval Air Station Miramar as this area was much more suited for tank training. It was upon the move to Camp Elliot that the unit changed from drilling on Wednesday nights to one weekend a month. This allowed better tank crew training.

On July 1, 1962, the 4th Tank Battalion was reactivated as 4th Tank Battalion, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, United States Marine Corps Reserve. During this period, 'B' Company had M103 tanks which mounted a 120mm gun in a massive turret which sat on a highly modified M48 chassis. These tanks were massive, even by present standards, yet were still deployable in amphibious operation such as the amphibious raining conducted at what is now MCRD. During the 1960's the Battalion was converted to the M48A3.On January 1, 1978, the Battalion was redesignated as 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. The M60A1 Tank was also delivered to the Battalion in mid 1978, replacing the M48A3s.

On September 7, 1987 CW0-4 Jim Carroll, after nearly two generations of service, retired from the Selected Marine Corps Reserve. Gunner Carrol served in Marine Corps tank units during several of the World War II battles in the South Pacific to include Iwo ·Jima. Gunner Carrol went on to serve again in the Korean, and Vietnam wars. Gunner Carrol's service lives as legend in 4th Tank Battalion, and much of the Corps tank community.Today, 4th Tank Battallon is one of two reserve tank battalions in the Fourth Marine Division. Headaquarters and Service (H&S) Company and "Alpha" Company are on NAS Miramar, though H&S Company is no longer at Camp Elliot. Bravo Company is located at the Army's huge Firing Center in Yakima, Washington. Charlie Company (-) is located at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. Detachment Company C is located in Amarillo, Texas. The Anti-Tank TOW Company is located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The tank companies presently have M60A1 RISE Passive tanks, and the anti-tank company, called AT (TOW) Company, is equipped with the Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided (TOW) missile system mounted on the armored M998 series HMMV. The Battalion is projected to receive the new MlA1 tank by 1992.In July 1988, the entire 4th Tank Battalion was brought together at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, California. The 4th Tank Battalion conducted a Marine Corps Combined Arms Exercise (CAX) where, for the first time, the main maneuver unit was a tank battalion.

The 4th Tank Battalion's motto, '53 Days , is from the Korean War, when it was just 54 days from being called until they landed in Korea to participate in combat action. This action was the landing at Inchon, Korea in September 1950. It was an achievement to be proud of and, if called again, the 4th Tank Battalion will better that record The Marine Reservists, although a civilian, remains first and foremost, a Marine. 53 DAYSDuring the Kuwait Conflict, the tank and antitank companies of the battalion mobilized during November 1990-January 1991 and augmented the 2d Tank battalion and 2d marine division for the 4 day campaign. The 2d Marine Division held the M1A1-equipped 2d Tk Bn in reserve, while the two M1A1 companies attached from the Marine Corps Reserve 4th Tk Bn (retrained in the U.S.) attached to one regiment and the 8th Tk Bn (USMCR) attached with its M60A1s to the other regiment of the 2d Marine Division. In the only firefight in this zone, one of the reserve M1A1 companies killed 59 tanks and 35 APCs. The tanks fought at ranges of 1100-2600 meters, receiving not a single hit from an antitank weapon.

LINEAGE
1943- 1945
Activated at Camp Pendleton, California 12 May 1943 Deployed January 1944 to the Pacific area Participated in the following World War 1I Campaigns: KWAlALBIN, SAIPAN, TINIAN, IWO JlMA. Relocated October 1945 to Camp Pendlcton, California. Deactivated 31 October 1945

1947- 1958
Formed November 1947 as 11 Tank Battalion United States Marine Corps Reserves at MCRD San Diego, California. Reactivated August 1950, members infused with 1st Tank Battalion and other Marine units for deployment to Korea. Reactivated as 1st Tank Battalion, USMCR May 1952 at MCRD San Diego California. Relocated during 1958 to Camp Elliot, San Diego California.

1962- 1983
Reactivated August 1950. Redesignated I July 1962 at Camp Elliot. San Diego, California. as 4th Tank Battalion. Force. Troops, Fleet Marine Force, United States Marine Corps Reserve. Redesignated 1 January 1978 at San Diego, California, as 4th Tank Battalion. 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force.

1991
Elements Participated in the GulfWar. SouthWest Asia, April 1991

HONORS
4th TANK BATTALION
4th MARINE DIVISION

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER with one BRONZE STAR
World War II
SAIPAN
TINIAN
IWO JIMA
ASIATIC PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER with four BRONZE STARS
WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER with two BRONZE STARS