1944-1946
Activated 10 January at Camp Pendleton, California as the
26th Marines and assigned to the 5th Marine Division
Deployed during July 1944 to Hilo, Hawaii
Participated in the following World War II Campaigns
Iwo Jima
Redeployed during September 1945 to Sasebo, Japan
Redeployed during October 1945 to Peleliu, Palau Islands, and
Detached from the 5th Marine Division
Relocated during January-Febuary 1946
at Camp Pendleton, California
Deactivated 5 March 1946
1966-1970
Reactivated 1 March 1966 at Camp Pendleton, California
Assigned during May 1966 to Force Troops, Fleet Marine
Force, Pacific Deployed during July-August 1966 to Camp
Schwab, Okinawa and Reassigned to the 9th Marine
Amphibious Brigade Redeployed during April 1967 to
Phu Bai, Republic of Vietnam and Reassigned to the
3rd Marine Division Participated in the war in Vietnam,
April 1967- March 1970 Operating from:
Khe Sanh
Da Nang
Quang Nam
The 1st Bn. 26th Marines was formed in the spring of
1966. Its first assignment was as BLT 1/26. The
Battalion departed San Diego for Vietnam on the 5th
of July 1966 for service as the replacement SLF
(Iwo Jima).
The first landings were part of Deckhouse III in
August 1966 about 50 miles from Saigon. There was
no significant combat activity as the VC main-force
fled the area. However, tons of tons of rice,
ammunition and other supplies were captured.
The next operation was just south of the DMZ as part
of Operation Deckhouse IV. This was a battalion sweep
east to west along the line between Gio Linh and Con
Thein. This action was the beginning of operation
Prairie I. The major fight was for the village of
An Dinh. This battle lasted for about four days.
A reinforced battalion of the NVA 324-B division were
in fortified positions with 60 mm and 81 mm mortars
and heavy machine guns. 150 NVA were killed in the
battle with about 30 Marine KIA.
In October of 1966, 1/26 relieved 1st Battalion of
the 9th Marines in their TAOR south of hill 55. after
the third Marine division moved north at the end of
1966, 1/26 was transferred to the first Marine
Division.
In May 1967, 1/26 was sent to Khe Sanh and returned
to the operational control of the Third Marine Division.
Both the 2nd and 3rd battalions were in Vietnam by
August 1966.
Reassigned during October 1969 to the 1st Marine
Division Relocated during March 1970 to Camp
Pendleton, California and Reassigned to the 5th
Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Deactivated 30 April 1970
HONORS
Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with Two Bronze Stars
World War II
Iwo Jima 1945
Vietnam 1967
Vietnam 1968
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with One Bronze Star
World War II Victory Streamer
Navy Occupation Service Streamer with “Asia”
National Defense Streamer
Vietnam Service Streamer with One Silver and Four Bronze Stars
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Streamer with Palm
Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Streamer
