History of the 3rd Mar Div
1942-1945
Activated 16 September 1942 at Camp Pendleton, California
Deployed During JanuaryFebruary 1943 to Auckland, New Zealand
Participated in the World War II Campaigns
Bougainville
Northern Solomons
Guam
Iwo Jima
Deactivated 28 December 1945
1952-1964
Reactivated 7 January 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California
Redeployed During August 1953 to Camp Gifu, Japan
Redeployed During February 1956 to Camp Courtney, Okinawa
1965-1993
Redeployed During April-May 1965 to the Republic of Vietnam
Participated in the War in Vietnam, April 1965-November 1969
Operating From:
Quang Tri Province
Quang Nam Province
Thua Thein Province
Redeployed During November 1969 to Camp Courtney, Okinawa
Elements Participated in Evacuation Operations in
Vietnam and Cambodia, March-May 1975
Participated in Numerous Training Exercises During the 1970’s and 1980’s
Elements Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm 1990-1991
Elements Participated in Operations Sea Angel and Fiery Vigil 1991
