1st Marine Division (United States)
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| 1st Marine Division (United States) | |
|---|---|
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| Unit name | 1st Marine Division |
| Caption | The shoulder sleeve insignia of the 1st Marine Division. |
| Dates | 1 February 1941 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Marine division |
| Role | Amphibious warfare |
| Size | Approximately 22,000 Marines |
| Command structure | I Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton |
| Nickname | "The Old Breed" |
| Motto | *"No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" |
| Battles | *World War II **Battle of Guadalcanal **Battle of Cape Gloucester **Battle of Peleliu **Battle of Okinawa *Korean War **Battle of Inchon **Battle of Chosin Reservoir *Vietnam War **Operation Starlite **Battle of Huế *Gulf War *Iraq War **2003 invasion of Iraq **Battle of Fallujah (2004) *War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) |
| Notable commanders | *Alexander Vandegrift *William H. Rupertus *Oliver P. Smith *James Mattis |
1st Marine Division (United States) is the oldest, largest, and most decorated active-duty division in the United States Marine Corps. Known as "The Old Breed," it was activated in 1941 and has served as a principal combat force in every major conflict involving the United States since World War II. The division is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California and operates under the I Marine Expeditionary Force.
History
The division was officially activated aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) on 1 February 1941 from the pre-existing 1st Marine Brigade. Its initial cadre was drawn from veterans of campaigns in the Caribbean and China. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the division deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations, where it earned its legendary status during the brutal Battle of Guadalcanal. Throughout the Cold War, the division maintained a high state of readiness, deploying frequently to the Western Pacific and participating in major conflicts including the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In the post-September 11 attacks era, it has been extensively deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Organization
The division is a combined arms formation built around three infantry regiments: the 1st Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Regiment, and 7th Marine Regiment. Each regiment is supported by the 11th Marine Regiment, an artillery unit, and the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. Additional organic combat power is provided by the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Tank Battalion, and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. The division also includes headquarters, logistics, and support battalions, enabling it to function as a largely self-sufficient Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
Notable campaigns and battles
The division's combat history is extensive, beginning with its first offensive at Guadalcanal in 1942. It subsequently fought in the New Britain campaign at Cape Gloucester and the costly assaults on Peleliu and Okinawa. During the Korean War, it executed the amphibious landing at Inchon and fought the epic Battle of Chosin Reservoir. In the Vietnam War, it was a central force in the I Corps region, notably during Operation Starlite and the Battle of Huế. More recently, it spearheaded the 2003 invasion of Iraq, led major operations during the Battle of Fallujah (2004), and conducted counterinsurgency campaigns in Helmand Province.
Unit awards and honors
The 1st Marine Division has been awarded multiple Presidential Unit Citations for actions at Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Chosin Reservoir, and Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. It has also received the Navy Unit Commendation for service in Operation Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Individual Marines within the division have earned numerous Medal of Honor awards, including Mitchell Paige at Guadalcanal and Robert H. Barrow in Korea. Its distinctive shoulder patch, a blue diamond with a red numeral "1," was approved in 1943.
Commanders
Notable commanders include its first, Major General Alexander Vandegrift, who later became the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Major General William H. Rupertus led the division through the battles of Cape Gloucester and Peleliu. In Korea, Major General Oliver P. Smith commanded during the Chosin Reservoir campaign. In the modern era, then-Major General James Mattis led the division during the initial stages of the Iraq War. The division's commanding general is a major general.
In popular culture
The division's service, particularly in the Pacific War, has been depicted in numerous films and books. It is featured prominently in the HBO miniseries *The Pacific*, which follows Marines from the 1st Marine Regiment. Classic films like The Sands of Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal Diary also reference its exploits. The division's history is documented in books such as *"The Old Breed: A History of the First Marine Division, 1941-1945"* by George McMillan and *"Helmet for My Pillow"* by Robert Leckie, a division veteran.
Category:United States Marine Corps divisions Category:Military units and formations established in 1941