1st Battalion, 28th Marines

1st Battalion, 28th Marines was an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps formed during World War II as part of the 28th Marine Regiment and the 5th Marine Division. The battalion is best known for its role in the Battle of Iwo Jima and for association with the iconic flag-raising on Mount Suribachi, while later activations and deployments reflect Cold War and Vietnam-era reorganizations involving units like the 2nd Marine Division and commands under Fleet Marine Force Pacific.

History

1st Battalion, 28th Marines originated during the World War II expansion of the United States Marine Corps in 1944 when the 28th Marine Regiment was activated under the 5th Marine Division. Its formation followed doctrine developed from campaigns such as the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tarawa, and the Battle of Saipan, with training influenced by leaders from Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton. Assigned to the V Amphibious Corps, the battalion prepared for amphibious assaults practiced in exercises like Operation Forager and coordinated with naval forces under Commander, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet.

Organization and Structure

The battalion adhered to standard United States Marine Corps infantry organization of the period: Headquarters and Service Company, three rifle companies, and a weapons company, reporting to the 28th Marine Regiment headquarters. Rifle companies were organized along tables of organization and equipment used across formations such as the 1st Marine Division and 3rd Marine Division, integrating assets like Browning M1919 machine gun teams, M1 Garand rifle squads, and 60 mm mortar sections. Command and control exercised by battalion staff mirrored practices codified in FMFM-1 doctrine, working with regimental support elements including artillery from the 14th Marine Regiment and close air support coordination with units like Vought F4U Corsair squadrons under Marine Aircraft Group 13.

World War II: Iwo Jima

During the Battle of Iwo Jima in February–March 1945, the battalion landed as an assault element of the 28th Marine Regiment onto beaches held by Imperial Japanese Army forces commanded in the theatre by leaders associated with the Japanese Fourteenth Area Army. Units from Companies A, B, and C advanced inland overcoming fortifications similar to those encountered in the Battle of Peleliu and Battle of Okinawa. Elements of the battalion participated in the assault on Mount Suribachi, an action contemporaneous with the iconic flag-raising captured by photographer Joe Rosenthal and involving Marines connected to figures such as Harlon Block, Rene Gagnon, and John Bradley (USN). The battalion sustained casualties from artillery, machine-gun nests, and underground defenses using tactics developed from lessons of Liechtenstein—standing orders and doctrine refined after operations like Battle of Kwajalein. After securing objectives, the battalion conducted patrols against remaining Japanese holdouts and assisted in consolidation of the island alongside units such as the 147th Infantry Regiment (United States) and naval support from the United States Fifth Fleet.

Postwar Activity and Reactivations

After World War II the battalion was deactivated during the postwar drawdown affecting formations like the 5th Marine Division. Subsequent Cold War exigencies and the Vietnam War prompted periodic reactivations and reorganizations in line with the Selected Reserve and active component force structure changes. Reactivations saw personnel movements between installations including Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, and assignments under commands such as Fleet Marine Force Atlantic and Fleet Marine Force Pacific. During the Vietnam era, elements from the regiment and associated battalions were administratively realigned to support deployments, training missions, and contingency planning related to operations including Operation Starlite and readiness for possible amphibious contingencies coordinated with United States Seventh Fleet assets.

Unit Honors and Decorations

The battalion and its parent regiment received campaign credits and unit citations for actions during World War II, notably the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign credits for Iwo Jima. Individual Marines and attached personnel were awarded decorations including the Medal of Honor (awarded to other Marines in the campaign), Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star Medal for valor and merit during the assault and subsequent operations. Unit commendations and campaign streamers were emplaced on regimental colors in recognition of coordinated actions alongside formations like the 4th Marine Division and support from the United States Navy.

Category:Battalions of the United States Marine Corps Category:Military units and formations of the United States in World War II