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1st Battalion, 7th Marines
The history of
1st Battalion, 7th Marines began on 1 April 1921 in San Diego, California.
On September 1924, the battalion was deactivated with its personnel being
absorbed by the newly organized 4th Regiment. For the next twenty years
the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines was activated, redesignated, and disbanded
on numerous occasions until the being reborn on 1 January 1941. Just over
a year after its rebirth the battalion boarded ships for the Pacific
Theatre and World War II, where they saw their first action of the war at
Guadalcanal. Under the leadership of the Battalion Commander, LtCol Lewis
B. "Chesty" Puller, the battalion distinguished themselves many times over
for valor and bravery as the valiantly held their positions against the
onslaught of a regiment of seasoned Japanese attackers. It was also during
this campaign that the legendary Sgt John "Manila John" Basilone become
the first enlisted man in World War II to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Throughout the remainder of the war, the "First Team" distinguished
themselves in many different campaigns, including Palely and Okinawa.
Finally, the battalion deployed to North China for occupation duty at the
end of the war. |
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Following the occupation duty, the "First of the Seventh" was sent to Camp
Pendleton, California where they were deactivated on 5 March 1947.
However, in response to the Communist aggression in Korea, the battalion
was again called into action and on 21 September 1950, the 1st Battalion,
7th Marines made an amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea. Once more the
"First Team" distinguished themselves in the battle as they took part in
operations such as Hook, Reno, and Vegas, as well as fighting their way to
and from the Chosin Reservoir. It was during Korean Conflict that such
names as 1stLt Frank Mitchell, SSgt Archie Van Winkle, and future
Commandant of the Marine Corps, LtCol Raymond C. Davis, became part of
Marine Corps history as each was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Following the cessation of hostilities in Korea and through 1965, 1st
Battalion, 7th Marines spent time both in Camp Pendleton and Okinawa while
maintaining its combat readiness. In August 1965, the battalion was once
again called to service, this time in the Republic of Vietnam. For the
next five years, the "First Team" participated in numerous operations such
as Starlight, Piranha, Oklahoma Hills. During these operations and many
others, the Battalion was honored repeatedly, earning the Presidential
Unit Citation Streamer four times and the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Streamer three times.
1st Battalion, 7th Marines was the first unit to man defensive positions
in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield in August of 1990. The unit
was an integral member of Task Force Ripper. As Desert Shield became
Desert Storm, 1st battalion, 7th Marines participated in the diagonal
thrust into the heart of Kuwait City, spearheading the liberation of
Kuwait from Iraq. The battalion redeployed to Twentynine Palms, California
in March of 1991.
On December 11, 1992, the first elements of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines
arrived at Mogadishu, Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. Battalion
operations were conducted in Baidoa, Bardera, Oddur, Afgoye, and
Mogadishu. 1st Battalion, 7th Marines relieved Task Force Mogadishu for
occupation of the Stadium Complex in Mogadishu, Somalia on January 25,
1993. On April 24, 1993, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines turned over their
mission and area of operations in Mogadishu to the 10th Baluch
Battalion and redeployed to Twentynine Palms, California.
In February of 1994, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, participated in the Unit
Deployment Program, and deployed to Okinawa, Japan; returning to
Twentynine Palms, California during August 1994.
In February of 1996, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, participated in the Unit
Deployment Program, and deployed to Okinawa, Japan; returning to
Twentynine Palms, California during August 1996. In February of 1998, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, participated in the Unit Deployment Program, and was deployed to Okinawa, Japan; returning to Twentynine Palms, California during August 1998. In February of 2000, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, participated in the Unit Deployment Program, and was deployed to Okinawa, Japan; returning to Twentynine Palms, California during August 2000.
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