Background
The 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) is the oldest, largest and most decorated division in the U.S Marine Corps (USMC). Nicknamed "The Old Breed". The division's march song "Waltzing Matilda" from their R&R in Australia.
On December 23, 1913, the 1st Advance Base Brigade was activated at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The brigade consisted of the Fixed Defense Regiment and the Mobile Defense Regiment. On April 1, 1914 redesignated as the 1st Brigade with the two regiments designed as the 1st Regiment and 2nd Regiment. Elements of the 1st Brigade participated in operations in Mexico, in 1916 to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. On September 16, 1935 redesignated as the 1st Marine Brigade. During October 1940 deployed to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
On February 1, 1941 the 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) was activated aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). In May 1941, relocates to Quantico, Virginia and Parris Island, South Carolina until the United States entry into World War II,
Wartime History
During April 1942, sent overseas with the 7th Marine Regiment to Samoa. The 1st Raider Battalion to New Caledonia and 3rd Defense Battalion to Pearl Harbor on Oahu. The 5th Marine Regiment and 1st Marine Regiment to Wellington in New Zealand where they faced logistical storages and due to a dock worker strike they had to load their own ships and cargo. Rushed into action, they division lacked mosquito nets or insect repellent and had to leave all their trucks, 155mm howitzers and ranging equipment in New Zealand. The entire division would rendezvous in Fiji to stage for the first U.S. offensive in the South Pacific (SoPAC). During July 28-30, 1942 the division participates in a practice landing rehearsal on Koro Island in Fiji. On July 31, 1942 assigned to Task Force 61 (TF 61) and departs for the Solomon Islands for Operation Watchtower.
Guadalcanal
On August 7, 1942 the 1st Marine Division lands on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands and start of the Guadalcanal campaign. The 1st MARDIV defends the U.S. perimeter against Japanese attacks. On Guadalcanal, the 6th Naval Construction Battalion (6th NCB) "Seabees" was attached to the 1st Marine Division. During the Guadalcanal campaign, the 1st Marine Division suffered 650 Killed In Action (KIA), 31 Missing In Action (MIA), 1,278 Wounded In Action (WIA) with another 8,580 suffering from malaria. On December 9, 1942 relieved by U.S. Army Americal Division and for the remainde of the month are gradually withdrawn to Australia to rehabilitate. The division was moved to Melbourne for a temperate climate to allow the Marines to rest and recuperate from tropical aliments and malaria.
Cape Gloucester
On December 26, 1943 the 1st Marine Division lands at Cape Gloucester on western New Britain as part of Operation Cartwheel. The 19th Naval Construction Battalion (19th NCB) "Seabees" until reassigned. The 17th Marines formed a the third battalion until inactivated. During March 1944 relieved with 310 Killed In Action (KIA) and 1,083 Wounded In Action (WIA). Afterwards, moved to Pavuvu Island in the Russell Islands to rest and recuperate.
Peleliu
On September 15, 1944 the 1st lands on southwest of Peleliu Island at the left with the 5th Marine Division (5th MARDIV) in center, and 7th Marine Division (7th MARDIV) on right. Japanese resistance is at first light but increases as the Marines move inland and is particularly heavy on flanks. 17th Special NCB (segregated) was assigned to the 1st Pioneers as shore party and the 33rd Naval Construction Battalion (33rd NCB) was attached for the Peleliu. The 1st Division fought for a month before relieved with 1,252 Killed In Action (KIA) and 5,274 Wounded In Action (WIA).
Okinawa
On April 1, 1945 lands on Okinawa as part of the III Amphibious Corps and fought alongside the 6th Marine Division (6th MARDIV) to clear the northern half of Okinawa. The 145th Naval Construction Battalion (145th NCB) was attached. On May 1, 1945 the 1st Marine Division was moved to the south to relieve the U.S. Army 27th Infantry Division. The Marines fought at Dakeshi Ridge, Wana Ridge, "Sugarloaf Hill" and Shuri Castle. The 1st Division remained in combat until the end of the Okinawa Campaign on June 22, 1945 with a total of 1,655 Killed In Action (KIA).
Postwar
On September 30, 1945 the 1st Marine Division was sent to Taku in northern China to establish control and help in the repatriation of more than 650,000 Japanese Army soldiers and civilians while the Chinese Civil War began between Nationalist Chinese and Communist Chinese forces. The Marines guarded supply trains, bridges, and depots to keep food and coal moving into the cities.
Commanding Officers
Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift
Awards
World War I: World War I Victory Medal Streamer, with one bronze star.
World War II:
Presidential Unit Citation (three for Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Okinawa)
References
Marines 1ST MARINE DIVISION
