Combat Assault Battalion

Combat Assault Battalion
Combat Assault Battalion's Insignia
Active February 16, 1942 – October 12, 2018
Country  United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
Type Mechanized/Engineering Battalion
Role Amphibious Assault
Part of 3rd Marine Division
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison/HQ Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan
Nickname(s) The Iron Fist
Motto(s) "Sui Generis"
Engagements

World War II

Korean War
Vietnam War

Iraq
Commanders
Current
commander		 LtCol Jacob Q. Robinson
Notable
commanders		 Edwin B. Wheeler

Combat Assault Battalion is a mechanized battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon systems are the Amphibious Assault Vehicle, LAV-25 and various engineering vehicles. Combat Assault Battalion is a subordinate element part of the 3rd Marine Division and the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The unit is based at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.

Mission

To conduct Amphibious Assault, Light Armored Reconnaissance and Combat Engineer operations across the ROMO in the Pacific AOR in support of MAGTF expeditionary operations.

Subordinate units

  • Headquarters and Services Company
  • Combat Engineer Company
  • Light Armored Reconnaissance Company
  • Assault Amphibian Vehicle Company

History

World War II

Combat Assault Battalion was activated February 16, 1942 at New River, North Carolina as the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 1st Marine Division. They relocated during May 1942 to Wellington, New Zealand and participated in the following World War II campaigns:

The battalion was deactivated November 17, 1945 at San Diego, California but were again reactivated May 1, 1946 at Camp Pendleton, California as the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Korean War

Participated in the Korean War from the Pusan Perimeter in operations from Inchon to Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, East to Central Front, and the Western Front. Following the war they participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from August 1953 to March 1955. They were relocated during March 1955 to Camp McGill, Japan.

Vietnam War

Combat Assault Battalion was reassigned March 16, 1965 to the 3d Marine Division and relocated to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. They deployed during July 1965 to Danang, Republic of Vietnam where they were engaged in combat operations from July 1965 through July 1969. They relocated during July 1969 to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. On April 1, 1976 they were re-designated as the 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion with two companies of M60A1(RISE Passive) Tanks and two companies of AAV-7's.

1980s and 1990s

Re-designated November 10, 1988 as the 1st Armored Assault Battalion. Again re-designated September 30, 1992 as the Combat Support Group and finally became Combat Assault Battalion on October 5, 1994.

Deactivation

Combat Assault Battalion will be deactivated officially on October 12, 2018 with the Battalion assets divided between the rest of the 3d Marine Division. Majority of the Battalion's assets including their AAVs and LAV-25 mechanized vehicles with their attaching Marine Companies will be inherited by the 4th Marine Regiment, while the Battalion's Engineering Company will be distributed to other Combat Engineering units throughout the Division such as the 9th Engineer Support Battalion.

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the appropriate ribbon of the awarded unit citation. The Battalion's flag is decorated with the appropriate streamers. Combat Assault Battalion, and those units for which it carries lineage and honors, have been awarded the following:

Streamer Award Year(s) Additional Info
Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Silver and one Bronze Star 1942, 1944, 1945, 1950, 1951, 1965–1967, 1968 Guadalcanal, Peleliu, Okinawa, Korea, Vietnam War
Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with two Bronze Stars 1952–1953, 1968, 2002–2003 Korea, Vietnam, Western Pacific
Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with one Bronze Star 1967–1968, 1968 Vietnam War
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Silver Star and one Bronze Star 1942–1945 Guadalcanal, Finschhafen, New Britain, Peleliu, Okinawa
World War II Victory Streamer 1942–1945 Pacific War
Navy Occupation Service Streamer with "ASIA"

National Defense Service Streamer with three Bronze Stars 1950–1954, 1961–1974, 1990–1995, 2001–present Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War on Terrorism
Korean Service Streamer with two Silver Stars August 1950 - March 1955 Pusan Perimeter, Inchon-Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, East-Central Front, Western Front, Defense of the Demilitarized Zone
Vietnam Service Streamer with two Silver Stars July 1965 - July 1969 Da Nang, Cua Viet
Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer 2001–present
Korea Presidential Unit Citation Streamer

Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Streamer

See also

Notes

    References

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