Combat Assault Battalion

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

• Guadalcanal
• Finschhafen
• New Britain
• Peleliu
• Okinawa

The battalion was deactivated November 17, 1945 at San Diego, California but were again reactivated May 1, 1946 at Camp Pendleton, California.

The battalion 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.

The battalion was reassigned March 16, 1965 to the 3d Marine Division and relocated to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. They deployed during July 1965 to Danang, South 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 the battalion was re-designated as the 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion with two companies of M60A1 (RISE Passive) Tanks and two companies of AAV-7's as well as 1 Company TOW.

On November 10, 1988 the battalion was redesignated as the 1st Armored Assault Battalion. On September 30, 1992 it was resignated as the Combat Support Group and finally became Combat Assault Battalion on October 5, 1994.

Combat Assault Battalion was deactivated October 12, 2018 with the Battalion assets divided between the rest of the 3d Marine Division. Most of the Battalion's assets including AAVs and LAV-25 mechanized vehicles were transferred to 4th Marine Regiment. The Battalion's Combat Engineer Company was be reallocated to other Marine units, including 3rd Marine Regiment and 1st Combat Engineer Battalion.[1]