History of The Third Battalion Fourth Marines

Korea

"From Ralph W. Donnelly's A Brief History of the 3D BATTALION, 4TH MARINES"


Table of Contents

1.0 ReActivation 
2.0 Back to the Orient 
3.0 Battalion Stands Down



1.0 Reactivation


The 4th Marines was reactivated at Camp Pendleton, California on September 2, 1952. The new 3d Battalion was activated on 28 November 1952 and in January, 1953, a fourth company was added to the battalion.



2.0 Back to the Orient


The regiment was ordered back to the Orient in 1953, sailing on board the USN General Black on 8 August for Japan. It arrived and disembarked at Kobe on 23 August 1953. The 3d Battalion was called upon to go to Inchon, Korea, to escort thousands of Chinese prisoners who did not wish to return to Red China.

On 25 January 1955, the 4th Marines sailed from Kobe and reached Hawaii on 4 February. It became the ground unit nucleus of the newly organized 1st Provisional Marine Air-Ground Task Force (later redesignated as the 1st Marine Brigade) at Kaneohe Bay, T.H.



3.0 Battalion Stands Down


 In 1959 the reduced peace-time strength of the Corps led to the virtual elimination of the 3d Battalion. By 14 May 1959, the four lettered companies (I, K, L, and M) were reduced to zero strength. The next day (15 May), the Headquarters and Service Company was placed in cadre status with an authorized strength of one officer and 35 enlisted men. This status continued until 1 June 1961 when the Battalion was returned to active duty strength.