The 3d Medical Battalion (3D MED BN) is a medical support unit of the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...

and is headquartered at

Camp Foster Camp Foster, formerly known as Camp Zukeran ( ja, キャンプ・フォスター), is a United States Marine Corps camp located in Ginowan City with portions overlapping into Okinawa City, Chatan town and Kitanakagusuku village in the Japane ...

Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi). Naha is the capital and largest city ...

, Japan. The unit falls under the command of

3rd Marine Logistics Group The 3rd Marine Logistics Group (3rd MLG) is the Logistics Combat Element (LCE) for III Marine Expeditionary Force currently headquartered on Camp Kinser, Marine Corps Base Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. 3rd MLG provides combat service sup ...

Current units

* Headquarters and Service Company * Alpha Company * Bravo Company (MCB Hawaii)

Mission

To provide direct and general Health Service Support to III MEF in order to sustain the combat effort across the full spectrum of MAGTF operations.

History

Lineage

1942-1945 3D Medical Battalion was activated 12 August 1942 at San Diego, California, as the 3D Medical Battalion and assigned to the 2D Marine Division. In September 1942 reassigned to the 3D Marine Division. Deployed during February-March 1943 to Auckland, New Zealand. Redeployed during March-April 1945 to Guam. The unit was deactivated 1 December 1945. 1952-2009 3D Medical Battalion was reactivated 5 March 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to the 3D Marine Division as before. Deployed during August 1953 to Camp Gifu, Japan. Redeployed during March 1956 to Camp Hauge, Okinawa. Redeployed during June 1965 to Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. Re assigned during July 1979 to 3D Force Service Support Group. During the Tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, elements of 3D FSSG assisted from December 2004 - February 2005. Elements also participated in humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan during October 2006 - March 2006. Reassigned during July 2007 to Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3D Marine Logistics Group.

World War II

3D Medical Battalion participated in the following WWII campaigns. Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Guam, and Iwo Jima.

Vietnam War

The battalion participated in the following operations during The war in Vietnam. Da Nang, Chu Lai, Phu Bai, Dong Ha, and Quang Tri. The unit was departed South Vietnam on 24 November 1969, redeploying to Okinawa.

The Gulf War and the 1990s

In the mid 1990s 3rd Medical Battalion part of 3rd Force Service Support Group (FSSG) was headquartered at Camp Hansen with H&S Co, and Bravo Company on site, Charlie Company was located on Camp Schwab. Hospital Corpsmen from both Bravo and Charlie Companies manned the Medical Clinics and Ambulances providing medical support to Marine Forces on both camps. Members deployed as part of the 31st MEU and participated in various operations and training in the Pacific Rim. Dunn,Gregory- Personal knowledge, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class assigned to 3rd Medical Battalion 1996-1998

Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom

During the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq elements of 3D FSSG participated in operations from March 2004-March 2005 and March 2007 - June 2008.

COVID-19 Pandemic

In April 2020, A detachment was sent to Guam to assist the outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. "“Th
rapid response by the 3rd MLG was incredible
..Their footprint ashore will ensure our Sailors off ship are well cared for.” - Rear Adm. Stu Baker, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine. Task Force (TF) Medical's response force was made up of 90 Marines and Sailors assigned to 3rd Marine Logistics Group out of Okinawa, Japan. In total they cared for 850 COVID-19 positive service members. Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Knapp was the officer in charge and uniquely, compared to the force makeup
all 4 program leads were female

Honors awarded

Presidential Unit Citation streamer. Vietnam 1965-1967 Navy Unit Commendation streamer with four bronze stars. World War II: Iwo Jima -1945, Vietnam 1965-1966, 1968, 1980-1984, 1985-1987 Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer with one bronze star. 1989-1991, 2004-2005 Asiatic-Pacific Campaign streamer with four bronze stars World War II Victory streamer National Defense Service streamer with three bronze stars Korean Service streamer Vietnam Service streamer with two silver and one bronze star Global War on Terrorism Service streamer Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm streamer 3rdMedicalBnBig

References

External links

Battalion's official website

USMC Unit History
Med 3 {{USMC-stub