While the 1st Marine Division wasn't activated until 1 February 1941, the 1st Marine Regiment—one of the Division’s four current Marine regiments—was formed in Guantanamo Bay on 8 March 1911, with the other three regiments being established in 1914 (5th ), 1917 (7th) and 1918 (11th). As a whole, the division traces its lineage to the activation of the 1st Advance Base Brigade in Philadelphia on 23 December 1913.
Headquartered at Camp Pendleton, California, the Division today comprises those four Marine Regiments, a HQ Battalion, two Combat Engineer Battalions (1st and 3rd CEB), two Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions (1ST and 3rd), the 1st Tank Battalion, the 1st Assault Amphibian Battalion, the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, the 1st Divison Band. The 1st Marine Division is not only the oldest and largest division in the Corps, but it is also the service’s most decorated division of all time, garnering eight Presidential Unit Citations in three conflicts (three in World War II, three in Korea, and two during the Vietnam War).
The Division’s distinctive shoulder patch was initially authorized for wear by members of units that served with or were attached to during World War II. Commemorating the Division’s sacrifices in achieving victory over the Japanese in the Battle of Guadalcanal, the patch was the first to be approved during the war; the white stars on the blue background represent the Southern Cross constellation. The Division was most recently honored with an Iraq Campaign streamer in 2007.
Nicknamed "The Old Breed," The 1st Marine Division is part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, which also includes the 3rd Marine Aircraft and 1st Marine Logistics Group.
Related Items
1st Marine Division Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)