31st Marine Expeditionary Unit US Marine Corps Patch

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Patch 4.50" x 4.75" Embroidered Patch with Iron-On Backing

Superior Materials: Made with premium polyester thread and durable twill fabric, ensuring long-lasting color and strength.
Advanced Embroidery Technology: Crafted using the most advanced embroidery machinery, guaranteeing intricate detail, sharp lines, and consistent quality every time.
Easy Iron-On Application: Features a heat-activated adhesive backing for quick, no-sew attachment. Simply position, iron, and press for a secure bond.
Versatile Use: Ideal for uniforms, deployment bags, or display collections—honoring the Marine Corps’ forward-deployed crisis response force in the Pacific.
Durable and Washable: Built to endure operations at sea and ashore, this patch resists fading and fraying under harsh conditions.

Formations & Origins
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was activated in 1967 and is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. It was formed to provide the U.S. Pacific Command with a rapid-response, amphibious force-in-readiness capable of executing a wide range of military operations. The 31st MEU is a rotational unit, constantly training and deploying with elements of the U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Ready Group.

Notable Commanders
Over the decades, the 31st MEU has been led by seasoned Marine colonels who go on to become general officers. Their leadership focuses on fast adaptability, amphibious mastery, and maintaining combat readiness in dynamic Indo-Pacific environments.

Major Campaigns/Operations
The 31st MEU has taken part in:

• Vietnam War operations and evacuations (1970s)

• Operation Desert Shield/Storm

• Humanitarian assistance after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

• Typhoon Haiyan disaster relief in the Philippines (2013)

• Ongoing Indo-Pacific maritime security patrols and joint exercises
  From combat deployments to rapid disaster responses, the 31st MEU exemplifies Marine versatility.

Specialized Role/Equipment
As a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), the 31st MEU integrates a reinforced infantry battalion, aviation combat element, logistics combat element, and command unit. It embarks aboard U.S. Navy amphibious ships such as the USS America (LHA-6), prepared to launch amphibious assaults, crisis evacuations, or humanitarian missions within hours.

Acts of Heroism
Throughout its history, Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU have demonstrated courage in war zones and disaster zones alike. Whether conducting non-combatant evacuations under threat or responding to natural disasters in hostile terrain, their resilience and bravery have saved lives and stabilized regions.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
The 31st MEU stands as a model for forward presence and rapid response. It is America’s 9-1-1 force in the Pacific—always deployed, always ready. With unmatched amphibious capability and the flexibility to respond across the full spectrum of military operations, the 31st MEU continues to uphold the Marine Corps’ global reputation for excellence, discipline, and resolve. This patch honors that legacy at sea and ashore.