3rd Marine Division US Marine Corps Patch

3rd Marine Division US Marine Corps Division Patch 4.00" x 4.00" 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: Perfect for personalizing jackets, backpacks, uniforms, or any fabric surface that needs a touch of personality.
Durable and Washable: Designed to withstand everyday wear and occasional washing without fading or fraying.

Formations & Origins
The 3rd Marine Division was activated on September 16, 1942, at Camp Elliott in San Diego, California, in response to the demands of World War II. Within months, the division was deployed to the Pacific theater, where it would begin a proud combat legacy that continues to this day. Known as “The Fighting Third,” the division was built for rapid deployment and high-intensity combat, and its Marines were trained to strike fast, hold ground, and win decisively.

Today, the 3rd Marine Division is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, and serves as the forward-deployed ground combat element of III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), standing as a sentinel of readiness in the Indo-Pacific.

Notable Commanders
Among its most famous commanders was Major General Allen H. Turnage, who led the division during the brutal Bougainville and Guam campaigns. Over the decades, the division has been led by some of the Corps’ most respected warfighters—men like LtGen Lewis “Chesty” Puller, who influenced tactics and leadership across all Marine forces. Its command has always emphasized readiness, resilience, and the warrior spirit.

Major Campaigns/Operations
The 3rd Marine Division has been at the center of some of the Corps’ most iconic battles:

• World War II:

  • Battle of Bougainville (1943)

  • Battle of Guam (1944)

  • Iwo Jima (1945), where division artillery supported the bloody but victorious assault

• Vietnam War:

  • Operating from bases like Dong Ha and Khe Sanh, the division fought in Operation Hastings, the Tet Offensive, and Hill 881 during the siege of Khe Sanh.

• Global War on Terror:

  • Forward-deployed elements supported missions in Iraq and Afghanistan

  • Played a role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief throughout the Pacific Rim

Specialized Role/Equipment
As a Marine infantry division, the 3rd Marine Division fields a mix of infantry regiments, artillery, armor, reconnaissance, and combat support elements. Units include:

• 3rd Marine Regiment

• 4th Marine Regiment

• 12th Marine Regiment (Artillery)

• 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion

• Combat engineer and logistics battalions

The division trains for amphibious assaults, jungle warfare, combined arms operations, and rapid-response missions. Its strategic location in the Pacific makes it a key deterrent force in the region.

Acts of Heroism
The 3rd Marine Division’s history is steeped in valor. On Iwo Jima, its artillery units delivered punishing fire that supported the bloody climb up Mount Suribachi. In Vietnam, Marines of the 3rd Division held the line under siege at Khe Sanh, where they endured near-constant bombardment while holding the base against numerically superior forces.

Countless Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, and Navy Crosses have been awarded to the division’s Marines. One standout: Sgt. Alfredo Gonzalez, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Hue City, where he led his men through withering fire until mortally wounded.

Legacy & Notable Achievements
The 3rd Marine Division remains the Corps’ forward-deployed force in readiness. Its proximity to flashpoints in Asia makes it the tip of the spear for rapid crisis response, from natural disasters to full-scale combat operations.

Its Marines are jungle-trained, amphibious-certified, and built to fight. They train alongside allies from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Australia—strengthening bonds and sharpening the edge of American military might.

This patch stands for more than just a unit. It represents a division that has fought in volcanic ash, triple-canopy jungle, and desert sand—and is still out there, still watching, still ready to strike. The 3rd Marine Division doesn’t wait for orders—it’s already in the fight. Semper Fidelis.