1st Marine Regiment

On order, 1st Marine Regiment deploys as the Command Element (CE) for I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) in support of crisis response operations and provides mission capable battalions in support of enduring and emerging operational requirements in order to meet operational commitments across the range of military operations.

The 1st Marines were activated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 27 November 1913. At this time, it bore the designation of 2nd Advanced Base Regiment. During the early years of its existence, the regiment was primarily employed as a combat force during the Banana Wars, in the Caribbean. The first of these engagements occurred in April 1914, when the regiment landed and seized the Mexican port of Vera Cruz.  It next participated in the Haitian campaign (1915-1916) and the Dominican Republic campaign (1916). On 1 July 1916, the regiment  was re-designated as the 1st Regiment of Marines. In December 1918, the 1st Regiment returned to the Caribbean and was deployed to Cuba for approximately six months.  The regiment was later sent to the Dominican Republic as a garrison force from August 1922 until July 1924. 

Following its second tour of duty in the Dominican Republic, the regiment was deactivated, but was subsequently reactivated at Quantico, Virginia on 15 March 1925. The regiment received its present designation of 1st Marines on 10 July 1930. The 1930s was a period of inactivity in the 1st Marines' history, as the unit was in a deactivated status during most of this time. World War II was the occasion for the next reactivation of the regiment on 1 February 1941 at Culebra, Puerto Rico as part of the 1st Marine Division.

World War II

The 1st Marines stood at a low state of readiness at the beginning of the war, having just been reconstituted from cadre status; however, the regiment did possess very strong leadership at the higher levels. In June 1942, the 1st Marines set sail from San Francisco on board a mix of eight ships headed for the South Pacific. The 1st Marines landed on the island of Guadalcanal, part of the Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942 and would fight in the Battle of Guadalcanal until relieved on 8 December 1942.

Some of the heaviest action the regiment would see on Guadalcanal took place on 21 August 1942 during the Battle of the Tenaru, which was the first Japanese counter-attack of the campaign.   Following their first campaign, the regiment was sent to Melbourne, Australia to rest and refit. During their stay, they were billeted in the Melbourne Cricket Ground until leaving in September 1943.

The 1st Marines would next see action during Operation Cartwheel, which was the codename for the campaigns in Eastern New Guinea and New Britain. The regiment would be the first ashore at the Battle of Cape Gloucester on 26 December 1943; and continued fighting on the island, at such places as Suicide Creek and Ajar Ridge, until February 1944.

The next battle for the 1st Marines would be the bloodiest yet - the Battle of Peleliu. The regiment landed on 15 September 1944 as part of the 1st Marine Division's assault on the island. The division's commanding general, Major General William H. Rupertus had predicted the fighting would be, "...tough but short. It'll be over in three for four days - a fight like Tarawa. Rough but fast. Then we can go back to a rest area."

The 1st Marines fought on Peleliu for 10 days before being pulled off the lines after suffering 56% casualties and no longer being combat effective.  The regiment was decimated by heavy artillery and accurate small arms fire in the vicinity of Bloody Nose Ridge. Repeated frontal assaults with fixed bayonets failed to unseat the Japanese defenders from the 14th Division (Imperial Japanese Army).  Ten days of fighting on Peleliu cost the 1st Marine Regiment 1,749 casualties.

The last World War II engagement for the regiment was the Battle of Okinawa.  From 1 April 1945 until 15 June 1945, the 1st Marines participated in a bitter, close-in fight that led to the capture of this strategic island. 

In September 1945, the 1st Marines deployed to North China to take part in the garrisoning of the area and in the repatriation of former enemy personnel. It remained in China until February 1949.  The presence of the 1st Marines was used as leverage by George C. Marshall in 1945-46 to attempt to moderate a settlement to the impending Chinese Civil War. They returned to Camp Pendleton and were deactivated on 1 October 1949.

Korean War

The Korean War resuscitated the buildup of the Marine Corps. As a result, the regiment was brought back into existence on 4 August 1950. On 15 September, the 1st Marine Division, including the 1st Marines, assaulted the beaches of Inchon.

The regiment then went on to take part in the liberation of Seoul and later in the noted Chosin Reservoir Campaign.  For the next two and one-half years, the 1st Marines continued to engage the North Koreans and Chinese Communists. Following the termination of hostilities in July 1953, the regiment remained in Korea and acted as a defensive force against possible Communist attempts to rekindle the war. The 1st Marines returned to Camp Pendleton in April 1955. There it stayed for the following ten years, except for a brief deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the Caribbean during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Vietnam War

With the intensification of American involvement in the war in Vietnam the regiment next deployed to the Far East in 1965.  During the intensification of the conflict it witnessed ferocious fighting in operations such as: Harvest Moon, Utah, Iowa, Cheyenne I and II, Double Eagle, and Operation Hastings.

By fall of 1967, the 1st Marines were operating permanently in the northern sector of the I Corps tactical zone. The following winter the communists launched the Tet Offensive. The enemy overran Hue, the old imperial capital. Between 31 January and 2 March 1968, elements of the 1st Marines, commanded by Col. Stanley Hughes, along with other U.S. Marine and South Vietnamese units, fought to regain control of the city. Bitter street fighting and hand-to-hand combat characterized the battle. Hue was finally recaptured after the enemy suffered nearly 1,900 killed. The regiment remained deployed in South Vietnam for the next two and a half years, participating in numerous operations, both large and small. On 28 June 1971, the last members of the regiment departed Danang to return to the United States at MCB Camp Pendleton. The 1st Marines were the last marine infantry unit to depart Vietnam.

Post Vietnam Era

In the spring of 1975, 1st Marines provided primary support to the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton for preparation of a camp to house Vietnamese refugees during Operation New Arrivals. In 1983, 1st Marines was assigned responsibility to provide the Ground Combat Element for the WESTPAC MAU. Since the inception of the Special Operations Capable (SOC) Marine Expeditionary Unit's (MEU's) in support of contingency operations in the Western Pacific, the 1st Marine Regiment has been the MEU (SOC) regiment of the 1st Marine Division.

Operation Desert Storm and the LA Riots

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and 1st Marines deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield. On 30 December 1990, 1st Marines was designated as Task Force Papa Bear. The task force attacked into Kuwait on 23 February and continued its march to the vicinity of Kuwait International Airport, where hostilities ceased on 27 February.

From 1 to 11 May 1992, elements of the regiment deployed to perform riot control operations as part of the Joint Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Los Angeles. They assumed a prominent role in quelling the urban unrest in South Central Los Angeles.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

In January 2003, 1st Marines deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Organized as a 5,000-man combined arms task force, known as Regimental Combat Team One [RCT-1], the regiment fought its way from Kuwait to Baghdad, with significant actions at An Nasariyah, Al Kut, and Baghdad.  Subsequent to the collapse of the regime, the RCT conducted security and stability operations in Baghdad and Al Hillah until returning home throughout the summer of 2003.

In February 2004, 1st Marines deployed to the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Upon arrival in theater, 1st Marines formed into a Regimental Combat Team (RCT-1) and conducted a relief-in-place with 3d Brigade of the 82d Airborne Division. RCT-1 consisted of several major subordinate commands from 1st Marine Division and various smaller attachments from throughout the Marine Corps.

1st Marine Regiment in Fallujah

The RCT's area of operation consisted of numerous cities, most important of which was Al Fallujah. On 31 March 2004, four U.S. citizens working for Blackwater USA were attacked, mutilated and hung on a bridge in the city. On 7 April 2004, Operation Vigilant Resolve commenced in response to these deaths. After intense urban fighting, a political resolution was mandated and the regiment was ordered out of the city.

Throughout September and October 2004, insurgent presence increased in Fallujah. Led by the 1st Marine Division, Operation Phantom Fury began with an assault north of the city, with four infantry battalions in the attack. Designated the division main effort, RCT-1 (3rd Battalion 1st Marines) crossed the line of departure on 7 November 2004. After twelve days of intense urban combat, 1st Marine Division had defeated the insurgents and successfully fought its way to the southern end of the city capturing the western half of Fallujah. First Marines returned to Camp Pendleton, California, in April 2005.

Operation Enduring Freedom

In September  2010  the regiment deployed again as Regimental Combat Team 1 (RCT-1) to the Southern Helmand province of Afghanistan.   RCT-1 operated out of Camp Dwyer where it conducted an extremely effective counterinsurgency (COIN) fight that had far-reaching impact on the ability of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to secure its goals in Helmand. Throughout the period sustained combat operations had a direct and positive impact on improvements in security and the extension and deepening of Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The storied history of the regiment exemplifies commitment, drive, and unyielding dedication to the service of our Nation and its citizens.  From the harrowed beaches of Guadalcanal and the frigid mountains of Korea to the soaked jungles of Vietnam and the arid plains of Iraq and Afghanistan 1st Marines has been there.

Honors

PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER STARS AND ONE BRONZE STAR

WORLD WAR II
GUADALCANAL - 1942
PELELIU, NGESEBUS - 1944
OKINAWA - 1945

KOREA

1950
1950
1951

VIETNAM

1965 - 1966
1966 - 1967
1967 - 1968
1968
1968

IRAQ

2003

NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER WITH FOUR BRONZE STARS

KOREA

1952 - 1953

SOUTHWEST ASIA

1990 - 1991

IRAQ

2004 - 2005
2008 - 2009

AFGHANISTAN

2010 - 2011

MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION STREAMER

1971

MEXICAN SERVICE STREAMER
HAITIAN CAMPAIGN STREAMER
MARINE CORPS EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS
DOMINICAN CAMPAIGN STREAMER
WORLD WAR I VICTORY STREAMER
AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH ONE BRONZE STAR
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH ONE SILVER AND ONE BRONZE STAR
WORLD WAR II VICTORY STREAMER
NAVY STREAMER WITH "ASIA"
CHINA SERVICE STREAMER
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS
KOREAN SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER STARS
ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
VIETNAM SERVICE STREAMER WITH TWO SILVER AND THREE BRONZE STARS
SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE STREAMER WITH THREE BRONZE STARS
AGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH TWO BRONZE STARS
IRAQ CAMPAIGN STREAMER WITH FOUR BRONZE STARS
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY STREAMER
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE STREAMER
KOREAN PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION STREAMER
VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM STREAMER
VIETNAM MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION CIVIL ACTIONS STREAMER

1915-1917

Activated 27 November 1913 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the 2nd Advance Base Regiment
Relocated during December 1913 to Pensacola, Florida
Assigned during January 1914 to the 1st Advance Base Brigade
Participated in the Vera Cruz Operation, March-November 1914
Relocated during December 1914 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Participated in the Haitian Campaign, August 1915 - May 1916
Participated in the Occupation of Dominican Republic, May - December 1916
Redesignated 1 July 1916 as the 1st Regiment
Reassigned during November 1916 to the 2nd Provisional Brigade
Deactivated 20 December 1916 at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Reactivated 25 January 1917 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and assigned to the Fixed Defense Force

1918-1931

Relocated during November 1918 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Reassigned during December 1918 to the 6th Provisional Brigade
Relocated during June 1919 to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and detached from the 6th Provisional Brigade
Relocated during October 1920 to Quantico, Virginia
Assigned during December 1920 to the 3rd Brigade
Deactivated 22 April 1922
Reactivated 1 August 1922 at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and assigned to the 2nd Brigade
participated in the occupation of the Dominican Republic, August 1922 - July 1924
Deactivated 1 July 1924 at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Reactivated 15 March 1925 at Quantico, Virginia
Redesignated 10 July 1930 as the 1st Marines
Deactivated 1 November 1931

1941-1949

Reactivated 1 March 1941 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and assigned to the 1st Marine Division
Relocated during April 1941 to Parris Island, South Carolina
Relocated during February 1942 to New River, North Carolina
Deployed during June - July 1942 to Wellington, New Zealand

Participated in the following WWII campaigns:

Guadalcanal
Eastern New Guinea
New Britain
Peleiu
Okinawa

Participated in the occupation of North China, September 1945-May 1947, October 1947-February 1949
Reactivated 20 May 1947 while on board the USS Henrico in the Yellow Sea
Reactivated 1 October 1947 at Tsingtao, China, and assigned to Fleet Marine Force, Western Pacific
Relocated during February 1949 to Camp Pendleton, California, and reassigned to the 1st Marine Division
Deactivated 1 October 1949

1950-1964

Reactivated 4 August 1950 at Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to the 1st Marine Division
Deployed during September 1950 to Kobe, Japan

Participated in the Korean War, September 1950 - July 1953, operating from:

Inchon-Seoul
Chosin Reservoir
East Central Front
Western Front
Participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone

July 1953 - April 1955
Relocated during April 1955 to Camp Pendleton, California
Participated in the Cuban missile crisis, October-December 1962

1965-1971

Deployed during August 1965 - January 1966 to the Republic of Vietnam

Participated in the war in Vietnam, August 1965 - June 1971, operating from:

Da Nang
Chu Lai
Phu Bai
Quang Tri
Hue
Camp J.E. Muir
Camp D.M. Oerdue
Dong Ha
Cua Viet
Khe Sanh
Duong Son

Detached during April 1971 from the 1st Marine Division and reassigned to the 3rd Marine Amphibious Brigade
Relocated during May - June 1971 to Camp Pendleton, California, and reassigned to the 1st Marine Division

1972 – 2014

Participated in Operation New Arrival, the relocation of refuges from Indochina, April - May 1975
Participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Southwest Asia, August 1990 - April 1991
Element participated in Operation United Shield, Somalia, February - March 1995
Element participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, December 2001 - February 2002
Deployed during January 2003 to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, March - July 2003 and February 2004 - April 2005, January 2008 - January 2009
Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, September 2010 - October 2011, February - August 2014
Element Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, December 2011 - February 2012, June - December 2012

Information coming soon.

1st Marines Command Religious Program (CRP)

🚨 Emergency & After-Hours Care

If you are experiencing a personal crisis or require immediate, 100% confidential pastoral care outside of normal working hours, contact the Regimental Officer of the Day (OOD). They will connect you with the Duty Chaplain.

• Regimental OOD: (760) 725-7002
• Camp Pendleton CDO: (760) 725-5061

Mission & Support

The Regimental Chaplain and Religious Programs Specialist (RP) team exist to sustain the spiritual readiness, moral well-being, and resilience of 1st Marine Regiment personnel and their families. Navy Chaplains deliver holistic support across three primary lines of effort: providing religious ministry for specific faith traditions, facilitating care for all personnel regardless of their religious beliefs or background, and advising the commander on morale, ethics, and humanitarian concerns.

Every Marine and Sailor has absolute access to care. Whether you are navigating professional stress, relationship challenges, grief, or ethical questions, the CRP team provides a space to process life's heaviest burdens.

Guaranteed 100% Confidentiality: Communication with a Navy Chaplain is completely privileged. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, nothing you say can be disclosed to the command, medical personnel, or family members without your explicit permission. You hold the privilege!

Leadership & Contact Directory

Regimental Chaplain

• Chaplain J. Grant Sutphin, LCDR, USN
• Email: john.sutphin@usmc.mil
• Office: (760) 725-7614
• Cell: (442) 288-9288

Regimental Religious Programs Specialist (RP)

• RP2 James Donadlson, III
• Email: james.donaldson@usmc.mil
• Office: (760) 725-7614

Local Programs & Resources

• CREDO Marriage & Personal Enrichment: Command-sponsored, cost-free weekend retreats designed to strengthen communication and relationship resilience. Contact the Regimental RP to view the current fiscal year schedule and register.
• Command Religious Program Library: The Regimental Chapel office maintains a selection of literature, devotionals, and moral growth resources available to all personnel upon request.
• Battalion-Level Care: For localized support within the battalions, please contact the Regimental office to get direct line numbers for your specific battalion chaplain team.

Updated, 20260626

Welcome to the 1st Marine Regiment family, home of the Inchon Nation!

My name is Lora Garcia, and I am your Deployment Readiness Coordinator (DRC).  Our military families are the most resilient of families and can adapt and overcome the many challenges this lifestyle can throw at us.  I am here to ensure you are prepared for these challenges in the most supported way:

• Communication
• Information and Referral
• Deployment Support

Please do not hesitate to ask me questions; it is part of my job to answer them.  If you are a member of our Inchon Family and are not receiving emails from me, please let me know. 

I also want to encourage you to get involved!  Seize the opportunity to build a vibrant community and support our Marines and Sailors here with 1st Marine Regiment.  If you would like to get involved or have any questions, please reach out.

“Welcome to the INCHON NATION”

Lora Garcia

1st Marine Regiment DRC

Cell: 760-468-0468

Email: Lora.Garcia@usmc.mil

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REGIMENTAL DUTY CELL - (760) 224-6206

S-1 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATION

ADJUTANT

(760) 763-1769

Unit Voting Assistance Officer

(760) 763-1769
vote@usmc.mil

ADMIN CHIEF

(760) 725-7668

S-2 INTELLIGENCE

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER

(760) 763-4716

INTELLIGENCE CHIEF

(760) 763-4715

S-3 OPERATIONS

OPERATIONS OFFICER

(760) 763-4704

OPERATIONS ALPHA

(760) 725-7692

GUNNER

(760) 763-4708

OPERATIONS CHIEF

(760) 725-7219

SECTION CHIEFS

(760) 725-7585

S-4 SUPPLY AND LOGISTICS

LOGISTICS OFFICER

(760) 725-4703

LOGISTICS ALPHA

(760) 725-4701

MOTOR T OFFICER

(760) 725-7938

SUPPLY OFFICER

(760) 763-4703

EMBARK OFFICER

(760) 725-7733

LOGISTICS CHIEF

(760) 725-7732

MOTOR T CHIEF

(760) 725-7938

AMMO CHIEF

(760) 763-1579

MMO CHIEF

(760) 763-4701

SUPPLY CHIEF

(760) 763-7979

S-6 COMMUNICATIONS

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

(760) 763-4710

COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF

(760) 763-4709

DATA CHIEF / WEBMASTER

(760) 763-4714

EKMS MANAGER

(760) 725-9919

COMM SNCO'S

(760) 725-4714

HQCO HEADQUARTERS COMPANY

COMMANDING OFFICER

(760) 725-7996

COMPANY FIRST SERGEANT

(760) 725-7705

COMPANY GUNNERY SERGEANT

(760) 725-7705

SACO

(760) 763-7748

CAREER PLANNER

(760) 7631770

RAS REGIMENTAL AID STATION

MEDICAL OFFICER

(760) 725-7826

FRONT DESK

(760) 725-7410

CHAPLAIN REGIMENTAL CHAPLAIN

CHAPLAIN

(760) 725-7614

CHAPLAIN CELL

(760) 207-1003

RP

(760) 725-7614