3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
DARKHORSE 3/5
1st Marine Division
Camp Pendleton, California
 

On order, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines locates, closes with, and destroys the enemy by fire and maneuver or repels the enemy's assault by fire and close combat. 

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines along with the 5th Marine Regiment, was first organized on 8 June, 1917 as the United States prepared for World War I. Six days later, the Battalion, manned by Spanish War and Boxer Rebellion veterans along with a large number of raw recruits, set sail for France. Campaigns and battles such as Bois de Belleau, Vierzy, Chateau Theirry, Pont-a-Mousson, Limey Sector, Fleury, Muese Argonne, Blano Mont, St Michiei, Leffincourt and Soissons proved to the world that the Battalion knew how to fight.

The French Government recognized the fighting ability of the young Battalion by presenting it the Crois De 'Guerre along with the Fourragere and changing the name of a French landmark, Belleau Wood, to "Bois de la Brigade de Marine" or Wood of the Marine Brigade". In August 1919 the Battalion was deactivated following World War I and less than two years later, in May 1921, the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines was reactivated. For the next several years, men of the 3rd Battalion served in the Caribbean and at home, guarding the U.S. Mail.

In March 1927, the 3rd Battalion deployed to Nicaragua to help stabilize the government against overthrow attempts by rebel forces. For the next six years, the Battalion aided the Nicaraguan Government until peace was finally restored. The victory won, the 3rd Battalion was once again disbanded on January 1933.

In November 1934, the 3rd Battalion was reactivated for the fourth time, only to be deactivated in March 1935. Shortly before World War II in April of 1940, 3rd Battalion was again reactivated. The fighting in World War II found the Marines of 3rd Battalion at Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Peleliu, and Okinawa. In April 1946, their mission accomplished, 3rd Battalion was disbanded and most of the Pacific Veterans returned to civilian life.

During October of 1949, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines was activated in Guam. During August 1950, the Battalion deployed to fight the Communist force invading the Republic of Korea. Names such as the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, Seoul and Chosin Reservoir were added to the Battalion's battle vocabulary. At the close of hostilities, the 3rd Battalion returned to the United States, settling at Camp Pendleton as part of the free world forces poised for deployment anywhere their fighting experience was needed.

From June 1966 to March 1971, the 3rd Battalion was again in the heat of battle, this time in Vietnam. New names found their way into me Battalion's history: Chu-Lai, DaNang, Quang Nam, Que Son, An Hoa and Ross Combat Base became engraved in the memories of a different generation of Marines.

On 1 December, 1990, the Battalion answered the country's call and deployed to the Middle East in Support of Operation Desert Shield as a Battalion Landing Team, with the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. As part of the largest amphibious task force assembled since Vietnam, and augmented with reserves from 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion and 4th Tank Battalion, 3rd Battalion distinguished itself in combat operations in Al Wafrah, Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Enroute home from hostilities, 3rd Battalion participated in Operation Sea Angel, moving critical food and supplies to the cyclone ravaged country of Bangladesh.

3rd Battalion has been serving in Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Battalion was deployed in 2003 for the push to Baghdad to oust Saddam Hussein. The Battalion was again deployed in 2004 to capture the city of Fallujah from insurgent’s control. In November 2004, the Battalion, along with several other units, participated in Operation Phantom Fury and was part of one of the biggest battles in Iraq thus far.

3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, because of its pride and professionalism in combat, has accumulated seventy-seven decorations; which solidify its battle tested colors. 3rd Battalion continually trains to maintain combat readiness in the event their nation requires their combat services.

Fallen Heroes

This page is dedicated in memory of our Fallen Marines who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

"If the Army and the Navy Ever gaze on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines."

Third Battalion, Fifth Marines participated in Operation Enduring Freedom 2010-2011:
LCpl Arden Buenagua
LCpl John Sparks
Cpl Justin Cain
PFC Victor Dew
LCpl Joseph Rodewald
LCpl Phillip Vinnedge
LCpl Alec Catherwood
LCpl Irvin Ceniceros
LCpl Joseph Lopez
LCpl James Boelk
Sgt Ian Tawney
LCpl Matthew Broehm
LCpl Brandon Pearson
LCpl Randy Braggs
2ndLt Robert Kelly
LCpl James Stack
Sgt Jason Peto
1stLt William Donnelly
Sgt Matthew Abbate
LCpl Kenneth Corzine
PFC Colton Rusk
Cpl Derek Wyatt
LCpl Jose Maldonado
Cpl Tevan Nguyen
Sgt Jason Amores
Third Battalion, Fifth Marines who we lost in garrison as a cause of a tragic accident:
Sgt Jeremiah Callahan
Cpl Christopher Arzola
Cpl Jason Chleborad
Third Battalion, Fifth Marines participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom I. The following Marine paid the ultimate sacrifice during this deployment:
Maj Kevin Nave
Ssgt Riayan A. Tejeda
Cpl Erik H. Silva
Lcpl Daved E. Owens Jr
HM3 Michael V. Johnson
Third Battalion, Fifth Marines participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The following Marine paid the ultimate sacrifice during this deployment:
2ndLt James P. Blecksmith
Ssgt Melvin L. Blazer Jr.
Ssgt Gene Ramirez
Sgt Jeffrey L. Kirk
Cpl Michael D. Anderson Jr.
Cpl Joseph J. Heredia
Cpl Raleigh C. Smith
Cpl Jason S. Clairday
Cpl Shane E. Kielion
Cpl Ian W. Stewart
Lcpl Victor R. Lu
Lcpl George J. Payton
Lcpl Antoine D. Smith
Lcpl Christopher S. Adlesperger
Lcpl Gregory P. Rund
Lcpl Erick J. Hodges
Lcpl Hilario F. Lopez
Lcpl Eric D. Hillenburg
Lcpl James R. Phillips
Third Battalion, Fifth Marines participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2007. The following Marine paid the ultimate sacrifice during this deployment:
 
Sean T. Cardelli
Squad Automatic Weapon Gunner (SAW)
India Company 1 Feb 2006
 
Javier Chavez Jr.
Rifleman
India Company 9 Feb 2006
 
Jason W. Morrow
Machine Gunner
Jump Platoon 27 June 2006
 
Rex A. Page
Rifleman
Lima Company 28 June 2006
 
Raymond J. Plouhar
Platoon Sergeant
Jump Platoon 26 June 2006
 
Benito A. Ramirez
Machine Gunner
Jump Platoon 21 May 2006
 
Ross A. Smith
Fire Team Leader
India Company 9 Feb 2006

Geofrey R. Cayer
Radio Operator
Headquartes & Service Co. 18 July 2006
Cpl Johnathan L. Benson

Semper Fidelis!

 

 

LT Bradley Spear
Chaplain Corps, USN 
Phone #: (760) 763-0386

Cell: (816) 918-3125
bradley.spear@usmc.mil

 

 

Lieutenant Spear is a native of Oak Grove, MO.  He began his Navy career in Newport Rhode Island where he attended Naval Officer Development School, followed by Naval Chaplaincy School at Fort Jackson, SC.             

LT Spear received a bachelor’s degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University at Olathe, KS.  He went on to receive his Masters of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO.  An ordained Southern Baptist minister, the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention then endorsed Chaplain Spear for military chaplaincy.

Chaplain Spear participated in the Chaplain Candidate Program, in May of 2012, he was commissioned an Ensign. In March of 2015, he was promoted to a Lieutenant Junior Grade, June of 2016, he was promoted to Lieutenant in the Navy Chaplain Corps. Chaplain Spear received orders to 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, June 1 2015 serving as Command Chaplain for 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion.

Chaplain Spear previously served as a United States Marine. As a Military Police officer he served with Presidential Helicopter Squadron One at Quantico, VA.

Chaplain Spear is currently Serving as the 3rd  Battalion 5th Marines Command Chaplain.

LT Spear’s personal decorations and awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star; Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with 1 bronze star; National Defense Medal with 1 bronze star.

 

Deployment Readiness Coordinator 
Raxel Ann “Raxee” Phillips
3D Battalion, 5TH Marines
Office Hours: 0800-1600
Email: RaxelAnn.Phillips@usmc.mil
Cell: 760.277.7280
Emergencies, please contact the OOD: 760.763.0396
Red Cross: 877.272.7337 or text GETHEROCARE to 90999

 

On behalf of the Commanding Officer, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to 3D Battalion, 5TH Marines. 

My name is Raxee Phillips and I am honored to serve as your Deployment Readiness Coordinator (DRC), formerly known as the Family Readiness Officer (FRO).

The Unit, Personal, & Family Readiness Program (UPFRP) is a vital part of our battalion’s mission to support our Marines, Sailors, and the wellbeing of our families. While it is the primary responsibility of the individual Marine/Sailor to keep his/her family informed, the DRC can assist in this responsibility by providing resource information regarding the many services and programs that are available. 

Communication plays a crucial role in our unit’s overall readiness and that includes ensuring that you and your family are also always connected with the unit. When your Marine or Sailor checks in, he/she provides me with the contact information of the individuals to be added as authorized contacts, so that I may keep you informed and connected through our monthly UPFRP Emails. In order to receive the information, please make sure your Marine/Sailor has listed you as an Authorized Contact for the UPFRP. The emails sent out includes information on resources, upcoming events and programs, and other key updates from the unit.

In order to be successful in this lifestyle, it is important that you and your family have a plethora of tools to help you navigate the challenges of being a military family. These tools include an understanding of how the military works and an abundant knowledge of resources. There is an abundance of free programs, events, and services that are available to you aboard Camp Pendleton and within the community. Think of your DRC as your “Google” whenever you need to know about a specific resource or what to do and where to go for a particular situation or life event. Building resilient families, Marines, and Sailors to be prepared for whatever the Marine Corps throws at you is my mission.

Every day is a learning experience as a member of the Navy and Marine Corps family. As your DRC, I am available to help you with a variety of challenges as a communication link and an information and referral resource. This includes the service members, spouses, parents, extended family, friends, and others.

I encourage you to get involved and attend the different events we host as a battalion and those within the 5th Marine Regiment! I am always in need of volunteers, so please contact me if you are interested in becoming a Darkhorse Volunteer!

In the meantime please let me know if there is anything we can help you with.  If you have any questions or concerns,  please feel free to contact me at the numbers listed above or through email. 

Again, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Darkhorse Family. I look forward to having you as a part of our family in 3D Battalion, 5TH Marines! 

 

Get Some!

Staff Sergeant B. K. McNeely

Equal Opportunity Representative

3rd Battalion, 5th Marines

Email: Barry.Mcneely@usmc.mil

Phone: 337-532-0762

Building: 12055T

 

 

3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment Leaders

Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines

LtCol E. F. Bradley

LtCol Evan Bradley was born on 19 September 1983 in Chicago, IL.  In 2004, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve while attending Purdue University. ...

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Sergeant Major, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines

SgtMaj M. C. Burgett

Sergeant Major Matthew Burgett is a native of Maui, Hawaii. He reported to MCRD San Diego for Recruit Training in September of 2004. Upon completion of Recruit Training, PFC Burgett reported to SOI-West for Marine Combat Training. ...

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1st Marine Division