1st Battalion, 5th Marines deploys as the Ground Combat Element for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), providing a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based Battalion Landing Team capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, including enabling the introduction of follow-on forces, in order to support the requirements of the MEU Commander.

On 13 July 1914, the battalion was formed at Vera Cruz, Mexico, and sailed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for service in the Caribbean theatre. The battalion was disbanded upon their return to Norfolk, Virginia, on 24 December 1914. 

World War I 

On 25 May 1917, the battalion was activated and deployed to France on 1 June 1917. 1/5 participated in the following World War I campaigns: Aisne, Aisen-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Toulon-Troyon, Chateau-Thierry, Marabache, and Limey. 1/5 made its most notable contribution at the Battle of Belleau Wood on 6 June 1918, when it conducted the first offensive actions of the battle in seizing Hill 142. The battalion, at first with only two companies due to the other companies not being relieved in time, assaulted the open wheat fields of the hill with bayonets fixed under the fire of German machine gun and artillery fire. In a battle that claimed 325 1/5 lives, Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Janson became the first Marine to earn the Medal of Honor in World War I. From December 1918 to July 1919, the battalion participated in the occupation of the German Rhineland. It then re-deployed to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia and de-activated in August 1919. 

In July 1920 the battalion re-activated to provide security for the U.S. Mail. In March 1927, the Battalion deployed to help stabilize the government of Nicaragua against overthrow attempts by rebel forces. For the next six years, they aided the Nicaraguan government until peace was finally restored. 1/5 was deactivated in January 1933. Shortly thereafter the battalion was re-activated in September 1934 in Quantico, Virginia and served in the Caribbean theatre until the outbreak of World War II. 

World War II 

In November 1934, the 1st Battalion was reactivated for the fourth time, only to be deactivated in March 1935. Shortly before World War II in April 1940, 1st Battalion was again reactivated. The fighting in World War II found the Marines of 1st Battalion at Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Peleliu, and Okinawa. At Peleliu, the 1st Battalion assaulted the island alongside the rest of the 1st Marine Division under Major General William H. Rupertus, fighting primarily to secure the island’s airstrip and prevent interference with the Allied offensive in the Philippines. Landing at Orange Beach 1 and Orange Beach 2 on D-Day, September 15th, 1944, the 1st Battalion would gain notoriety for the total destruction of an attempted Japanese tank-infantry counterattack. This costly D-Day maneuver of Japanese tanks and a company-sized infantry element would be the sole instance of open Japanese maneuver during the months-long Battle of Peleliu. In April 1946, their mission accomplished, 1st Battalion was disbanded and most of the Pacific veterans returned to civilian life. 

Korean War 

During October 1949, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines was reactivated in Camp Pendleton, California. 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 1st Battalion returned to the United States, settling at Camp Pendleton. 

Vietnam War 

From June 1966 to March 1971, 1/5 was deployed to Vietnam. The battalion participated in action around Chu Lai, Danang, Quang Nam, Que Son Valley, Hoi An, Phu Loc, and An Hoa. The unit was deactivated in June 1974 but once again was quickly reactivated in March 1975. The battalion played a major role in the Battle of Hue City during February 1968. Engaging the enemy in the famous Citadel on the north side of the Perfume River, the battalion became known as the "Citadel Battalion". 

Gulf War and the 1990s. 

From 1987-89, The battalion supported Operation Prime Chance in the Persian Gulf. In August, 1990, the battalion returned to the Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield, and subsequently took part in combat operations in Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. The battalion formed the left half of the mechanized Task Force Ripper, along with 1st Battalion 7th Marines, Alpha Company 1st Tank Battalion, Alpha Company 3rd Tank Battalion, HQ 7th Marines and Delta Company, 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion. They were supported by Alpha and Delta Companies of the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and a platoon from Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. The task force was commanded by Colonel Carlton W. Fulford, Jr. and saw considerable combat as it pushed into Kuwait, seized Al Jaber Airfield and consolidated with other Marine forces at Kuwait International Airport of 27 February 1991. Following the cease fire, the task force backloaded to Manifeh Bay and departed Saudi Arabia on 8 March. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton the following day. 

Global War on Terror 

The battalion deployed to Kuwait in 2003 to become part of the invasion force that ousted Saddam Hussein. The Marines of 1/5 were the first to enter the country beginning combat operations the day prior to the war beginning. The battalion continued north in the coming weeks before ultimately participating in the battle for Baghdad. They returned again to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2004 for security and stabilization operations in Al Anbar Province. In March 2004, the battalion, this time attached to the 1st Marine Regiment along with several other units, participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve in the restive city of Fallujah. They were deployed a third time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, one of only two Marine Corps infantry battalions to do so at the time, in the city of Ar Ramadi, capital of Al Anbar Province between March and October 2005. 

1/5 deployed to Afghanistan from May to December 2009 as part of Task Force Leatherneck and conducted combat operations in the Nawa-I-Barakzayi District of Helmand province. 

1/5 was once more deployed to Afghanistan from March to October 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and ISAF to the Sangin District of Helmand Province. During this time they took part in two separate combat operations. Upon completing this rotation they were awarded with the Navy Meritorious Unit Citation award. 

Post-Global War on Terror 

In November 2012, 1/5 deployed as a Battalion Landing Team (BLT) as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. 1/5 completed a six month rotation including a deployment to the Kingdom of Thailand in support of exercise Cobra Gold 2013. The Battalion was relieved by fellow 5th Marines Battalion 2/4 and returned to Camp Pendleton in late May 2013. 

In March 2014, 1/5 deployed to Darwin, Australia as the ground combat element of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin. This was the third rotation of Marines to Robertson Barracks, but 1/5 was the first battalion-sized element to deploy to Australia in recent history. The battalion's presence was the most visible example of the United States' "Pivot to the Pacific". 1/5 returned to Camp Pendleton in October of 2014. 

5th Marines Equal Opportunity Advisor

Gunnery Sergeant Tyler Seavy

(760) 681-0866 (C)

tyler.w.seavy@usmc.mil 

Building 62433, Room 138B

"Every Marine and Sailor of 1st Marine Division will be treated with decency, dignity, and respect, and will be provided full and equal opportunity for professional development and success. We are an elite institution of warriors. It is our shared responsibility to ensure the continued health of our collective soul and identity"

click here: NAVMC 11512 Complaint FORM

click here: NAVMC 11513 OFFENDER FORM

 

Family Readiness

The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines Family Readiness Program (FRP) is a commander’s program that provides support to individual service members and their families. The ultimate goal of 1/5’s FRP is to help our Marines and Sailors focus on their missions knowing that their families are well-supported and informed in their absence. The command depends on the FRP to pass on important information and serve as a support and feedback system for families in the unit.

In addition, 1/5 families can count on the FRP to offer:

- Information and referrals to base, Marine Corps, and unit resources

- Deployment readiness training, resources, support and guidance

- Career/volunteer opportunities for unit family members

- Morale boosting and community building events

- Opportunities for family members to learn more about the Marine Corps, unit and the support systems available

- Intervention and support when faced with challenges

- Information from the command through official communication

- Support extended to the entire unit family to include children, spouses, parents and other extended family members.

Who Can Participate?

Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate. This can include parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, fiancées, children (18+), and more. If you are interested, we’d love to have you as an active member of our community. No matter how much or little time you can give, your contribution and involvement in 1/5’s FRP is valuable. You can choose to be involved in different ways.

Volunteers

Our Family Readiness Team includes the following types of volunteers:

- Advisors

- Assistants

- Morale Supporters

Family Readiness Advisors are individuals who work on the Family Readiness Command Team to provide feedback and suggestions to the Deployment Readiness Coordinator (DRC) and command. Most units have at least one Family Readiness Advisor, and typically he/she is a spouse of a senior Marine in the unit. Family Readiness Advisors embodies the commander’s goals and intents and helps ensure that all unit members have a “voice”.

Family Readiness Assistants work closely in support of the Family Readiness Command Team and the DRC by helping to execute the commander’s intent with regard to the unit FRP. They work closely in support of service members and their families to provide resources and referrals when necessary. Our goal is to have a minimum of 5 Family Readiness Assistants for the battalion.

Morale Supporters are individuals who volunteer to participate and help specific events. These volunteers assist with the planning, coordination and execution of the event.

Who Do I Contact To Sign-up and Ask Questions?

Michele Diamond

1st Battalion, 5th Marines

Deployment Readiness Coordinator

(760) 763-1252

michele.diamond@usmc.mil

If you are new to the Marine Corps Lifestyle, you should consider a L.I.N.K.S. Class.

Find out more here: http://www.mccscp.com/links/

Battalion Contacts

Officer of the Day (760) 763-1522

Adjutant/Voting Officer (760) 763-1526

Family Assistance Numbers

American Red Cross Message: (800) 951-5600

Operation Homefront: (866) 424-5210

Armed Forces YMCA (760) 385-4921

Aid Life Suicide Hotline: (800) 479-3339

CREDO/Marriage Retreats: (760) 725-4954

OneCall Now Phone Messages: (800) 342-9647

Voting Assistance Officer: (760) 763-0793

Other Contacts