This is a list of current United States Marine Corps battalions, sorted by the mission they perform.
Contents
Active units[edit | edit source]
Ground Combat Element battalions[edit | edit source]
Infantry battalions[edit | edit source]
Infantry battalions are the heart and soul of the ground combat element. The mission of locating, closing with, and destroying the enemy with fire and maneuver and repelling the enemy's assault with fire and close combat lies with the "grunts". Marine infantry battalions often have limited organic equipment outside of small arms (maneuvering by foot as light infantry, and must be supplemented with additional trucks to become motorized infantry or Amphibious Assault Vehicles to become mechanized infantry.
A Marine infantry battalion is usually organized into three rifle companies, a weapons company, and a headquarters company. The rifle company has three or four rifle platoons and a weapons platoon with medium machineguns and mortars. The weapons company includes a heavy machinegun platoon, a mortar platoon, and an assault platoon. Sometimes, the commander will mix these into Combined Anti-Armor Teams. The headquarters company includes all command, administration, intelligence, operations, logistics, and communication Marines and equipment, as well as the battalion's Surveillance and Target Acquisition teams (which include scout snipers).


Marines on patrol
Marine scout sniper

Mechanized Marines

Machine gunner with M2 .50cal

TOW anti-tank missile.
Artillery battalions[edit | edit source]
Field artillery units are charged with fire support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Currently, artillery regiments contain 3 or 4 cannon battalions (using the newer M777 howitzer or transitioning from the M198 howitzer) and one rocket battalion (using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). Marine artillery battalions are self-sufficient with forward observers, Fire Direction Control, and gun batteries. Counter-battery radar is usually a regimental asset, but can be detached to augment battalions or batteries.

M777 howitzer firing

M198 howitzer firing

HIMARS firing
Tank battalions[edit | edit source]
The mission of a tank battalion is to conduct operations ashore utilizing maneuver, armor protected firepower and shock action in order to close with and destroy the enemy, as well as provide expertise in anti-tank operations. Currently, tank battalions utilize the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank and the M88A2 Recovery Vehicle.

Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Armor battalions[edit | edit source]
The mission of an armor unit is to conduct and support amphibious operations and other operations as required by landing and transporting to inland objectives the surface assault elements and their equipment, and by conducting light armored reconnaissance and limited offensive and defensive operations. When task-organized with infantry, tanks, and other forces, the battalion conducts combined arms operations as a separate maneuver element in support of the Marine Division. Currently, Assault Amphibian battalions utilize the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAVP-7A1), though plans are to replace it with the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. Light Armored Reconnaissance battalions use the LAV 25 series of vehicles. The Combat Assault Battalion is unique in that it combines both vehicles into a single battalion.


Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Combat Engineer battalions[edit | edit source]
The mission of combat engineers is to provide mobility, counter mobility, survivability, and limited general engineering support. Mobility includes the assessment and fortification of roadways and bridges, the clearing of enemy obstacles and landmines, and assault breachingdisambiguation needed. Counter mobility includes creating obstacles and barriers for the enemy, which could include the destruction of structures and/or bridges. Survivability includes the fortification of positions and the construction of new outposts. Other jobs can include Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), construction, and utilities (such as generators and refrigeration). Currently, combat engineers use a variety of tools for their trade. Some vehicles include the M9 Armored Combat Earthmover, D7 Bulldozer, M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge, and various cranes and forklifts.

Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Reconnaissance battalions[edit | edit source]
The mission of the reconnaissance battalions is simply: reconnaissance. They specialize in amphibious recon, including hydrography; as well as airborne recon, infiltration via surface, subsurface and airborne operations, and conducting limited scale raids and ambushes.
Marine division Recon battalions should not be confused with Force Reconnaissance or Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC).

Recon Marines
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Headquarters battalions[edit | edit source]
Headquarters battalions serve as the command and control nexus for a Marine division or logistics group. They contain the administration, intelligence, operations, planning, logistics, communication, and public affairs control of the division.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Logistics Element battalions[edit | edit source]
Combat Logistics battalions[edit | edit source]
Combat logistics battalions provide logistics capabilities for the GCE and ACE beyone their own organic capabilities. Each battalion is self-sufficient across the whole spectrum of logistics, including maintenance, supply, etc. Whether deployed or in garrison, the Marines on the front lines trust the combat logistics battalions to keep them and their equipment moving.
Maintenance battalions[edit | edit source]
Maintenance battalions provide upper level support for the repair of equipment. The only higher echelon of repair exists at Marine Corps Logistics Depots.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Engineer Support battalions[edit | edit source]
Engineer support battalions provide engineer support past the level available from organic engineers. ESBs also provide the storage and distribution of water and fuels. Engineer support battalions
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Supply battalions[edit | edit source]
Supply battalions provide supply support past that of organic unit supply. They provide all assets that a Marine unit might need, excepting fuels, water, and aviation repair parts provided from the Navy. Rations, repair parts, ammunition, personal equipment, and even entire end items are all provided by or through the supply battalions.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Medical battalions[edit | edit source]
Medical battalions provide medical care beyond the immediate care of unit corpsmen. Often, these units act as field hospitals when on deployment. In garrison, they supplement naval hospitals at various Marine installations.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Dental battalions[edit | edit source]
Dental battalions are responsible for the oral health of Marines and Sailors within the MAGTF. On deployment, they can also be used to support field hospitals y[citation needed] when not performing dental roles. In garrison, they run dental health clinics at various Marine installations.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Other battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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1st Marine Logistics Group |
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2nd Marine Logistics Group |
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3rd Marine Logistics Group |
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4th Marine Logistics Group |
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Command Element units[edit | edit source]
Intelligence battalions[edit | edit source]
Intelligence battalions, attached to MEF headquarters groups, are to plan and direct, collect, process, produce and disseminate intelligence, and provide counterintelligence support.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Communications battalions[edit | edit source]
Communications battalions provide communication support for the MAGTF as part of the MEF headquarters groups. They also perform networking and data services when deployed.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Radio battalions[edit | edit source]
Radio battalions provide the MEF with tactical electronic warfare, as well as signals intelligence and electronic intelligence.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Other battalions [edit | edit source]
Marine Special Operations Raider battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Gringos | |
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Low Altitude Air Defense Battalions[edit | edit source]
Low Altitude Air Defense Battalions (LAAD) Battalions are tasked with providing ground based air defense in support of the MAGTF. They are also able to be tasked as provisional infantry battalions. They are the only battalion within the Marine Air Wing.

LAAD Gunner firing the FIM-92 Stinger Missile
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname | Location |
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Recruit Training battalions[edit | edit source]
Only the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island logos are listed below but only Recruit Training battalions Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego wikis show. The logos for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego differ slightly; additionally, San Diego does not have a Fourth Recruit Training Battalion, as it is the only female recruit training battalion in the Marine Corps.
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Big Red One | |
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Second to None | |
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Thundering Third | |
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Go Forth |
Training battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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CRF | ||
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Ray's YUT YAS's | |
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[54] | |
MCB Camp Pendleton |
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MCRD Parris Island |
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Specialty[edit | edit source]
Inactive units[edit | edit source]
5th Marine Division [edit | edit source]

Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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13th Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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26th Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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The Professionals | ||
27th Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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28th Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Other 5th Marine Division battalions[edit | edit source]
6th Marine Division [edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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15th Marine Regiment (United States)[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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22nd Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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29th Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Other 6th Marine Division battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Others[edit | edit source]
9th Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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reactivated & attached to 8th Marine Regiment |
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reactivated & attached to 6th Marine Regiment |
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reactivated & attached to the 2nd Marine Regiment |
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21st Marine Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Marine defense battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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1st Marine Parachute Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Note: Personnel from this unit were transferred to the 5th Marine Division.
1st Marine Raider Regiment[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Note: In February 1944 the 1st Raider Regiment was disbanded and reorganized as the 4th Marine Regiment.
Tank battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Amphibian Tractor battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Armored Amphibian Tractor battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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Independent battalions[edit | edit source]
Battalion Name | Insignia | Nickname |
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See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- Notes
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 1st Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/MSC/1MARDIV/1BN1MAR/INDEX.HTM. Retrieved 2007-12-07.[dead link]
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 1st Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/div/1mar/2bn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 1st Marines". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-10-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20071015051846/http://www.usmc.mil/13thmeu/thunderingthird.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 2nd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/1bn2mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 2nd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/2bn2mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 2nd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/3bn2mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 3rd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mcbh.usmc.mil/3mar/1dbn/1-3%20INDEX.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 3rd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mcbh.usmc.mil/3mar/2dbn/2-3%20INDEX.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 3rd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mcbh.usmc.mil/3mar/3dbn/3dbn%203dmar.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 4th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/div/1mar/1bn4/default.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 4th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/5mar/2bn4/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 4th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/3-4/default.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-07.[dead link]
- ↑ "1st Battalion 5th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/5MAR/1BN/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 5th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/div/5mar/2BN/DEFAULT.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 5th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.imef.usmc.mil/div/5mar/3bn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 6th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/1bn6mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 6th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/2bn6mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 6th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/3bn2mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 7th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/1-7/default.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-07.[dead link]
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 7th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/2-7/default.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-07.[dead link]
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 7th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/3-7/default.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-07.[dead link]
- ↑ "1st Battalion 8th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/1stBat_8thMar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 8th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/2ndBat_8thMar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 8th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/3bn8mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 9th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/1stBat_9thMar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 9th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/2bn9mar. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 9th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/Public%2FIIMEFpublic.nsf/unitSites/3bn9mar. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 23rd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/23dmar/1stBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 23rd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/23dmar/2dBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 23rd Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/23dmar/3dBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 24th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thMARDIV/24thMar/1stBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 24th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thMARDIV/24thMar/2dBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 24th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thMARDIV/24thMar/3dBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 25th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/25thmar/2dBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 25th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/25thmar/3dBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 10th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/sites/1bn10mar. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 10th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/unitsites/2bn10mar. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 10th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/unitsites/3rdbat_10thmar. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "5th Battalion 10th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/public/iimefpublic.nsf/unitsites/5bn10mar. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 11th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/11MAR/1BN/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 11th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/11MAR/2BN/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 11th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/div/11mar/3bn/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "5th Battalion 11th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/11MAR/5BN/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "1st Battalion 12th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.3div.usmc.mil/dev/index1.asp?NM=12mar%201bn&PG=default. Retrieved 2008-08-22.[dead link]
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 12th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.3div.usmc.mil/dev/index1.asp?NM=12mar%203bn. Retrieved 2008-08-22.[dead link]
- ↑ "1st Battalion 14th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/14thmar/1stBn/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.[dead link]
- ↑ "2nd Battalion 14th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/14thmar/2dBn/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "3rd Battalion 14th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/14thmar/3dBn/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "4th Battalion 14th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/14thmar/4thBn/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.[dead link]
- ↑ "5th Battalion 14th Marines". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/14thmar/5thBn/. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ↑ "1st Tank Battalion". United States Marine Corps. http://www.29palms.usmc.mil/fmf/1sttnks/default.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-07.[dead link]
- ↑ "4th Tank Battalion". United States Marine Corps. http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/4thTankBn/. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
- ↑ 3rd CEB ready to engineer best fight again
- ↑ MCES homepage
- Bibliography
- Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
- Web
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