The Battalion was an integral member of Task Force Ripper. The 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, was the first unit to man defensive positions in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield in August 1990. One member of the team was convicted of premeditated murder, but served less than a year in prison Gulf War On 19 February 1970, in the Son Thang massacre just southwest of Danang, a five-man patrol from the Battalion executed five women and eleven children. Ingram was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton for his actions on 28 March 1966, while he was assigned as a Navy hospital corpsman in B Company, 1/7. Corporal Larry Eugene Smedley, Delta Company /1/7, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for action that took place on 20 December 1967, and Private First Class Ralph Dias, Delta Company, 1/7, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for action that took place in November 1969. During these operations and many others, 1/7 was honored repeatedly, earning the Presidential Unit Citation Streamer four times and the Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer three times. Kelly, led the "First Team" in 1965-1966 as they participated in numerous combat operations such as Starlite, Piranha, Mameluke Thrust and Oklahoma Hills. In August 1965, 1/7 was once again called to service, this time in the South Vietnam. Davis of the Battalion received the Medal of Honor for fighting at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.įollowing the cessation of hostilities in Korea and through 1965, 1/7 spent time both in Camp Pendleton and Okinawa while maintaining its combat readiness. Once more the "First Team" distinguished itself in battle fighting its way to and from the Chosin Reservoir and in the First Battle of the Hook Lt Col Raymond C. On 21 September 1950, 1/7 carried out an amphibious landing at Inchon. However, in response to the invasion of South Korea by the communist North Korea, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines was again called into action. Throughout the remainder of the war, the "First Team" distinguished itself throughout many campaigns, including the Battle of Cape Gloucester, the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa.Īt the end of the war in the Pacific, 1/7 deployed to China as an element of Operation Beleaguer to assist in repatriation of the defeated Japanese military to Japan.įollowing World War II, the "First of the Seventh" was sent to Camp Pendleton in California where it was deactivated on 5 March 1947. It was also during this campaign that Sgt "Manila John" Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor for defending his exposed position from a comprehensive Japanese assault using only a machine gun. "Chesty" Puller, the battalion distinguished itself many times over for valor, and bravery held its positions against the onslaught of a regiment of seasoned Japanese attackers. Under its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. From where the battalion rejoined the 1st Marine Division, to see their first action of the war at Guadalcanal. 7th Marines and 1/11 were detached from the Division to form the 3rd Marine Brigade and were sent to Samoa. Just over a year after its rebirth, 1/7 deployed to take part in the Pacific Theater during World War II. For the next twenty years 1/7 was activated, re-designated, and disbanded on numerous occasions until being reborn on 1 January 1941. In September 1924, the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines was deactivated with its personnel being absorbed by the newly organized 4th Marine Regiment. The 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment was created on 1 April 1921 in San Diego, California. Suicide Charley uses an outdated spelling of "Charlie" in reference to their history. Note that unlike other infantry battalions in the Marine Corps, 1/7 does not follow the traditional usage of the NATO phonetic alphabet for naming their companies. Davis, General James Mattis, Lieutenant General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, and Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. Consisting of approximately 1,000 Marines, it is part of the 1st Marine Division.įamous Marines who have served in 1/7 include General Raymond G. It is currently based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. The 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7) is an infantry battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
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