1st Battalion, 3rd Marines

Unit Lineage

Activated on 17 June 1942 at New River, North Carolina, the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines is an infantry battalion based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. Known as the "Lava Dogs," 1/3 served under the 3rd Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division. On 23 June 2022, the battalion was redesignated as the 3d Littoral Combat Team under Force Design 2030. The Lava Dogs fought from the jungles of Bougainville through the streets of Fallujah, losing more Marines on a single deployment than any other battalion in OIF/OEF.

World War II

1/3 received its first combat experience in November 1943 at the Battle of Bougainville, fighting for nearly two months against Japanese forces in difficult jungle terrain. The battalion then moved to Guadalcanal to prepare for further operations in the Pacific.

Vietnam

The 3rd Marine Regiment was among the first units committed to Vietnam in 1965, providing security for the Da Nang Air Base. The regiment's experience led to innovations including the Combined Action Company and Civic Action Program. 1/3 was one of the first Marine units to begin standing down from Vietnam, departing on 5 October 1969. The battalion relocated to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii shortly after.

Desert Storm

In August 1990, 1/3 deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. The 3rd Marine Regiment, known as Task Force Taro in honor of Hawaii, became the first American unit engaged by Iraqi artillery, rocket, and missile fire on 18 January 1991. The task force was instrumental in the recapture of Khafji, was the first unit to advance into Kuwait, conducted the only helicopter-borne assault of the war, and secured Kuwait International Airport.

Fallujah

In September 2004, Battalion Landing Team 1/3 arrived in Iraq with the 31st MEU and was attached to Regimental Combat Team 7 for the Second Battle of Fallujah. The battalion fought to clear the city of insurgents during Operation Phantom Fury. Sergeant Rafael Peralta of Alpha Company was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after he absorbed a grenade blast to shield fellow Marines during a house-clearing operation on 15 November 2004. On 26 January 2005, a CH-53E helicopter crashed in Al Anbar Province, killing 26 Marines from Kaneohe Bay, the majority from Charlie Company 1/3, along with one Navy Corpsman and four Marine aircrew. It was the single largest loss of life in one day since the start of OIF. BLT 1/3 lost a total of 45 Marines during that deployment.

Afghanistan

In January 2006, 1/3 deployed to eastern Afghanistan as "Task Force Lava," operating throughout the Korangal Valley. The battalion later deployed to Helmand Province, participating in Operation Moshtarak in Marjah in February 2010 and subsequent operations in Garmsir District in 2011.

Gear for the Lava Dogs

This collection is for the Marines who served with 1/3 and the families who carry their names. The battalion was redesignated in 2022, but 1/3 Marines will always be Lava Dogs. Every t-shirt, hoodie, flag, and accessory honors the battalion's history from Bougainville to Fallujah to Helmand. Veteran-owned and made in the USA.

Browse our 1/3 Marines t-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, tank tops, flags, decals, drinkware, and more below. OIF and OEF veteran designs available. Every order ships free at $75+.