3rd Battalion, 26th Marines Merchandise

"Path-Finders" -

The 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines (3/26) is an inactive infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They were part of the 26th Marine Regiment and 5th Marine Division and fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. 3/26 Marines were activated again for the Vietnam War but were deactivated after the war and remain inactive today.

The 26th Marine Regiment was activated on 1 March 1966 at Camp Pendleton, beginning the formation of the 5th Marine Division. 3/26 Marines deployed to Okinawa in October 1966, arrived in South Vietnam in December, and initiated Operation Chinook.

Throughout 1967, the 3/26 Marines participated in several operations including The Hill Fights, Operation Ardmore, Operation Scotland, Operation Kingfisher, and Operation Crockett around key areas like Khe Sanh Combat Base and Con Thien. 3/26 Marines also conducted small patrols and sweeps alongside ARVN forces.

In early 1968, the 26th Marines were under siege at Khe Sanh until Operation Pegasus concluded on 14 April. They then transferred between divisions and conducted multiple missions, such as Operation Mameluke Thrust and Operation Meade River.

In 1969, the battalion operated as BLT 3/26 Marines and conducted Operation Bold Mariner, Operation Taylor Common, and Operation Oklahoma Hills. The 5th Marine Division was deactivated on 21 September, but the 26th Marines were assigned to the 1st Marine Division.

At the start of 1970, the 26th Marines were responsible for defending northern and western approaches to Da Nang. They stood down for deactivation in late February to early March, with the 1st Marines taking over. The 26th Marine Regiment redeployed from South Vietnam and was inactivated on 19 March 1970.