To provide direct and general Health Service Support to III MEF in order to sustain the combat effort across the full spectrum of MAGTF operations.
History
Lineage
1942-1945
3D Medical Battalion was activated 12 August 1942 at San Diego, California, as the 3D Medical Battalion and assigned to the 2D Marine Division. In September 1942 reassigned to the 3D Marine Division. Deployed during February–March 1943 to Auckland, New Zealand. Redeployed during March–April 1945 to Guam. The unit was deactivated 1 December 1945.
1952-2009
3D Medical Battalion was reactivated 5 March 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to the 3D Marine Division as before. Deployed during August 1953 to Camp Gifu, Japan. Redeployed during March 1956 to Camp Hauge, Okinawa. Redeployed during June 1965 to Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. Re assigned during July 1979 to 3D Force Service Support Group.
During the Tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, elements of 3D FSSG assisted from December 2004 - February 2005. Elements also participated in humanitarian relief efforts in Pakistan during October 2006 - March 2006.
Reassigned during July 2007 to Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3D Marine Logistics Group.
World War II
3D Medical Battalion participated in the following WWII campaigns. Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Guam, and Iwo Jima.
Vietnam War
The battalion operated from the following locations during the war in Vietnam: Da Nang, Chu Lai, Phu Bai, Dong Ha, and Quang Tri. The unit departed South Vietnam on 24 November 1969, redeploying to Okinawa.[1]
The Gulf War and the 1990s
In the mid 1990s 3rd Medical Battalion part of 3rd Force Service Support Group (FSSG) was headquartered at Camp Hansen with H&S Co, and Bravo Company on site, Charlie Company was located on Camp Schwab. Hospital Corpsmen from both Bravo and Charlie Companies manned the Medical Clinics and Ambulances providing medical support to Marine Forces on both camps.
Members deployed as part of the 31st MEU and participated in various operations and training in the Pacific Rim.
Task Force (TF) Medical's response force was made up of 90 Marines and Sailors assigned to 3rd Marine Logistics Group out of Okinawa, Japan. In total they cared for 850 COVID-19 positive service members. Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Knapp was the officer in charge and uniquely, compared to the force makeup, all 4 program leads were female.
Honors awarded
Presidential Unit Citation streamer. Vietnam 1965-1967
Navy Unit Commendation streamer with four bronze stars. World War II: Iwo Jima -1945, Vietnam 1965-1966, 1968, 1980-1984, 1985-1987
Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer with one bronze star. 1989-1991, 2004-2005
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign streamer with four bronze stars
World War II Victory streamer
National Defense Service streamer with three bronze stars
Korean Service streamer
Vietnam Service streamer with two silver and one bronze star
