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    • Main
    • Donate
    • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Our Team
      • How We Help
      • Testimonials
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    • Gear Store
    • Reunions
      • WPNS Co Reunion 2003-09
      • Lima Co Reunion 2003-09
      • India Co Reunion 2003-09
      • India Co Reunion 2015-21
    • Photo Gallery
    • Contact Us
  • Main
  • Donate
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • How We Help
    • Testimonials
    • About 3rd BN 8th Marines
  • Gear Store
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    • WPNS Co Reunion 2003-09
    • Lima Co Reunion 2003-09
    • India Co Reunion 2003-09
    • India Co Reunion 2015-21
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact Us

Fortuna Favet Fortibus

3rd Battalion 8th Marines Unit Patch

Activation & World War II

3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment (3/8) was activated on November 1, 1940, in San Diego and assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. 3/8's motto is "Fortuna Favet Fortibus," which means "Fortune Favors the Strong." 


During World War II, 3/8 participated in the action at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, they re-deployed in September 1945 to Nagasaki, Japan, and participated in the occupation of Japan until February 1946. The battalion was deactivated on March 26, 1946.   


3/8 was reactivated on January 15, 1951, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. During the 1960s, they participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis from October to December 1962 and Operation Powerpack in the Dominican Republic in 1966.    

Peacekeeping in the 1980s & 1990s

In the 1980's, the Battalion was part of the Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from September 1982 to February 1983 and February through October 1984. Then in the 1990s, 3/8 participated in: 


  • Operation Sharp Edge, Liberia, August 1990 - January 1991
  • Operation Provide Comfort, Iraq, April and July 1991
  • Operation Deny Flight, Bosnia, April - September 1995, 1996
  • Operation Quick Response, Central African Republic, June 1996
  • Operation Assured Response, Liberia, June - August 1996
  • Operation Joint Endeavor, Adriatic Sea, October 1996
  • Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti, February - May 1998
  • Operation Shining Hope, Albania, April - June 1999
  • Operation Noble Anvil and Joint Guardian, Kosovo, June - July 1999
  • Operation Avid Response, Turkey, September 1999
  • Operation Eastern Access, Puerto Rico, May 2000

Global War on Terror

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, 3/8 was one of the first units to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom. From December 2001 to September 2002, 3/8 elements deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, to protect the U.S. Embassy.  


In 2004, as the battalion was getting ready to deploy to Iraq, 3/8 was ordered to participate in Operation Secure Tomorrow, in Port au Prince, Haiti, from February 2004 to July 2004. This mission was to protect the Haitian President from a coup d'état. 

Fallujah, Iraq, 2005

In January 2005, 3/8 saw its first major combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom when it was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. 3/8’s mission was to stabilize and pacify the region, which had just gone through a major U.S. offensive. In Fallujah, 3/8 faced a resilient insurgency that coordinated attacks on Abu Ghraib Prison and other Forward Operating Bases in the Area of Operations. Most importantly, the battalion helped defend polling sites for Iraq’s first democratic elections. In August 2005, 3/8 returned home. During this deployment, 3/8 lost 8 Marines, Killed in Action (KIA), and sustained over 114 casualties.

Ramadi, Iraq, 2006

After a short turnaround following the operation in Fallujah, 3/8 was deployed from March to October 2006 to Ramadi, Iraq. Like many units that preceded 3/8, they quickly learned that Ramadi was one of the most dangerous cities in the Iraq War. Assigned to U.S. Army’s 1st Armor Division, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines were charged with securing the city's center. This deployment quickly became a constant, day-to-day, urban combat battle against a well-supplied insurgency. In less than 6 months, the Battalion lost 17 Marines and Sailors, KIA, and sustained over 240 casualties. For this deployment, 3/8 was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation.  

22nd MEU, 2007-2008, & Afghanistan, 2008-2009

After Ramadi, 3/8 served as the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) from February 2007 to February 2008, during which elements participated in Operation Sea Angel II in Bangladesh. 


In October 2008, 3/8 participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. Operating mainly in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, 3rd Battalion 8th Marines (Reinforced), Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, covered a large and dangerous Area of Operations. In December 2008, the Marines of India Company provided security for Operation Backstop, protecting a large British logistics convoy that moved equipment and supplies for Coalition combat operations in Helmand Province, mainly Nowzad, Afghanistan. From October 2008 to May 2009, they have sustained 11 KIA and numerous casualties.

26th MEU & Afghanistan, 2010-2011 & 2012

In August 2010, 3/8 deployed as the ground combat element for the 26th MEU. In January 2011, they detached from the MEU and deployed to Afghanistan. Their mission was to establish and maintain security in portions of Helmand Province not previously permanently held by the International Security Assistance Force. Attached to Regimental Combat Team 8 as part of the International Security Assistance Force, the Marines provided security in portions of the Upper Gareshk Valley to allow the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to foster socio-economic development. During this deployment, 3/8 sustained 1 KIA. 


 3/8 deployed to Afghanistan, again, from April 2012 until December 2012, and served in Marjah, Afghanistan. 

OEF & OIF Recognition

For their participation in OIF and OEF, they were awarded Navy Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. 


3/8 Marines and Sailors also became highly decorated with over 35 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, 40 Navy Achievement Medals, over 350 Purple Hearts, 3 Bronze Stars with a "V" for Valor, and 1 Navy Cross.       

Mission Continues

In 2014, 3/8 served as part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force- Crisis Response, SPMAGTF-CR. As part of SPMAGTF-CR, 3/8 assisted in evacuating the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, on July 26, 2014.   

In 2015, again as part of the SPMAGTF-CR, 3/8 deployed to Italy, Romania, and Spain.  


In 2016, 3/8 participated in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2016 as part of the Ground Combat Element. During BALTOPS 2016, a NATO naval exercise in the Baltics, 3/8  trained with the Polish, Finnish, German and Norwegian militaries in various amphibious exercises in Norway, Finland, and Poland.     

In 2017, 3/8 deployed to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). While on the UDP, 3/8 India and Lima Company participated in the Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) to help train the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Marines. During that time, 3/8 Kilo Company trained in Thailand as part of an exercise in South East Asia.    


In 2018, 3/8 deployed to support SPMAGTF-CR again and conducted training in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Norway. In 2020, 3/8 deployed to Okinawa as part of the UDP.    

Deactivation

On May 27, 2021, the 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment was deactivated in accordance with the 38th Commandant's Planning Guidance and Force Design 2030. 


Over the past 80 years, the battalion earned battle honors in the Pacific campaigns of World War II, urban terrain in Iraq, the mountains of Afghanistan, and many military operations in between.   

Although this was a sad day for those who served in 3/8’s ranks, the battalion was deactivated before from March 26, 1946, to January 15, 1951. When the need arises in the future, 3/8 will be back and ready to serve with honor. 


In the meantime, the 3/8 OIF & OEF Veterans Foundation will continue to honor 3/8’s lineage and represent the values instilled in us by the Marine Corps.  

Fallen Brothers

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2006

Cpl. John T. Olson 

LCpl. Michael V. Postal   

LCpl. Taylor E. Prazynski   

LCpl. Marcus Mahdee   

PFC. Stephen P. Baldwyn   

LCpl. John T. Schmidt III  

LCpl. Robert T. Mininger   

GySgt. Terry W. Ball   

LCpl. Jacob W. Beisel  

SSgt. Eric E. McIntosh   

Cpl. Scott J. Procopio   

LCpl. Kun Y. Kim  

HM. Geovani Rafael Padilla Aleman  

PFC. Chase A. Edwards   

LCpl. Justin D. Sims  

LCpl. Richard Z. James   

LCpl. Kevin A. Lucas   

LCpl. Nicholas J. Whyte   

Cpl. Riley E. Baker   

Cpl. Julian A. Ramon   

Cpl. Timothy D. Roos   

LCpl. Adam R. Murray   

PFC. Enrique C. Sanchez  

Cpl. Joseph A. Tomci  

Cpl. Christopher T. Warndorf 

Operation Enduring Freedom 2008-2011

LCpl. Alberto Francesconi   

LCpl. Jessie A. Cassada   

LCpl. Julian T. Brennan  

Sgt. David W. Wallace   

Sgt. Trevor J. Johnson   

LCpl. Kevin T. Preach  

SSgt. Daniel L. Hanson   

LCpl. Daniel J. Geary   

Cpl. Michael W. Ouellette   

Cpl. Anthony L. Williams   

LCpl. Blaise A. Oleski

LCpl. Andrew P. Carpenter 

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