Fortuna Favet Fortibus

3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment (3/8) was activated on November 1, 1940 in San Diego and assigned to 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 occupation of Japan until February 1946. The battalion was deactivated 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 1965.  

In January 2005, 3/8 saw its first major combat deployment in support Operation Iraqi Freedom when it was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. 3/8’s mission was to stabilize and pacify the region which just went 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. 

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 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. 

3/8 deployed to Afghanistan, again, in April 2012 until December 2012, and served in Marjah, Afghanistan. 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 evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, in July 26, 2014. 

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. Marines and Sailors of 3/8 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.