1st Battalion 11th Marines

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 1st Battalion 11th Marines


caption= 1/11 Insignia
dates= *December 3, 1923 - October 1, 1947
*October 1, 1949 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= USMC
type= Artillery
role= Provide fires in support of 1st Marine Division
size=
command_structure= 11th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
current_commander=
garrison=Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto= "Ultima Ratio Regnum" (The actual Latin phrase is "Ultima ratio regum")
"The Last Resort"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II
* Battle of Guadalcanal
* Battle of Cape Gloucester
* Battle of Peleliu
* Battle of Okinawa
Korean War
* Battle of Pusan Perimeter
* Battle of Inchon
* Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
* 2003 invasion of Iraq
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

1st Battalion 11th Marines (1/11) is an artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries and a Headquarters battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and its primary weapon system is the M198 Howitzer with a maximum effective range of 30km. The battalion is currently transitioning to the M777 lightweight howitzer. They fall under the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

Mission

Provide direct support of the 1st Marine Division in time of conflict. That support may come in the traditional fashion of artillery support to maneuver forces, or by providing batteries to serve as provisional rifle companies. They also have the secondary mission of being the primary providers of Civilian Military Operations (CMO). CMO is defined as the activities of the commander that establish, maintain, influence, or exploit relations between military organizations, Government and civilian organizations and the civilian populace.

Subordinate units

* Headquarters Battery
* A Battery
* B Battery
* C Battery
* I 3/12

History

Early years

1st Battalion, 11th Marines was activated December 3, 1923 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, as the 1st Battalion, 10th Regiment. They participated in mail guard duty in the mid-western United States from October 1926 to February 1927. The battalion deployed during April to June 1927 to Tientsin, China, and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade. They returned during September 1928 to MCB Quantico and were detached from the 3rd Marine Brigade during December 1928. They were re-designated on July 10, 1930 to the 1st Battalion, 10th Marines. The battalion was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade during September 1935. They were re-designated on September 1, 1940 as the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines. During October 1940, they were deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and on February 1, 1941, the 1st Marine Brigade re-designated as the 1st Marine Division. The battalion relocated to New River, North Carolina during April 1941.

World War II

1st Battalion, 11th Marines was reassigned during March 1942 to the 3rd Marine Brigade. They were deployed during March 1942 to Western Samoa. The battalion was again reassigned to the 1st Marine Division in September 1942. The battalion participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of New Britain, Operations on Finschhafen, Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa.Following the war they redeployed in September 1945 to Tientsin, China. The battalion participated in the occupation of North China from September 1945 to January 1947. They were then redeployed during January 1947 to Guam, and detached from the 1st Marine Division. The battalion was reassigned during June 1947 to the 1st Marine Brigade. The battalion was deactivated October 1, 1947.

Korean War

The battalion was reactivated October 1, 1949 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to the 1st Marine Division. They were then reassigned during July 1950 to the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. The battalion was then deployed during July to August 1950 to Pusan, Korea. The battalion participated in the Korean War, from August 1950 to July 1953, participating in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter, Battle of Inchon, Battle of Chosin Reservoir, East-Central Front fighting and Western Front fighting. 1st Battalion, 11th Marines participated in the occupation of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from August 1953 to March 1955. They returned during April 1955 to MCB Camp Pendleton, California.

Vietnam War

The battalion deployed during August 1965 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa and redeployed during January 1966 to Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, and was reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division. During March 1966, they were reassigned to the 1st Marine Division.

From January 1966 to March 1971, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines operated from Chu Lai, Da Nang, Quang Tri, Phu Bai, Ca Lu, Khe Sanh, Cua Viet, Dong Ha and Quan Nam. They were reassigned during 1971 to the 3rd Marine Amphibious Brigade, returned during March 1971 to MCB Camp Pendleton and reassigned to 1st Marine Division.

Gulf War and the 1990s

1st Battalion, 11th Marines participated in Operation Desert Storm from September 1990 through March 1991. Elements participated in Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh from May through June 1991. Elements also participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia from December 1992 through March 1993.

Global War on Terror

In January 2003 the battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After participation in the invasion of Iraq they returned to MCB Camp Pendleton in July 2003. Individual firing Batteries have continued to support the MEU cycle in the war on terror since 2003. The Battalion HQ deployed to Anbar Province Iraq with Battery A, Battery C, and Battery K as a provisional Infantry Battalion in June 2007. They are scheduled to return to Camp Pendleton in late spring 2008

See also

* List of United States Marine Corps battalions
* Organization of the United States Marine Corps

Notes

References

:Marine Corps

;Bibliography

;Web
* [http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/11mar/1bn/ 1/11's official website]