USS Tarawa (LHA 1) - Naval Cruise Book

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above: Two marines stalking the opposition in a training exercise. BLT 1 9 Page 26

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nder one commander. This air- round task, force concept is de- gned to thoroughly exploit the Dmbat power inherent in air and round assets by closely integrating lem into a single force. It brings ' hat it needs to sustain itself from le sea for the rapid accomplishment f the mission or to pave the way for )llow-on forces. The MEU is an ex- editionary intervention force with le ability to move quickly, on short otice, to wherever needed to accom- lish whatever is required. bovp- A marine conducting weapons training prior to his embarkation on Tarawa. M.E.U. Page 25

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The history }f the grunts md groundpounders Df Battalion Landing Team 1 9 On March 1, 1942, 1st Battalion, th Marines (1 9) was activated and ssigned to the 2nd Marine Division. n August 1942, 1 9 was reassigned . 3rd Marine Division at Camp endleton, California. During World War II, 1 9 partici- ated in Western Pacific military ampaigns at Bougainville, Guam nd Iwo Jima. At Bougainville, 1 9 eized Grenade Hill , and after lose-in fighting in the dense jungle, nded the Battle of Piva Forks. First ■attalion, 9th Marines also per- ormed valiantly on Guam and on wo Jima, which has been considered he bloodiest battle in Marine Corps listory. When the Japanese surren- ered, the 9th Marines remained on juam until their return to Camp ' endleton and official disbandment ■n December 31, 1945. The 9th Marines were reactivated during the Korean War on March 17, 1952. During the next year, the 9th Marines trained at: Camp Fuji - McNair, Japan; Okinawa, Japan; Camp Shinodayama, Japan; Iwo Jima, Japan; and Camp Sakai, Japan. In February 1956, 1 9 participated in a large-scale operation called FIRM LINK in Thailand. In August 1956, 1 9 displayed the effectiveness of vertically deploying marines from helicopters. The marines of 1 9 relieved battal- ion 3 9 in Vietnam on June 16, 1965 during the occupation and defense of Da Nang Air Base. In September 1966, 1 9 returned to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, and was then reassigned to the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. In November 1969, 1 9 was reas- signed to the 3rd Marine Division. During the Vietnam conflict, 1 9 op- erated from Phu Bai, Fonh Ha, Camp Carroll, Con Thien, Khe Sahn, A Shau Valley and Cam Lo. From October 1969 through Janu- ary 1980, 1 9 deployed at various times as Battalion Landing Team 1 9 with the U.S. Navy ' s 7th Fleet to the Western Pacific. The early 1980s saw 1 9 forward deployed twice to Okinawa, Japan and then deployed to the Western Pacific Ocean with Amphibious Squadron Five during the second half of the decade. In July 1989, Battalion Landing Team 1 9 finished the decade by de- ploying to the Western Pacific Ocean with Amphibious Squadron One. BLT 1 9 returned to Camp Pendleton on December 19, 1989. BLT 1 9 Page 27