The 1st Marine Division (Headquarters) participated in authorized operations and engagements in the Asiatic-Pacific Area as follows: In addition, the 11th Marines was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 26 December 1943 to 30 April 1944. Guadalcanal - 7 August to 9 December 1942Īssault and seizure of Peleliu and Ngesebus, The 1st Marine Division was awarded three Presidential Unit Citations for the following:

The 1st Marine Division came into existence on 1 February 1941 by change of designation from the 1st Marine Brigade, then at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The purpose of the proposed Marine division was to have available a “strong, fast, striking force for use in subduing enemy incited rebellious or uprisings in neutral countries within South America.” On 22 October 1940, the Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps wrote the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, that it was his intention to organize the 1st and 2d Marine Divisions, each to be composed of the following:

In September, 1940, however, the Secretary of the Navy directed that personnel and material tables be drawn up for Marine divisions without delay, the proposed divisions to replace the present brigades of the Fleet Marine Force. Up to the latter part of 1940 war plans had called for the Marine Corps to furnish brigades for duty with the Fleet. The last units of the 5th Marine Brigade arrived in France on 9 November 1918, and the signing of the armistice two days later brought to a halt any further plans for a Marine division. Two Marine brigades (4th and 5th), each composed of two regiments of infantry and one machine gun battalion, were organized and sent to France with the idea of forming a Marine division, the two Marine Brigades to constitute the infantry and machine gun units, with the artillery and auxiliaries taken from the Army. Previous to 1 February 1941, the Marine Corps did not have a combat organization larger than a brigade, although a Marine division for service in France during World War I was proposed. Battle Honors of the Six Marine Divisions in WWII

North africa tank battles - wwii