History

NICKNAME:The Iron Fist



Combat Assault Battalion is a mechanized battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon systems are the Amphibious Assault Vehicle, LAV-25 and various engineering vehicles. Combat Assault Battalion is a subordinate element part of the 3d Marine Division and the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The unit is based at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan.



World War II[edit]
Combat Assault Battalion was activated February 16, 1942 at New River, North Carolina as the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 1st Marine Division. They relocated during May 1942 to Wellington, New Zealand and participated in the following World War II campaigns:

Guadalcanal
Finschhafen
New Britain
Peleliu
Okinawa
The battalion was deactivated November 17, 1945 at San Diego, California but were again reactivated May 1, 1946 at Camp Pendleton, California as the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Korean War[edit]
Participated in the Korean War from the Pusan Perimeter in operations from Inchon to Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, East to Central Front, and the Western Front. Following the war they participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from August 1953 to March 1955. They were relocated during March 1955 to Camp McGill, Japan.

Vietnam War[edit]
Combat Assault Battalion was reassigned March 16, 1965 to the 3d Marine Division and relocated to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. They deployed during July 1965 to Danang, Republic of Vietnam where they were engaged in combat operations from July 1965 through July 1969. They relocated during July 1969 to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. On April 1, 1976 they were re-designated as the 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion with two companies of M60A1(RISE Passive) Tanks and two companies of AAV-7's.

1980s and 1990s[edit]
Re-designated November 10, 1988 as the 1st Armored Assault Battalion. Again re-designated September 30, 1992 as the Combat Support Group and finally became Combat Assault Battalion on October 5, 1994.