4th Tank Battalion

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 4th Tank Battalion


caption= 4th Tanks Insignia
dates= May 12, 1943 - present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=USMC
type= Armor battalion
role= Armor protected firepower and shock action
size=
command_structure=4th Marine Division
Marine Forces Reserve
current_commander=
garrison=Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center, San Diego California
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto= "53 Days"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II
* Battle of Kwajalein
* Battle of Saipan
* Battle of Iwo Jima
Korean War
* Battle of Inchon
* Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

4th Tank Battalion (4th Tanks) is an armored battalion of the United States Marine Corps reserve. Their primary weapon system is the M1-A1 Abrams main battle tank and they are part of the 4th Marine Division and Marine Forces Reserve. The unit headquarters is at the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center San Diego, California but other units in the battalion are located throughout the United States.

Mission

To provide armored combat power for the 4th Marine Division in the amphibious assault and subsequent operations ashore utilizing maneuver, armor protected firepower and shock effect to close with and destroy the enemy.

The battalion is also tasked to organize, train, and equip individual Marines and combat ready tank companies to augment and reinforce the active duty component when required to serve as part of the Total Force of the United States. 4th Tank Battalion is a self sustaining, autonomous unit capable of performing all the tasks of the regular force.

ubordinate units

History

World War II

The battalion was first formed on May 12, 1943 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It was composed, with the exception of 2 officers, entirely of reservists. It was the first unit to capture Japanese mandated territory in the Pacific. It participated in the Battle of Kwajalein, Battle of Saipan, and the battalion's last major operation in World War II was the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Late in 1946, a group of World War II veterans began meeting at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on a volunteer basis. This became the formation of the first organized Marine Corps Reserve unit in San Diego. The unit was officially designated as the 11th Tank Battalion in 1947 and became home for a headquarters and a tank company.

Korean War

In July, 1950, the unit was activated for the Korean War. Those members with sufficient experience as tankers formed the nucleus of B Company, 1st Tank Battalion, at Camp Pendleton. The 4th Tank Battalion motto is "53 days." When Marine reservists were activated for the Korean War, it was just 53 days until they participated in their first combat action, the landing at Inchon in September 1950. San Diego reservists served with this unit, participating in the landings at Inchon and Wonsan, fighting to Hagaru-Ri and Koto-Ri. B Company remained in Korea until the armistice.

In May 1952, the unit was reactivated in San Diego, now bearing the name 1st Tank Battalion, and headquartered at MCRD. In 1958, the battalion was transferred to Camp Elliot as a more appropriate location for tank operations. In July 1963, the battalion was redesignated as 4th Tank Battalion, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, USMCR.

The 1960s through to the 1990s

Between November 1990 and January 1991, 4th Tank Battalion was mobilized in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Elements of the battalion were "in country" and combat ready within 32 days of activation.

Global War on Terror

During Operation Iraqi Freedom portions of the battalion have been activated once again.

ee also

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

Notes

References

:Marine Corps

;Bibliography
*cite book
title=U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle - Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939 - 1945.’’
author=Rottman, Gordon L.
date=2002
publisher=Greenwood Press
id=ISBN 0-313-31906-5

;Web
* [http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/4thTankBn/ 4th Tanks website]