Korean War

United States Marines
1st Marine Division

by Greg Novak

The Marines do not number their weapons company's as does the Army, so infantry companies present with the 1st Marine Brigade were A, B, D, E, G, and H. Though the Marines arrived in Korea with three infantry battalions, it is interesting to note that they were not at full strength as so often reported by the Army. Rather each battalion had only two rifles companies instead of the normally assigned three.

The 1st Marine Division was mobilized by the process of calling up the Marine Reserves, and sailed for Korea. It brought with it the 1st and 7th Marine Regiments (Infantry), and rest of the 11th Marine Regiment (Artillery), and the other elements of the supporting battalions. Additional replacements also were sent to bring the 5th Marines up to a three rifle company battalion structure, but these did not arrive until after the 1st Marine Brigade was withdrawn from the Pusan Perimeter.

1st MARINE DIVISION

(Elements of 1st Brigade Veteran. All others Experienced) (Morale 10)

DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

    1 Command Stand
    1 Jeep
    1 Staff Radio Truck
    3 Support Stands
    1 Medium Truck
    1 Medium Truck with AAMG

4th BATTALION, 11th MARINES (155mm Howitzer)

    BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
      1 Command Stand
      1 FO Stand
      2 Jeeps
      1 Staff Radio Truck
      2 Support Stands
      1 Medium Truck with AAMG

    SERVICE BATTERY

      2 Support Stands
      2 Medium Trucks with AAMG
      2 Medium Trucks with Trailers

    3 FIRING BATTERIES, each with;

      1 Command Stand
      1 Gun Crew Stand (DS)
      1 Support Stand
      1 155mm Howitzer
      1 Medium Truck with AAMG
      1 Medium Truck

DIVISIONAL RECON COMPANY

    3 Recon Jeeps with MG
    3 Recon Jeeps with AAMG

1st ENGINEER BATTALION

    HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
      1 Command Stand
      1 Jeep
      1 Recon Jeep with MG
      2 Support Stands
      1 Medium Truck with AAMG
      1 Heavy Truck and Trailor with Medium Bridge

1st TANK BATTALION

    HEADQUARTERS
      1 Command Stand
      1 Jeep
      1 Staff Radio Truck
      2 Support Stands
      2 Medium Trucks

    1 COMPANY, with;

      1 Command M-26
      3 M-26 Tanks

1st AMPHIBIAN TRACTOR BATTALION

    HEADQUARTERS
      1 Command Stand
      1 Jeep
      1 Staff Radio Truck
      2 Support Stands
      2 DUWKS

    3 COMPANIES. each with;

      1 Command Amtrac LVT-4
      6 Amtrac LVT-3

3 MARINE REGIMENTS each with;

    REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS
      1 Command Stand
      1 Jeep
      2 Support Stands
      1 Staff Radio Truck
      1 Medium Truck with AAMG

    ANTI-TANK COMPANY

      1 Command Stand
      1 Jeep
      1 M-26 Tank (Heavy Platoon)
      3 75mm Recoiless Rifle Stands (DS)
      2 Medium Trucks with AAMG
      2 Medium Trucks

    HEAVY MORTAR COMPANY

      1 Command Stand
      3 FO Stands
      4 Jeeps
      3 Gun Crew Stands (DS)
      3 4.2" Mortars
      2 Medium Trucks with AAMG
      2 Medium Trucks

    TANK COMPANY (Attached from 1st Tank Battalion).

      1 Command Stand
      1 Jeep
      1 Command M-26 Tanks
      3 M-26 Tanks
      1 Support Stands
      2 Medium Trucks

    ENGINEER COMPANY (Attached from 1st Engineer Battalion)

      1 Command Stand
      3 Engineer Stands
      2 Medium Trucks
      1 Jeep
      1 Bulldozer

    ARTILLERY BATTALION (Attached from 11th Marines)

      BATTALION HEADQUARTERS
        1 Command Stand
        1 FO Stand
        2 Jeeps
        1 Staff Radio Truck
        2 Support Stands
        1 Medium Truck with AAMG

      SERVICE BATTERY

        2 Support Stands
        2 Medium Trucks with AAMG
        2 Medium Trucks with Trailers

      3 FIRING BATTERIES, each with;

        1 Command Stand
        1 Gun Crew Stand (DS)
        1 Support Stand
        1 105mm Howitzer
        1 Medium Truck with AAMG
        1 Medium Truck

    3 INFANTRY BATTALIONS: each with;

      HEADQUARTERS
        1 Command Stand
        1 Jeep
        1 Staff Radio Truck
        1 Recon Infantry Stand

      HEADQUARTERS AND SUPPLY COMPANY

        1 Command S tand
        1 Engineer Stand
        2 Support Stands
        2 Medium Trucks with AAMG

      3 INFANTRY COMPANIES each with;

        1 Command Stand
        3 Infantry Stands
        1 Weapons Stand

      WEAPONS COMPANY

        1 Command Stand
        3 MMG Stands
        1 81mm Mortar Stand (DS)
        2 3.5" Bazooka Stands

United States Marines


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© Copyright 1992 by Greg Novak.

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