The 3/3 in Motion book chronicles a unit of United States Marines which trained at Camp Pendleton as the Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, when they, "locked on" for the final eight week training period and when they sailed to Okinawa to complete their training as the third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division. Their history continues in the book in an actual combat situation at Chu-Lai, Viet Nam. We dedicate this book to all the Marines and Navy personnel who came together as 2/1 and worked to become a fighting unit, and proved their fitness in combat against the Viet Cong, in the Republic of South Viet Nam. As this is being written 3/3 is still in combact, the men of 2/1 and 3/3 are split up into other units throughout Viet Nam. They are lean, tan, combat veterans now. May we end this dedication with a prayer. God bless and keep the men of 2/1 - 3/3. On 1 November 1964, the Second Battalion, 1st Marines began its lock-on training to knit the unit into a well-rounded fighting team. We produced a team of professional Marines that was "Second to None". On 25 January 1965 we relieved Third Battalion, Third Marines at Naha, Okinawa and exchanged unit designations with them. As 3/3, our tour on Okinawa had its moments of frustration of "Go" and "No Go", but when the moment of need arose, the unit was ready, willing and able. From 12 May 1965 on, in the Chu Lai Area of Vietnam, 3/3 equipped themselves with distinction and honor. We suffered casualties, but in return the Viet Cong suffered far greater casualties. To our fellow Marines who died or were wounded we offer our rememberances and pledge that they will not have died in vain. To the members of 3/3 whether a part of the original, our very capable support units, or members who joined us at a later date, may I express my thanks for your assistance and commend you for a job "Well Done": May your future tours in the Marine Corps give you the same satisfaction of doing the job the best you can. William D. Hall. LtCol USMC Commanding 6 October 1964 - 1 July 1965  by LCpl Calvin E. Rutledge. Company I, 3rdBn, 3rdMar. We met no opposition as we landed on the shore, We searched for the V.C. but they weren't there no more; We set up our defenses and started scoping out the scenes. A day on the battlefield and still we all were green. Dig in, move out, dig in, move out, and then dig in once more, Stay up all night and work all day and walk the sandy shore. We went down on the river, and set up in the hills; But the V.C. sneak up on us, in the night, when it is still. A small attack or sniper fire is all that we have ever seen. A few have fell in battle and no longer are we green. And yet they say we havent't seen an enemy at all, But things will all be different when the monsoons come this fall. They'll come in force, they'll come to fight, and push us to the sea; But when the Final toll is in the less of them there'll be. No longer will they say that all these troops are green; They'll send us home and say to us, "A job well done, Marine". Main Page |