{{Infobox military unit |unit_name= 12th Marine Regiment | image= 12th Marines logo.jpg | image_size = 150 |caption= 12th Marine Regiment Insignia |dates= October 4, 1927 – present |country= |allegiance= |branch= |type= Artillery Regiment |role= Provide fires in support of 3rd Marine Division |size= |command_structure= 3rd Marine Division |current_commander=Colonel Jonathan Sims |garrison= Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa, Japan |ceremonial_chief= |colonel_of_the_regiment= |nickname= Thunder and Steel |patron= |motto= Honor, Fidelity, Valor |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles= World War II Battle of Guadalcanal Battle of Bougainville Battle of Guam Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm War on Terror Operation Enduring Freedom|notable_commanders=Donald M. WellerClifford B. Drake |anniversaries= }} The 12th Marine Regiment''' is an artillery regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa, Japan. Nicknamed "Thunder and Steel," the regiment falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Division. Mission Provide close and continuous fire support by neutralizing, destroying, or suppressing targets which threaten the success of the supported unit. Current Units The regiment is made up of two artillery battalions and one headquarters battery: Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines (HQ Battery, 12th Marines) 1st Battalion, 12th Marines (1/12 Marines) 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines (3/12 Marines) History Activated October 4, 1927, at Tientsin, China and assigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade. World War II The regiment was reactivated September 1, 1942, at San Diego, California, as the 12th Marines and assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. It relocated during October 1942 to Camp Dunlap, California. From there it deployed during March 1943 to Auckland, New Zealand. In July 1943 it moved to Guadalcanal. The regiment participated in the following World War II campaigns: Bougainville campaign (1944–45) Northern Solomons Battle of Guam Battle of Iwo Jima Following the war, the 12th Marines relocated in December 1945 to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Post World War II history Reactivated March 17, 1952, at Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. Deployed during August 1953 to Camp McNair, Japan. Redeployed during February 1956 to Okinawa. Redeployed from March–July 1965 to the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). Participated in the War in Vietnam, May 1965 – November 1969, operating from: Da Nang Phu Bai Chu Lai Huế Đông Hà Redeployed from August–November 1969 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. Relocated during August 1971 to Camp Hauge, Okinawa. Elements participated in the Southeast Asia Evacuations, April–June 1975. Elements participated in the recovery of