3rd Battalion 8th Marines (3/8) was an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, consisting of approximately 1,100 Marines and Sailors. The battalion fell under the command of the 8th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division. Subordinate units Headquarters and Service Company Company I Company K Company L Weapons Company Mission The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and/ or repel enemy assault by fire and close combat. History World War II The battalion was activated on November 1, 1940, in San Diego and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade. The 2nd Marine Brigade was re-designated February 1, 1941, as 2nd Marine Division. It participated in the action at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tarawa, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, they re-deployed during September 1945 to Nagasaki, Japan and participated in occupation of Japan from until February 1946. The battalion was deactivated March 26, 1946. 1950s & 1960s 3/8 was reactivated on January 15, 1951, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as 3rd and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. During the 1960s they participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis from October to December 1962 and Operation Powerpack in the Dominican Republic in 1965. 1970s 3/8 went to the Med in January 1979 as part of the 32 MAU. Major Oliver North was 3/8’s S3 officer. 1980s & 1990s 3/8 went to the Med in January 1980 and 1981as part of the 32 MAU. The company first sergeant Lewis G. Lee would eventually become Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. The battalion was part of the Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from October 1982 to February 1983, and February through October 1984. Participated in Operation Sharp Edge in Liberia during August 1990. Participated in Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq during April and July 1991. Participated in Operation Deny Flight, Bosnia and Herzegovina, March- September 1993. Participated in Operation Deny Flight, Bosnia, April - September 1995. Participated in Operation Assured Response, Liberia, June - August 1996. Element Participated in Operation Quick Response, Central African Republic, June 1996. Participated in Operation Joint Endeavor Adriatic Sea October 1996. Elements participated in security operations Haiti and Panama November 1997 – February 1998 and