The 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment (3/7) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 800 Marines. The battalion falls under the command of the 7th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division. The battalion has seen combat in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and was a part of the main effort during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. During the Global War on Terror, the battalion saw eleven sequential combat deployments; five in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, three in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and three in support Operation Inherent Resolve. The unit has a long, decorated history with countless achievements. Its members were described as "true professionals" by embedded reporters during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Subordinate units Headquarters and Service Company Company I (India Company) Company K (Kilo Company) Company L (Lima Company) Weapons Company Historical Contingency Company: Company M (Mike Company) History World War II 3rd Battalion 7th Marines was activated 1 January 1941 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade. In February 1941 they were reassigned to the 1st Marine Division. Due to the situation in the Pacific, the 7th Marines were detached from the 1st Marine Division and sent to American Samoa with the Third Battalion being the first to arrive on 28 April 1942. Companies I and M landed at Wallis Island on 27 March 1942 along with Free French forces to deny the Island to Vichy France. 3/7 participated in the following World War II campaigns: Guadalcanal. New Britain. Peleliu. Okinawa. After the war 3/7 participated in Operation Beleaguer in northern China from September 1945 to April 1946 and then deactivated 15 April 1946. Korean War The battalion was reactivated 11 September 1950 at Kobe, Japan and assigned to the 1st Marine Division. They deployed in September 1950 to the South Korea and participated in the Inchon-Seoul. Following the recapture of Seoul, the 1st Marine Division was pulled out of northwest Korea and sailed to the east coast where they landed at Wonsan in late October and began to march north towards the Yalu River. The battalion was in Yudam-ni on the evening of 27–28 November 1950 when the Battle of Chosin Reservoir began. On the first evening, the