3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY
Date Signed: 9/8/2014 | ALMARS Number: 035/14
ALMARS : 035/14
R 061153Z SEP 14
UNCLASSIFIED/
ALMAR 035/14
MSID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS(UC)/F002//
SUBJ/3D MARINE DIVISION ANNIVERSARY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I CONGRATULATE THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF THE 3D MARINE DIVISION ON THEIR 72ND ANNIVERSARY.
2.  ACTIVATED ON 16 SEPTEMBER 1942, IN THE EARLIEST DAYS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, 3D MARDIV ENGAGED IN THE MANY BLOODY BATTLES OF THE PACIFIC THEATER-BOUGAINVILLE, GUAM AND IWO JIMA.  WHEN THE MARINE CORPS LANDED IN DA NANG IN MARCH 1965, IT WAS ELEMENTS OF THE 3D MARDIV THAT LED THE WAY.  AS THE FORWARD DEPLOYED DIVISION, 3D MARDIV MARINES AND SAILORS HAVE OFTEN BEEN THE FIRST TO RESPOND TO HUMANITARIAN DISASTERS ACROSS THE PACIFIC.
3.  WHETHER IN COMBAT IN AFGHANISTAN OR AS A HURRICANE RELIEF FORCE IN THE PHILIPPINES, THE 3D MARINE DIVISION HAS MUCH TO BE PROUD OF. AS YOU CELEBRATE THIS HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY, REFLECT UPON THESE MANY HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE OF THE DIVISION WHO SACRIFICED EVERTHING FOR THEIR NATION.
4.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY AND SEMPER FIDELIS.  JAMES F. AMOS, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//