MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP SMEDLEY D. BUTLER, JAPAN -- U.S. Marines from 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, and three of its subordinate battalions gathered for a reunion of units’ colors, commanders, and staff for the first time in over 45 years, Nov. 21, 2024.
Fourth Marine Regiment, known as the “Oldest and Proudest” regiment in the Marine Corps, has spent a majority of its lifetime away from the United States and has a legacy as one of the Corps’ most decorated units. Beginning its history on April 16, 1914, 4th Marines was established at Puget Sound, Washington, because of deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Mexico and first commanded by U.S. Marine Corps Col. Joseph H. Pendleton. The regiment participated in engagements and campaigns including the Banana Wars, World War II, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. When stationed in Shanghai, China, they served as a provisional infantry regiment from February 1927 to November 1937 under the command of U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler, earning the name the “Shanghai Marines.” During the Second World War, American commanders surrendered their forces on Bataan, Philippines, causing 4th Marine Regiment to temporarily cease to exist as of May 6, 1942, upon being ordered to burn their National and regimental colors. Fourth Marine Regiment would be reborn on Feb. 1, 1944, when it was reconstituted from units of 1st Raider Regiment into the headquarters company and three subordinate battalions that still exist today along with a regimental weapons company and continued to participate in conflicts in the Pacific Theater.
Colors Reunification
Photo by Cpl. Noah Masog
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Barclay, center, speaks to members of 4th Marine Regiment on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 21, 2024. 4th Marine Regiment and its subordinate battalions’ colors have not been unified since 1977. While 4th Marines is headquartered in Okinawa, its subordinate battalions are stationed in the continental U.S. and participate in rotational deployments under the Unit Deployment Program and with Marine Expeditionary Units. Barclay, a native of Indiana, is the commanding officer of 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Noah Masog)
During the post-war period of the 1940s, 4th Marines began to downsize, spending time again in China and eventually settling at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Twentynine Palms, now known as Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. All three battalions would participate in the Vietnam War and the regiment officially relocated to Okinawa in 1972. The last time the units were co-located was in 1977, as the subordinate battalions left the island while the regimental headquarters remained.
On Nov. 21, commanding officers, sergeants majors, and staff from the regiment and battalions reunited on the steps of the 4th Marine Regiment for a photo celebrating the camaraderie and significance of this rare event.
"Our units are constantly operating throughout not just the Indo-Pacific region but throughout the entire globe. It is extremely rare for all of 4th Marines to come together in celebration of our history and our accomplishments." said Capt. Jordan Hargrove, the 4th Marines Headquarters Company commander.
The “colors” of a Marine Corps unit refers to their distinguishing flag, formally known as organizational battle colors. Unit colors resemble the Marine Corps’ Battle Colors but are labeled specifically with the unit’s name and carry battle streamers denoting the honors earned by the unit.
“With a unit as historic as the ‘Oldest and Proudest’, it’s important to recognize the history of our regiment,” said Sgt. Maj. Christopher Rivera, the senior enlisted leader of 4th Marine Regiment. “With units stationed overseas, Marines are reliant upon each other for a sense of family and belonging that helps add purpose to their jobs. When you add that to contributing to such a historic legacy, you feel the full weight of what it means to be a Marine.”
Today, 4th Marines remains stationed on Okinawa as the home of III Marine Expeditionary Force’s combat power and facilitator of the Unit Deployment Program, as part of the 3d Marine Division, remaining postured for response to regional crises in the Indo-Pacific theater.