This is a complete list of Marines from the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment who have been awarded any of the United States's three highest military decorations for valor in combat – the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, or the Silver Star. A † after a recipient's name indicates that the award was given posthumously.
Eight Marines from 3rd Battalion were awarded the Medal of Honor (1) or the Navy Cross (7) during World War II; six of these medals (Navy Crosses) were for actions during the Bougainville campaign and the other two (the Medal of Honor and one Navy Cross) were for actions during the Battle of Guam.
Private Luther Skaggs Jr. received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on the beachhead on Guam during World War II. After the section leader became a casualty, Skaggs took over command and led the section through heavy enemy fire. Although wounded by a Japanese grenade that shattered the lower part of his leg, he continued to defend for a further eight hours through the night.
Lance Corporal David W. Cutshall: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gun Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division. On 6 March 1968, during a company-size operation near Con Thien, Lance Corporal Cutshall's platoon came under intense enemy automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire from a well entrenched battalion of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Observing enemy movement through the brush, he marked the area with machine gun tracer rounds which enabled an anti-tank assault team to destroy an enemy bunker with rocket fire. Throughout the five-hour fire fight, he maintained a critical position and directed highly effective machine gun fire upon the enemy. Ordered to withdraw to a more advantageous position, he provided covering fire for his companions as they moved to join their platoon. While preparing to throw a hand grenade, Lance Corporal Cutshall was severely wounded by enemy grenade fragments which caused him to drop his grenade. Without regard for his own safety, he immediately fell upon the activated grenade to shield his companions. Although he was killed when it exploded, he undoubtedly saved the lives of his three companions. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Cutshall upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." [8]
Lance Corporal Dennis Scalici, a fire team leader with Lima Company, received two Silver Stars within a four-month period.
Lance Corporal Timothy Gene Carter †, Mortar Team Leader, was awarded the Silver Star along with 6 other medals posthumously (1969). Carter was the highest decorated Marine from Nevada of the Vietnam War. A mortar range in Hawthorne, Nevada, bears his name.
Sergeant Laurence Eugene Belko, with India Company, was awarded a Silver Star in May 1968 for coordinating a five-hour rescue of his comrades in Dong Ha, while wounded and under enemy fire. [9] [10] [11]
As of March 2022 [update], only one Marine from Third Battalion has been awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in the Afghanistan.
As of March 2022 [update], only one Marine from Third Battalion has been awarded the Silver Star for actions in Afghanistan.
Parentheses indicate number of times award was posthumous.
Conflict | Year | Medal of Honor | Navy Cross | Silver Star |
---|---|---|---|---|
World War II | 1943 | 0 | 4(2) | ???? |
World War II | 1944 | 1 | 2 | ???? |
Vietnam War | 1965 | 1 | 4(1) | 10(?) |
Vietnam War | 1966 | 0 | 1(1) | 6(?) |
Vietnam War | 1967 | 0 | 4(4) | 27(?) |
Vietnam War | 1968 | 0 | 3(3) | 27(?) |
Vietnam War | 1969 | 2(2) | 4(3) | 32(?) |
Afghan War | 2005-2009 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
This is a complete list of Marines from the 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment who have been awarded any of the United States's three highest military decorations for valor in combat – the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, or the Silver Star. A † after a recipient's name indicates that the award was given posthumously.
Eight Marines from 3rd Battalion were awarded the Medal of Honor (1) or the Navy Cross (7) during World War II; six of these medals (Navy Crosses) were for actions during the Bougainville campaign and the other two (the Medal of Honor and one Navy Cross) were for actions during the Battle of Guam.
Private Luther Skaggs Jr. received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on the beachhead on Guam during World War II. After the section leader became a casualty, Skaggs took over command and led the section through heavy enemy fire. Although wounded by a Japanese grenade that shattered the lower part of his leg, he continued to defend for a further eight hours through the night.
Lance Corporal David W. Cutshall: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Machine Gun Team Leader with Company M, Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division. On 6 March 1968, during a company-size operation near Con Thien, Lance Corporal Cutshall's platoon came under intense enemy automatic weapons, mortar and artillery fire from a well entrenched battalion of North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Observing enemy movement through the brush, he marked the area with machine gun tracer rounds which enabled an anti-tank assault team to destroy an enemy bunker with rocket fire. Throughout the five-hour fire fight, he maintained a critical position and directed highly effective machine gun fire upon the enemy. Ordered to withdraw to a more advantageous position, he provided covering fire for his companions as they moved to join their platoon. While preparing to throw a hand grenade, Lance Corporal Cutshall was severely wounded by enemy grenade fragments which caused him to drop his grenade. Without regard for his own safety, he immediately fell upon the activated grenade to shield his companions. Although he was killed when it exploded, he undoubtedly saved the lives of his three companions. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Cutshall upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." [8]
Lance Corporal Dennis Scalici, a fire team leader with Lima Company, received two Silver Stars within a four-month period.
Lance Corporal Timothy Gene Carter †, Mortar Team Leader, was awarded the Silver Star along with 6 other medals posthumously (1969). Carter was the highest decorated Marine from Nevada of the Vietnam War. A mortar range in Hawthorne, Nevada, bears his name.
Sergeant Laurence Eugene Belko, with India Company, was awarded a Silver Star in May 1968 for coordinating a five-hour rescue of his comrades in Dong Ha, while wounded and under enemy fire. [9] [10] [11]
As of March 2022 [update], only one Marine from Third Battalion has been awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in the Afghanistan.
As of March 2022 [update], only one Marine from Third Battalion has been awarded the Silver Star for actions in Afghanistan.
Parentheses indicate number of times award was posthumous.
Conflict | Year | Medal of Honor | Navy Cross | Silver Star |
---|---|---|---|---|
World War II | 1943 | 0 | 4(2) | ???? |
World War II | 1944 | 1 | 2 | ???? |
Vietnam War | 1965 | 1 | 4(1) | 10(?) |
Vietnam War | 1966 | 0 | 1(1) | 6(?) |
Vietnam War | 1967 | 0 | 4(4) | 27(?) |
Vietnam War | 1968 | 0 | 3(3) | 27(?) |
Vietnam War | 1969 | 2(2) | 4(3) | 32(?) |
Afghan War | 2005-2009 | 1 | 0 | 1 |