page_title: 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines
section_title: Taylor Common and Redeployment (1969)
hierarchical_section_title: 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines / Vietnam War (1965–1969) / Taylor Common and Redeployment (1969)
caption_attribution_description: English: Original Caption: The men on the hill are of the 3/3 headquarters group. From left to right is the Forward air controller, next the battalion CO Lt. Col. Schultz, I believe, next the Sgt. Maj. The picture was taken at Vandegrift Combat Base (VCB) also known as LZ Stud. Date Taken: Early 1969 Place Taken: LZ Stud Photographer: Larry Polstra
context_page_description: 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, abbreviated as, is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps, based out of Kāne'ohe, Hawai'i. Known as either "Trinity" or "America's Battalion", the unit falls under the command of the 3rd Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division. The unit consists of approximately 1124 U.S. Marines and United States Navy sailors.
context_section_description: In early 1969, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines was sent south of the DMZ for several months to join Task Force Yankee in Operation Taylor Common near An Hoa. This three-month operation focused on destroying the primary base for PAVN forces operating across several provinces and 3rd Battalion was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for its actions during the operation. Ten Marines from 3rd Battalion were killed during the operation (out of 183 total US fatalities), and American forces captured numerous quantities of PAVN supplies. One Marine, Lance Corporal (LCPL) William R. Prom, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during Taylor Common.
  In July 1969, the battalion took part in Operations Virginia Ridge and Idaho Canyon, attempting to stop infiltrators from the PAVN 27th Regiment and 33rd Sapper Battalion from coming through the DMZ. The operation continued until September, when the 3rd Marine Regiment was ordered to stop operations in preparation for its redeployment back to the United States. The battalion began to depart on 7 October and had fully arrived at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton by the end of 1969. Many 3rd Battalion Marines with time still left on their tours of duty were transferred to other units. 3rd Battalion spent over 1,600 days in Vietnam and conducted 48 combat operations, the most of any Marine battalion in the conflict. 653 Marines who served in 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines lost their lives during the Vietnam War or were killed while operating with other units. Nearly 2,800 others were wounded.
caption: 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines's command group at Vandegrift Combat Base, 1969.
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