Mid Ohio Marine
Foundation
MARINE CORPS RESERVE HISTORY

The Marine Corps Reserve was established by law in 1916. Technically there were Marine Reservists as early as 1893
when seven states established Marine detachments within their Naval Militia organizations. However, in 1916 the Marine
Corps Reserve Units were established and in 1917 the small reserve was mobilized when World War I began.

At least 6,400 Reservist officially designated as such served in France as part of the 31,000 Marines in the Allied
Expeditionary Force. Many other Reserves known as "Temporaries" of "For the duration's" served as well, although the
records are unclear on the exact numbers.

Marine Reserves also saw action in anti-submarine patrols, bombing missions, and re-supply runs to Allied forces. The
price of victory was not cheap. Approximately 12,000 Marine Reserves and Regulars were casualties, or one of every
three Marines who served in France.

The war to end all wars was over. The Marines returned home and the Reserves returned to their civilian pursuits. The
early 20's were rough years for these citizen Marines. Can you imagine paying for your own uniforms and training
facilities? They did! Pay! What was that? When they did get it, it was a maximum of $25.00 per year. But they
persevered. Pay and disability benefits increased in 1933 making participation in the Reserves more attractive. By 1939
the Reserves had begun to evolve into fairly effective group units.

Mobilization date for World War II was 7 November 1940. By 1945, 68% of all Marine personnel were Reservists. 75% of
the 500,000 who fought in the Pacific were members of the Reserve. Almost all of the 10,000 Marine aviators were
Reservists. Of the 79 Marines who won the Medal of Honor in World War II, 44 were Reservists.

Following the war, the Marines came home and the Reserves returned to civilian life. There was a large-scale
demobilization. However, many Reservists remained active in a Marine Reserve unit. By late 1949 a strong Reserve
existed with approximately 100,000 officers and enlisted Marines in organized units and in volunteer status.

June 25, 1950. The North Koreans began pouring across the 38th parallel. At this point in time, the active Marine Corps
was not able to field a full strength Marine division. With massive call-up of the entire Marine Corps Reserve it was
possible to commit the 1st Marine Division in Korea 75 days after the war began.

The Marine Reserve turned the tide from defeat to victory. As General Lemuel C. Shepard, Jr., Commandant of the
Marine Corps from 1952 to 1956 and Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in 1950, wrote on 17
November 1964, "If it had not been for the mobilization of the Reserve to bring the remaining units of the 1st Marine
Division to full strength, I would not have been able to recommend to General MacArthur that he request the assignment
of the 1st Division to the Far East command for his desired employment at Inchon which turned the tide of defeat to one
of victory, to the lasting glory and prestige of the U. S. Marine Corps." Eventually 85,000 Marine Reservists were
recalled to active duty. At one point in time, Reservists composed 50% of all personnel in the 1st Marine Division and
85% of those in the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune.

After the Korean War, problems were significant. Serious social and political scars had been left on the citizenry of the
country. Many men had fought in two wars within 10 years and some hometown casualties had been heavy. Many felt
that they had done their share. The younger generation, having seen and heard stories from Korea, were hesitant to
become part of the Reserve forces. But again the Reserves persevered. It continued to grow and rebuild.

Then came Vietnam. The Reserves were ready. Personnel were briefed on mobilization procedures. They were given
information and told to put their personal affairs in order. Despite the readiness, due to national policy decisions in
Washington, the Reserves supporting active forces in time of war was maintained, only in a different manner from World
War II and Korea.

In 1962-1966, the organized Reserve was restructured to form the 4th Marine Division Wing Team, the structure for the
Selected Marine Corps Reserve at the present time. Today, the Marine Corps Reserve units are receiving better
equipment than ever before. Continued training exercises and constant evaluations have developed the units of the 4th
Division Wing Team into a proficient and ready force.

The importance of the Marine Corps Reserve at crisis points in our nation's history is evident. Also evident is the
increasing importance of the Reserve to the security of our nation. The Regulars and the Reserve have continuously
maintained the traditions of the Corps. Now, Regulars and Reserve must continue to stand together and close ranks as
a Total Force - a new tradition.
COMPANY "L" UNIT HISTORY:

Company L is a Marine Corps Reserve rifle company primarily involved in cold weather/mountaineering operations. The
unit has conducted several cold weather exercises and training evolutions both in the United States and in Northern
Europe.

3rd Battalion 25th Marines was activated on 1 May 1943 and fought in the battle of Iwo Jima. The Battalion landed on
19 February 1945 onto Yellow Beach. Their mission was to clear the quarry north of the landing area of Japanese
enemies.  Lt. Colonel Justice M. Chambers received the Medal of Honor for his actions as the Commander of 3/25
during the battle. The battalion landed at 0859 and by 1612, they had accomplished their mission. The battalion lost
550 men out of its complement of 700 during the battle.

On 6 March 1953, the 74th Special Infantry Company was activated under the command of Major H. A. Engel in
Mansfield, Ohio. In November 1957, the unit was redesignated as the 74th Infantry Company.

On 1 July 1962, the unit was redesignated Company M, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, 4th Marine Division, and a year
later relocated from Mansfield to Columbus, Ohio.

The unit was again redesignated Company H (-), 3d Battalion, 25th Marines on 1 January 1982. The weapons Platoon
was located in Moundsville, West Virginia. On 2 September 1988, the Weapons Platoon returned to Columbus and the
unit became Company H, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines.

On 12 January 1990, the company was activated as part of the Presidential Call-up of Reserve Forces in support of
Operation Desert Shield. The unit was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where it was assigned to the 22nd Marine
Expeditionary Unit and 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, respectively. The company returned to Columbus, Ohio and was
deactivated on 23 June 1991.

The company was redesignated, once again, to Company L, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines on 1 July 1991. For its superior
combat readiness, the company was awarded the General Clifton B. Cates Challenge Trophy as the outstanding
ground combat unit in the 4th Marine Division (Rein) during 1991.

Co. L. was activated in January 2005 for deployment to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom III.  Co. L ran continuous
operations for seven months in Iraq, collecting valuable information, detaining suspected insurgents, and inflicting many
casualties to the insurgents and collecting many caches of weapons and explosives.  This came at the cost of 22 Co. L.
Marines and one Navy Corpsman KIA’s and 28 wounded.  The company redeployed back to Columbus Ohio in October
2005.  

Since their return, they have been training for the next mobilization in the future.