3rd Tank Battalion

3rd Marine Tank Battalion
3rd Tank Battalion insignia
Active	16 September 1942 – 7 January 1946 5 March 1952 – 1 June 1992
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Armored
Role	Armor protected firepower and shock action.
Size	Battalion
Nickname(s)	3rd Tanks
Motto(s)	Shock, Mobility, Firepower!
Engagements	World War II Battle of Bougainville Battle of Guam Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Battle of Huế Operation Desert Storm

The 3rd Tank Battalion (3rd Tanks) was an armor battalion of the United States Marine Corps. It was formed during World War II and played a part in several Pacific island battles, most notably Iwo Jima, where its flame tanks played a key role in securing the island. After the war, the battalion was based at Camp Pendleton but remained inactive until the outbreak of the Korean War, eventually moving to Okinawa. Along with the 1st Tank Battalion, 3rd Tanks was involved in major combat operations in South Vietnam from 1965 to 1969. Afterwards it concentrated on desert warfare and fought in the first Gulf War in 1991. It was deactivated for the last time in 1992.