Paramarines

Paramarines
1st Marine Parachute Regiment insignia
ActiveOctober 26, 1940 – February 29, 1944
Disbanded1944
Country United States
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeAirborne forces
RoleAirfield seizure
Amphibious warfare
Close-quarters combat
Direct action
Forward observer
Indirect fire
Jungle warfare
Long-range penetration
Mountain warfare
Parachuting
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance
Tracking
SizeRegiment
EngagementsWorld War II
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Victor H. Krulak
Robert H. Williams
Paramarine in training at NAS Lakehurst in 1942

The Paramarines (also known as Marine paratroopers) was a short-lived specialized combat unit of the United States Marine Corps, trained to be paratroopers dropped from planes by parachute. Marine parachute training which began in New Jersey in October 1940 ended with the parachute units being disbanded at Camp Pendleton, California in February 1944. Paratroopers received a significantly increased salary after completing training, so there was no shortage of volunteers, although all were required to be unmarried. Standards of fitness were high, and 40% failed the training course.