1st Battalion, 5th Marines

1st Battalion, 5th Marines
1st Battalion, 5th Marines insignia
Active13 July 1914 – 24 December 1914
25 May 1917 – 13 August 1919
17 May 1921 – 2 January 1933
1 September 1934 – 6 January 1942
14 January 1942 – 1 October 1947
1 October 1949 – 15 June 1974
31 March 1975 – present
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeLight infantry
RoleLocate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver
Size1,200
Part of5th Marine Regiment
1st Marine Division
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Nickname(s)"Geronimo"
Motto(s)"Make peace or die"
EngagementsWorld War I

World War II

Korean War

Vietnam War

Operation Desert Storm
War on Terror

Commanders
Current
commander
LtCol Nicholas Freeman
Notable
commanders
LeRoy P. Hunt
Jonas M. Platt
John H. Masters
James D. Beans

1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California consisting of approximately 800 Marines and sailors. Nicknamed Geronimo, it falls under the command of the 5th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division. The battalion was formed in 1914 and has served in every major conflict that the United States has been involved in since then.