View source for III Marine Expeditionary Force

{{more citations needed|date=November 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = III Marine Expeditionary Force
| image                         = Emblem of III Marine Expeditionary Force.png
| image_size                    = 175
| caption                       = III Marine Expeditionary Force insignia
| dates                         = 1942–46, 1965–present
| country                       = {{flag|United States of America}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{Flag|United States Marine Corps}}
| type                          = [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]]
| role                          = Forward-deployed expeditionary force
| size                          = ~27,000
| command_structure             = [[File:U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific insignia.png|25px]] [[Marine Forces Pacific]]
| current_commander             = Lt. Gen. [[Roger B. Turner]]
| garrison                      = [[Camp Courtney]], [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]], [[Japan]]
| ceremonial_chief              = 
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = Forward, Faithful, Focused
| colors                        = 
| identification_symbol         = 
| march                         = "Fight Now" by Michael Andrew Newell
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = '''[[World War II]]'''
*[[Operation Cartwheel]]
*[[Battle of Peleliu|Operation Stalemate II]]
*[[Operation Forager]] 
*[[Operation Iceberg]]
*[[Operation Beleaguer]]
'''[[Vietnam War]]'''
* [[Battle of Huế]]
'''[[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]'''
*[[Operation Desert Shield]]
*[[Operation Desert Storm]]
[[Operation Provide Comfort]]<br/>[[Operation Sea Angel]]<br/>[[Operation Fiery Vigil]]<br/>[[Operation Restore Hope]]<br/>
'''[[War on Terror|Global War on Terrorism]]'''
*[[Operation Enduring Freedom]]
'''[[Iraq War]]'''
*[[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]
[[Operation Unified Assistance]]<br/>[[Operation Tomodachi]]<br/>[[Typhoon Haiyan#International response|Operation Damayan]]
| notable_commanders            = [[Alexander Vandegrift]]<br />[[William R. Collins]]<br />[[Herman Nickerson Jr.]]<br />[[Donn J. Robertson]]<br />[[Lewis W. Walt]]<br />[[Robert E. Cushman Jr.]]<br />[[Carl W. Hoffman]]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| website                       = {{URL|https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/|iiimef.marines.mil}}
}}

'''III Marine Expeditionary Force''' ('''III MEF''') is a formation of the [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]] of the [[United States Marine Corps]].  It is forward-deployed and able to rapidly conduct operations across the spectrum from [[humanitarian assistance]] and [[disaster relief]] (HA/DR) to [[amphibious assault]] and high-intensity combat.

It maintains a forward presence in [[Japan]] and [[Asia]] to support the [[Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan]] (1960) and other alliance relationships of the United States. III MEF also conducts combined operations and training throughout the region in support of the National Security Strategy for Theater Security Cooperation.

The [[Marines]] and [[sailors]] of III MEF engage in more than 65 combined, bilateral and multilateral training exercises annually throughout the Asia-Pacific region, in countries including treaty allies [[Japan]], [[Thailand]], [[South Korea]], the [[Philippines]], and [[Australia]]. These exercises build partner capacity, develop and maintain strong regional alliances and military-to-military contacts. These exercises prepare III MEF to conduct operations ranging from major [[combat operations]] to [[humanitarian assistance]] and disaster relief.

III MEF has played a significant role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the region. The MEF assisted the relief efforts led by the Government of [[Japan]] during [[Operation Tomodachi]] after the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]]. III MEF also conducted HA/DR missions in [[Thailand]] in October 2011, the [[Philippines]] in October 2010, and Indonesia in October 2009.<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors">III MEF Lineage and Honors, USMC History Division</ref> Most recently in response to the resulting [[Humanitarian response to Typhoon Haiyan|humanitarian crisis]] from [[Typhoon Haiyan]] which struck the Philippines in 2013, III MEF activated as Joint Task Force 505 to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in support of the Philippine government.<ref name=DoDnews>DoD News, "Joint Task Force 505 Activates for Operation Damayan"</ref> More than 2,495 tons of relief supplies were delivered, and over 21,000 people were evacuated.<ref name="Lum/Margesson">Lum and Margesson, "Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines Disaster"</ref>

==Mission==
Commanded by a [[lieutenant general]] with its headquarters at [[Camp Courtney]], III MEF's mission is to provide forward based and deployed forces to the commander, [[U.S. Indo-Pacific Command]], to conduct Phase 0 engagement and theater security cooperation events, support contingencies and emergent requirements, and prepare to rapidly execute existing operations plans in support of the theater and national military strategies.

III MEF is organized as a [[Marine Air Ground Task Force]] (MAGTF) to provide a rapidly deployable, flexible self-contained fighting force. The Marines combine air, ground, and logistics forces to operate as a coherent, self-sufficient force. Each mission dictates the MAGTF's scale and structure, giving the Marine Corps the flexibility to respond to any crisis and making a "force in readiness." A MEF is the largest of all MAGTFs.<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />

==History==
III Marine Expeditionary Force was activated as I Amphibious Corps 1 October 1942 in Camp Elliott, San Diego, California. Later that month, they were deployed to [[Noumea]], [[New Caledonia]]. The unit was redesignated as III Amphibious Corps 15 April 1944. III Amphibious Corps was deactivated on 10 June 1946.

III Marine Expeditionary Force was activated 6 May 1965 at [[Da Nang]], [[Republic of Vietnam]]. III MEF was re-designated to [[III Marine Amphibious Force]] (III MAF) 7 May 1965.

III Marine Amphibious Force deployed to [[Camp Courtney]], [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] April 1971. III MAF was redesignated to III Marine Expeditionary Force 5 February 1988.<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />

===World War II===
During [[World War II]], III MEF was known as [[I Marine Amphibious Corps]].  It was renamed III Amphibious Corps on 15 April 1944, and took part in fighting against the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese Empire]] in the [[Pacific War|Pacific theater]] during World War II. It fought in some of the bloodiest battles, including the [[Solomon Islands campaign]], the [[Mariana and Palau Islands campaign]] and the [[Volcano and Ryukyu Islands campaign]] (namely the [[Battle of Okinawa]]). III Amphibious Corps redeployed to [[Tianjin, China]], in September 1945, where it participated in the occupation of Northern China until June 1946, as part of [[Operation Beleaguer]]. III Amphibious Corps was deactivated on 10 June 1946.<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />

[[File:III MAF Hq 123 ENHANCED.jpg|thumb|[[Camp Horn]], III MAF Headquarters, Da Nang]]

===Vietnam War===
III MEF was reactivated 6 May 1965 in [[Da Nang]], [[Republic of Vietnam]] under Major General [[William R. Collins]]. 7 May 1965, III MEF was re-designated as '''III Marine Amphibious Force''' (III MAF) and consisted of the [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]], [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]] and the [[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]]. The III MAF's area of operations was in the northern [[I Corps Tactical Zone]]. III MAF participated in the [[Vietnam War]] from May 1965 – April 1971 operating from [[Quang Tri]], [[Thua Thien]], [[Quang Nam]], [[Quang Tin]], and [[Quang Ngai]]. III MAF deployed to Camp Courtney, Okinawa in April 1971.

===1990s–2010s===
Since III MAF was redesignated to III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) 5 February 1988, they have participated in many different operations. These operations include the Persian Gulf War's [[Operation Desert Shield]], [[Operation Desert Storm]], as well as [[Operation Provide Comfort]] in [[Southwest Asia]] and [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] from Sept. 1990 – April 1991 and May–June 1991. III MEF elements have also played a vital role in [[Operation Sea Angel]] in [[Bangladesh]] from May–June 1991; [[Operation Fiery Vigil]] in the [[Philippines]] June 1991; [[Operation Restore Hope]] and [[Operation Continue Hope]] in [[Somalia]] from December 1992 to March 1994. III MEF elements have also had a significant impact on the Iraq War's [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] as well as the Global War on Terrorism's [[Operation Enduring Freedom|Enduring Freedom]].

One of the biggest roles III MEF plays in the Asia-Pacific region is [[humanitarian assistance]] and [[disaster relief]] (HA/DR). III MEF elements participated in [[Operation Unified Assistance]] in response to the [[tsunami]] disaster in Southeast Asia from December 2004 to February 2005. III MEF has also assisted with the [[2005 Kashmir earthquake]] response from October 2005 to March 2006; [[Philippine]] [[mudslide]] response in March and April 2006; [[2006 Yogyakarta earthquake]] response in May and June 2006; [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi]] [[typhoon]] recovery in March 2007; [[2007 Solomon Islands earthquake]] and [[tsunami]] response in April 2007; [[Operation Sea Angel II]] in [[Bangladesh]] from November to December 2007; [[Operation Caring Response]] in [[Burma]] from May and June 2008; [[Taiwan]] typhoon relief in August 2009; Philippine typhoon and Indonesian earthquake relief in October 2009; Philippine typhoon relief in October 2010; [[Operation Tomodachi]] in May 2011; Thailand flood relief from October through November 2011; and Philippine typhoon relief in December 2012 and again in November 2013.<ref name=Manning>Manning, "Constant Vigilance readies Kinser, community for disaster response"</ref>

==Structure==
[[File:III Marine Expeditionary Force - Organization 2025.png|thumb|center|upright|800px|III Marine Expeditionary Force organization January 2025 (click to enlarge)]]
III Marine Expeditionary Force, together with [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]], makes up [[United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific|Marine Forces, Pacific]].

===Units===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Ground combat element]]: [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]]
* [[Aviation combat element]]: [[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]]
* [[Logistics combat element]]: [[3rd Marine Logistics Group]]
* [[Command element (United States Marine Corps)|Command element]]: [[Command element (United States Marine Corps)#III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group|III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/1302712/iii-mef-stands-up-new-mef-information-group/|title=III MEF stands up new MEF Information Group|website=marines.mil|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=9 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909143317/http://www.iiimef.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/1302712/iii-mef-stands-up-new-mef-information-group/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** III MEF Support Battalion<ref>{{cite web |title=III MEF Support Battalion: the newest battalion in the Marine Corps |url=https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Content/Press-Releases/Article/1475195/iii-mef-support-battalion-the-newest-battalion-in-the-marine-corps/ |publisher=III Marine Expeditionary Force |access-date=28 September 2022}}</ref>
** [[3rd Intelligence Battalion]]
** [[Radio Battalion#3rd Radio Battalion|3rd Radio Battalion]]
** [[7th Communication Battalion]]
** [[Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company|5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO)]]
* [[3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (United States)|3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade]]
* [[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit]]
{{Div col end}}

==III MEF Band==
As the Eastern Hemisphere’s sole musical representative of the United States Marine Corps, the III MEF Band enjoys a busy schedule filled with performances across Okinawa and the Indo-Pacific region each year.  The band capitalizes on this unique position by making it a priority to present community outreach performances and by participating in bi-lateral engagements with partner and allied nations throughout Asia and the Pacific.  Consisting of musicians trained in a variety of musical styles, the III MEF Band is able to provide a number of small ensembles for civilian events, including brass and woodwind quintets, jazz combo, rock band, and brass band.  The band was awarded the title of ''2018 Marine Corps Band of the Year'' in February 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/660089/iii-mef-band-ends-year-high-note|title=III MEF Band ends year on high note|website=DVIDS|access-date=8 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Band.aspx|title=III MEF Band|website=www.iiimef.marines.mil|access-date=8 September 2019|archive-date=10 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010114535/https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Band.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The III MEF Band was most recently award the ''2023 Colonel George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands''.

The following comprises the leadership of the band:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Band/Band-Leaders/|title=III MEF Band Leaders|website=www.iiimef.marines.mil|access-date=8 September 2019}}</ref>

*[[Band Officer]] &ndash; [[Captain]] Randel Metzinger
*[[Enlisted Bandleader]] &ndash; [[Master Sergeant]] James Holt
*Instrument Repair Technician &ndash; [[Gunnery Sergeant]] Mathew Medina
*Enlisted Conductor &ndash; [[Gunnery Sergeant]] Martin Arreola Jr
*[[Drum major (military)|Drum Major]] &ndash; [[Staff Sergeant]] Peter Yurkovich 
*Production Manager &ndash; [[Gunnery Sergeant]] Joshua W. Waldie

Uniquely, the band used to have its own mascot. The history of the use of a mascot dates back to 1974, when the Commanding General of the [[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]] presented a [[Golden Retriever]] to the 1st MAW Band. Since then, the 1st MAW and 3D MARDIV Bands combined to form the III MEF Band and five mascots have served the unit. Since November of 2012, Sgt Chopper V continued this unique tradition and retired in 2024 after serving the Marines of the III MEF Band faithfully and honorably.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Band/Mascot/|title=III Marine Expeditionary Force > Band > Mascot|website=www.iiimef.marines.mil|access-date=8 September 2019|archive-date=9 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509010839/https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Band/Mascot/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Gallery ===

==Locations and units==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

===Japan===

====Okinawa====
* [[Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler]]
* [[Marine Corps Air Station Futenma]]
* III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Element (III MEF CE)
* III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (III MHG)
*III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters and Service Company (III MEF HQSVC)
* [[3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade]] (3rd MEB)
* [[3rd Marine Division]] (3rd MarDiv)
* [[1st Marine Aircraft Wing]] (1st MAW)
* [[3rd Marine Logistics Group]] (3rd MLG)
* [[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit]] (31st MEU)

====Honshu====
* [[Camp Fuji]]
* [[Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni]]
* [[Marine Aircraft Group 12]]
* [[Combat Logistics Company 36]]

===United States===

====Hawaii====
* [[Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay]]
* [[3rd Marine Regiment]]
* [[Marine Aircraft Group 24]]
* [[Combat Logistics Battalion 3]]
* [[Combat Logistics Company 33]]
* [[Combat Logistics Company 35]]

===South Korea===
* [[Camp Mujuk]]
{{Div col end}}

==List of commanders==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!colspan=2|Commander
!colspan=3|Term
!rowspan=2|Ref
|-
!Portrait
!Name
!Took office
!Left office
!Term length
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = LIEUTENANT GENERAL NICHOLSON.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Lawrence D. Nicholson]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1956
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 11 September 2015
| term_end          = 2 August 2018
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|11 September 2015|2 August 2018}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/News/nicholson-takes-reins-of-marine-forces-japan-iii-mef-1.367543|title=Nicholson takes reins of Marine Forces Japan, III MEF|website=Stripes}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lieutenant General Eric M. Smith (cropped 2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Eric Smith (general)|Eric M. Smith]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 2 August 2018
| term_end          = 31 May 2019
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2 August 2018|31 May 2019}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usfj.mil/Media/Press-Releases/Article-View/Article/1592554/iii-mef-commanding-general-change-of-command-ceremony/|title=III MEF commanding general change of command ceremony|date=2018-08-02|website=U.S. Forces Korea}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III (2) (cropped).jpg
| officeholder      = [[H. Stacy Clardy]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1960
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 31 May 2019
| term_end          = 9 November 2021
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|31 May 2019|9 November 2021}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite web|first=Francesca|last=Landis|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/324753/iii-mef-commanding-general-change-command|title=III MEF Commanding General Change of Command|date=2020-05-31|website=dvidshub.net}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt Gen James W. Bierman (cropped).jpg
| officeholder      = [[James W. Bierman Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1965
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 9 November 2021
| term_end          = 26 January 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|9 November 2021|26 January 2024}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite web|first=Francesca|last=Landis|url=https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Leaders/Commanding-General/|title=III MEF Commanding General|date=2020-05-31|website=dvidshub.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012204236/https://www.ppo.marines.mil/Leaders/Biography/Article/3661664/lieutenant-general-james-w-bierman-jr/|title=LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES W. BIERMAN JR.|date=2025-10-12|website=USMC}}</ref>
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = LtGen Roger B. Turner Jr.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Roger B. Turner]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 26 January 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|26 January 2024}}
| ref               = <ref>{{cite web|last=Hitchcock|first=Owen|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/462471/iii-mef-change-command-ceremony|title=III MEF Change of Command Ceremony|date=2024-01-26|access-date=2024-01-27|publisher=III Marine Expeditionary Force|website=DVIDS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012204204/https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/Leaders/Biography/Article/3656857/lieutenant-general-roger-b-turner/|title=Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force LIEUTENANT GENERAL ROGER B. TURNER|date=2025-10-12|website=USMC}}</ref>
}}
|}

==Awards and decorations==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
! Streamer
! Award
! Year(s)
! Additional Info
|-
||[[File:Navy Unit Commendation streamer.svg|200px]]
||[[Navy Unit Commendation|Navy Unit Commendation Streamer]] with two Bronze Stars<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1965–1968, 1968–1971, 2001–2003<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||Vietnam War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Meritorious Unit Commendation (Navy-Marine) Streamer.jpg|200px]]
||[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer]] with one Bronze Star<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||2004–2005 2019-2021<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||Iraq War, War in Afghanistan, War on Terror<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Streamer APC.PNG|200px]]
||[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal|Asiatic-Pacific Campaign]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1942–1946<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||[[World War II]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Streamer WWII V.PNG|200px]]
||[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1945<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||World War II<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Streamer CS.PNG|200px]]
||[[China Service Medal|China Service]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1945–1946<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||Occupation of North China<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Streamer NDS.PNG|200px]]
||[[National Defense Service Medal|National Defense Service Streamer]] with two Bronze Stars<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1961–1974, 1990–1995, 2001–present<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War's [[Operation Desert Shield]] and [[Desert Storm]], Iraq War's [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] and [[Enduring Freedom]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Streamer VS.PNG|200px]]
||[[Vietnam Service Medal|Vietnam Service Streamer]] with two Silver and three Bronze Stars<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1965–1971<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||[[Quang Tri]], [[Thua Thien]], [[Quang Nam]], [[Quang Tin]], and [[Quang Ngai]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Streamer gwotS.PNG|200px]]
||[[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal|Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||2001–present<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||<br/>
|-
||[[File:VGCP Streamer.jpg|200px]]
||[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Streamer]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1965–1971<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||Foreign award from [[South Vietnam]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
||[[File:Streamer RVMUCCA.PNG|200px]]
||[[Vietnam Civil Actions Medal|Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer]]<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||1965–1971<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
||Foreign award from South Vietnam<ref name="USMC Units Lineage and Honors" />
|-
|}

==Notable former members==<!-- Please respect alphabetical order -->
{{div col}}
*[[William R. Collins]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1965
*[[Robert E. Cushman Jr.]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1967–1969
*[[Leo J. Dulacki]], served as chief of staff in the Vietnam War 1969–1970
*[[Roy Geiger]], commanding general in World War II
*[[Carl W. Hoffman]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1974–1975
*[[William G. Joslyn]] served as chief of staff in the Vietnam War 1970–1971
*[[Keith B. McCutcheon]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1970–1971
*[[Herman Nickerson Jr.]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1969–1970
*[[Earl S. Piper]], served as logistics officer in North China 1945–1946
*[[Jonas M. Platt]], served as chief of staff in the Vietnam War 1965–1966
*[[Herman Poggemeyer Jr.]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1973–1974
*[[Donn J. Robertson]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1970–1972
*[[Michael P. Ryan (USMC)|Michael P. Ryan]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1973
*[[Lawrence F. Snowden]], served as operations officer in the Vietnam War 1966–1967
*[[Rathvon M. Tompkins]], served as deputy commander in the Vietnam War 1968
*[[William J. Van Ryzin]], served as deputy commander in the Vietnam War 1968
*[[Lewis William Walt]], commanding general in the Vietnam War 1965–1967
*[[Herbert L. Wilkerson]], served as operations officer in the Vietnam War 1970
*[[Carl A. Youngdale]], served as deputy commander in the Vietnam War 1968–1969
{{Div col end}}

== Gallery ==
{| style="border:1px solid black; background:white;float: right;text-align: center" cellpadding="3"
|-
! [[NATO Joint Military Symbology|NATO Symbol]]
|-
| {{Mil Map Symbol
| UNIT SHORT NAME = III
| PARENT SHORT NAME = 
| UNIT ICON = Military Symbol - Friendly Unit (Solid Light 1.5x1 Frame)- Marine Air Ground Task Force (USMC) (ADRP 1-02, 2015 Dec 07).svg
| UNIT SIZE ICON = NATO Map Symbol - Unit Size - Corps Expiditionary Force.svg
| ICON SIZE = 100
}}
|}
<gallery>
File:III MEF LOGO.jpg|
File:USMC III Phib Corps Large.png
</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[List of corps of the United States]]
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
;Citations
{{Reflist}}

;References used
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite web|title=Joint Task Force 505 Activates for Operation Damayan|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/121160/|website=DoD News|publisher=U.S. Department of Defense|access-date=5 March 2015}}
* {{cite web|access-date=5 March 2015|url=https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Streamer%20Entitlements/MAGTF/III%20MARINE%20EXPEDITIONARY%20FORCE.pdf|title=III MEF Lineage and Honors|publisher=USMC History Division|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402143320/https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Streamer%20Entitlements/MAGTF/III%20MARINE%20EXPEDITIONARY%20FORCE.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web|last1=Lum|first1=Thomas|last2=Margesson|first2=Rhoda|title=Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): U.S. and International Response to Philippines Disaster|url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R43309.pdf|website=Congressional Research Service|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|access-date=5 March 2015}}
* {{cite web|last1=Manning|first1=Matthew|title=Constant Vigilance readies Kinser, community for disaster response|url=https://www.marines.mil/News/NewsDisplay/tabid/3258/Article/528765/constant-vigilance-readies-kinser-community-for-disaster-response.aspx|website=USMC News|publisher=USMC official website|access-date=5 March 2015}}

{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Official website|https://www.iiimef.marines.mil/}}

{{US Marine Corps navbox}}
{{USMCmajorcommands}}

<!--- added at February 2012, but hidden because cat doesn't seem to exist; so unable to refine this tree of categorization-->

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:003}}
[[Category:Corps of the United States in World War II|03]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:1946 in the United States]]<!--for disestablishment; couldn't refine further-->
[[Category:1965 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Corps of the United States Marine Corps]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1965]]<!--should really be "military units and formations reestablished [in 1965]-->
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United States Marine Corps in World War II]]