Our logo speaks to a special heritage shared among us. Something that was earned at great cost. Something that should be remembered with respect for every Marine who served in 3/1. And wrote the Vietnam history of our battalion.

That history was written in our blood. And through our suffering. It was never easy. Never glorious. We experienced unimaginable terrors. Suffered enormous deprivation. Watched our Brothers maimed and killed in unutterably horrific ways.

We have known the fury of battle and the tragedy of human carnage. The coppery taste of blood and the acrid burning smoke of cordite. We have all made silent "deals" with God - asking for mercy in the life and death drama unfolding in front of us. An event so profound it can never be scrubbed from the soul.....

An assignment to 3/1 was the catalyst for our Vietnam experience. The battalion's fortunes and misfortunes were ours. On good days. And the very bad ones....

The "gold ring" on our logo represents inclusion. The circular band embraces every Marine who served with 3/1. And acknowledges the contribution each person made to the battalion - no matter when or where they served....

The six stars recognize each year 3/1 was at war in Vietnam - from January 1966 through May, 1971.
For most of us, a 13 month tour was a lifetime. Not only for the dead, but for the living as well.....

The "red star" has a special significance - suggesting 3/1's fierce engagements on the bleeding edge of the war in Vietnam. From rice paddies to sand dunes. Among the mountains, and in thick, nearly impenetrable, jungle.

Marines of 3/1 left footprints throughout "I Corps", and spilled blood in every major killing field. From south of Marble Mountain to the DMZ, the Cua Viet west to the "Rockpile", along Rt 9 to the hills in the "neighborhood" of Khe Sanh. In the Ashua and Queson Valleys. From Chu Lai in the south to Gio Linh in the north - a little east northeast of Con Thien....

The Skull and Cross Bones are an ancient symbol of death. Frightening to many - deservedly so. There are no subtleties in this image. No ambiguities over meaning - at least among those who pulled the triggers in Vietnam. And have an intimate "hands on" experience with killing. And death.

Many of us have looked into the haunting empty eye sockets - and known a primal terror that resides deep within those dark cavities. Something few can imagine - except those who have seen death at war in a mirror. In the form of their Brothers. Their good friends.....

The theme "Death Before Dishonor" has been used by Marines since at least WW II. It speaks to the value we place on "personal honor" - a concept that, sadly, seems to have become rather obscure over the last 30 years. It too is a metaphor for our past. With a sense of obligation and duty to country, we once raised our hands and took an oath. And fulfilled that promise in Vietnam with honor. And through great sacrifice.

Our logo is something that was earned. Paid for again and again. We don't honor the image, but rather what it stands for. It's deeper meaning. A unique Brotherhood that lives on today. Like Vietnam, with a life of it's own....

Most of us were quite young then - many were teenagers. We never imagined Vietnam would remain with us forever. Defining not only our past but, in a special way, who we became.

Wear our logo with pride. Never forget the cost. Or how much each man in 3/1 paid to provide an opportunity for us to gather again today. To help each of us remain alive. And, among the badly wounded, to be as "whole" as possible.

Semper Fi,

Michael Thill

1st squad leader
1st Platoon
Kilo 3/1
1967/68