3rd CEB hosts deactivation ceremony

Photo By Cpl. Ali Azimi | Lt. Col. Brian Dwyer, commanding officer, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, salutes the national and unit colors, while the National Anthem plays, during 3rd CEB’s deactivation ceremony Aug. 5, 2014. The unit deactivated after seven year of active service during this rotation.  

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

08.08.2014

Story by Cpl. Lauren Kurkimilis 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Center patrons stood silent and still as they paid witness to the closing of an historic era. Crimson and gold colors gently ruffled in the mild morning air, waving for the last time before being retired and cased. This marked the official deactivation of 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, a unit that’s participation in foreign wars since World War II has been integral to the Marine Corps’ mission.

3rd CEB was officially deactivated during a ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field, Tuesday.

“This is the third time we’ve rolled these colors and deactivated this battalion,” said Maj. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general, 1st Marine Division. “This battalion formed in 1942, during one of the most dangerous periods in this countries’ history. So, when things are really rough, you look for engineers. They are guys who solve problems and they are guys that prevent problems.”

The battalion was first formed in 1942 in support of the Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima campaigns, and deactivated at the end of World War II.

The unit reactivated in 1952, later deploying to the Republic of Vietnam from 1965 to 1969. Deploying in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm between 1990 and 1991, 3rd CEB later deactivated in 1995.

In 2007, the unit was reactivated at the Combat Center and deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

“The performance of this command is outstanding and it is testament to that history and that legacy of such a fine battalion,” said Lt. Col. Brian Dwyer, commanding officer, 3rd CEB. “These are the Marines that performed rout clearance … to ensure and assure the safe passage of any unit that needed to get somewhere. Day in and day out, they got on the road and said, ‘It will not be the Marine behind me. I will find that IED or I will take it myself.’ That is the caliber of Marine that is standing behind me.”

At the ceremony, portraits of every Marine who lost their lives in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom were on display to be honored and recognized.

“We have eight Marines and sailors that lost their lives serving with this battalion just during this rotation,” Nicholson said. “Can we please have a round of applause for our gold star families? Thank you for being here with us today.”

The final review was performed by the Marines of 3rd CEB as they marched past the reviewing area and the 3rd CEB colors were then respectfully lowered during the National Anthem one last time before being put away. It was assured to the audience though that this would only be until the unit would once again be called upon.

“Today we are going to roll these colors, but we’re not saying, ‘Goodbye,’” Nicholson said. “We are saying, ‘See you later.’ We are going to roll these colors knowing that when the nation needs them the most, when the wolf is at the door, we will once again unfurl these colors and we will fill the ranks with great and talented young combat engineers that will carry the load and protect all of us.”

• Date Taken: 08.08.2014
• Date Posted: 08.08.2014 11:58
• Story ID: 138712
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US