Marines stand down historic 1st Tank Battalion in continued shift to amphibious roots

Published May 24, 2021 12:00am ET



A Marine Corps tank battalion that fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam was deactivated Friday, part of a modernization effort intended to bring the corps back to its roots as an amphibious fighting force.

The 1st Tank Battalion at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, was the latest to retire its tanks on Friday. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger has called for divesting from legacy land-based capabilities as the Marine Corps prepares to meet great power competition with China in the vast waters of the Indo-Pacific region.

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