29 Sep 42

HQ, A and E Companies were organized on Tutuila, American Samoa.  B and C Companies were organized on Upulu, Western Samoa.  D Company was organized on Uvea Island, Wallis Island Group, a possession of the French Vichy Government.  NOTE: Uvea was invaded and occupied on 27 May 42, by the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Reinforced, the first amphibious landing by Marines on enemy foreign soil in the Pacific during WWII.

18 Dec 42

The machine gun platoon of E Company on detached duty with B Company, on Upulu, Western Samoa, was transferred by Naval aircraft to Tutuila, American Samoa, to join it's parent company.

19 Dec 42

D Company embarked on board the USS Chestnut (AN'-ll) at Uvea Island, Wallis Island Group, sailed, and arrived at Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa, on  2l Dec 42, and joined the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion.

23 Dec 42

B and C Companies embarked aboard the SS Oliver Wendell Holmes at Apia, Western Samoa, sailed arrived at Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa, on 25 Dec 42, and joined the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion.

16 Jan 43

Battalion embarked aboard the USS American Legion (APA-17), at Pago Pago Harbor, Tutuila, American Samoa, sailed, and arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands, on 25 Jan 43. At Camp Renie.

10-18 Feb 43

 Battalion embarked aboard the USS Manley (APD-1), Stringham (APD-6), Humphries (APD-12), Sands (APD-13), Southard (DMS-10), USS Zane (DMS-14) and the USS Trever (DmS-16), and transported to the Tetere area, Guadalcanal, BSI.

20 Feb 43

A Company embarked aboard the USS Sands (APD-13), and sailed. B Company embarked aboard the USS Manley (APD-1), and sailed. C Company embarked aboard the USS Hunphries (APD-17), and sailed. D Company embarked aboard the USS Stringham (APD-6), and sailed.

2l Feb 43

Battalion arrived and occupied Patty Bay area on Pepasala Peninsula, Pavuvu Island, Russell Island Group, British Solomon Islands.

12 Feb to 18 Mar 43

Patrolling main and surrounding islands, and garrison duty.

15 Mar 43

1st Marine Raider Regiment organized on Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides  Islands. Regiment composed of H&S Company, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Raider Battalions.

19 Mar 43

Battalion embarked aboard APD's at Paddy Bay, PeDasala Peninsula, Pavuvu Island, Russell Island Group, sailed, arrived on 20 Mar 43 at Lunga Point, Guadalcanal, disembarked, and then embarked aboard the USS President Polk (APA-105) same date.

24 Mar 43

Sailed and arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands, on 26 Mar 43. Battalion at Camp Renie.

1 May 43

Designation changed from 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, In the Field, to 3rd Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment, 1st Marine Amphibious Corps. A Company designated as I Company.  B Company designated as K Company.  C Company designated as L Company.  D Company designated as M Company.  E Company disbanded.

29 May 43

Battalion embarked aboard the MS. Brastagi at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands, sailed, arrived l Jun 43 at Noumea, New Caledonia, and disembarked. Encamped at Mission St. Louis.

12 Sep 43

Designation changed from 3rd Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment, to 3rd Raider Battalion, 2nd Marine Raider Regiment,.  (Provisional), 1st Marine Amphibious Corps.

6 Oct 43

Battalion embarked aboard the USS President Adams (APA-19), at Noumea, New Caledonia, sailed, and disembarked 11 Oct 43, at Kokumbona, Guadalcanal, BSI., and encamped next to the 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, west of the Poho river.

19 Oct 43

Battalion embarked aboard the USS Fuller (APA-7), at Kukumbona, Guadalcanal, BSI, sailed, and arrived at Efate, New Hebrides, Islands, and conducted pre-invasion landing rehearsals from 21-25 Oct 43.

27 Oct 43

Departed Efate, New Hebrides Islands, and arrived at Espiritu Santo Harbor, New Hebrides.

30 Oct 43

Arrived and sailed from Guadalcanal, BSI.

l Nov 43

Assault landing at Cape Torokina, Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, BSI.   I and K, and one-half of HQ Companies landed, at 0730, on Green Beach #1, on the north side of Puruata Island, and encountered   heavy enemy resistance.   M Company landed on Green Beach #2, on the main land, pushed through enemy positions to set up a road block on the Mission Trail, about a mile north of the beachhead.  L Company landed over Green Beach #2 later in the A.M.

9 Nov 43

Battle of Piva Forks.

13 Nov 43

Battle of Coconut Grove.

19 Nov 43

Battle of the Numa Numa Trail.

About 22-25 Nov 43

K Company conducted a reconnaissance in the vicinity of the Reini- Tehessi river areas, about nine miles east of Cape Torokina, in Empress Augusta Bay.

29 Nov 43

M Company participated with the 1st Parachute Battalion in the Koiara raid battle, in an area about 10 miles east of Cape Torokina in Empress Augusta Bay.

12 Jan 44

Battalion withdrawn from combat zone. Embarked aboard the President Adams (APA-19), at Cape Torokina, Bougainville, BSI., sailed, and on 14 Jan 44, arrived and disembarked at Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal, BSI.

26 Jan 44

Designation of 3rd Raider Battalion, 2nd Marine Raider Regiment, (Provisional), 1st Marine Amphibious Corps, changed to 3rd Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment, 1st Marine Amphibious Corps.

l Feb 44

3rd Raider Battalion designated 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines.