The Marine Corps' historic "China Marines" have been revived in a modernized form as the 12th Littoral Combat Team (12th LCT), a key component of the Marine Corps’ restructuring to focus on countering threats in the Pacific.
The unit, which was formally established during a ceremony in Okinawa, Japan, on March 3, carries on the legacy of its predecessor, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines.
As part of its mission, the 12th LCT is designed to enhance the Marine Corps’ ability to operate in contested coastal regions, particularly in the Pacific.
The unit is expected to receive the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) in the 2026 fiscal year, a state-of-the-art missile system capable of sinking enemy ships from shore, according to Marine Corps Systems Command. The inclusion of NMESIS underscores the Marine Corps’ emphasis on precision-strike capabilities in potential conflicts involving China and Taiwan.
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The 12th LCT is the third battalion-sized formation under the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, which falls under the 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. It consists of a reinforced infantry battalion and an anti-ship missile battery, designed to be highly mobile and lethal in contested littoral zones.
“This formation didn’t just stand up, it surged forward. Today, we became stronger, faster, and more lethal,” said Col. Peter Eltringham, commanding officer of the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment.
“We bring this combat power to Okinawa to be able to deliver it in the eyes of our adversaries and ensure we can bring it to the decisive point on the battlefield. We do this alongside our Japanese ground, air, and maritime Self-Defense Force partners because there is nothing more powerful than this alliance in this theater.”
The establishment of the 12th LCT is a direct response to the growing military presence of China, which boasts the largest navy in the world with more than 370 ships and submarines, according to the Defense Department’s latest report.
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As a strategic countermeasure, Marine Littoral Regiments are designed to operate in a “contested littoral environment” by executing reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, and maritime control denial operations. These regiments could be deployed to remote Pacific islands in the event of conflict, leveraging their anti-ship capabilities to challenge enemy naval movements.
“The Marine Corps’ force modernization efforts designed the LCT for speed, mobility, lethality, and precision,” said Lt. Col. Jacob Godby, commanding officer of the 12th LCT. His remarks emphasize the Corps’ shift toward agile, technology-driven warfare to maintain superiority in the region.
The roots of the 12th LCT trace back to the legendary 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, which was originally established in 1911 and later stationed in Shanghai, earning the battalion the title of “China Marines.”
During World War II, the battalion fought in the Philippines against the Japanese invasion until all U.S. and Filipino forces surrendered on May 6, 1942. Before their surrender, the Marines were ordered to burn all national and regimental colors to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
Following the war, the battalion was reborn in February 1944 when the 1st Marine Raider Battalion was redesignated as 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. The reconstituted unit went on to fight at Guam and Okinawa, adopting the motto “Hold the High Torch” in honor of its captured brethren from the 4th Marine Regiment.
The battalion continued to play a pivotal role in U.S. military history, serving in Vietnam from 1965 to 1969, participating in the May 1975 rescue operation of the SS Mayaguez from the Khmer Rouge, and deploying during the Persian Gulf War in 1990 and 1991. It also saw action in Afghanistan in 2002 and undertook multiple tours in Iraq between 2003 and 2009.
On January 10, the battalion held a redesignation ceremony, marking its transformation into the 12th LCT. This transition is emblematic of the Marine Corps’ broader strategic shift, ensuring that its forces are prepared for modern warfare in an increasingly complex global landscape.
With a legacy of resilience and a future focused on advanced warfare, the 12th Littoral Combat Team stands as a testament to the Marine Corps' commitment to adapting and overcoming challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
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