Semper Fidelis. Activated on 16 August 1943 at Camp Pendleton, California, the Fourth Marine Division carried out more combat missions in less time than any other military unit during World War II. It departed the Port of San Diego on 13 January 1944 for combat against the Japanese in the Pacific Theatre and operated from Maui, Hawaii, from February 1944 through March 1945, with combat invasions of the Japanese-held islands of Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Its major Pacific island campaigns against the Empire of Japan were Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands from 31 January to 8 February 1944, Saipan in the Marianas Islands from 15 June to 9 July 1944, Tinian in the Marianas Islands from 24 July to 1 August 1944, and Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands from 19 February to 16 March 1945. The division returned to Camp Pendleton, California, and was deactivated on 28 November 1945. Its World War II honors included 12 Medals of Honor, 111 Navy Crosses, 4 Distinguished Service Medals, 646 Silver Stars, 53 Legions of Merit, 36 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 56 Navy Marine Corps Medals, 2517 Bronze Stars, 103 Air Medals, 17722 Purple Hearts, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, and 1 Navy Unit Citation. Division combat casualties were 3,298 killed and 14,424 wounded.