U.S. 2nd Marine Regiment
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 2nd Marine Regiment | |
|---|---|
 2nd Marines Insignia |
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| Active | January 1, 1901 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Infantry Regiment |
| Role | Locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or repel the enemy's assault with fire and close combat. |
| Part of | 2nd Marine Division 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune |
| Nickname | 2nd Marines |
| Motto | Keep Moving |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal * Battle of Tarawa * Battle of Saipan * Battle of Tinian * Battle of Okinawa Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom |
The 2nd Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
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[edit] Current Units
The Regiment is comprised of three infantry battalions and one headquarters battalion:
- Headquarters Battalion 2nd Marines (HQ/2)
- 1st Battalion 2nd Marines (1/2)
- 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines (2/2)
- 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines (3/2)
[edit] History
[edit] Early years
The first "2nd Regiment" of Marines came into existence in 1901 when unsettled conditions in the Far East required the presence of a Marine expeditionary force to protect American lives and property. The regiment was formed at Cavite, Philippine Islands on January 1, by utilizing personnel for units recently returned to the Philippines from service during in the Boxer Rebellion in China, namely, the 1st Regiment and the 4th and 5th Independent Battalions. The 2nd Regiment became part of the 1st Brigade of Marines stationed in the Philippines as a ready force to be committed wherever needed in Far Eastern waters. Following the collapse of Philippine resistance in the Philippine-American War, the 2nd was given an additional mission of helping carry out United States Navy responsibilities for the military government of Cavite Peninsula and the Subic Bay area. The Marines of the regiment established garrisons and outposts and continually patrolled their assigned areas to round up the remaining insurgents and to maintain law and order. In order to execute the regiment's military government responsibilities, officers were appointed to varied special duties such as captains of the ports, district commanders, inspectors of customs, internal revenue collectors, and provost judges and marshals. As the political situation in the Philippines returned to normalcy, drill, practice marches, and general field training. were emphasized to a greater degree. In January of 1914, the regiment reassigned most of its units to ships and other stations of the Far East. With the transfer of the Field and Staff (Headquarters) to the Provisional Regiment, Guam, on the 20 January, the 2nd Regiment was formally disbanded.
At the same time, a "2nd Regiment" served in the Far East, the 2nd Regiment, 1st Provisional Brigade consisting of a Field and Staff, and Companies A, B, C, F was organized at League Island, Pennsylvania on December 26, 1903. The regiment embarked and sailed this same date to Panama, arriving there on January 3, 1904. The primary mission of this force in Panama was the enforcement of provisions of the Hay-Herran Treaty made with Panama on 18 November 18, 1903 which provided for the construction of a cross-isthmus canal.
A revolution broke out in Cuba in late 1906, and a Marine expeditionary force was dispatched to the island to establish and maintain law and order. As part of this force, the 4th Expeditionary Battalion was formed at League Island, Pennsylvania, on September 27, 1906. The battalion sailed for Cuba, arriving at Camp Columbia on 8 October. Here, it was reorganized and redesignated 2nd Regiment, 1st Expeditionary Brigade. Order was soon restored, and upon the arrival of United States Army troops as occupation forces on 31 October, the 2nd Regiment was disbanded.
The final one of these temporary "2nd Regiment" organizations to be formed was designated as the 2nd Regiment, 2nd Provisional Brigade on February 19, 1913 at Philadelphia. The regiment was originally intended for duty in Mexico as part of an expeditionary brigade. Instead, it was sent to Guantanamo Bay and held in readiness for emergency duties, while undergoing intensive training. On 1 May, this unit was redesignated 2nd Regiment, Expeditionary Force, USMC.
[edit] World War II
The regiment took part in the bloody assault on Tarawa in 1943. The regiment's motto is derived from this battle. Additionally, the Regiment participated in operations on Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. After Japan surrendered, the regiment took up occupation duties in Nagasaki, Japan.
[edit] Global War on Terrorism
2nd Battalion 2nd Marines was attached to the 1st Marine Regiment in early 2004 and participated in Operation Vigilant Resolve. During the assault Lieutenant Ilario Pantano shot two unarmed Iraqi civilians, and was subsequently charged with murder and found not guily.
The 2nd Marine Regiment deployed to Iraq in January of 2005 as part of the 2nd Marine Division in the Al Anbar province in western Iraq. They are due to return home in March of 2006.
