5th Marine Division (United States)

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5th Marine Division
5th Marine Division insignia
Active	November 11, 1943 - February 5, 1946
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Infantry division
Role	Locate close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver
Nickname	"The Spearhead"
Battles/wars	Battle of Iwo Jima
Commanders
Notable commanders	Thomas E. Bourke

The 5th Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps was created during World War II for the Battle of Iwo Jima and the planned invasion of the Japanese home islands. It was reactivated in 1966 and served in the Vietnam War.

1 History
2 Casualties
3 Honors and Awards
4 Organization
- 4.1 World War II
- 4.2 Vietnam War
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

The 5th Marine Division was activated on Armistice Day, November 11, 1943. Division Headquarters Battalion officially began operating at Camp Pendleton on December 1, at which time men and equipment began streaming into Pendleton. The official activation date for the Division was January 21, 1944.

On March 21, 1945 the 5th Marine Division Cemetery was formally dedicated on Iwo Jima. Chaplains prayed, Major General Keller E. Rockey added a tribute to the dead and Lieutenant Roland B. Gittelsohn, U.S. Navy and a 5th Division chaplain, spoke of friends buried and "the ghastly price of freedom...." The flag was raised then lowered to half-mast. Taps was played echoing across the dark foreboding ash of Sulfur Island.

[edit] Casualties

World War II

Killed in Action/Died of Wounds – 2,416
Wounded in Action – 6,860
Total Casualties– 9,276

Vietnam War

Killed in Action/Died of Wounds – N/A
Wounded in Action – N/A
Total Casualties– N/A

[edit] Honors and Awards

Units of the division included in assault troops of the V Amphibious Corps, reinforced, were awarded the: Presidential Unit Citation, and those included in support troops of the V Amphibious Corps, reinforced, were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for Iwo Jima, 19–28 February 1945.