5th Marine Division (United States)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 5th Marine Division | |
|---|---|
 5th Marine Division insignia |
|
| Active | November 11, 1943 - February 5, 1946 reactivated 1966 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Infantry division |
| Role | Locate close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver |
| Nickname | "The Spearhead" |
| Engagements | World War II *Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Thomas E. Bourke |
The 5th Marine Division was an infantry division in the United States Marine Corps. It 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.
Contents |
[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.
[edit] Organization
[edit] World War II
|
|
|
[edit] Vietnam War
- 26th Marine Regiment
- 27th Marine Regiment
- 13th Marine Regiment
- 3rd Military Police Battalion FMF Pac
- 5th Military Polce Battalion, Camp Pendelton
[edit] See also
- Flags of our Fathers
- List of United States Marine Corps divisions
- Organization of the United States Marine Corps
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Web
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||
