22nd Marine Regiment (United States)

22nd Marine Regiment (United States) was a United States Marine Corps infantry regiment that served during World War II. Activated in 1944, it was assigned to the 6th Marine Division and saw combat in the Pacific War. The regiment participated in the recapture of Guam and the bloody Battle of Okinawa before being deactivated after the war's end.

History

The 22nd Marine Regiment was activated on 1 June 1944 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as part of the 6th Marine Division. The regiment was formed from existing units, including the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, which was already deployed in the Pacific Theater of Operations. After initial training, the regiment shipped out to join the Marine Forces Pacific for combat operations. Its first major engagement was the Battle of Guam (1944), where it landed as part of the III Amphibious Corps to recapture the island from Imperial Japanese Army forces. Following the successful Guam campaign, the regiment prepared for the Battle of Okinawa, the final and largest amphibious assault of the Pacific War, where it faced fierce resistance from the Japanese Thirty-Second Army.

Organization

As a standard Marine infantry regiment of the era, the 22nd Marines was organized into three infantry battalions: the 1st Battalion, 22nd Marines, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, and 3rd Battalion, 22nd Marines. Each battalion contained three rifle companies and a weapons company. The regiment's headquarters company included specialized platoons for reconnaissance, communication, and anti-tank operations. For its major campaigns, the regiment operated under the command of the 6th Marine Division, which also included the 4th Marine Regiment and the 29th Marine Regiment, and was supported by divisional artillery and engineer units.

Commanders

The first commanding officer of the regiment was Colonel Merritt A. Edson, a renowned figure who had previously earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Edson's Ridge on Guadalcanal. Edson commanded the regiment through its initial formation and the Battle of Guam (1944). He was succeeded by Colonel John T. Walker, who led the 22nd Marines during the brutal Battle of Okinawa. Other key officers included the regimental executive officer and the commanders of its constituent battalions, who played critical roles in the regiment's tactical operations throughout its service.

Campaigns and decorations

The 22nd Marine Regiment participated in two major campaigns of World War II. For its actions in the Battle of Guam (1944), the regiment was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. Its service in the Battle of Okinawa earned it a Presidential Unit Citation, recognizing the extreme hardship and combat effectiveness demonstrated during the protracted battle against determined Imperial Japanese Army defenses. Individual Marines within the regiment received numerous awards for valor, including the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Purple Heart.

Notable members

Several individuals who served with the 22nd Marines achieved later prominence. Colonel Merritt A. Edson, its first commander, remained a significant figure in the Marine Corps and later served as the executive director of the National Rifle Association. Robert H. Williams, who served as a company commander on Okinawa, later became a Major General and served as the Inspector General of the Marine Corps. The regiment also included many enlisted Marines who displayed extraordinary heroism, with some being decorated for actions that directly contributed to the success of critical operations on Guam and Okinawa.

Category:United States Marine Corps regiments Category:Military units and formations established in 1944 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946