2nd Marine Division (United States)

2nd Marine Division (United States)
Unit name	2nd Marine Division
Caption	The 2nd Marine Division insignia
Dates	1 February 1941 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Marine division
Role	Amphibious assault
Size	Approximately 20,000 Marines and sailors
Command structure	II Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison	Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Nickname	"The Silent Second"
Motto	"Follow Me"
Battles	World War II, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Current commander	Major General David G. Bellon
Notable commanders	John Marston, Thomas E. Watson, Julian C. Smith, John H. Russell Jr., Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.

2nd Marine Division (United States) is a Marine division of the United States Marine Corps and a major ground combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. Headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, the division is one of the principal fighting formations of the United States Marine Corps. It has a storied history of combat across the Pacific Theater of World War II and in numerous modern conflicts, earning a reputation for tenacity and valor.

History

The division was activated on 1 February 1941 at Marine Corps Base San Diego, initially built around the 6th Marine Regiment which had recently returned from duty in Iceland. It relocated to Camp Lejeune in 1942 before deploying to the Pacific War. Its combat history began with the Battle of Guadalcanal, where elements fought under the 1st Marine Division. The division's first full-scale operation was the bloody Battle of Tarawa in November 1943, a pivotal action in the Central Pacific Area. It subsequently fought in the Battle of Saipan, the Battle of Tinian, and the Battle of Okinawa, establishing itself as a premier assault force. Post-war, the division participated in Operation Desert Storm, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.

Organization

The division is organized under the Table of Organization for a Marine division, comprising three infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, and various combat support units. Its core maneuver elements are the 2nd, 6th, and 8th Marine Regiments. The 10th Marine Regiment provides artillery support. Key supporting elements include the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. The division falls under the operational control of II Marine Expeditionary Force and works closely with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Notable campaigns and battles

The division's battle honors are extensive, beginning with its brutal initiation at the Battle of Tarawa. It played a decisive role in the Marianas and Palau Islands campaign, including the Battle of Saipan and Battle of Tinian. In the final major campaign of the Pacific War, it fought in the Battle of Okinawa. In the modern era, the division spearheaded the 1st Marine Division's attack into Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. During the Iraq War, it conducted major combat operations in the Battle of Nasiriyah and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and later assumed responsibility for Al Anbar Governorate. Elements also deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

Unit awards and honors

The division has been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions on Tarawa and Saipan-Tinian. It has also received the Navy Unit Commendation for service in Operation Desert Storm and the Iraq War. Numerous individual Marines from the division have been decorated with the Medal of Honor, including David M. Shoup (later Commandant of the Marine Corps) for Tarawa and William D. Hawkins for the same battle. The division's lineage and honors are maintained by the Marine Corps History Division.

Commanders

Notable past commanders include Major General Julian C. Smith, who led the division at Tarawa, and Major General Thomas E. Watson, who commanded during the Battle of Saipan and Battle of Tinian. Other distinguished commanders are Major General John H. Russell Jr., later Commandant of the Marine Corps, and General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., who later served as Commandant of the Marine Corps. The current commander is Major General David G. Bellon.

Current structure

As of the modern era, the division's primary subordinate commands remain the 2nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Regiment, and 8th Marine Regiment. The 10th Marine Regiment continues as its artillery regiment. The division maintains its headquarters at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and is a key component of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, prepared for global deployment. Its battalions routinely rotate through the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa and integrate with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for exercises worldwide.

Category:United States Marine Corps divisions Category:Military units and formations in North Carolina Category:Military units and formations established in 1941