5th Marine Division
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| 5th Marine Division | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 5th Marine Division |
| Caption | The shoulder sleeve insignia of the 5th Marine Division. |
| Dates | 1943–1946, 1966–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Amphibious warfare |
| Size | Marine division |
| Command structure | I Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton |
| Nickname | The Spearhead |
| Battles | World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War |
| Notable commanders | Keller E. Rockey, Thomas A. Bourke |
5th Marine Division. The 5th Marine Division is a combat unit of the United States Marine Corps, first activated during World War II for service in the Pacific War. Known as "The Spearhead," it is famed for its pivotal role in the Battle of Iwo Jima and has since participated in major conflicts from Vietnam to the Global War on Terrorism. The division is currently part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force and headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
History
The division was initially formed on 11 November 1943 at Camp Pendleton, California, drawing personnel from other units and new recruits to meet the demands of the expanding Pacific War. Following its deactivation after World War II, it was reactivated in 1966 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to support operations during the Vietnam War, where elements served in the I Corps Tactical Zone. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the division has been a key component of Marine Corps expeditionary forces, deploying for operations such as the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.
Organization
The division is organized under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force doctrine, centered on three infantry regiments: the 26th Marine Regiment, the 27th Marine Regiment, and the 28th Marine Regiment. These are supported by the 13th Marine Regiment (artillery), the 5th Tank Battalion, the 5th Reconnaissance Battalion, and various combat support units like the 5th Combat Engineer Battalion and the 5th Marine Regiment. This structure allows it to function as a balanced, combined-arms force capable of rapid deployment worldwide under the auspices of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.
World War II
The division's combat debut was the Battle of Iwo Jima, where it landed on 19 February 1945 alongside the 3rd Marine Division and the 4th Marine Division. Its regiments, including the 28th Marine Regiment, were instrumental in securing key objectives such as Mount Suribachi, where the iconic Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima photograph was taken by Joe Rosenthal. The division sustained heavy casualties during the brutal, month-long campaign against the Imperial Japanese Army forces under Tadamichi Kuribayashi, earning a Presidential Unit Citation for its extraordinary heroism.
Post-war era
After World War II, the division was inactivated in 1946 but was reborn two decades later during the Vietnam War, with its units operating primarily in the northern provinces of South Vietnam. In the subsequent decades, it provided forces for major interventions, including the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm and the invasion of Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. More recently, it has supported training missions and contingency operations across the United States Central Command and United States Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility.
Notable members
Several individuals who served with the division achieved significant fame. John H. Bradley was a Navy corpsman attached to the 28th Marine Regiment and one of the flag-raisers on Iwo Jima. Charles Lindbergh flew as a civilian technical advisor with Marine aviation units during the Pacific War. Renowned actor Eddie Albert earned a Bronze Star Medal for his actions as a Naval Reserve officer during the Battle of Tarawa, later supporting operations with the division. Medal of Honor recipient Jacklyn H. Lucas famously served with the 26th Marine Regiment on Iwo Jima.
Honors and awards
The division's collective honors include the Presidential Unit Citation for Iwo Jima and the Navy Unit Commendation for service in Vietnam. Its members have earned numerous individual decorations, such as the Medal of Honor awarded to Jacklyn H. Lucas and William G. Harrell. The division's lineage and battle honors are represented on its guidons and in the collections of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Category:United States Marine Corps divisions Category:Military units and formations established in 1943