2nd Marine Regiment

2nd Marine Regiment
Public domain · source
Unit name	2nd Marine Regiment
Dates	1914–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Infantry regiment
Role	Ground combat
Size	Regiment
Command structure	2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison	Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Nickname	"2nd Marines"
Motto	"Follow Me"
Notable commanders	Julian C. Smith, Jonas M. Platt, Walter E. R. Brock

2nd Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps assigned to the 2nd Marine Division and based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The regiment has participated in major World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and Global War on Terrorism campaigns and serves as a key component of II Marine Expeditionary Force. Prominent commanders and alumni include leaders who later served in senior roles within United States Department of Defense and joint operations with the United States Army, United States Navy, and allied forces such as United Kingdom Armed Forces and Australian Army.

History

The regiment was activated in 1914 at Quantico, Virginia and deployed elements to the Haitian Campaign and the Occupation of Veracruz (1914), operating alongside units from the United States Navy and the United States Army. During World War II the regiment fought at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tarawa, and Battle of Saipan as part of the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Marianas Campaign, serving under commanders with prior experience in the Banana Wars and interwar expeditionary operations. In the postwar period the regiment was reassigned to Camp Lejeune and later deployed to Vietnam War theaters including Operation Starlite and Tet Offensive engagements in concert with III Marine Amphibious Force and United States Marine Corps Reserve formations. During the 1991 Gulf War the regiment took part in Operation Desert Storm and coordinated with Coalition Forces including units from United Kingdom, France, and Saudi Arabia. After September 11 attacks, the regiment deployed repeatedly to Iraq War provinces such as Al Anbar Governorate and to War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) regions including Helmand Province, integrating with Multinational Force commands and Joint Special Operations Command-adjacent activities.

Organization and Structure

The regiment is composed of multiple battalions and a regimental headquarters element organized under the 2nd Marine Division and operational control of II MEF (Marine Expeditionary Force). Core maneuver units include rifle battalions historically designated as 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines; 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines; and 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, with attachments from Combat Logistics Battalion elements and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron support for amphibious operations. The regimental staff comprises S1 through S6 sections coordinating personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics, and communications with higher echelons such as United States Fleet Forces Command and Marine Forces Command. During amphibious campaigns the regiment integrates assets from the United States Navy including amphibious assault ships like the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) and logistical support from units such as Military Sealift Command and Naval Construction Battalion detachments. Command relationships have linked the regiment to joint task forces under United States European Command, United States Central Command, and United States Southern Command for expeditionary assignments.

Deployments and Operations

Operational history includes expeditionary deployments to the Caribbean interventions with the 2nd Marine Brigade and participation in island campaigns such as Bougainville Campaign and Battle of Okinawa where regimental rifle companies coordinated with artillery from 5th Marine Regiment and armor lanes supported by United States Army 10th Mountain Division elements. In Vietnam the regiment executed counterinsurgency operations including village security in the Quang Tri Province and cordon-and-search missions with air support from Marine Aircraft Group 16. During Operation Desert Storm the regiment advanced in combined arms operations alongside 1st Marine Division and coalition armored brigades, later conducting humanitarian assistance in Kuwait. In the 2000s the regiment conducted stability operations in Fallujah and partnered counterinsurgency operations with Iraqi Security Forces and United States Special Operations Command components. Afghanistan rotations included governance security tasks with NATO ISAF partners and reconstruction projects coordinated with United States Agency for International Development and United Nations Assistance Mission teams.

Honors and Decorations

The regiment and its subordinate units have been awarded numerous unit citations and campaign streamers, including decorations from Department of the Navy and joint decorations for actions in World War II, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Individual Marines from the regiment have received high honors such as the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, and Silver Star for valor during battles including Tarawa, Saipan, and Iwo Jima-adjacent operations. The regiment’s campaign credits include Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal engagements and multiple Presidential Unit Citation awards, reflecting sustained performance in multinational coalition operations recognized by commands such as United States Central Command and United States European Command.

Training and Doctrine

Training for the regiment emphasizes amphibious assault doctrine derived from doctrines issued by Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory and aligned with United States Naval Doctrine publications and Joint Publication standards for expeditionary maneuver. Predeployment training cycles incorporate live-fire exercises at ranges like Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, amphibious rehearsals with Amphibious Ready Group assets, and urban operations training coordinated with Marine Corps Combat Development Command and allied partners including British Army and Royal Australian Navy units. Doctrine development has integrated lessons from historical engagements such as Battle of Guadalcanal and modern counterinsurgency studies collaborated with institutions like National Defense University, Marine Corps University, and research from RAND Corporation.

Category:Infantry regiments of the United States Marine Corps Category:United States Marine Corps in World War II Category:Military units and formations in North Carolina