24th Marine Regiment (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 24th Marine Regiment


caption= 24th Marine Regiment Insignia
dates= March 26, 1943
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=USMC
type= Infantry regiment
role= Locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver
size= 3,500
command_structure=4th Marine Division
Marine Forces Reserve
current_commander=
garrison=Kansas City, Missouri
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= 24th Marines
patron=
motto= "Si vis pacem para bellum"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II
* Battle of Kwajalein
* Battle of Tinian
* Battle of Saipan
* Battle of Iwo Jima
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

The 24th Marine Regiment (24th Marines) is one of three infantry regiments in the 4th Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps. From its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, the regiment commands fifteen training centers in nine states throughout the midwest.

Mission

Subordinate units

History

World War II

The 24th Marine Regiment was activated at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California on March 26, 1943. All three battalions were organized at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina prior to activation of the Regimental Headquarters. 1st Battalion, 24th Marines formed on October 19, 1942; 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines on January 20, 1943; 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines on February 1, 1943. In August of that same year the Regiment was attached to the newly created 4th Marine Division.

The Regiment began movement to the combat zone in January 1944 when it sailed from San Diego, California for the enemy held Marshall Islands. The first combat assignment for the Regiment was to take part in the seizure of Roi-Namur, twin islands in the Kwajalein Atoll. On February 1, the Regiment assaulted Namur. The 2d and 3d Battalions led the attack. On moving inland the Regiment met strong resistance. Second Battalion suffered especially heavy casualties, primarily due to the explosion of an enemy ammunition dump. The island was completely wrested from the Japanese by the following day. The 24th Marines reembarked and sailed for Hawaii two days later. While stationed there, 24th Marines took part in the preparations for the invasion of the Mariana Islands.

Saipan was the first objective of the Mariana Island Campaign for the Regiment. The 24th Marines were originally placed in reserve. However, heavy fighting on the day of the landing, June 15, 1944, forced the call-up of the Regiment. 24th Marines went ashore that afternoon joining other Marine units from the 2nd Marine Division and 4th Marine Divisions in pushing inland. The Japanese stubbornly resisted the invading Americans until July 9 when the island was declared secure.

American military forces in the Marianas next turned their attention to the neighboring island of Tinian. The 24th Marines had a leading role in the campaign to seize Tinian. The Regiment was in the first wave to hit the beaches. Enemy opposition was quickly overcome and the 24th Marines rapidly moved inland. By August 1st organized resistance had ended with the island under American control. The Regiment returned to Hawaii at the end of the month.

In Hawaii, the 24th Marines received replacements for losses suffered in the Marianas and started training for its toughest battle of World War II - Iwo Jima. In late January 1945, the 24th Marines embarked and sailed for the Japanese stronghold, landing on February 19, with other 4th Marine Division units. From the very beginning of the operation the 24th Marines remained locked in battle, often in hand-to-hand combat. The last enemy pocket of resistance was finally crushed on March 16th. The Regiment was relieved two days later and immediately boarded naval vessels and returned to Hawaii. The ferocity of the campaign was reflected by the great number of casualties incurred by the 24th Marines. The Regiment suffered 652 killed and 1053 wounded.

Post World War II

The 24th Marines remained in Hawaii until October when it was ordered back to California, where it was deactivated on October 31, 1945. In 1962 the Marine Corps Reserve began a reorganization process which eventually led to the formation of the 4th Marine Division/Wing Concept. The three battalions of 24th Marines were activated on July 1, 1962. The Regimental Headquarters was not reactivated until 1 February 1966.

The 1990s

In November 1990, the 24th Marines were activated for participation in Operation Desert Shield. Initially, the regiment deployed to Camp Pendleton, California for work-up training. In January 1991, demonstrating the flexibility of the regiment, 1st Battalion deployed to Okinawa, Japan, for duty with the 3rd Marine Division. The remainder of the 24th Marines deployed to Saudi Arabia for duty with I Marine Expeditionary Force units in support of operations against enemy forces in Kuwait. From January 16 to February 28, the 24th Marines participated in Operation Desert Storm. In April, the regiment redeployed to the United States. In August, the 1st Battalion redeployed from Okinawa to Detroit.

The Global War on Terror

See also

* List of United States Marine Corps regiments

External links

* [http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/24thmar/ 24th Marines Official Website]