23rd Marine Regiment (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 23rd Marine Regiment


caption= 23rd Marines' Insignia
dates= *July 20 1942 - November 19, 1945
*February 1, 1966 - present
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=San Bruno, California
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
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 23rd Marine Regiment (23rd Marines) is a reserve infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in San Bruno, California and falls under the command of the 4th Marine Division and the Marine Forces Reserve.

The regiment comprises twenty units which are geographically dispersed throughout eight states from California to Alabama. The regiment consists of Marine reservists, active duty Marines and active duty Navy personnel. The regimental headquarters is located in San Bruno, California.

Mission

ubordinate units

* Headquarters Company 23d Marines (HQ/23) - San Bruno, California
*1st Battalion 23rd Marines (1/23) - Houston, Texas
*2nd Battalion 23rd Marines (2/23) - Pasadena, California
*3rd Battalion 23rd Marines (3/23) - Belle Chase, Louisiana
* TOW Platoon - Broussard, Louisiana

History

World War II

The 23rd Marine Regiment was activated on 20 July 1942 at New River, North Carolina; was assigned to the 4th Marine Division in February 1943 and relocated during July 1943 to Camp Pendleton, California.

During World War II, the 23rd Marines participated in the following campaigns: Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, and the Battle of Iwo Jima. During the fierce fighting which occurred in the Pacific Theater, four Marines of the 23rd Marine Regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor for valor:
# Richard B. Anderson, 2/23, Kwajalein
# Joseph W. Ozbourn, 1/23, Tinian
# Darrell S. Cole, 1/23, Iwo Jima
# Douglas T. Jacobson, 3/23, Iwo JimaFor its actions against enemy forces, 23d Marines received the following awards: Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star, the American Campaign Streamer with four Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Streamer.

In October 1945, the Regiment was again relocated to Camp Pendleton and was subsequently deactivated on 15 November 1945.

1950s to the 1990s

The 23rd Marine Regiment was reactivated on 1 February 1966 in Alameda, California and assigned during the same month to the 4th Marine Division, USMCR.

In December 1990, the 2nd Battalion and 1st Battalion were activated in January 1991 as part of the 23rd Marines which were mobilized by Presidential call-up to support Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.2/23rd Marines responded to the eruption of Mt. Pinotuba in the Philippine islands in 1991 and provided critical humanitarian relief.

Global War on Terror

ee also

*List of United States Marine Corps regiments
*Marine Forces Reserve

References

:"This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps."

External links

* [http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/4thMarDiv/23dmar/ 23d Marines Official website]