2nd Battalion 23rd Marines

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines


caption= 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines insignia
dates= Early 1920s
country=United States
allegiance= United States
branch= USMC
type= Infantry regiment
role= Locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver
size= 1000
command_structure=23rd Marine Regiment 4th Marine Division
current_commander= LtCol. Paul K. Lebidine
garrison= Pasadena, California
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname="Saints and sinners"
patron=
motto= "Prepared and Professional"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Battle of Kwajalein Battle of Tinian Battle of Saipan Battle of Iwo Jima Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines (2/23) is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps located throughout the Western United States consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. They fall under the command of the 23rd Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division.

Current Units

Mission

Provide trained combat and combat support personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires; and have the capability to reconstitute the Division, if required.

History

World War II

Activated on 20 July 1942 at New River, North Carolina, 23rd Marines was assigned to the 4th Marine Division in February 1943 and relocated during July 1943 to Camp Pendleton, California. 23rd Marines participated in the following campaigns during World War II: Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, and 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. In October 1945, the Regiment was again relocated to Camp Pendleton and was subsequently deactivated on 15 November 1945. For its actions against enemy forces, 23rd Marines received the following awards: Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star, Asia-Pacific Campaign Streamer with four Bronze Stars, and World War II Victory Streamer.

Vietnam

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

Gulf War

In December 1990, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines was mobilized by Presidential Call-up to support Operation Desert Shield/Storm. 99.2% of those on the rolls reported to their seven separate drill centers for duty. Within two days of activation, this, the largest and most geographically diverse infantry battalion in the Marine Corps, reported to its Station of Initial Assignment at Camp Pendleton, California with 1,015 Marine and Navy personnel. Unlike the standard 180 day build up period which most UDP battalions require to prepare for deployment, 2/23 deployed within 16 days of activation and joined III MEF on 25 December 1990 in Okinawa, Japan.

Global War on Terror

After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines was activated initially for one year to act as a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for any additional terrorist attacks that might occur in the United States. Just before its one year deactivation date, the battalion's active duty status was extended in order for the unit to deploy to the Middle East to participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines was the first complete reserve battalion to deploy in support of OIF I.

The unit initially acted as camp security for Camp Commando located in Kuwait, but later was pushed forward into Iraq. Among other locations, the battalion fought in An Nasiriyah to assist Task Force Tarawa's operations in that area after a U.S. Army convoy was ambushed and several soldiers were taken prisoner by insurgent forces. Golf Company and a CAAT section from Weapons Company was then selected to be a part of Task Force Tripoli, which was the Marine vanguard into Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's hometown.

ee also

*List of United States Marine Corps battalions
*Organization of the United States Marine Corps

Notes

References

:Marine Corps

;Web
* [http://www.marforres.usmc.mil/4thmardiv/23dmar/2dBn/ 2/23's official website]