26th Marine Regiment (United States)

The 26th Marine Regiment (26th Marines) is an inactivated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. The 26th Marines were activated in 1944 and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II and were activated again on March 1, 1966, and fought in the Battle of Khe Sanh during the Vietnam War.

26th Marine Regiment
26th Marine Regiment emblem
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeInfantry
Part of5th Marine Division (WWII)
5th Marine Division then 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions once it returned to CONUS (Vietnam)
Garrison/HQDeactivated
Nickname(s)"The Professionals"
EngagementsWorld War II

Vietnam War

Commanders
Notable
commanders		David E. Lownds

Subordinate units

The regiment was composed of three infantry battalions and one headquarters company:

Battalions
Headquarters Company 26th Marines
1st Battalion, 26th Marines (1/26) - Seabrook
2nd Battalion, 26th Marines (2/26)
3rd Battalion, 26th Marines (3/26)

History

Vietnam

In mid-May 1967, following the conclusion of The Hill Fights, the 26th Marines took over responsibility for the area around Khe Sanh from the 3rd Marines.[1] The 26th Marines conducted Operation Ardmore a search and destroy mission in the Khe Sanh area from 17 July-31 October 1967. At the conclusion of Operation Ardmore the Marines commenced Operation Scotland, the defense of Khe Sanh Combat Base and search and destroy missions against People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) infiltration.[1]:62 From 21 January 1968 the 26th Marines were under siege at Khe Sanh until the conclusion of Operation Pegasus on 14 April 1968 and were replaced by the 1st Marines on 15 April 1968.[1]:289 The 26th Marines were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for their actions during the Battle of Khe Sanh as were the Seabees that supported them.[2]

The 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines participated in Operation Kingfisher around Con Thien from 7–11 September 1967.[3]

The 1st and 3rd Battalions, 26th Marines participated in Operation Mameluke Thrust from May–June 1968.[1]:338–44

The 1st Battalion, 26th Marines participated in Operation Allen Brook from 26 May to 6 June 1968.[1]:339–40

The 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines fought in Operation Oklahoma Hills from 1 Mar to 29 May 1969.[4]

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. The 26th Marine Regiment has been presented with the following awards:

Streamer Award Year(s) Additional Info
Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with two Bronze Stars 1945, 1966–67, 1968 Iwo Jima, Vietnam, Khe Sanh
Navy Unit Commendation Streamer 1968 Vietnam
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer one Bronze Star 1945 Iwo Jima
World War II Victory Streamer 1944–1945 Pacific War
National Defense Service Streamer 1966–1974 Vietnam War
Vietnam Service Streamer

Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Streamer

Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Actions Streamer

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See also

References
  1. Shulimson, Jack (1997). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: 1968 The Defining Year. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 61. ISBN 0160491258. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Seabee Online Magazine, This Week In Seabee History 14 February
  3. Telfer, Gary I. (1984). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 132. ISBN 9781482538878. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. Smith, Charles (1988). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown, 1969. History and Museums Division, Headquarters U. S. Marines. pp. 103–116. ISBN 978-1494287627. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. "Unit Awards & Citations ", 26th Marine Regiment, 5 July 2011
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