2nd Battalion, 8th Marines

2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina consisting of approximately 900 Marines and Sailors. Nicknamed "America's Battalion," they fall under the 8th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division.

2nd Battalion, 8th Marines
2nd Battalion, 8th Marines insignia
Active1 April 1940 – 13 November 1947
1 November 1950 – present
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeLight infantry
RoleThe mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and/ or repel enemy assault by fire and close combat.
Part of8th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
Garrison/HQMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Nickname(s)"America's Battalion"
Motto(s)"Non Sibi Sed Patriae"
"Not for self, but for country" Front Towards Enemy
Engagements
World War II
Lebanese Civil War
Operation Urgent Fury
Operation Desert Storm
Global War on Terror
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant Colonel Thomas M. Siverts

Subordinate units
  • Headquarters Company
  • Echo Company
  • Fox Company
  • Golf Company
  • Weapons Company

Hotel Company deactivated August 1991

Mission

The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and/ or repel enemy assault by fire and close combat.

History

World War II

2nd Battalion, 8th Marines was activated on 1 April 1940 in San Diego as the 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment and assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade. The 2nd Marine Brigade was re-designated 1 February 1941 as 2nd Marine Division. During World War II, the battalion participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tarawa, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, the battalion deployed to Nagasaki, Japan in September 1945 as part of the occupation. They remained in Japan in this capacity until they redeployed back to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in June 1946. The battalion was deactivated on 13 November 1947 as part of the post-war drawdown of forces.

1950–2000

The battalion was reactivated on 1 December 1950 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and assigned to 2nd Marine Division. From July to September 1958 they took part in the United States intervention in during the Lebanon crisis. This was followed by a deployment to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as part of the Cuban Missile Crisis from October to December 1962.

  • Relocated in June 1968 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
  • Relocated in August 1973 to Camp Lejeune, NC.
  • Participated as part of Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon August – September 1982, and February- October 1984
  • Participated in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada October – November 1983.
  • Participated in Operation Provide Comfort Iraq April – July 1991.
  • Elements participated in Operation Support Democracy Cuba October – November 1993.
  • Participated in support of Operation Joint Endeavor Adriatic Sea October 1996.
  • Elements participated in security operations Haiti and Panama November 1997 – February 1998 and January – August 1999.

2/8 Echo Company was the Unit in Haiti in 93 3rd Platoon from Golf Company was attached to Echo Company

Global War on Terror
Marines in Afghanistan, July 2009

Awards

Notable former members
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See also

Notes
  1. LCpl Charles McKelvey (18 December 2007). "Weapons Company puts name in recently tamed Feast Ramadi". Marine Corps News. United States Marine Corps. Story ID# 200712186191. Retrieved 18 December 2007.
  2. LCpl Zachary W. Lester (21 May 2007). "2/8 Marines awarded Chesty Puller award". Marine Corps News. United States Marine Corps. Story ID# 2007521164016. Retrieved 23 May 2007.

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
Bibliography
  • Rottman, Gordon L. (2002). U.S. Marine Corps World War II Order of Battle – Ground and Air Units in the Pacific War, 1939–1945. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-31906-5.
Web
WWII, Co. G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Officers
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