2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines (2/2) is a light infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Also known as "The Warlords", it consists of approximately 1,300 Marines and sailors and normally falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division.
The battalion returned home November 2008 from Iraq, returned from Afghanistan in May 2010, returned home March 2012 after deploying for 11 months with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit as Battalion Landing Team 2/2 supporting NATO Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. The unit then deployed in April 2013, in support of both BSRF and Operation Enduring Freedom. Fox Company returned again from Afghanistan October 2013, while the rest of the battalion returned home August 2013 from the Black Sea Rotational Force. Then again in August 2014, the battalion deployed in support of the SPMAGTF-CR Africa. Returning in January 2015, the unit next deployed to the Pacific region on a UDP, going to Okinawa, Japan; the Philippines; Korea; Thailand; and Singapore.
Subordinate units
Headquarters & Services Company
Easy Company (Retains former phonetic designation) Fox Company Golf Company "Raiders" Weapons Company
History
Early years and World War II
The Second Battalion, Second Marines was activated at Cap-Haitien, Haiti, on July 1, 1925, and assigned to 1st Brigade serving at the time with Garde d’Haiti. Throughout 1925 and 1926, Marines of the battalion were employed to quell political disturbances in Haiti. During the period 1929 through 1933, the battalion assisted in building roads and schools, improving sanitary conditions and training the native Haitian constabulary. Second Battalion was deactivated on January 1, 1933.
Second Battalion was reactivated on January 14, 1941. On August 9, 1942, the Battle of Guadalcanal began with Marines landing on the Tulagi Island Complex. On October 10, elements of the 2nd Battalion conducted a two-day raid on the villages of Koilotamaria and Garabaus. During January 1943, 2d Battalion participated in the final assault to clear Guadalcanal of the remaining Japanese resistance. For its participation in the battle, it was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
As part of the 2nd Marine Division, 2/2 deployed and was one of three battalions spearheading the attack on Tarawa (along with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines and the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines). The Japanese resistance was fierce, and the initial losses to the battalion were heavy. The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Herbert R. Amey, Jr., was killed by Japanese machine gun fire before reaching the beach. Throughout the battle, Marines of the battalion distinguished themselves: there were two Navy Cross recipients and numerous lesser medals awarded for individual actions. The battalion was again awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its heroic assault at Tarawa. The 2nd Battalion conducted similar operations during Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa campaigns.
In September 1945, the battalion deployed to Nagasaki, Japan as part of the U.S. occupation forces. During June and July 1946, the battalion relocated to Camp Lejeune as part of the post-war reduction of forces. The battalion was deactivated on November 18, 1947.
Post-war years
With the birth of NATO, the Marine Corps was assigned a new mission and 2/2 was reactivated October 20, 1949. Since its reactivation, the battalion has seen extensive service in joint and combined operations and exercises.
On July 15, 1958, as part of Landing Force Sixth Fleet, 2/2 landed in Beirut, Lebanon, in order to secure Beirut International Airport. Having accomplished its mission, the battalion redeployed on August 14, 1958. In October 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the 2nd Battalion deployed to the waters off the coast of Cuba as part of a task force of 40 ships and 20,000 Marines and sailors. When the successful blockade terminated on December 3, 1962, the battalion returned to Camp Lejeune.