23rd Marine Regiment (United States)

23d Marine Regiment

23d Marines insignia
Active 1942 - 45; 1966 - present
Country  United States of America
Branch  United States Marine Corps
Type Infantry Regiment
Size Approximately 4,900
Part of 4th Marine Division
Garrison/HQ San Bruno, California
Engagements World War II
*Battle of Kwajalein
*Battle of Tinian
*Battle of Saipan
*Battle of Iwo Jima
Operation Desert Storm
Iraq War
Commanders
Current
commander		 Col Thomas E. Prentice
Notable
commanders		 Louis R. Jones
Walter W. Wensinger

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.

Subordinate units

History

World War II

The 23d 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. Regiment's first commanding officer was Colonel Louis R. Jones.

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:

  1. Richard B. Anderson, 2/23, Kwajalein
  2. Joseph W. Ozbourn, 1/23, Tinian
  3. Darrell S. Cole, 1/23, Iwo Jima
  4. Douglas T. Jacobson, 3/23, Iwo Jima

For its actions against enemy forces, 23d Marines received the following awards: Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star,the Navy Unit Commendation, the American Campaign Streamer with four Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Streamer.

For the assault on Iwo Jima the 23rd was assigned to yellow beaches. 1/23 was the left assault Battalion on yellow beach 1. 2/23 was the right assault Battalion on yellow beach 2 and 3/23 was the assault reserve. The 23rd did not have a Pioneer Battalion for the assault Shore Party so the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 were posted TAD to the 23rd and assigned that duty until relieved D-plus 18.

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

Regiment's Commanders

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.

3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines was activated in Nov 1990 and deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield. 3/23 was attached to the 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division and deployed along the Kuwait/Saudi Arabian border conducting patrolling and security operations. 2 days before G-Day, 3/23 attacked into Kuwait at Umm Gudair to secure forward artillery positions for the support of the attack into Kuwait. With this action, 3/23 became the first unit of the 2nd Marine Division to enter combat since World War II. 3/23 continued to advance as part of 8th Marines, fighting actions into Kuwait City when the ceasefire was called.

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

Global War on Terror

The 23rd Marine Regiment, either in whole or in part, have been activated multiple times including 2003,[1] 2006,[2] and 2009.[3] In June, 2012, the 23d Marine Regimental Headquarters Company deployed to Barbados, Caribbean for Tradewinds 2012.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Koopman, John (June 17, 2003). "Marines reclaim lives put on hold". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  2. ↑ Allday, Erin (May 30, 2006). "Memorial Day of sun and sadness". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  3. ↑ Bulwa, Demian (February 23, 2009). "Marine regiment returns to Bay Area intact". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  4. ↑ http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforres/Pages/TrainingthetrainerReserveMarinesshareproventacticswithCaribbeantroops.aspx
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.

External links

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