2nd Battalion, 5th Marines

2nd Battalion 5th Marines
2/5's insignia
Active	July 1, 1914 – August 13, 1919 May 17, 1921 – January 5, 1929 February 14, 1929 – April 12, 1930 September 1, 1934 – present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Infantry battalion
Role	Conducts expeditionary, combined-arms, and mechanized operations in order to support theater engagement plans and contingency operations
Size	1,200
Part of	5th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Nickname(s)	The Bloodline
Motto(s)	"Retreat, Hell"
Engagements	World War I Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Soissons Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge Meuse-Argonne Offensive World War II Guadalcanal Campaign Battle of Cape Gloucester Battle of Peleliu Battle of Okinawa Korean War Battle of Pusan Perimeter Battle of Inchon Second Battle of Seoul Battle of Chosin Reservoir Battle of Hwacheon Battle of the Punchbowl Battle of Bunker Hill (1952) First Battle of the Hook Battle for Outpost Vegas Battle of the Samichon River Vietnam War Operation Union II Battle of Hue Nicaraguan Revolution Operation Golden Pheasant Operation Desert Storm War on Terror Iraq War Battle of Donkey Island Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	Lt.Col Clinton K. Hall
Notable commanders	William J. Whaling Harold E. Rosecrans Gordon D. Gayle Lewis W. Walt Ernie Cheatham

2nd Battalion 5th Marines(2/5 or "Two Five" ) is aninfantrybattalion in theUnited States Marine Corpsconsisting of approximately 800 marines and sailors. They are based out ofMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton,Californiaand fall under the command of the5th Marine Regimentand the1st Marine Division.The battalion has seen combat inWorld War I,World War II,theKorean War,theVietnam Warand theGulf Warand has deployed many times in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedomand theWar on Terror.

2/5 is the most highly decorated battalion in the Marine Corps, and their motto, "Retreat, Hell!", comes from the French trenches of World War I, when a Marine officer namedLloyd W. Williamswas advised by a French officer to retreat and replied, "Retreat? Hell, we just got here!"

Subordinate units

• Headquarters and Services Company
• Echo Company
• Fox Company
• Golf Company
• Hotel Company
• Weapons Company

History

Early history

2d Battalion 5th Marines was formed on July 1, 1914, and immediately sailed to the Caribbean to quell political turmoil in theDominican RepublicandHaiti.In June 1917, as part of theUnited States' entry into World War I,the battalion sailed for France with the rest of the 5th Marine Regiment and theAmerican Expeditionary Force.At the time the battalion was composed of four companies; the 18th, 43rd, 51st and 55th.They fought during theBattle of Belleau Wood,Soissons,and theMeuse-Argonnecampaign and were twice awarded the FrenchCroix de Guerrewith Palm. To this day, members of the battalion wear the FrenchFourragèrerepresenting this award. Following thearmisticeof 1918, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines was assigned to occupation duties in Germany until their return toQuantico, Virginia,in August 1919.

Interwar years

Beginning in 1920, the battalion began guardingUS Mailtrains throughout the United States. In 1927, the battalion was sent toNicaraguato fight bandits and to supervise the 1928 Nicaraguan national elections.

World War II

In 1941, the battalion joined the newly formed1st Marine DivisionatNew River, North Carolina,but later relocated to the west coast of the United States. During World War II the battalion fought in theBattle of Guadalcanal,Battle of Cape Gloucester,Battle of Peleliu,and theBattle of Okinawa.Following the Japanese surrender, the battalion was assigned to occupation duty in Northern China until 1947, at which time they returned to the United States.

Korean War

Immediately following the 1950North Koreaninvasion ofSouth Korea,2d Battalion, 5th Marines sailed fromCamp Pendleton, California,to defend thePusan Perimeteras a part of the famous "Fire Brigade". The battalion also participated in the landing atInchon,the liberation ofSeoul,theChosin Reservoir Campaign,and the defense of the East, Central, and Western Fronts before the war was over. From July 1953 to February 1955, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines assisted in the defense of theKorean Demilitarized Zone,after which they again returned to Camp Pendleton.

PFC D. A. Crum of H/2/5 is treated for wounds during operations in Hue City.

Vietnam War

In April 1966, the battalion deployed to theRepublic of Vietnamand served there until 1971. During this time, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines participated in combat operations atHuế,Quế Sơn,Phu Bai,Đông HàandPhú Lộc.Immediately after their return to Camp Pendleton in 1971, the battalion joinedOperation New Arrivals,the relocation of Southeast Asian refugees to the United States.

1980s and 1990s

For the next fifteen years, the battalion deployed regularly as part of the Marine Corps'Unit Deployment Program.In December 1990, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines sailed for thePersian Gulfin support of OperationsDesert Shield/Desert Storm.They were staged inSaudi Arabiaand participated in the liberation ofKuwait.During the return transit to the United States, the battalion was diverted toBangladeshwhere it provided humanitarian relief as part ofOperation Sea Angel.

In 1994, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines deployed as theground combat elementof the11th Marine Expeditionary Unitand participated inOperation Distant Runner,theNon-combatant evacuation operation(NEO) ofRwandaandOperation Restore HopeandOperation Quick DrawinSomalia.In 1999, the battalion began regular deployments toOkinawafor service as the Battalion Landing Team for the31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.The battalion also participated in several operations inEast Timor.

War on Terror

A Marine of F/2/5 stands watch in Ramadi, Iraq in February 2005

On February 2, 2003, 2/5 leftMCB Camp Pendletonfor Kuwait where they staged prior to the beginning of thewar in Iraq.On March 20, 2003, at approximately 2:30 am local time 2/5, as an element of the15th Marine Expeditionary Unit,commenced operations in Iraqwith the start of theBattle of Al Faw.For this operation they were attached withRoyal Marinesfrom the3 Commando Brigadecrossing into Iraq the first night of the invasion. The initial objective was to secure to Rumalia Oilfields. Upon completing the seizure of this objective, 2/5 attacked north and got as far as Samarra before the end of the initial combat phase of the Iraq War. They then conducted security and stabilization operations (SASO) in Samawah, Iraq. Relieved by the 1st bn of theRoyal Netherlands Marine Corps(who were soon augmented by Japanese forces acting in a strictly non-combat role), 2/5 returned to Camp Pendelton in August.

In September 2004 2/5 returned to Iraq where it was stationed inRamadi,a hotbed of insurgent activity 30 miles (48 km) west ofFallujahand 60 miles (97 km) west ofBaghdad.During this deployment 2/5 lost 15 Marineskilled in action,10 from Weapons Company. Elements from 2/5 began returning to Camp Pendleton on Easter, 2005.

From December 2005 to July 2006, 2/5 was deployed to Okinawa as part of the31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.They participated in several humanitarian operations onJolo Islandandlandslide recoveryinSouthern Leytein thePhilippines.

In March 2007, 2/5 was deployed to Iraq for the third time, stationed again in Ramadi. While deployed to Ramadi, Golf Company was unexpectedly tasked with operations in the city of Karmah.

In April 2008, 2/5 deployed as a Battalion Landing Team as part of the 15thMarine Expeditionary Unit.BLT 2/5 made stops in Singapore, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, and Australia.

In September 2009, 2/5 deployed as a Battalion Landing Team (BLT) as part of the 31stMarine Expeditionary Unit(MEU). BLT 2/5 relieved their sister battalion BLT 3rd battalion 5th Marines. The MEU deployed for its fall patrol in a small deck ARG configuration aboard the USSDenver,USSTortugaandUSSHarpers Ferry.The MEU had started its Certification Exercise (CERTEX) when it was redirected to the scene of several natural disasters in the Republic of the Philippines and Indonesia. With the relief effort complete, the MEU transitioned to PHIBLEX and conducted bilateral training with thePhilippine Armed Forces.Additionally, theJapanese Self Defense Force(JSDF) and Co. G, BLT 2/5 conducted Exercise Forest Light 2010 at Sekiyama, Japan. The two nations conducted live fire ranges including mortars, Combat Marksmanship Program (CMP), machinegun ranges and helicopter-borne operations. 2/5 returned to Camp Pendleton in April 2010.

In January 2011, 2/5 was again designated as a Battalion Landing Team (BLT) as part of the 31st MEU. 2/5 relieved BLT 1/7. 2/5 conducted bilateral training with the Thai Marines, and Cambodian Self Defense Forces. Following a brief port visit in Malaysia a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck northern Japan in vicinity of the city of Sendai. 2/5 was immediately recalled and directed to supportOperation Tomodachi,the American Humanitarian and Disaster relief (HADR) efforts following the natural disaster. Most notably Golf Co 2/5 conducted operations ashore on Oshima Island, a small island off of the western coast of Japan in the Miyagi Prefecture. They were tasked with facilitating the reopening of Uranohama Port, the main life line to the Japanese mainland. BLT 2/5 was relieved by BLT 2/7 and returned toCamp Pendletonin June 2011.

In February 2012, 2/5 deployed for the first time toHelmandprovince,Afghanistan,in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom.2/5 was a part ofRegimental Combat Team6 (RCT-6) and served as the ground combat element ofRegional Command Southwest.The Marines serving with the battalion worked in partnership with theAfghan National Security Forces,helping the Afghan army and police provide security services to the Afghan people and smothering insurgent activity. The battalion was assigned to cover Now Zad and Musa Qala districts in northern Helmand province, and all cities and villages that lied in between. During the deployment, the battalion executed a 17-day operation in a village that was aTalibanstronghold between Now Zad and Musa Qala, dubbed Operation Branding Iron. Tragically during the deployment, the battalion lost four Marines to combat action: Sgt. Wade Wilson, who was awarded the Silver Star, Cpl. Anthony Servin, Cpl. Alex Martinez, and Lance Cpl. Joshua Witsman. The battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in September 2012.

National Geographic Channel Documentary

DuringOperation Branding Iron,camera crews from theNational Geographic Channelwere imbedded with 2/5, documenting the battalion's actions during that operation, which they conducted while other USMC units were in the process of withdrawing from the theater of operations. The film, entitledBattleground Afghanistan,is a 5 episode documentary that chronicled the role of Golf company, 2nd battalion, 5th Marines. The five episodes chronicle the company's actions preparing for and conducting Operation Branding Iron, the subsequent events, daily life in camp, their preparations to go home at the end of their deployment, and finally their return to the US. The documentary includes one-on-one on camera interviews with Golf company's commander, Capt. Ben Middendorf, as well as numerous other Marines in Golf company. (Capt. Middendorf was awarded that year's, 2012, prestigious LtCol William G. Leftwich, Jr. Trophy for Outstanding Leadership for his actions while deployed with Golf Co., 2d Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. This award if given to the “best captain” in the Marine Corps to have participated in infantry combat.) During their 17-day operation shown in the documentary, and during their last short mission right at the end of the documentary before they prepare to head home, Golf company did not lose a single Marine. As of 2014, the entire documentary is available for streaming onNetflix.

Medal of Honor recipients

World War II

• Robert E. BushandWilliam D. Halyburton, Jr.,bothCorpsmen,were awarded the Medal of Honor as a result of their heroic actions while assigned to 2/5.

Korean War

• Private First ClassRobert E. Simanek,while serving with Company F, 2/5, was awarded theMedal of Honorfor his act of valor on August 17, 1952, in which he threw himself on a grenade to save the lives of fellow Marines. PFC Simanek survived and received the Medal of Honor from PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower.
• Duane E. Dewey

Vietnam War

• CaptainJames A. Graham,a member of Company F, 2/5, was killed in action in Vietnam duringOperation Union II.For his heroic actions on June 2, 1967, he was awarded theMedal of Honor.
• On July 4, 1967, PFCMelvin E. Newlinsingle-handedly broke up and disorganized an entire enemy assault force. In the course of his actions, he was mortally wounded. He wasposthumouslyawarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
• Staff SergeantAllan J. Kellogg,platoon sergeant for Company G, 2/5, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 11, 1970, in Quang Nam province, Republic of Vietnam.

Notable former members

• Ernie Cheatham,battalion commander during theBattle of Huếin theVietnam War
• George R. Christmas,company commander during theBattle of Huếin theVietnam War
• MajorLloyd W. Williams.A famous saying is attributed to Williams, who was serving as a company commander in the 5th Marines during theBattle of Belleau Wood.When advised to withdraw by a French officer at the defensive line just north of the village of Lucy-le-Bocage on June 1, 1918, he is said to have replied: "Retreat? Hell, we just got here!" Captain Williams would not survive the ensuing battle, and was posthumously promoted to major and recommended for theDistinguished Service Cross.
• Brigadier generalGordon D. Gayle,commanded the battalion on New Britain and Peleliu.
• FormerChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,GeneralPeter Pacewas commander of 2nd Plt, G Co, 2/5 during theVietnam War.
• Brigadier generalLester A. Dessez,commanded 18th Company in 1922.
• Willard Keith,G Company during World War II
• Sergeant Reckless,Korean Warhorse

In popular culture

• Marines from 2/5 were used as extras for the amphibious landing during theBattle of Saipanin the movie "Hell to Eternity."
• The 1987 filmFull Metal Jacketportrays the Marines of Hotel Company 2/5 during theBattle of Hue.
• TheW.E.B. Griffinnovel seriesThe Corpsfeatured Marines from 2/5 and their actions during theBattle of Guadalcanal.
• The 2011 filmBattle: Los Angelesportrays the Marines of Echo Company, 2/5 in a fictional battle inspired by the1942 events.
• The 2019 filmIp Man 4: The Finaleportrays Marines of 2/5 learningmartial artstraining.

See also

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

References

This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.

External links

• 2/5's official website
• Unofficial Website
• Video of 2/5 in Ar Ramadi, Iraq