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 Steven J. White
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.

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:

Starting at Kwajalein, the 23rd was assigned to land on Roi and took the island in a day. Saipan came next with the 23rd assigned to blue beaches 1 & 2 with third Battalion 20th Marines as Shore Party (121st Seabees). Across the strait at Tinian the 23rd was the reserve combat team for the assault there and the 121st CB was still assigned to them. For the assault on Iwo Jima the 23rd was assigned to yellow beaches with 1/23 the left assault Battalion on yellow beach 1. The right assault Battalion 2/23 was 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.