2nd Battalion, 8th Marines | |
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2nd Battalion, 8th Marines insignia
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Active | 1 April 1940 – 13 November 1947 1 November 1950 – present |
Country | United States |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Type | Light infantry |
Role | 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. |
Part of |
8th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division |
Garrison/HQ | Marine 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 Operation Urgent Fury Operation Strike of the Sword |
Commanders | |
Current commander |
LtCol Paul C. Teachey |
World War II
Battle of Guadalcanal
Battle of Tarawa
Battle of Saipan
Battle of Tinian
Battle of Okinawa
Lebanese Civil War
Operation Urgent Fury
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
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.
Hotel Company deactivated August 1991
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.
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.