2nd Battalion 24th Marines

2nd Battalion, 24th Marines
2nd Battalion, 24th Marines insignia
Active	1922–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Infantry
Part of	24th Marine Regiment 4th Marine Division
Garrison/HQ	Joseph J. McCarthy Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Chicago
Engagements	World War II *Battle of Saipan *Battle of Tinian *Battle of Iwo Jima Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom *Operation Plymouth Rock
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Jerry M. Kleber
Notable commanders	LtCol Joseph J. McCarthy, MoH

2nd Battalion, 24th Marines (2/24) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Chicago, Illinois, consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion falls under the 23rd Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division.

Provide trained combat and combat support personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires; and have the capability to reconstitute the 4th Marine Division, if required.

The origin of 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines can be traced back to the establishment of the 9th Reserve Battalion in 1922. They were mobilized in November 1940 as part of the preparation for World War II. Many of Chicago's reservists became part of the newly founded 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force.

2nd Battalion, 24th Marines was activated on March 26, 1943, as part of the 4th Marine Division. Their first action was the invasion of the Marshall Islands on February 1, 1944, securing the first portion of the Japanese Empire to be conquered by the United States in World War II.

On June 15, 1944, the battalion landed on Saipan in the Marianas. Fifteen days after Saipan was secured, they assaulted the island of Tinian, securing that island in eight days. 2/24, received its first Presidential Unit Citation for the capture of Saipan and Tinian.

On February 19, 1945, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines landed on Iwo Jima and fought for 35 days until the island was finally secured on March 26, 1945. From D-day until the 24th RCT relieved the 25th RCT the Seabees of the 133rd NCB were the 2nd Battalions Shore party. The Battalion was awarded a second Presidential Unit Citation for its participation in the capture of Iwo Jima. Captain Joseph J. McCarthy, Commanding Officer, Co. G, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, and a Chief in the Chicago Fire Department, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry during the battle. The battalion was demobilized on October 31, 1945.