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UNIT AWARDS TO THE SECOND MARINE DIVISION IN WORLD WAR II |
CAMPAIGN CREDIT
The Second Marine Division served in World War II from before the start of America's entry into hostilities. As one of the two longest serving Marine divisions, the Second fought in campaigns that ranged across the Pacific. The Division's Marines earned seven campaign stars during World War II. They were:
GUADALCANAL OPERATIONS
Guadalcanal-Tulagi Landing, 7 to 9 August 1942
Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, 10 August to 8 February 1943
CONSOLIDATION OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
Consolidation of the Southern Solomons
8 to 19 February 1943
GILBERT ISLANDS OPERATIONS
20 November to 8 December 1943
MARIANAS OPERATION
Capture and Occupation of Saipan
15 June to 26 July 1944
TINIAN OPERATION
Capture and Occupation of Tinian
25 July to August 1944
OKINAWA GUNTO OPERATION
Assault and Occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 1 April to 30 June 1945
UNIT AWARDS
The image below represents the streamers awarded to the Second Marine Division and its subordinate units for service during the war. Below the image is a list of the streamers authorized to the Division for its service during the World War II era.
(NOTE: Click on the link to jump down this page to read specific citations.)
Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Stars
Guadalcanal, and Tarawa
Navy Unit Commendation
Third Battalion, 10th Marines for the Saipan Campaign, 7 July 1944
China Service Streamer
18 September 1937 to 18 February 1938
American Defense Service Streamer
8 September 1939 to 7 December 1941
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer
with 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Star
World War II Victory Streamer
7 December 1941 to 31 December 1946
Navy Occupation Service Streamer with Asia and Europe Clasps
Asia
16 September 1945 to 29 July 1946
Europe
15 January to 26 May 1948
11 January 1949 to 17 January 1950
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS AWARDED TO THE SECOND MARINE DIVISION IN WORLD WAR II
GUADALCANAL OPERATION
4 February 1943 Cited in the Name of the President of the United States
THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION (REINFORCED)
Under command of Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC
CITATION:
"The officers and enlisted men of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, on August 7 to 9, 1942, demonstrated outstanding gallantry and determination in successfully executing forced landing assaults against a number of strongly defended Japanese positions on Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, Florida and Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, completely routing all enemy forces and seizing a most valuable base and airfield within the enemy zone of operations in the South Pacific Ocean. From the above period until 9 December 1942, this Reinforced Division not only held their important strategic positions despite determined and repeated Japanese naval, air and land attacks, but in a series of offensive operations against strong enemy resistance drove the Japanese from the proximity of the airfield and inflicted great losses on them by land and air attacks. The courage and determination displayed in these operations were of an inspiring order."
Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy |
ASSAULT AND CAPTURE OF TARAWA
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
to the
SECOND MARINE DIVISION, REINFORCED
consisting of Division Headquarters, Special Troops (including Company C, 1st Corps Medium Tank Battalion), Service Troops, 2nd, 6th, 8th, 10th and 18th Marine Regiments in the Battle of Tarawa,
CITATION:
"For outstanding performance in combat during the seizure and occupation of the Japanese-held Atoll of Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 20 to 24, 1943. Forced by the treacherous coral reefs to disembark from their landing craft hundreds of yards off the beach, the Second Marine Division (Reinforced) became a highly vulnerable target for devastating Japanese fire. Dauntlessly advancing in spite of rapidly mounting losses, the Marines fought a gallant battle against crushing odds, clearing the limited beachheads of snipers and machine guns, reducing powerfully fortified enemy positions and completely annihilating the fanatically determined and strongly entrenched Japanese forces. By the successful occupation of Tarawa, the Second Marine Division (Reinforced) has provided our forces with highly strategic and important air and land bases from which to continue future operations against the enemy; by the valiant fighting spirit of these men, their heroic fortitude under punishing fire and their relentless perseverance in waging this epic battle in the Central Pacific, they have upheld the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
For the President
JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy
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NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending the
THIRD BATTALION, TENTH MARINES
for service as follows:
"For outstanding heroism while serving with the Second Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas on 7 July 1944. When Japanese forces initiated a final concerted attack down the west coast of the island before dawn of July 7, the 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, was occupying a newly won position astride the railway along the west coast road, with two batteries disposed on the left of the railroad and the remaining two on the right and echeloned to the rear. The mounting enemy attack penetrated the extreme left flank of our front lines and moved between the coast road and the railway. Security elements to the front of the forward batteries recognized and gave battle to the oncoming force of approximately 600 Japanese supported by tanks. Battalion howitzers opened up at point-blank range, firing shells with cut fuzes; gunners employed ricochet fire when the fanatic banzai troops overran the forward section; and the canoneers, command post and supply personnel in the rear united as one to engage the infiltrating Japanese soldiery. Under the forceful direction of skilled officers, this artillery battalion functioned as an infantry unit despite the lack of specific training, the four batteries waging a furious and prolonged battle from quickly organized strongpoints and holding the line indomitably until relieved several hours later. Strengthened by fresh troops, the defending garrison continued its counter-and thrust-tactics and, recapturing the heavy guns which had fallen into hostile hands, knocked out three of the enemy tanks and annihilated approximately three hundred Japanese troops. By their valor, determination and sustained fighting spirit, the intrepid officers and men of the 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, had succeeded in breaking the enemy's last desperate effort to oppose the seizure of Saipan, thereby hastening the conquest of this strategically important base. Their gallant defense of a vulnerable position in the face of overwhelming disparity adds new luster to the traditions of the United States Naval Service."
All personnel attached to and serving with the 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines, on 7 July 1944 are authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.
James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy
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