2nd Battalion 25th Marines
Encyclopedia
2nd Battalion, 25th Marines (2/25) is a reserve infantry
battalion
in the United States Marine Corps
headquartered in Garden City, New York
, with units located throughout the Mid-Atlantic States
. It consists of approximately 1000 Marines and sailors. They fall under the command of the 25th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division.
, North Carolina
, as the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines. They relocated during August–September 1943 to Camp Pendleton, California. In September 1943, 2/25 was assigned to the 4th Marine Division. They were deployed for combat during January 1944 to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. They participated in the following World War II campaigns: Kwajalein
, Saipan
, Tinian
and Iwo Jima
. In October 1945, they relocated to Camp Pendleton, California and were deactivated on 31 October 1945.
They were mobilized during November 1990 - January 1991 in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, following which they were deployed during January 1991 to Camp Pendleton, California. Elements of Delta Company 2/25 participated directly in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, from November 1990 to February 1991, as part of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
serving in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. These same elements subsequently were diverted to the Bay of Bengal for participation in Operation Sea Angel in May 1991. The battalion demobilized during March/April 1991 and returned to Garden City, New York. The elements of Fox Company that remained active returned to the Bronx, NY just prior to the 4th of July
weekend of 1991. These Marines were subsequently re-assigned to other 2/25 elements as the Fox Company headquarters was moved from its prior home in New Rochelle, NY to Albany, NY during their deployment.
In September/October 1994, 2/25 participated in Operation Sea Signal
in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
. In the summers of 1995 and 1996, they participated in JTF-6 Counter-drug missions in the Southwest United States. In February 1999, the battalion deployed to Norway and participated in Operation Battle Griffin for its Annual Training Period.
, Japan for Annual Training. During the winter of 2005 deployed to Norway for Annual Training in support of Battle Griffin '05. In March 2005, 75 members of the battalion deployed to Iraq as individual augments with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. In December of that year, more than 250 individual members of the battalion were mobilized to augment 1st Battalion 25th Marines
for deployment in Iraq.
During the summer of 2007 the battalion, joined by medical and veterinary civil affairs units, traveled to Senegal
for Operation Shared Accord. The battalion split its time between training with Senegalese commandos and fire support companies and providing veterinary and medical care to the towns surrounding the training area.
In September 2008, 2/25, with individual augments from 1/25 and 3/25, deployed to Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion was split in two 500 marine "half-battalion" units to pursue separate missions: Force protection of Al Asad Air Base and counter insurgency operations in the area around Camp Korean Village, Iraq. 2/25 Demobilized and returned to Garden City, New York on 10 April 2009, after turning over the security of Al Asad Air Base to 1st Battalion 8th Marines
.
In the Summer of 2010, over 400 Marines from 2/25 deployed to Mozambique to train with the local military, and conduct humanitarian medical Civil Affairs
in towns near the capital . The partner based training concentrated on small arms tactics and hasty mine clearing in one of the most heavily minded countries in the world.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
headquartered in Garden City, New York
Garden City, New York
Garden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, with units located throughout the Mid-Atlantic States
Mid-Atlantic States
The Mid-Atlantic states, also called middle Atlantic states or simply the mid Atlantic, form a region of the United States generally located between New England and the South...
. It consists of approximately 1000 Marines and sailors. They fall under the command of the 25th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division.
Current units
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Headquarters and Services Company | Garden City, New York Garden City, New York Garden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of... |
| Echo Company | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania... |
| Fox Company | Glenville, New York |
| Golf Company | Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey |
| Weapons Company | Garden City, New York Garden City, New York Garden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of... |
Mission
Provide trained and qualified units and individuals to augment, reinforce, or reconstitute the active component of the Marine Corps in time of war, national emergency, and such other times as the national security may requireWorld War II
The Battalion was first activated on 1 May 1943 at Marine Corps Base Camp LejeuneMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, as the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marines. They relocated during August–September 1943 to Camp Pendleton, California. In September 1943, 2/25 was assigned to the 4th Marine Division. They were deployed for combat during January 1944 to Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. They participated in the following World War II campaigns: Kwajalein
Battle of Kwajalein
The Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from 31 January-3 February 1944, on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Employing the hard-learned lessons of the battle of Tarawa, the United States launched a successful twin assault on the main islands of...
, Saipan
Battle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...
, Tinian
Battle of Tinian
The Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from 24 July 1944 to 1 August 1944.-Background:...
and Iwo Jima
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
. In October 1945, they relocated to Camp Pendleton, California and were deactivated on 31 October 1945.
Post-war years
2/25 was reactivated on 1 July 1962 at Garden City, New York, and assigned to the 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve.They were mobilized during November 1990 - January 1991 in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, following which they were deployed during January 1991 to Camp Pendleton, California. Elements of Delta Company 2/25 participated directly in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, from November 1990 to February 1991, as part of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Marine Expeditionary Brigade
A Marine Expeditionary Brigade is a formation of the United States Marine Corps, a Marine Air-Ground Task Force of approximately 14,500 Marines and Sailors constructed around a reinforced infantry regiment, a composite Marine aircraft group, a logistics group and a command element...
serving in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. These same elements subsequently were diverted to the Bay of Bengal for participation in Operation Sea Angel in May 1991. The battalion demobilized during March/April 1991 and returned to Garden City, New York. The elements of Fox Company that remained active returned to the Bronx, NY just prior to the 4th of July
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
weekend of 1991. These Marines were subsequently re-assigned to other 2/25 elements as the Fox Company headquarters was moved from its prior home in New Rochelle, NY to Albany, NY during their deployment.
In September/October 1994, 2/25 participated in Operation Sea Signal
Operation Sea Signal
Operation Sea Signal was a United States Military humanitarian operation in the Caribbean in response to an influx of Cuban and Haitian migrants attempting to gain asylum in the United States. As a result, the migrants became refugees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The operation took place from...
in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. In the summers of 1995 and 1996, they participated in JTF-6 Counter-drug missions in the Southwest United States. In February 1999, the battalion deployed to Norway and participated in Operation Battle Griffin for its Annual Training Period.
Global War on Terror
Mobilized during January 2002 - January 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Demobilized in January 2003 and returned to Garden City, New York. Mobilized March 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and started demobilization August 2003. During the summer of 2004 deployed to Mount FujiMount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
, Japan for Annual Training. During the winter of 2005 deployed to Norway for Annual Training in support of Battle Griffin '05. In March 2005, 75 members of the battalion deployed to Iraq as individual augments with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. In December of that year, more than 250 individual members of the battalion were mobilized to augment 1st Battalion 25th Marines
1st Battalion 25th Marines
1st Battalion, 25th Marines is a reserve infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps located throughout New England consisting of approximately 750 Marines and Sailors...
for deployment in Iraq.
During the summer of 2007 the battalion, joined by medical and veterinary civil affairs units, traveled to Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
for Operation Shared Accord. The battalion split its time between training with Senegalese commandos and fire support companies and providing veterinary and medical care to the towns surrounding the training area.
In September 2008, 2/25, with individual augments from 1/25 and 3/25, deployed to Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion was split in two 500 marine "half-battalion" units to pursue separate missions: Force protection of Al Asad Air Base and counter insurgency operations in the area around Camp Korean Village, Iraq. 2/25 Demobilized and returned to Garden City, New York on 10 April 2009, after turning over the security of Al Asad Air Base to 1st Battalion 8th Marines
1st Battalion 8th Marines
1st Battalion, 8th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina...
.
In the Summer of 2010, over 400 Marines from 2/25 deployed to Mozambique to train with the local military, and conduct humanitarian medical Civil Affairs
Civil Affairs
Civil Affairs is a term used by both the United Nations and by military institutions , but for different purposes in each case.-United Nations Civil Affairs:...
in towns near the capital . The partner based training concentrated on small arms tactics and hasty mine clearing in one of the most heavily minded countries in the world.
Notable members
- Matthew BogdanosMatthew Bogdanos*Thieves of Baghdad is his first-hand account of his journey to recover Iraq’s lost treasures. His royalties from the sale of the book go to the Iraq Museum.-Awards:...
- Former CO of Weapons Company - Raymond W. KellyRaymond W. KellyRaymond Walter Kelly is the current Commissioner of the New York City Police Department and the first person to hold the post for two non-consecutive tenures. A lifelong New Yorker, Kelly has spent 31 years in the NYPD, serving in 25 different commands and as Police Commissioner from 1992 to 1994...
- Former Operations Officer
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps battalions
- Organization of the United States Marine CorpsOrganization of the United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy . The most senior Marine officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for...