2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
Encyclopedia
The 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion (2nd Recon) is a reconnaissance
battalion
in the United States Marine Corps
. Located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
, North Carolina
the battalion falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Division and the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF).
2nd Recon is a battalion of men trained/specializing in reconnaissance and surveillance. The men of this battalion are also trained in close quarters battle
(CQB) tactics and other special missions. Recon Marines are sent to various schools to learn various special skills including but not limited to: Scout Sniper school, Jump school, Military Free Fall school, Combatant Dive school, Ranger school, various civilian run schools (i.e. McMillian sniper school), and other Department of Defense
(DOD) and Special Operations Command
(SOCOM) sponsored schools.
s and a motorcycle platoon.
The billet for the formation of an Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion on the East Coast happened in 1949. The Battalion was officially activated 1 December 1950 at a tent camp area of LeJeune which was later moved to Stone Bay Camp. The Battalion was commanded by Major Regan Fuller.
From concept to birth you might check out... http://www.2dreconbn.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=81
A Scout-Sniper Platoon of 2nd Marine Regiment led by 1st Lieutenant William D. Hawkins
were the first unit to land on Betio
in the Tarawa Atoll
, the site of a strategically important airfield. He was tasked in securing the island ramp on one of the two long piers extending into the lagoon. Hawkins and his recon-scout platoon raced ahead of the first wave in two Higgins Boats and landed on the pier. He charged up the ramp with his scouts but were taken under heavy machine gun fire. Since there were petrol drums at the end of the pier in the line of enemy fire, he sent most of his Marines back down the ramp then proceeded with only five men, four scouts and one combat engineer with a flamethrower. Once they burned and had blown up every hiding place left on the pier, they withdrew to the boat.
Hawkins then commandeered three LVTs and transferred his men from both LCVPs to these for the trip to shore where they joined their regiment for the rest of the battle. Lt. Hawkins was later killed during this action and was posthumously received the Medal of Honor
. Another Scout-Sniper Platoon from 8th Marines assisted in the main assault landing on D-Day.
The Company D (Scouts), 2nd Tank Battalion
worked extensively in the seizure and occupation of other islands in the Tarawa Atoll
. Other than Betio, it included Eita
and many unnamed islets between Betio and Bairiki. The adjacent atolls of Abaiang
, Marakei
and Maiana
were landed for inspection of fortifications, supplies or recent occupancy.
, that included a recon detachment with 1st Battalion
, 9th Marine Regiment (1/9). Seizing the summit of Mount Tapochau
later repulsed a Japanese counterattack on that highest point of Saipan. Both Admiral Richmond K. Turner
and General Holland M. Smith declared Saipan secured on July 9, 1944.
starring Clint Eastwood
. The film depicts the battalion's involvement in Operation Urgent Fury
, the invasion of Grenada
.
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
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...
. Located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine 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...
the battalion falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Division and the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF).
2nd Recon is a battalion of men trained/specializing in reconnaissance and surveillance. The men of this battalion are also trained in close quarters battle
Close quarters battle
Close quarters combat or close quarters battle is a type of fighting in which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very short range, potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand weapons such as swords or knives...
(CQB) tactics and other special missions. Recon Marines are sent to various schools to learn various special skills including but not limited to: Scout Sniper school, Jump school, Military Free Fall school, Combatant Dive school, Ranger school, various civilian run schools (i.e. McMillian sniper school), and other Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DOD) and Special Operations Command
Special Operations Command
Special Operations Command may refer to any of these military or police organizations:*Special Operations Command *Special Operations Command elite unit of Maldives Police*Special Operations Command...
(SOCOM) sponsored schools.
Mission
Conduct ground and amphibious reconnaissance and surveillance and other operations as directed in support of the 2d Marine Division. Provide reconnaissance forces to meet II MEF reconnaissance requirements.Subordinate units
- Headquarters and Services Company
- Alpha Company
- Bravo Company
- Charlie Company
- Force Reconnaissance Company
History
When the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions were created in 1941, each had a Scout Company 7 officers and 132 NCOs and enlisted men divided into a headquarters unit and three platoons.. The unit had M3 Scout CarM3 Scout Car
The M3 Scout Car was an armored car in U.S. service during World War II. It was also known as the White Scout Car, after its manufacturer, the White Motor Company. It was used in various roles including patrol, scouting, command vehicle, ambulance and gun tractor.-History:Design of the vehicle...
s and a motorcycle platoon.
The billet for the formation of an Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion on the East Coast happened in 1949. The Battalion was officially activated 1 December 1950 at a tent camp area of LeJeune which was later moved to Stone Bay Camp. The Battalion was commanded by Major Regan Fuller.
From concept to birth you might check out... http://www.2dreconbn.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=81
Tarawa, November 1943
Prior to D-Day of November 10, no prior preliminary pre-D-Day reconnaissance was performed prior to their landing except the submarine periscope photography performed by Capt. James Jones, of VAC Amphib Recon Company aboard the . The Marine recon units of 2nd Marine Division participated in seizure and occupation of Tarawa operation.A Scout-Sniper Platoon of 2nd Marine Regiment led by 1st Lieutenant William D. Hawkins
William D. Hawkins
William Deane Hawkins was a United States Marine Corps officer who was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military honor — the Medal of Honor — for heroic actions and sacrifice of life during the World War II Battle of Tarawa.-Early years:Hawkins was born on April 18, 1914...
were the first unit to land on Betio
Betio
Betio is an island and a town at the extreme southwest of South Tarawa in Kiribati. The main port of Tarawa Atoll is located there.-Overview:...
in the Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, South Tarawa...
, the site of a strategically important airfield. He was tasked in securing the island ramp on one of the two long piers extending into the lagoon. Hawkins and his recon-scout platoon raced ahead of the first wave in two Higgins Boats and landed on the pier. He charged up the ramp with his scouts but were taken under heavy machine gun fire. Since there were petrol drums at the end of the pier in the line of enemy fire, he sent most of his Marines back down the ramp then proceeded with only five men, four scouts and one combat engineer with a flamethrower. Once they burned and had blown up every hiding place left on the pier, they withdrew to the boat.
Hawkins then commandeered three LVTs and transferred his men from both LCVPs to these for the trip to shore where they joined their regiment for the rest of the battle. Lt. Hawkins was later killed during this action and was posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. Another Scout-Sniper Platoon from 8th Marines assisted in the main assault landing on D-Day.
The Company D (Scouts), 2nd Tank Battalion
2nd Tank Battalion
The 2nd Tank Battalion is an armored battalion of the United States Marine Corps which is based out of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina...
worked extensively in the seizure and occupation of other islands in the Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, South Tarawa...
. Other than Betio, it included Eita
Eita
is a Japanese actor from Tokyo, Japan. His birth name is . He has appeared in many Japanese television dramas and movies; most notable is the TV series Water Boys...
and many unnamed islets between Betio and Bairiki. The adjacent atolls of Abaiang
Abaiang
Abaiang, also spelled Apaiang, sometimes called Apiaia, and formerly named Charlotte Island, Matthews or Six Isles, is a coral atoll of Kiribati, located in the west-central Pacific Ocean.-Geography:...
, Marakei
Marakei
Marakei is a small atoll in the North Gilbert Islands. The central lagoon consists of numerous deep basins and surrounded by two large islands which are separated by two narrow channels. The atoll covers an area of 13.5 km².- Geography :...
and Maiana
Maiana
Maiana is a district of Kiribati and an atoll in the North Gilbert Islands. The north and eastern sides of the atoll are a single island whilst the western edge consists of submerged reefs, all surrounding a lagoon...
were landed for inspection of fortifications, supplies or recent occupancy.
Saipan, June 1944
The 2nd Marine Division's scout company performed a series of special missions with 4th Marine Division's scout company4th Reconnaissance Battalion
The 4th Reconnaissance Battalion is a reserve reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It falls under the 4th Marine Division and Marine Forces Reserve.-Organization:...
, that included a recon detachment with 1st Battalion
1st Battalion 9th Marines
The 1st Battalion 9th Marines is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, it served until the mid-1990s when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions...
, 9th Marine Regiment (1/9). Seizing the summit of Mount Tapochau
Mount Tapochau
Mount Tapochau is the highest point on the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. It is located in the centre of the island, north of San Vicente village and northwest of Magicienne Bay, and rises to a height of 474 m . The mountain offers a 360 degree view of the island...
later repulsed a Japanese counterattack on that highest point of Saipan. Both Admiral Richmond K. Turner
Richmond K. Turner
-Footnotes:...
and General Holland M. Smith declared Saipan secured on July 9, 1944.
Cold War
- Elements participated in the intervention in the Dominican Republic, April-June 1965.
- Elements participated as part of the multinational peacekeeping force in LebanonMultinational Force in LebanonThe Multinational Force in Lebanon was an international peacekeeping force created in 1982 and sent to Lebanon to oversee the withdrawal of the Palestine Liberation Organization...
, August 1982-February 1984.
- Elements participated in the landing on Grenada-CarriacouInvasion of GrenadaThe Invasion of Grenada, codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, was a 1983 United States-led invasion of Grenada, a Caribbean island nation with a population of about 100,000 located north of Venezuela. Triggered by a military coup which had ousted a four-year revolutionary government, the invasion...
, October-November 1983.
1990s
- Elements participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Southwest Asia, December 1990-April 1991.
- Redesignated April 18, 1994 as Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
- Reconnaissance Company and Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Marine Division, combined October 1, 1996 to form Reconnaissance Battalion (Provisional), 2nd Marine Division
- Redesignated January 1, 1998 as 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
Global War on Terror
- Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, March-May 2003.
- Elements participated in Operation Secure TomorrowOperation Secure TomorrowOperation Secure Tomorrow is an operation that took place from February-July 2004 in which a multi-national force led by 3rd Battalion 8th Marines was sent by US President George W. Bush to Haiti to protect US interests there...
, Haiti, March-July 2004 - Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, October 2004-April 2005
- Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, March-October 2006
- Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, October 2007-May 2008
- Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, November 2010-June 2011
Trivia
A fanciful depiction of the battalion was featured as the main unit in the 1986 movie Heartbreak RidgeHeartbreak Ridge
Heartbreak Ridge is a 1986 American war film, starring Clint Eastwood and Mario Van Peebles, surrounding the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada, West Indies. A portion of the movie was filmed on the island itself....
starring Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
. The film depicts the battalion's involvement in Operation Urgent Fury
Invasion of Grenada
The Invasion of Grenada, codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, was a 1983 United States-led invasion of Grenada, a Caribbean island nation with a population of about 100,000 located north of Venezuela. Triggered by a military coup which had ousted a four-year revolutionary government, the invasion...
, the invasion of Grenada
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
.
See also
- 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...
- United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance BattalionsUnited States Marine Corps Reconnaissance BattalionsThe United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions are the reconnaissance assets of Marine Air-Ground Task Force that provide division-level ground and amphibious reconnaissance to the Ground Combat Element within the United States Marine Corps...