2nd Battalion 11th Marines

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 2nd Battalion 11th Marines


caption= 2/11 Insignia
dates= *Sept 5, 1918 - August 11, 1919
*May 9, 1927 - September 10, 1927
*January 5, 1928 - August 20, 1929
*January 1, 1941 - Sept 28, 1947
*August 7, 1950 - present
country= United States
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Marine Corps
type= Artillery
role= Provide fires in support of the 5th Marine Regiment
size= 750 Marines
command_structure= 11th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division
current_commander= LtCol Bradley R. Hall|garrison=Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto= "Second to None"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II *Battle of Guadalcanal *Battle of Cape Gloucester *Battle of Peleliu *Battle of Okinawa Korean War *Battle of Inchon *Battle of Chosin Reservoir Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom *2003 invasion of Iraq
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

2nd Battalion 11th Marines (2/11) is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries (Echo, Fox, Golf, Kilo 3/12) and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and its primary weapon system is the M777 lightweight howitzer. The battalion was the second in the Marine Corps to fully transition from the M198 Howitzer. They fall under the command of the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

Mission

Provide direct support of the 5th Marine Regiment in time of conflict. That support may come in the traditional fashion of artillery support to maneuver forces, or by providing batteries to serve as provisional rifle companies. They also have the secondary mission of being the primary providers of Civilian Military Operations (CMO). CMO is defined as the activities of the commander that establish, maintain, influence, or exploit relations between military organizations, Government and civilian organizations and the civilian populace.

Current units

Headquarters Battery
* E Battery
* F Battery
* G Battery
* Battery K/3/12

History

The battalion was activated September 5, 1918 at Montierchame, France as the 2d Battalion, 11th Regiment. They were relocated during July-August 1919 to Hampton Roads, Virginia. and were deactivated August 11, 1919.

1927-1929

2/11 was reactivated on May 9, 1927 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia as the 2d Battalion, 11th Regiment. Deployed during May 1927 to Chinadenga, Nicaragua and assigned to the 2d Brigade. They participated in operations against dissidents in May-July 1927. They were redesignated July 1, 1927 as the 2d Separate Battalion, 11th Regiment and relocated to San Diego, California. The battalion was deactivated September 10, 1927. They were again reactivated on January 5, 1928 at San Diego, California as the 2d Battalion, 11th Regiment. The battalion deployed during January 1928 to Corinto, Nicaragua and assigned to the 2d Brigade. They were deactivated August 20, 1929 on board the USS "Henderson" while en route to the United States.

World War II

2/11 was again reactivated on January 1, 1941 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as the 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Brigade. Relocated during April 1941 to Parris Island, South Carolina. They deployed during June 1942 to Wellington, New Zealand. The battalion participated in the following World War II battles: Battle of Guadalcanal, Finschhafen, Battle of New Britain, Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. They redeployed during September 1945 to Tientsin, China and participated in the occupation of Northern China from September 1945 to December 1946.

They were reassigned during January 1947 to the Fleet Marine Force and redeployed during January - February 1947 to Guam. Relocated during April-May 1947 they moved to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and were reassigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade. They were again reassigned during July 1947 to the 1st Marine Division and relocated during August 1947 to Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California. 2/11 was deactivated on September 28, 1947.

1950-1965

The battalion was reactivated on August 7, 1950 at Camp Pendleton as the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division and deployed during August-September 1950 to Kobe, Japan. They participated in the Korean War, operating at Inchon-Seoul, the Chosin Reservoir, East Central front, Western front. They were stationed at the Korean Demilitarized Zone from July 1953-March 1955 and finally relocated during March 1955 to Camp Pendleton, California.

Vietnam War

2/11 deployed during February-March 1966 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. They again redeployed during May 1966 to the Republic of Vietnam and participated in the Vietnam War from May 1966 to March 1971, operating from Chu Lai, Tam Ky, Hue/Phu Bai, Thon Back Thack, Cao Doi and An Hoa. They returned in March-April 1971 to Camp Pendleton, California.

The Gulf War

Deployed during December 1990 with Regimental Landing Team 5, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Southwest Asia. They participated in the defense of Saudi Arabia until January 1991 and proceeded to participate in the liberation of Kuwait in January - May 1991 operating in Um Guar Al-Juba, Al Wafrah. Following the war they took part in the Bangladesh relief effort Operation Sea Angel in May 1991. The battalion returned on June 29, 1991 to Camp Pendleton, California.

Global War on Terror

=Operation Iraqi Freedom=

2/11 deployed during January 2003 with the 1st Marine Division to Kuwait. They participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq as part of Regimental Combat Team 5. The battalion relocated during back to Camp Pendleton, California in August 2003. In August 2004, the battalion again deployed in support of OIF and operated as a provisional military police with the 1st Marine Division in Ramadi, Iraq. They returned to Camp Pendleton, California in September 2007.

Awards

* Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one silver and FOUR Bronze Stars
**World War II
***Battle of Guadalcanal – 1942
***Battle of Peleliu, Ngesebus – 1944
***Battle of Okinawa – 1945
**Korean War
***1950, 1950, 1957
**Vietnam War
***1966, 1966-1967, 1967-1968
**Operation Iraqi Freedom – 2003
* Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with three Bronze Stars
**World War II
***Cape Gloucester - 1943-1944
**Korea
***1952-1953
**Southwest Asia
***1990-1991
**OIF 2-2
***2003-2004
* Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with one Bronze Star
**Vietnam
***1968, 1994
* World War I Victory Streamer
* Second Nicaraguan Campaign Streamer
* American Defense Service Streamer with one Bronze Star
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Silver and one Bonze Star
* World War II Victory Streamer
* Navy Occupation Service Streamer with “ASIA”
* China Service Streamer
* National Defense Service Streamer with two Bronze Stars
* Korean Service Streamer with two Silver Stars
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer
* Vietnam Service Streamer with two Silver and two Bronze Stars
* SouthWest Asia Service Streamer with two Bronze stars
* Korean Presidential Unit Citation Streamer
* Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer
* Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation Civil Actions Streamer

ee also

* List of United States Marine Corps battalions
* Organization of the United States Marine Corps

Notes

References

:Marine Corps

;Web
* [http://www.i-mef.usmc.mil/DIV/11mar/2bn/ 2/11's official website]