2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion


caption= 2nd AAV's Insignia
dates= March 18, 1942 - present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=USMC
type= Mechanized battalion
role= Amphibious assault
size=
command_structure=2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
current_commander=
garrison=Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= 2nd Tracks
patron=
motto= Yat-Yas
You Ain't Tracs-You Ain't Shit
colors=
march=
mascot=Gator
battles= World War II
* Battle of Guadalcanal
* Battle of Tarawa
* Battle of Saipan
* Battle of Tinian
* Battle of Okinawa
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
* 2003 invasion of Iraq
* Battle of Fallujah
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion is a mechanized battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon system is the Amphibious Assault Vehicle and they are part of the 2nd Marine Division and the II Marine Expeditionary Force. The unit is based out of the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Mission

Land the surface assault element of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives; to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support in subsequent operations ashore.

Current units

* Headquarters and Services Company
* Alpha Company
* Bravo Company
* Charlie Company
* Delta Company

History

World War II

The Battalion organization was activated on March 18, 1942 at Marine Barracks San Diego, California. The "Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion" was an Organic unit of the 2nd Marine Division, composed of a Headquarters and Service Company and three letter companies, all equipped with the Landing Vehicle Tracked-1 (LVT-1).

In 1942, the Battalion set sail from San Diego, CA with the 1st Marine Division to meet the Japanese tide sweeping across the South Pacific. Elements of the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion participated in assaults on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. After the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the battalion returned to the United States and deactivated on 29 November 1945. The 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion was reactivated on 1 May 1946. The Battalion was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where it participated in peace time training with the 2nd Marine Division. During this time the Battalion was equipped with the LVT-3 and consisted of a Headquarters and Service company and four letter companies. As a result of the economy program, the Battalion was once again deactivated on 16 October 1949.

Vietnam War

In 1966, the battalion transferred 260 Amphibian Tractor Crew men to Vietnam. Throughout the war, the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion supported routine deployments and provided training support to the 2nd Marine Division.

1980s and 1990s

Global War on Terror

Notable former members

* Justin LeHew - recipient of the Navy Cross for action during the Battle of Nasiriyah in 2003.
* Luis E. Fonseca, Jr. - recipient of the Navy Cross for action during the Battle of Nasiriyah in 2003.

ee also

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

Notes

References

:Marine Corps

;Web
* [http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/2dmardiv/aabn/Contents.htm 2nd AAV's official website]