World War II

Originally activated on April 1, 1940 the unit was located in San Diego as the 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment and assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade.

During World War II, the battalion participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tarawa, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian and the Battle of Okinawa. The battalion deployed to Nagasaki, Japan in September 1945 as part of the occupation and remained there until they redeployed back to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in June 1946.

The battalion was deactivated on November 13, 1947 as part of the post-war drawdown of forces.

1950 - 2000

The battalion was reactivated on December 1, 1950 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and assigned to 2nd Marine Division. From July to September 1958 they took part in the United States intervention during the Lebanon crisis. This was followed by a deployment to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as part of the Cuban Missile Crisis from October to December 1962.

• Relocated in June 1968 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Relocated in August 1973 to Camp Lejeune, NC.
• Participated as part of Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon August – September 1982, and February- October 1984
• Participated in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada October – November 1983.
• Participated in Operation Provide Comfort Iraq April – July 1991.
• Elements participated in Operation Support Democracy Cuba October – November 1993.
• Participated in support of Operation Joint Endeavor Adriatic Sea October 1996.
• Elements participated in security operations Haiti and Panama November 1997 – February 1998 and January – August 1999.

Global War on Terror

• Operation Iraqi Freedom - Iraq, March – May 2003.
• Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan November 2003 to May 2004.
• 26th MEU - Iraq, March 2005 - September 2005.
• Operation Iraqi Freedom - Iraq, July 2006 - February 2007.
• Operation Iraqi Freedom - Iraq, October 2007 - May 2008
• Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan, May 2009 - November 2009 
• Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan, January 2011 - August 2011

Activated 1 April 1940 At San Diego, California As The 2d Battalion, 28th Marines And Assigned To The 2d Marine Brigade

2d Marine Brigade Re-Designated 1 February 1941 as 2d Marine Division

Assigned In December 1941 to 2d Marine Brigade, 2d Marine Division

Deployed In December 1942 to American Samoa and Detached From The 2d Marine Division

Detached In October 1942 from the 2d Marine Brigade

Assigned In February 1943 to the 2d Marine Division

Participated In The Following WWII Campaigns:

Guadalcanal

Tarawa

Saipan

Tinian

Okinawa

Deployed In September 1945tTo Nagasaki Japan

Participated In Occupation of Japan From September 1945 - June 1946

Relocated In June - July 1946 to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Deactivated 13 November 1947

1950 – 1990

Reactivated 1 December 1950 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, As The 2d Battalion, 8th Marines

And Assigned to the 2d Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force

Participated In the Landing of Lebanon July - September 1953

Reduced To Cadre Status during May 1959 - July 1981

Participated In the Cuban Missile Crisis October to December 1962

Relocated In June 1968 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Relocated In August 1973 to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Participated As Part Of Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force In Lebanon August- September 1982, in Grenada October - November 1983

1991 – Present

Participated In Operation Provide Comfort in Iraq April – July 1991

Elements Participated In Operation Support Democracy in Cuba October – November 1993

Participated In Support Of Operation Joint Endeavor in the Adriatic Sea October 1996

Elements Participated In Security Operations in Haiti and Panama, November 1997 – February 1998 And

January – August 1999

Participated In Operation Rapid Cheetah in Kosovo from August – September 2001

Deployed In February 2003 to Kuwait In Support Of Operation Enduring Freedom

Participated In Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq March – May 2003

Participated In Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan November 2003 – May 2004

Deployed With the 26th MEU March – September 2005

Participated In Operation Iraqi Freedom March – May 2003, July 2006 – February 2007, And

November 2007 – May 2008

Participated In Operation Enduring Freedom In Afghanistan May – November 2009

Participated in Operation Enduring Freedom In Afghanistan January – August 2011

 Honors
 

HONORS

Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with Four Bronze Stars

World War II

Guadalcanal - 1942

Tarawa - 1943

Okinawa - 1945

Operation Iraqi Freedom - 2003

Afghanistan - 2009

Joint Meritorious Unit Citation Streamer

Iraq - 1991

Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with Four Bronze Stars

Lebanon - 1982

Lebanon and Grenada - 1983-1984

Afghanistan - 2003-2004

Iraq - 2007

Iraq - 2008-2009

Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with One Bronze Star

1968-1973

Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer

American Defense Service Streamer

Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Streamer with One Silver Star

World War Ii Victory Streamer

Navy Occupation Service Streamer

National Defense Service Streamer with Three Bronze Stars

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer with Three Bronze Stars

Southwest Asia Service Streamer with One Bronze Star

Afghanistan Campaign Streamer with Four Bronze Stars

Iraq Campaign Streamer with One Bronze Star

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer

Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer