About this Unit
The 2nd Medical Battalion is a unit within the United States Marine Corps, providing critical health service support to Marine forces. Activated in 1940, the battalion served with distinction during World War II, notably participating in the Pacific campaigns such as Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Okinawa. Over the decades, the unit has supported operations in Korea, Vietnam, and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, delivering medical care under combat conditions. Today, the 2nd Medical Battalion remains based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as part of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, continuing its mission to ensure the health and readiness of deployed Marines and sailors.
Historical Facts
• World War II Origins: The 2nd Medical Battalion was originally activated during World War II, providing critical medical support to U.S. Marine Corps operations in the Pacific Theater.
• Normandy Legacy: Though primarily a Marine Corps unit, the "2nd Medical Battalion" lineage traces through units that supported some of the heaviest combat operations, including amphibious landings.
• Operation Desert Storm: The battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990-1991, providing medical support and saving countless lives during the Gulf War.
• Humanitarian Missions: 2nd Medical Battalion has participated in humanitarian relief efforts, including disaster response after hurricanes and other natural disasters both domestically and abroad.
• Camp Lejeune Home: The battalion is headquartered at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, a major Marine Corps base and hub for medical operations on the East Coast.
• Rapid Deployment: The battalion is designed for rapid deployment, capable of setting up field hospitals and surgical facilities almost anywhere in the world on short notice.
• Afghanistan and Iraq: The 2nd Medical Battalion has rotated personnel through both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, caring for wounded Marines and coalition forces under combat conditions.
• Advanced Trauma Care: The battalion is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and has pioneered advanced trauma care techniques that have improved survival rates for battlefield casualties.
• Integrated Training: Marines and Navy medical personnel train together in the battalion, fostering close cooperation between services and ensuring seamless support in combat.
• Motto and Symbol: The battalion’s motto, "Dedicated to Preserve Life," reflects their mission, and their insignia features the caduceus, symbolizing healing and medical care.
