2:5th Marines

• Historic Formation: The 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (2/5), was originally activated in July 1917 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, making it one of the Corps’ oldest and most decorated battalions. • World War I Legacy: 2/5 fought in the legendary Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, where the Marines earned the nickname "Devil Dogs" from German adversaries. • Presidential Unit Citation: The battalion has received the Presidential Unit Citation for its heroic actions during World War II, particularly at Guadalcanal and Okinawa. • Korean War Valor: 2/5 played a pivotal role in the Inchon Landing and the subsequent push to Seoul, as well as the brutal Chosin Reservoir campaign. • Vietnam War Operations: The battalion was heavily engaged throughout the Vietnam War, including in the Battle of Hue City during the 1968 Tet Offensive, earning a reputation for urban combat proficiency. • Motto - "Retreat, Hell!": 2/5 shares the famous motto attributed to Marine legend Maj. Lloyd Williams at Belleau Wood, symbolizing the battalion’s fighting spirit. • Gulf War Deployment: 2/5 was among the first Marine units deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991. • Global War on Terror: The battalion has deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, notably participating in the intense 2004 Battle of Fallujah (Operation Phantom Fury). • Decorated Unit: 2/5 is recognized as the most decorated battalion in the Marine Corps, with more unit citations and accolades than any other. • Hollywood Connections: The battalion has been depicted in movies, documentaries, and books—including the acclaimed HBO miniseries "The Pacific," which features several 2/5 Marines and their stories.