2:8th Marines

The 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8), known as "America's Battalion," was activated on April 1, 1940, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During World War II, the battalion participated in major campaigns including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. In subsequent decades, 2/8 deployed to numerous hotspots, including Lebanon in 1958, the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. The battalion has built a distinguished reputation for its combat effectiveness and readiness, serving as a vital component of the 2nd Marine Division.