About this Unit
Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division (Hq Btry 5th Bn 10th Mar 2nd Mar Div) has a distinguished history as part of the United States Marine Corps’ artillery arm. Activated during World War II, the battalion provided critical fire support in major Pacific campaigns, including the battles of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. During the Cold War and into the present, the unit has participated in numerous training exercises and contingency operations, maintaining readiness to deploy worldwide in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force missions. Hq Battery continues to serve as the command and control element for 5th Battalion, supporting both combat operations and humanitarian missions as part of the 2nd Marine Division.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines (HQ Btry 5/10) was originally activated in 1941, just prior to the United States’ entry into World War II, as part of the 2nd Marine Division.
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Battle of Tarawa: The 10th Marines, including elements of HQ Btry 5/10, played a crucial artillery support role during the bloody assault on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in November 1943.
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Saipan and Tinian Campaigns: HQ Btry 5/10 supported the 2nd Marine Division’s landings and operations during the Marianas Campaign, providing essential fire support in the battles of Saipan and Tinian in 1944.
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Battle of Okinawa: The battalion was instrumental in the massive artillery barrages that helped secure Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War, in 1945.
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Post-WWII Deactivation and Reactivation: Like many Marine Corps units, HQ Btry 5/10 was deactivated after WWII but was later reactivated as the Cold War intensified, continuing to serve as a vital artillery command element.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: 5th Battalion, 10th Marines was mobilized during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, ready to provide artillery support if a U.S. invasion of Cuba had been ordered.
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Desert Storm: The battalion, including HQ Btry, deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 and participated in Operation Desert Storm, supporting the rapid ground offensive to liberate Kuwait.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom: HQ Btry 5/10 deployed to Iraq in the early 2000s, providing command and control for artillery fires in support of Marine ground forces during major combat and stabilization operations.
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Humanitarian Missions: Members of HQ Btry 5/10 have participated in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, including operations in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
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Pride and Tradition: The 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, and its Headquarters Battery maintain a proud tradition of excellence, discipline, and esprit de corps, symbolized by their motto “Steel Rain” – referencing the devastating effectiveness of Marine artillery.
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