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“2nd Marine Division (United States).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 May 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Marine_Division_(United_States).

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Battle of Guadalcanal.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 15 Dec. 2016, www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Guadalcanal.

“Code Talking - Native Words Native Warriors.” Code Talkers, www.nmai.si.edu/education/codetalkers/html/chapter4.html.

Michal. “The Solomon Islands Campaign: Guadalcanal.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, The National World War II Museum, 6 Aug. 2017, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/solomon-islands-campaign-guadalcanal.

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The 2nd and 8th regiments were awarded with the Presidential Unit Citation for their excellence in the Guadalcanal operation. The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to those who for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941 (the date of the Attack On Pearl Harbor). They achieved this by braving the strong currents and coral reefs they encountered when trying to land their craft during Guadalcanal while under enemy fire.

The Division became famous for having the first two Black recipients of the Purple Heart. Staff Sergeant Timerlate Kirven  and Corporal Samuel J. Love, Sr. were wounded during the battle of Saipan and were rewarded for their sacrifice.

Other notable awards include...

Navy Unit Commendation

Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

American Defense Service Medal

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

WWII Victory Medal

Navy Occupation Service Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Southwest Asia Service Medal

Iraq Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

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The Division's first commander was Major General Clayton B. Vogel. He was the only commander during WWII but he died shortly after in 1946 passing on the role.

Vogel was famed for inventing the Navajo Code Talk system of communication which allowed for discrete communication between units in the field and HQ through the use of the Navajo language.

This became very effective as German intelligence had not yet infiltrated the Navajo and learned their language, therefore, they couldn't tell what they were saying.

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The 2nd Marine Corps Division made their first appearance in 1958 after WW2.  In 1958, they acted as peacekeepers during the Cuban Missile Crisis and were deployed in the Dominican.  Throughout the next 26 years, they completed many peacekeeping missions.  It was until 1983, when they suffered a couple hundred casualties in the Beirut bombing, that they started to invade Panama.

In the 1990’s, the 2nd Division played a major role in the evacuation of many citizens in war filled countries.  They evacuated citizens from Liberia, Saudi Arabia, and many others.  In 1991, the 2nd Marine Corps Division took part in the Desert Storm Ground War.  In this war, they took down over 100 enemy vehicles and took over 800 prisoners of war.  They liberated Al Jahra, and prevented/cut off the escape for the Iraqis.

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The insignia for the 2nd Marine Corps Division was a scarlet and gold shoulder patch.

The shoulder patch was in the shape of a spear and has a hand holding a torch in the middle.

This is significant because the torch represents the Battle of Guadalcanal, which was a previous battle that the 2nd Marine Division fought in.

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The 2nd Marine Corps Division was a national division.  People came from all over the country, but they were based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Even though the base of the 2nd Marine Division was in North Carolina, they fought in many places such as Iceland and the Pacific.

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Overall a well rounded division consisting of the 2nd, 6th, and 8th infantry regiments along with many support battalions like artillery regiments and tank battalions.

Initially sent to Reykjavik, Iceland in order to quell any attack from Germany.

The 8th regiment was also dispatched to American Samoa to defend against invasion by the Japanese.

Mainly participated in the Pacific Theater in various campaigns...

Guadalcanal Canal- defended and took over in landing

Gilbert Islands- Battle of Tarawa

Mariana Islands- Battle of Saipan

Battle of Tinian

Battle of Okinawa

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The nickname of the 2nd Military Corps Division in World War 2 was The Silent Second.

Their motto was “Follow Me”.

They were probably called The Silent Second because they came into action after the first division, and came in strategically and quietly.  They would clear out area and make sure it was secure.

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Fully active starting on February 1st, 1941

They were based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

The division was made for the purpose of ground combat