27th Marine Regiment (United States)

The 27th Marine Regiment (27th Marines) is an inactivated infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fought during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and again for a short time during the Vietnam War.

27th Marine Regiment
27th Marine Regiment emblem
Active1944 – 46; 1966 – 69
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeInfantry
Part of5th Marine Division
EngagementsWorld War II Vietnam War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Thomas A. Wornham

Subordinate units

The regiment comprised three infantry battalions, a headquarters and service company, and a weapons company:

Battalions
Headquarters & Service Company
1st Battalion, 27th Marines (1/27)
2nd Battalion, 27th Marines (2/27)
3rd Battalion, 27th Marines (3/27)
Weapons Company

History

The 27th Marine Regiment was activated on January 10, 1944, as a result of the massive increase in the Marine Corps during World War II. The regiment first saw action during the Battle of Iwo Jima. During the course of the battle they suffered 566 killed, 1,706 wounded, and had 4 Marines receive the Medal of Honor. After the surrender of Japan the regiment was inactivated on January 10, 1946.

The 27th Marines was again reactivated during the Vietnam War on January 1, 1966, but was mainly used as a pool for new replacements before they went overseas. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions were stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. The 1st Battalion was at Marine Corps Air Station at Kane'ohe Bay in Hawaii. During the Tet Offensive in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson authorized an increase in U.S. troop strength in South Vietnam and the 27th Marines was one of the units sent. The 27th Marines became the first Marine regiment to fly into a combat zone arriving in February. Their deployment overseas put a severe strain on manpower in the Marine Corps and they were returned to the United States in September.[1]

A homecoming parade was presented as a Memorial Ceremony downtown San Diego to the lives the regiment had given in South Vietnam. The unit was then reassigned to MCB Camp Pendleton within the area of the base called Camp Margarita or the 33 Area.

Unit awards

A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation.[2] 27th Marine Regiment has been presented with the following awards:

Notable former members

See also

References
  1. Cosmas, Graham (2009). The Joint Chiefs of Staff and The War in Vietnam 1960–1968 Part 3 (PDF). Office of Joint History Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. p. 249. ISBN 978-1482378696. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register


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