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History of the 25th Marine Regiment
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The 25th Marines is one of three
infantry regiments in the Fourth Marine
Division, Fleet Marine Force, United
States Marine Corps. From its
headquarters in Worcester,
Massachusetts, the regiment commands
fifteen training centers in nine states
throughout the Northeast. These units
consist of approximately 3,500 reserve
and active duty Marines.
The 25th Regiment of Marines has a proud
history. It was activated 1 May 1943, at
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was
initially manned by Marines from
throughout the Northeast. The Regiment
was subsequently assigned to the 4th
Marine Division for service in World War
II. Initially located at Camp Pendleton,
California, the Regiment was ordered to
the Pacific in January of 1944 and
participated in the Kwajalein, Saipan,
Tinian, and Iwo Jima Campaigns. The
Regiment won two Presidential Unit
Citations for its participation in these
battles. The 25th Marines returned to
Camp Pendleton at the end of the war and
on 10 November 1945, its job finished,
the Regiment was deactivated.
On July 1962, 16 ½ years after its
colors had been folded following its
service in World War II, the 4th Marine
Division was reactivated as a Reserve
Division. This reactivation included all
three Battalions of the 25th Marines.
Since then, the reactivated units have
served proudly. They inherited an
unfaltering tradition from their World
War II predecessors, and from throughout
the Northeastern United States, they are
continuing the tradition. Reserve
Marines of the Regiment have served
alongside their regular counterparts in
training exercises throughout the world.
In February 1991 the entire Regiment was
fully activated for DESERT SHIELD AND
DESERT STORM. Although, only 1st
Battalion deployed into southwest Asia
and participated in the 1st Marine
Division's initial breach of Iraqi
defenses, the Regimental Headquarters,
2nd and 3rd Battalions mobilized in
support of other operational
requirements.
In January 2002 the Regimental
Headquarters Company and 2nd Battalion,
25th Marines deployed to Camp Lejeune,
North Carolina in support of Operations
Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. After
supporting numerous operations in
support of the War on Terrorism,
Headquarters Company and 2nd Battalion,
25th Marines were deactivated in January
2003.
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