The 23d Marine Regiment (23d Marines) is a reserve infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in San Bruno, California and falls under the command of the 4th Marine Division and the Marine Forces Reserve. the regiment is comprised of sixteen sites geographically dispersed throughout eight states from California to Alabama. The regiment consists of Marine and Navy reservists and active duty Marines and Navy personnel.
23d Marines stretches across most of the Southwestern United States. The Regimental headquarters is located in San Bruno, California, and its three battalions are located throughout the region. First Battalion (1/23) is headquartered in Houston, Texas; Second Battalion (2/23) is headquartered in Pasadena, California; and Third Battalion (3/23) is headquartered in Belle Chasse, Louisiana.
23d Marines has a distinguished history since the Regiment's activation on 20 July 1942, at New River, North Carolina. It was assigned to the 4th Marine Division in February 1943 and relocated during July 1943 to Camp Pendleton, California.
During World War II, the Regiment fought in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, Kwajalein Atoll, and Iwo Jima under the newly formed 4th Marine Division commanded by Major General Harry Schmidt. During the fierce fighting which occured in the Pacific Theater, four Marines from 23d Marines were awarded the Medal of Honor for valor:
Richard B. Anderson, 2/23, Kwajalein
Joseph W. Ozbourn, 1/23, Tinian
Darrell S. Cole, 1/23, Iwo Jima
Douglas T. Jacobson, 3/23, Iwo Jima
For its actions against enemy forces, 23d Marines received the following awards: Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with one Bronze Star, the Navy Unit Commendation, the American Campaign Streamer with four Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Streamer.
In October 1945, the Regiment was again relocated to Camp Pendleton and was subsequently deactivated on 15 November 1945. 23d Marines was reactivated on 1 February 1966 in Alameda, California and assigned during the same month to the 4th Marine Division.
In November 1990, 3/23 was activated and deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield. 3/23 was attached to 8th Marines of the 2nd Marine Divisionand deployed along the Kuwait/Saudi Arabian border conducting patrolling and security operations. Two days before G-Day, 3/23 attacked into Kuwait at Umm Gudair to Secure forward artillery positions for the support of the attack into Kuwait. With this action, 3/23 became the first unit of the 2nd Marine Division to enter combat since World War II. 3/23 continued to advance as part of 8th Marines, fighting actions into Kuwait City when the ceasefire was called.
In December 1990, both 1/23 and 2/23 and 23d Marines headquarters were mobilized by Presidential call-up to support Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. This marked the first time since World War II that the Regiment was activated. 1/23 was assigned to 1st Marine Division and 2/23 was assigned to Third Marine Expeditionary Force. 2/23 responded to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 and provided critical humanitarian relief. 23d Marines, either in whole or in part, as been activated multiple times including 2003, 2006, and 2009.
In addition to its tactical missions, 23d Marines exhibits superior community outreach by providing personnel to support countless community events, to include rendering funeral honors for veterans, Casualty Assistance Calls, Color Guards, and the annual Toys for Tots campaign.