1 post tagged “history”

The 5th Marine Regiment was activated on June 8, 1917 in Philadelphia and is the oldest and most decorated infantry regiment in the Marine Corps.  Debuting in World War I, the “Fighting Fifth” was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government and the nickname “Devildogs" by the German soldiers for the valor the Regiment’s Marines demonstrated in the grueling battle of . Thereafter, the Regiment has participated in every major conflict the nation has entered. The Fifth Marines deployed as the main effort for the 1st Marine Division during the combat-operations phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and redeployed to in mid-2003 to prepare for future endeavors.  Though the RCT did not deploy as a unit again until 2006, many members of the regimental staff deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in various capacities. The Regiment recently returned from a year-long tour coaching and mentoring the Iraqi Security Forces in the eastern portions of Al Anbar Province.