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2nd Battalion 24th Marines (2/24) is an Infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Chicago, Illinois consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion, also known as "Chicago's Own", falls under the 24th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division . CURRENT UNITS MISSION Provide trained combat and combat support personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires; and have the capability to reconstitute the 4th Marine Division, if required. HISTORY Founding The origin of 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, " Chicago 's own" can be traced back to the establishment of the 9th Reserve Battalion in 1922. They were mobilized in November 1940 as part of the preparation for World War II . Many of Chicago's reservists became part of the newly founded 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division , Fleet Marine Force . World War II The 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines were activated on 26 March 1943 as part of the 4th Marine Division. Their first action was the invasion of the Marshall Islands on 1 February 1944, securing the first portion of the Japanese Empire to be conquered by the United States in World War II. On 15 June 1944, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines landed on Saipan in the Marianas . Fifteen days after Saipan was secured, they assaulted the island of Tinian , securing that island in eight days. The 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, received its first Presidential Unit Citation for the capture of Saipan and Tinian. On 19 February 1945, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines landed on Iwo Jima with the island finally being secured. On 19 March 1945, the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines was awarded a second Presidential Unit Citationfor its participation in the capture of Iwo Jima. Captain Joseph J. McCarthy , Commanding Officer Co. G 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, a former chief in the Chicago Fire Department was awarded the Medal Of Honor for his gallantry on Iwo Jima. The battalion was demobilized on 31 October 1945. Korean Conflict In October 1950, they were mobilized and sent to Camp Pendleton , California for further transfer to Korea , where Chicago Marines saw combat during the Korean War . Gulf War On November 30, 1990, the battalion was mobilized as a result of the Presidential call up in support of Operation Desert Shield . Training and final preparation for the war in the desert was conducted at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , during December 1990. Upon the battalion's arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , it was assigned the mission of security for critical facilities. The 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines were initially assigned the mission of protecting the I Marine Expeditionary Force commander's primary bases in Northern Saudi Arabia, to include the Naval Air Field at Al Jubail, the ammunition storage site near Abu Hadriah and the defense of I MEF headquarters at Ras Safanya and Marine Aircraft Group 16 at Tanajib, thus providing security for an area over 40 miles wide and 135 miles deep. As Operation Desert Storm commenced, the area of responsibility increased further west to Kibrit and north to Al Khanjar. During the ground war, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines provided security to the largest ammunition supply point in the country, at the loss of which would have critically impaired the ground offensive. During the liberation of Kuwait , elements of 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines provided security to I Marine Expeditionary Force Command Post in Kuwait. Additionally, they took up defensive positions at Al Jaber Airfield south of Kuwait City . While maintaining its mission of providing security, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines was also responsible for the handling and processing of over 10,300 enemy Prisoners Of War in a 96 hour period. The battalion returned to Chicago on 12 May 1991, after 5 months of deployment, with 3 1/2 months in Southwest Asia . Global War on Terror Chicago's Own was mobilized again in June 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The battalion trained at Camp Pendleton until August of that year when they relocated to Mahmudiyah, in the North Babil Province of Iraq , an area known as the "Triangle of Death". 2/24 made Marine Corps history when they became the first reserve infantry battalion of OIF to operate independently, isolated on its own forward operating base. After establishing additional strongpoints in the area, working closely with the Iraqi Army and Police, providing security for the first-ever open democratic elections in Iraq and arresting over 1,000 suspected insurgents (with an incredibly high conviction rate,) 2/24 returned to California in March of 2005. They deactivated in May 2005. In March 2006, elements of 2/24 participated in Operation Shared Accord in Niger . The Marines taught basic military tactics to groups of soldiers from the ''Forces Armees Nigeriennes'' and also provided humanitarian support to some of Niger's neediest citizens. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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