| Fox Co 2d Bn 23d Marines |
Article Index for Fox Co |
Website Links For Fox |
Information AboutFox Co 2d Bn 23d Marines |
|
This Company is historically noteworthy as it was the only complete reserve infantry battalion of the Initial Invasion into Iraq in March 2003 . Fox Company gained further distinction having participated in dramatic firefight at Al Gaff during a rescue of members of the 11th Marines Artillery Unit Ambushed by Fedayeen within the walls of the city. Fox company successfully repelled the enemy, allowed for the rescue of the wounded Marines by members of Marine Recon units in the area. The Second Battalion Twenty Third Marines had the further distinction of being the only Infantry unit within Marine Corps 1st Marine Expeditionary Force to invade Iraq entirely in soft skin vehicles. ACTION AND PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION Fox company was also the lead company of the battalion and one of the first units to conduct a combat foot patrol within the dangerous south eastern portion of Baghdad known as Saddam City . During this afternoon patrol Fox company was ambushed by several Fedayeen elements within the city, sustaining nearly a dozen casualties but no KIA (killed in action). The enemy attack was completely repelled despite enemy attempts to use civilian vehicles as battering rams against the positions of the Marines. Despite hours of intense fighting the Reservist Marines proved themselves to be a well trained and hardened fighting unit. They would later receive a Presidential Unit Citation (US) , and individual awards. The actions cited related to selfless acts of bravery, including the deliberate and risky actions by members of Second and Third Platoon s who ran completely exposed for nearly three hundred yards to rescue civilians who had been stopped in their vehicles by Fedayeen who used the cars as cover and as a way to charge at the Marines with civilians still inside. EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|