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The 25th Marine Regiment is a command that stretches across most of the Northeastern United States. Regimental headquarters is located in Worchester, Massachusetts, and its battalions are located throughout the region. First Battalion is headquartered at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts; Second Battalion is headquartered in Garden City, New York; and Third Battalion is headquartered in Brook Park, Ohio.

The 3d Battalion, 25th Marines also stretches across a vast area. Headquarters & Service Company is situated in Brook Park, Ohio; India Company is located in Buffalo, New York; Kilo Company is in Moundsville, West Virginia; Lima Company is located in Columbus, Ohio; and Weapons Company is located in Akron, Ohio.

The 25th Marine regiment has established a distinguished history since the Regiment?s activation on May 1, 1943. During World War II, the 25th fought in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, Kwajalein Atoll, and Iwo Jima. In 1945, the Regiment was deactivated. Then, on July 1, 1962, the 25th was reactivated as a Marine Corps Reserve Unit. This proud Regiment has continued to train in every clime and place, for its important role in the defense of our nation.

The 3d Battalion, 25th Marines has a distinguished reputation. During the battle for Iwo Jima, the Battalion was tasked with the securing of Airfield One, then further tasked with pushing northward into the heart of the Japanese defenses. Colonel Justice Marion Chambers received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions as the commander of 3/25 during the battle of Iwo Jima. His citation reads, in part, that while exposed to relentless fire, he coolly reorganized his battle-weary men, inspiring them to heroic efforts through his own valor and leading an attack on the critical, impregnable high ground.? His medals are displayed in the trophy case located at 3/25?s Battalion headquarters in Brook Park, Ohio.

The Marines and Sailors of 3d battalion, 25thMarines have distinguished themselves recently as well. During Operation Desert Storm, 3/25 was called to active duty to support operations conducted in Southwest Asia. Although the Battalion did not deploy to Southwest Asia, 3/25 played a key role by participating in other operations the Marine Corps was committed to supporting. Members of the Battalion found themselves in Norway, Panama, and Honduras.

In 2004, the warning order was received that the Battalion would mobilize for deployment with the II Marine Expeditionary Force?s Regimental Combat Team 2 (2nd Marine Division) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Battalion was well-poised to carry out the mobilization order, having recently planned and executed the deployment of three rifle companies to three different combatant command regions to support five training exercises while simultaneously conducting a battalion annual training exercise, a tactical air control party exercise.

Each of the five companies within the Battalion was activated on Jan. 4, 2005. From Jan 10 to late February 2005, the companies conducted pre-deployment training at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and March Air Reserve Base, California. The Battalion was in Iraq by the first week of March 2005, tasked with training the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and conducting stability and security operations to prevent insurgents from gaining a foothold in and around the cities of Iraq?s Al Anbar province.

Major operations that the battalion participated in include Operation Matador, Operation New Market (Souk Jadeed), and Operation Spear (Romhe). During Operation Matador from May 7-14, RCT-2 secured objectives in and around the Euphrates River cities of Karabilah, Ramana and Ubaydi (near the Syrian border), killing more than 125 insurgents, wounding many others, detaining 39 insurgents of intelligence value, seizing numerous weapons caches containing machine guns, mortar rounds, rockets, vehicle borne improvised explosive devices and materials used for making explosive devices. During Operation New market in late May, RCT-2 and ISF disrupted insurgent activity in the vicinity of Haditha and maintained the pressure on insurgents that began with Operation Matador. Several insurgents were killed in the battle, and weapons and ammunition were seized. During operation Spear in mid-June, RCT-2 and ISF rooted out insurgents and foreign terrorists, disrupted insurgent support systems, and destroyed enemy explosives in and around the Iraqi city of Karabilah.

The Battalion rotated out of Iraq in late September 2005, and was deactivated on Jan 3, 2006. Forty-six Marines and two US Navy Corpsman serving with the Battalion in Iraq made the ultimate sacrifice to forward the cause of democracy. A memorial paying tribute to the Battalion?s fallen heroes was erected at the Battalion headquarters in Brook Park, Ohio and was dedicated on Nov. 12, 2005.

In addition to its tactical missions, the battalion exhibits superior community outreach by providing personnel to support countless community events, which include rendering final honors at funerals for area Marine veterans, casualty assistance calls, color guards, and the annual Toys for Tots campaign.

Gasho, Jim, Cpl