1st Battalion, 2nd Marines is an Infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, consisting of approximately 900 Marines and sailors.
Active Years
June 1, 1933 �?? November 1947
October 1949 �?? present
When, on May 25, 1997, rebel forces and military officers overthrough the government of Sierra Leone, a U.S. Army Special detachment already in the country for joint training exercises, moved to the capital of Freetown to secure the U.S. Embassy and its two residential compounds. It also identified an appropriate location for a helicopter landing zone (HLZ). By virtue of their on scene presence the Special Forces were able to provide the Marine Expeditionary commander with "real-time" intelligence concerning the conditions in the capital. Major General Samuel T. Helland was designated as Commander, Joint Task Force Noble Obelisk.
More than 400 Americans and more than 3000 third-country nationals were taken aboard Kearsarge over 4 days.
The Marine 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina participated in the Noncombatants Evacuation Operation (NCO), as well as the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261. Naval Air Reservists provided logistical support.
