2nd Battalion, 26th Marines Merchandise

"Nomads" -

The 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines (2/26) is an inactive infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. 2/26 Marines were part of the 26th Marine Regiment and 5th Marine Division and fought during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. 2/26 Marines were activated again for the Vietnam War but were deactivated after the war and remain inactive today.

The 26th Marine Regiment was activated on 1 March at Camp Pendleton and moved to Okinawa in August. The 2/26 Marines landed at Da Nang on 27 August and commenced Operation Pawnee III in Phú Lộc District.

2/26 Marines moved to Phu Bai and participated in Operations Prairie IV and Hickory, then resumed security of Route 1. In December, the battalion intended to move north to Dong Ha Combat Base.

2-26 Marines moved to Khe Sanh Combat Base and joined the siege until Operation Pegasus concluded on 14 April. Subsequent deployments included Operation Kentucky, transferring to the 1st Marine Division, preparing for service afloat with Special Landing Force (SLF) Bravo, and participating in Operations Allen Brook and Mameluke Thrust.

After reassignment to the 3rd Marine Division, the battalion participated in Operation Dewey Canyon and Apache Snow, operating from Vandegrift Combat Base and Fire Support Bases Russell, Shiloh, Razor, and Henderson, until the 26th Marines were deactivated on 30 June 1969.

The legacy of the 2/26 Marines is carried on through the continued service and remembrance of its veterans and the historical significance of the unit's actions during its periods of activation.