5th Marine Regiment

Unit Lineage

The 5th Marine Regiment is the most decorated regiment in the United States Marine Corps. Activated on 8 June 1917, the regiment deployed to France and earned its legend at the Battle of Belleau Wood, where Marines charged German machine guns across open wheat fields and the French renamed the forest "Bois de la Brigade de Marine" in their honor. It was at Belleau Wood that the Germans gave the Marines the name "Teufel Hunden." Based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, the 5th Marines falls under the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force. The regiment's motto traces to Captain Lloyd Williams, who told a French officer advising retreat: "Retreat? Hell, we just got here!"

World War I

The 5th Marines fought across the Western Front at Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive as part of the 4th Marine Brigade under the Army's 2nd Division. The regiment was awarded the French Croix de Guerre multiple times and the Fourragere, which is still worn by every Marine assigned to the regiment today. The 5th Marines suffered over 2,000 casualties in France. After the armistice, the regiment participated in the occupation of the German Rhineland.

World War II

The 5th Marines fought at Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, and Okinawa. At Peleliu, the regiment's battalions were in continuous close combat for weeks against entrenched Japanese forces. On Okinawa, the 5th Marines fought through the Shuri Line defenses in some of the costliest fighting of the Pacific War.

Korea

The 5th Marines were among the first Marine units committed to Korea in 1950, fighting to hold the Pusan Perimeter as part of the "Fire Brigade." The regiment led the assault at Inchon and fought through the liberation of Seoul. At the Chosin Reservoir, the 5th Marines fought the breakout from Yudam-ni through Toktong Pass in what remains one of the most storied fighting withdrawals in military history.

Vietnam

The 5th Marines deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and served until 1970. The regiment fought at Hue City during the 1968 Tet Offensive and conducted sustained combat operations across the Que Son Valley, An Hoa Basin, and the Arizona Territory. The 5th Marines' Vietnam service produced multiple Medal of Honor recipients and earned the regiment additional unit citations.

Desert Storm Through the Global War on Terror

The 5th Marines deployed to Saudi Arabia in 1990 and participated in the liberation of Kuwait during Desert Storm. In 2003, the regiment led the march to Baghdad during the invasion of Iraq, conducting the deepest attack in Marine Corps history as part of the 1st Marine Division's advance. The regiment deployed again to Al Anbar Province in 2004 and 2006. Battalions of the 5th Marines have deployed repeatedly to Iraq and Afghanistan, including to Helmand Province where 3/5 "Darkhorse" sustained the highest casualty rate of any Marine battalion during the Afghan war.

5th Marines Gear

This collection is for Marines who served with the 5th Marine Regiment and the families who carry their legacy. Every t-shirt, hoodie, flag, and accessory honors the most decorated regiment in the Corps. From Belleau Wood to Sangin, the 5th Marines have been there first and stayed longest. Veteran-owned and made in the USA.

Browse our 5th Marines t-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, tank tops, flags, decals, drinkware, and more below. OIF and OEF veteran designs available. Every order ships free at $75+.