Components of the Fifth Marine Division
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Components of the Fifth Marine Division
IWO JIMA
Headquarters Battalion
26th Marine Regiment
27th Marine Regiment
28th Marine Regiment
13th Marine Regiment
5th Engineer Battalion
5th Pioneer Battalion
5th Tank Battalion
5th Service Battalion
5th Motor Transportation Battalion
5th Medical Battalion
5th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
5th Joint Assault Signal Battalion
2nd Armored Amphibian Tractor Battalion
3rd Armored Tractor Battalion
11th Amphibian Tractor Battalion
5th Marine Observation Squadron
6th Marine War Dog Platoon
27th Replacement Battalion
31st Replacement Battalion
3rd Platoon 2nd Laundry Company
VIETNAM
26th Marine Regiment
27th Marine Regiment
13th Marine Regiment
Discussion
ART CURLEY January 13 2012, 11:18 am
In 1966, the 5th Marine Division (-) Rein., was reformed. The first Regiment reformed (26th Marines) deployed to VN as RLT 26. That means with all supporting units from the 5th Mardiv. For example: 1/13 was part of the RLT, as was Alpha Co., 5th Tanks, Alpha Co., 5th AT Bn., as well as Engineer, MT, Medical, Shore Party and other units. Kilo Battery, 4/13 (SP) deployed in 1966. Also, in 1966, the 11th Engineer Bn. was formed as part of the 5th MarDiv. Soon thereafter, it was reassigned to Force Troops, FMFPac. The Battalion then deployed to VN and was attached to 3rd Mardiv.
When 27th Marines went fo VN for Tet in 1968, they deployed as RLT 27, thereby bringing Bravo Co, 5th Tanks, Bravo Co., 5th AT Bn., and other combat/combat support and combat service support unts from the Division to VN. 2/13 was RLT 27’s arty support.
The “reinforced” part of the Division designation refers to Force Troops units attached to the Division (e.g., 5th Force Recon Co., 5th FAG, Engineers, MT, etc.). The Division was also reinforced by Bravo, 3rd Shore Party, 5th Marine Division (-) Rein., the Special Landing Force Shore Party unit.
My unit, 5th Shore Party Battalion, was also designated as (-) Rein., because we were reinforced by “B” Co., 3rd Shore Party, but we were also (-) because our letter companies were deployed and attached to other Divisions (one company having deployed with RLT 26 in 1966).
In any event, the entire Division (Reinforced) served during the 1966-1970 timeline. Also, I think that, if you run the numbers, you would find that the most 5th Marine Division units served in Vietnam at one time or another, albeit attached to either the 1st or 3rd Marine Division.
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