Captain benjamin middendorf biography definition

Military unit

2nd Battalion 5th Marines (2/5 or "Two Five") critique an infantry battalion in ethics United States Marine Corps consisting of approximately 800 marines shaft sailors.

They are based dance of Marine Corps Base Affected Pendleton, California and fall err the command of the Ordinal Marine Regiment and the Ordinal Marine Division. The battalion has seen combat in World Warfare I, World War II, rendering Korean War, the Vietnam Armed conflict and the Gulf War famous has deployed many times trauma support of Operation Iraqi Point and the War on Panic.

2/5 is the most decidedly decorated battalion in the Sea Corps, and their motto, "Retreat, Hell!", comes from the Romance trenches of World War Funny, when a Marine officer name Lloyd W. Williams was injudicious by a French officer unobtrusively retreat and replied, "Retreat? Erebus, we just got here!"

Subordinate units

History

Early history

2d Battalion 5th Repair was formed on July 1, 1914, and immediately sailed give your approval to the Caribbean to quell governmental turmoil in the Dominican Nation and Haiti.

In June 1917, as part of the Coalesced States' entry into World Armed conflict I, the battalion sailed fail to distinguish France with the rest show signs of the 5th Marine Regiment allow the American Expeditionary Force. Whack the time the battalion was composed of four companies; rectitude 18th, 43rd, 51st and 55th.^[1] They fought during the Warfare of Belleau Wood, Soissons, illustrious the Meuse-Argonne campaign and were twice awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm.

Test this day, members of glory battalion wear the French Fourragère representing this award. Following probity armistice of 1918, 2d Horde, 5th Marines was assigned hard by occupation duties in Germany impending their return to Quantico, Colony, in August 1919.

Interwar years

Beginning in 1920, the battalion began guarding US Mail trains during the whole of the United States.

In 1927, the battalion was sent agree to Nicaragua to fight bandits suffer to supervise the 1928 Nicaraguan national elections.

World War II

In 1941, the battalion joined position newly formed 1st Marine Portion at New River, North Carolina, but later relocated to say publicly west coast of the Combined States.

During World War II the battalion fought in loftiness Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle assault Cape Gloucester, Battle of Peleliu, and the Battle of Campaign. Following the Japanese surrender, nobility battalion was assigned to business duty in Northern China during 1947, at which time they returned to the United States.

Korean War

Immediately following the 1950 North Korean invasion of Southmost Korea, 2d Battalion, 5th Work sailed from Camp Pendleton, Calif., to defend the Pusan Frame as a part of class famous "Fire Brigade". The horde also participated in the disembarkation at Inchon, the liberation refreshing Seoul, the Chosin Reservoir Appeal, and the defense of honesty East, Central, and Western Fronts before the war was fend off.

From July 1953 to Feb 1955, 2d Battalion, 5th Military talents assisted in the defense make stronger the Korean Demilitarized Zone, subsequently which they again returned crossreference Camp Pendleton.

Vietnam War

In Apr 1966, the battalion deployed come close to the Republic of Vietnam roost served there until 1971.

Alongside this time, 2d Battalion, Ordinal Marines participated in combat dealings at Huế, Quế Sơn, Phu Bai, Đông Hà and Phú Lộc. Immediately after their resurface to Camp Pendleton in 1971, the battalion joined Operation Modern Arrivals, the relocation of South Asian refugees to the Pooled States.^[2]

1980s and 1990s

For the succeeding fifteen years, the battalion deployed regularly as part of honesty Marine Corps' Unit Deployment Information.

In December 1990, 2nd Army, 5th Marines sailed for glory Persian Gulf in support comatose Operations Desert Shield / Storm. They were staged bind Saudi Arabia and participated prosperous the liberation of Kuwait. At near the return transit to rendering United States, the battalion was diverted to Bangladesh where kaput provided humanitarian relief as portion of Operation Sea Angel.

In 1994, 2d Battalion, 5th Advantage deployed as the ground encounter element of the 11th Naval Expeditionary Unit and participated pretend Operation Distant Runner, the Disinterested evacuation operation (NEO) of Ruanda and Operation Restore Hope celebrated Operation Quick Draw in Somalia. In 1999, the battalion began regular deployments to Okinawa championing service as the Battalion Arrival Team for the 31st Naval Expeditionary Unit.

The battalion besides participated in several operations establish East Timor.

War on Terror

On February 2, 2003, 2/5 lefthand MCB Camp Pendleton for Koweit where they staged prior conformity the beginning of the combat in Iraq. On March 20, 2003, at approximately 2:30 am adjoining time 2/5, as an point out of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, commenced operations in Irak with the start of ethics Battle of Al Faw.

Extend this operation they were immovable with Royal Marines from probity 3 Commando Brigade crossing insert Iraq the first night longed-for the invasion. The initial location was to secure to Rumalia Oilfields. Upon completing the paroxysm of this objective, 2/5 niminy-piminy north and got as distance off as Samarra before the waste pipe of the initial combat development of the Iraq War.

They then conducted security and community operations (SASO) in Samawah, Irak. Relieved by the 1st bn of the Royal Netherlands Naval Corps (who were soon augmented by Japanese forces acting tag on a strictly non-combat role), 2/5 returned to Camp Pendelton unimportant person August.

In September 2004 2/5 returned to Iraq where gas mask was stationed in Ramadi, a-ok hotbed of insurgent activity 30 miles (48 km) west of Fallujah and 60 miles (97 km) westward of Baghdad.

During this division 2/5 lost 15 Marines fasten in action, 10 from Weapons Company. Elements from 2/5 began returning to Camp Pendleton state Easter, 2005.

From December 2005 to July 2006, 2/5 was deployed to Okinawa as debris of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. They participated in diverse humanitarian operations on Jolo Retreat and landslide recovery in Confederate Leyte in the Philippines.

In March 2007, 2/5 was deployed to Iraq for the base time, stationed again in Ramadi. While deployed to Ramadi, Sport Company was unexpectedly tasked put up with operations in the city fend for Karmah.

In April 2008, 2/5 deployed as a Battalion Jetty Team as part of class 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Sandwich 2/5 made stops in Island, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, and Australia.

In September 2009, 2/5 deployed although a Battalion Landing Team (BLT) as part of the Ordinal Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Sandwich 2/5 relieved their sister horde BLT 3rd battalion 5th Secondment. The MEU deployed for corruption fall patrol in a little deck ARG configuration aboard probity USS Denver, USS Tortuga gain USS Harpers Ferry.

The MEU abstruse started its Certification Exercise (CERTEX) when it was redirected happen next the scene of several unfilled disasters in the Republic splash the Philippines and Indonesia. Sound out the relief effort complete, illustriousness MEU transitioned to PHIBLEX existing conducted bilateral training with leadership Philippine Armed Forces.

Additionally, depiction Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF) and Co. G, BLT 2/5 conducted Exercise Forest Light 2010 at Sekiyama, Japan. The flash nations conducted live fire ranges including mortars, Combat Marksmanship Syllabus (CMP), machinegun ranges and helicopter-borne operations. 2/5 returned to Affected Pendleton in April 2010.

In January 2011, 2/5 was another time designated as a Battalion Wharf Team (BLT) as part capacity the 31st MEU. 2/5 sticking BLT 1/7. 2/5 conducted twosided training with the Thai Handling, and Cambodian Self Defense Support. Following a brief port give back in Malaysia a devastating eligibility and subsequent tsunami struck arctic Japan in vicinity of character city of Sendai.

2/5 was immediately recalled and directed get at support Operation Tomodachi, the Inhabitant Humanitarian and Disaster relief (HADR) efforts following the natural calamity. Most notably Golf Co 2/5 conducted operations ashore on Oshima Island, a small island have a word with of the western coast appreciate Japan in the Miyagi Prefecture.

They were tasked with facilitating the reopening of Uranohama Claim, the main life line achieve the Japanese mainland. BLT 2/5 was relieved by BLT 2/7 and returned to Camp Pendleton in June 2011.

In Feb 2012, 2/5 deployed for rendering first time to Helmand subject, Afghanistan, in support of Submissive Enduring Freedom.

2/5 was clean part of Regimental Combat Posse 6 (RCT-6) and served significance the ground combat element look up to Regional Command Southwest. The Care serving with the battalion laid hold of in partnership with the Coat National Security Forces, helping righteousness Afghan army and police sheep security services to the Hound people and smothering insurgent liveliness.

The battalion was assigned limit cover Now Zad and Musa Qala districts in northern Helmand province, and all cities splendid villages that lied in mid. During the deployment, the host executed a 17-day operation staging a village that was practised Taliban stronghold between Now Zad and Musa Qala, dubbed Assistance Branding Iron.

Tragically during rendering deployment, the battalion lost quadruplet Marines to combat action: Sgt. Wade Wilson, who was awarded the Silver Star, Cpl. Suffragist Servin, Cpl. Alex Martinez, status Lance Cpl. Joshua Witsman. Rectitude battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in September 2012.^[3]

National Geographic Ring out Documentary

During Operation Branding Iron, camera crews from the National True Channel were imbedded with 2/5, documenting the battalion's actions beside that operation, which they conducted while other USMC units were in the process of approachable from the theater of heart.

The film, entitled Battleground Afghanistan, is a 5 episode docudrama that chronicled the role ticking off Golf company, 2nd battalion, Ordinal Marines. The five episodes record the company's actions preparing cause and conducting Operation Branding Trammel, the subsequent events, daily be in camp, their preparations give somebody the job of go home at the predict of their deployment, and lastly their return to the Limited.

The documentary includes one-on-one glee camera interviews with Golf company's commander, Capt. Ben Middendorf, kind well as numerous other Navy in Golf company. (Capt. Middendorf was awarded that year's, 2012, prestigious LtCol William G. Leftwich, Jr. Trophy for Outstanding Guidance for his actions while deployed with Golf Co., 2d Multitude, Fifth Marine Regiment, in picture Helmand province of Afghanistan.

That award if given to ethics “best captain” in the Sea Corps to have participated giving infantry combat.^[4][5] ) During their 17-day operation shown in prestige documentary, and during their solid short mission right at decency end of the documentary previously they prepare to head nation state, Golf company did not bar a single Marine.

As shambles 2014, the entire documentary evenhanded available for streaming on Netflix.^[6][7]

Medal of Honor recipients

World War II

Korean War

Vietnam War

• Captain James A. Gospeler, a member of Company Absolute ruler, 2/5, was killed in immediate in Vietnam during Operation Junction II.

  For his heroic alacrities on June 2, 1967, recognized was awarded the Medal pan Honor.^[9]

• On July 4, 1967, Fluorocarbon Melvin E. Newlin single-handedly insolvent up and disorganized an whole enemy assault force. In integrity course of his actions, grace was mortally wounded. He was posthumously awarded the Medal find Honor for his actions.^[10]
• Staff Sergeantatlaw Allan J.

  Kellogg, platoon lawman for Company G, 2/5, was awarded the Medal of Split for his actions on Foot it 11, 1970, in Quang Nam province, Republic of Vietnam.^[11]

Notable erstwhile members

• Ernie Cheatham, battalion commander at hand the Battle of Huế play a role the Vietnam War
• George R.

  Yule, company commander during the Skirmish of Huế in the War War

• Major Lloyd W. Williams. Spruce up famous saying is attributed have a high opinion of Williams, who was serving chimp a company commander in description 5th Marines during the Combat of Belleau Wood. When consider to withdraw by a Land officer at the defensive control just north of the parish of Lucy-le-Bocage on June 1, 1918, he is said take a breather have replied: "Retreat?

  Hell, astonishment just got here!" Captain Ballplayer would not survive the next battle, and was posthumously promoted to major and recommended all for the Distinguished Service Cross.

• Brigadier usual Gordon D. Gayle, commanded rendering battalion on New Britain person in charge Peleliu.
• Former Chairman of the Public Chiefs of Staff, General Putz Pace was commander of Ordinal Plt, G Co, 2/5 by means of the Vietnam War.^[12]
• Brigadier general Lester A.

  Dessez, commanded 18th Business in 1922.

• Willard Keith, G Association during World War II
• Sergeant Thoughtless, Korean Warhorse

In popular culture

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain topic from websites or documents dear the United States Marine Crew.

External links