DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY HEADQUARTERS

                                UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WASHINGTON, D.C. 20380

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to

SECOND BATTALION , THIRD MARINES

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For meritorious service in actions against insurgent Communist Viet Cong) and North Vietnamese Army forces in the Republic of Vietnam from I January through 31 May 1968. During this period the Second Battalion, Third Marines, was in contact with the enemy almost continually, participating in five major operations: Defense of the Da Nang tactical area of responsibility, and Operations HOUSTON, FORD, PEGASUS, and SCOTLAND 11. This battalion relocated six times, including all elements, administrative and logistic, as well as tactical units, creating many and diverse problems, yet maintaining its combat capability and unit integrity under extremely adverse conditions, performing its primary mission as a tactical fighting unit and its support mission in a most exemplary manner Organic and logistical support elements of this organization consistently performed a myriad of tasks effectively and efficiently at times when forward elements were as far as 80 miles distant. During heavy fighting near the Khe Sanh combat base in May 1968, the battalion dealt enemy forces in that area one of their most severe setbacks, holding strategic ground against massive assault by enemy units far superior numerically. By instantly and effectively answering the call to arms under a number of adverse conditions, the Second Battalion., Third Marines exemplified the type of esprit de corps and devotion to duty which upheld the legendary heroics of the Marine Corps in combat. The performance of the battalion, spoken of in a highly laudatory manner by a number of parent unit commanders, made an invaluable contribution to the allied cause in the Vietnam conflict. By their effective teamwork, aggressive fighting; spirit, an individual acts of heroism and daring, the men of the Second Battalion, Third Marines, and supporting units not only achieved significant results, but in so doing exemplified qualities of courage and skill which were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

For the Secretary of the Navy,

Commandant  Of The Marine Corps