5th Marine Division (United States)

The 5th Marine Division was a United States Marine Corps infantry division. Created during World War II, the 5th Division saw its first combat action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945 where it sustained the highest number of casualties of the three Marine divisions of the V Amphibious Corps (invasion force). The 5th Division was to be part of the planned invasion of the Japan homeland before Japan surrendered. The 5th Division received the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism on Iwo Jima in February 1945 (awarded to the V Amphibious Corps). The 5th Division was disbanded in 1946.

The 5th Division was reactivated in 1966 during the Vietnam War. The 5th Tank Battalion, RLT 26, RLT 27 and RLT 28 under the command of the 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) staged in the Philippines upon arrival from Camp Pendleton, California, departed Subic Bay aboard USS Washtenaw County landing in Da Nang in July 1967. 5th Tanks provided mission fire control support at every strategic Hill in South Vietnam. 5th Tanks received two Presidential Unit Citations (PUC) for extraordinary heroism in the battles at Khe San and Hue City. Ord & Maint Co. suffered horrendous losses on Hill 88 as 21 Marines perished from mortar fire to the 105mm ordanance bunker. The worst single day casualties suffered by the 5th Tank Battalion during the Vietnam War. Its 13th, 26th, and 27th regiments were under the command of the 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced) and 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) until 19 March 1970. The 26th Marine Regiment was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968. The 5th Division was formally deactivated at Camp Pendleton, California on 26 November 1969.