Company C, 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division, cased their organizational colors during a deactivation ceremony held today on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
“This is a somber day for many – not only for tankers, but for many of our fellow warfighters as well,” Capt. John Fergerson, Company C commander, said. “The integration of tanks and infantry has been a critical element to the success of Marines on the battlefield throughout the history of our Corps. Although it is sad to see our tanks go away, I know that the rest of the Marine Corps is getting top-notch Marine tankers (as they reassign to other military occupational specialties) that have been tested and proven. They are a very special group, and they will be a tremendous asset for the units they serve in the future.”
Company C is the first company in 2d Tank Battalion to deactivate. In accordance with Marine Corps Force Design 2030, 2d Tank Battalion will be deactivated and divested of next year to optimize the Corps for naval expeditionary warfare. This historic moment is the next step in that process.
“As I look back on the storied history of Company C, I imagine a machine gunner with an M4 Sherman on their flank, mutually engaging a pill box to defeat enemy forces during the Battle of Tarawa,” said Fergerson. “I am quite certain that this same scenario played out during the battles for Saipan and Okinawa as well. Moving closer to present day, I know that there are many infantry Marines that are thankful that they had the armor-protected fire support from the M1A1s of Company C, as it spearheaded the assault into Fallujah during Operation Phantom Fury.”
Since its formation on December 20, 1941, Company C, 2d Tank Battalion has fought numerous conflicts and battles in the defense of our great nation, including but not limited to:
- Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, 2011
- Operation Phantom Fury, Fallujah, Iraq, 2004
- Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, 2003
- Operation Desert Storm, Kuwait, 1991
- Augmented 1st Tank Battalion during the Korean War
- Battles of Tarawa, Saipan, and Okinawa during World War II
For more information, please contact 1st Lt. Dan Linfante at (910)451-2030, (910)545-9681, or daniel.linfante@usmc.mil.
-USMC-
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