attached to Echo Company for the duration. Global War on Terror Operation Iraqi Freedom – Iraq, March – May 2003. Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan November 2003 to May 2004. 26th MEU – Iraq, March 2005 – September 2005. Operation Iraqi Freedom – Iraq, July 2006 – February 2007. Operation Iraqi Freedom – Iraq, October 2007 – May 2008. Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan, May 2009 – November 2009. Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan, January 2011 – August 2011. Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan, March 2013-October 2013 Awards Presidential Unit Citation with 4 bronze stars Joint Meritorious Unit Award Navy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal American Defense Service Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 silver star World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal National Defense Service Medal with 3 bronze stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 3 bronze stars Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 bronze star Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraqi Campaign FEAST * Lt. Gen. Chesty B. Puller Outstanding Leadership Award – on 15 May 2007, the 2/8 received this award for "professional achievement and sustained superior performance in training, maintaining, equipping, fostering, nurturing and mentoring Marines and sailors as well as overall unit mission accomplishment from 1 April 2006 to 30 September 2006." Notable former members Ray L. Smith, during the Invasion of Grenada and with the Multinational Force in Lebanon. Jonathan T. Yale, posthumously awarded Navy Cross during the Iraq War when he and fellow Marine Jordan C. Haerter stood their ground, stopping a suicide truck bomb from detonating within their security station. See also 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines – Also known as "America's Battalion" History of the United States Marine Corps List of United States Marine Corps battalions Organization of the United States Marine Corps Notes References Bibliography Web 2/8's official website while forward deployed in Iraq Infantry battalions of the United States Marine Corps