2nd Battalion, 8th Marines (2/8) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina consisting of approximately 900 Marines and Sailors. Nicknamed "America's Battalion," they fall under the 8th Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division. Subordinate units Headquarters Company Echo Company Fox Company Golf Company Weapons Company Hotel Company deactivated August 1991 Mission The mission of the Marine Corps rifle squad is to locate, close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver and/ or repel enemy assault by fire and close combat. History World War II 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines was activated on 1 April 1940 in San Diego as the 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment and assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade. The 2nd Marine Brigade was re-designated 1 February 1941 as 2nd Marine Division. During World War II, the battalion participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Tarawa, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Tinian and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the surrender of Japan, the battalion deployed to Nagasaki, Japan in September 1945 as part of the occupation. They remained in Japan in this capacity until they redeployed back to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in June 1946. The battalion was deactivated on 13 November 1947 as part of the post-war drawdown of forces. 1950–2000 The battalion was reactivated on 1 December 1950 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and assigned to 2nd Marine Division. From July to September 1958 they took part in the United States intervention in during the Lebanon crisis. This was followed by a deployment to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as part of the Cuban Missile Crisis from October to December 1962. Relocated in June 1968 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Relocated in August 1973 to Camp Lejeune, NC. Participated as part of Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon August – September 1982, and February- October 1984 Participated in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada October – November 1983. Participated in Operation Provide Comfort Iraq April – July 1991. Elements participated in Operation Support Democracy Cuba October – November 1993. Participated in support of Operation Joint Endeavor Adriatic Sea October 1996. Elements participated in security operations Haiti and Panama November 1997 – February 1998 and January – August 1999. 2/8 Echo Company was the Unit deployed to Haiti in 1993, with 3rd Platoon from Golf Company being