The activation of the Fifth Marines dates back to June 1917 just prior to embarkation to France during World War 1. It was on the battlefields of France that the Regiment won its nickname the "Fighting Fifth." So fierce was its efforts in the Battle of Belleau Wood and subsequent victories that the French government awarded the Regiment the Croix de Guerre with two palms and one gilt star. Today, each man serving in the Regiment wears the Fourragere on the left shoulder of his uniform blouse.

With advent of the U. S. mail trains in the 1900's came bandits and the mail service subsequently suffered. After having been reactivated during June of 1920, elements of the Fifth Marine Regiment became U. S. Mail Guard. While they were on the job not one Marine was killed nor one piece of mail lost to bandits. In March of 1927 the Regiment moved to Nicaragua and fought in support of established government against rebel bands until April 1930.

Troubled times caused for the reactivation of the Regiment on I September 1934 and after service in the United States and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba it was deployed to New Zealand in 1942. During the years of World War 11 the Regiment saw action at Guadalcanal, Eastern New Guinea, Peleiu and Okinawa. Post-war years found the Regiment in North China until May 1947, then Guam, and subsequently Camp Pendleton until August 1950.

The country again called upon the Regiment, and in August 1950 the Fifth Marine Regiment found itself in combat in the Pusan Perimeter in Korea. During the next three years the Regiment was involved in actions at Inchon-Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, East Central Front and Western Front. The Fifth Marine Regiment returned to Camp Pendleton in March 1955 and was to remain there for the next eleven years.

In May 1966, the call to service was once again issued to the Regiment, and the unit arrived in the Republic of South Vietnam where it was to remain until April 1971. The names Rung Sat, Chu Lai, Phu Bai, Hue, Que Son, An Hoa, Tam Ky, and Da Nang are still remembered by members of the Regiment. The Presidential Unit Citation was awarded the tenth time since Guadalcanal upon the Regiment's return home to Camp Pendleton.

The Fifth Marines were once again called into action in support of Operation Desert Shield in August 1990. On 26 January 1991 while embarked with the largest amphibious task force since WW 11, RLT-5 in conjunction with RLT-2 conduct heliborne and surface assaults for Exercise Sea Soldier IV in Southern Oman. On 25 February 1991, RLT-5 CE, BLT 2/5, BLT 315 and support elements disembarked in direct support of Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait.

On 11 May 1991, the Fifth Marines received an executive order for humanitarian assistance and relief in Bangladesh. The Fifth Marines returned to the United States on 29 June 1991. Since then, the Regiment has deployed to Yellowstone National Park and Umatilla National Forest, Oregon and Clear Creek, Idaho to combat wild fires. The Regiment currently supports the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and continues to participate in consistency exercise and deployments with 1st. Marine Division.

The "Fighting Fifth" is the most highly decorated Regiment in the Marine Corps.

Campaigns and Honors

WW I
Aisne*Isle-de-France*StMihiel*Lorraine*Muese-Argonne*French Croix De Guerre w/Palm*(Aisne-Marne) (Meuse-Argonne)*French Croix De Geurre Fourragere, This was the green Pogie Rope we wore*Nicaragua*

WW II

Guadalcanal-Tulagi Landings*Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal*Eastern New Guinea Operation*Bismark Archipelago Operation*Western Caroline Islands Operation*Okinawa Gunto Operation*Presidential Unit Citation (Guadalcanal ) (Peleliu)(Okinawa)*

Korean War 

UN Defensive*UN Offensive*CCF Intervention*First UN Counter Offensive*CCF Spring Offensive* UN Summer-Fall Offensive* Second Korean Winter*Summer-Fall 1952* Third Korean Winter*Summer 1953*Presidential Unit Citation (Inchon)(Chosin)(1951)*Navy Unit Commendation (1952-53)*Korean Presidential Unit Citation*

Vietnam War 

 Defensive *Counter Offensive *Counter Offensive Phase II&III *Tet Counter Offensive *Counter Offensive, Phase IV, V &VI *TET 69 Counter Offensive Summer-Fall 1969 * Winter-Spring 1970 * Sanctuary Counter Offensive * Counter Offensive, Phase VII * Presidential Unit Citation (1966-67)(67-68) * Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/Palm * Vietnam Meritorious Unit (Civil Action).