Association History
The Association was formed in 1988 at MCB, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina during the first reunion of veterans of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines –also (proudly) known as "The Magnificent Bastards", a tribute bestowed (4 June 1964) on the Battalion by then-Commanding Officer Joseph R. (Bull) Fisher and made official by subsequent Commanding Officer A. E. (Gene) Bench in Battalion Order 5600.1B (24 Sept 1966)
While this first reunion was primarily a 20-years-later commemoration of the battle of Dai Do, attendees included veterans of Operations Starlite, Hastings and other significant battles of the Vietnam War. Plank-Owner members also include brothers who served with 1/3 and 3rdAmtracs.
During the inaugural business meeting, it was decided – by acclaim – that the brotherhood and fellowship was to include any and all Marines and Corpsmen who served with 2/4 and supporting units – at any time over it’s illustrious history since 1914. In 1994, at Parris Island, we were honored to welcome a brother who had served with the legendary Marine Raiders. History buffs may recall that 2/4, on behalf of the 4th Marines, was the first unit ashore in Japan after its surrender. The Raiders formed the nucleus of the "new" 4th Marines, which had fought until overwhelmed on Wake Island several years earlier.
From that first reunion of 57 attendees, we have grown to over 400 members, including many who are currently on active duty with the Battalion; who served during WWII, the Korean War period, Vietnam, Iraq/Afghanistan, several who can proudly call themselves "Old China Hands" and "Horse Marines" and, of course, who served during those relatively short peace-time years between "all of the above". The Association is one of the more active Battalion-level Marine Corps veteran organizations, holding annual reunions, sponsoring awards for active duty personnel, such as the NCO of the Year and Corpsman of the Year, and supporting 2/4-related events around the country.
We are proud of our strong working relationship with the Battalion, as well as our collaboration with families of active-duty personnel.
Most recently (2009), the Association celebrated the dedication of the 2/4 Memorial Monument on the grounds of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico. Efforts continue to line the path surrounding the Monument with Memorial Bricks dedicated to 2/4 Marines and Corpsmen. Additional details about the Monument and Memorial Bricks can be found on this website.
As this is written, the Battalion is in the process of deploying and a new page will start to be written by our younger brothers. We pray for them and wish them godspeed in returning to us – unharmed and "mission accomplished"!
OohRah, you Magnificent Bastards!