Second Marine Regiment News

The U.S. Navy will commission the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, Shoup (DDG 86), on Saturday, June 22, 2002, during an 11 a.m. PST ceremony at Port Terminal 37 in Seattle. The ship honors 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps and Medal of Honor recipient Gen. David M. Shoup (1904-1983) for his actions during the initial landings on Betio, Tarawa Atoll, in the Pacific on Nov. 20-22, 1943. While in command of the Second Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, he carried out his leadership duties and exposed himself to withering enemy fire despite suffering a serious, painful leg wound, which had become infected. On Jan. 22, 1945, Shoup received the Medal of Honor for his actions. In 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Shoup the commandant of the Marine Corps.