Activated as the 2nd Marine Brigade 1 July 1936 at Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California.
Redesignated 1 February 1941 as the 2nd Marine Division.
Major General Julian C. Smith - Assumed command May 1943
Major General Thomas E. Watson - Assumed command April 1944
Major General Leroy. P. Hunt - Assumed command June 1945
Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division
2nd Engineer Battalion
2nd Tank Battalion
2nd Pioneer Battalion
2nd Marine Regiment
6th Marine Regiment
8th Marine Regiment
10th Marine Regiment (Artillery)
2nd Service Battalion
2nd Medical Battalion
2nd Motor Transport Battalion
Tarawa, New Britain, Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa