The 2d Marine Division and Its Regiment

The 2d Marine Division is the direct descendant of the 2d Marine Brigade, which was activated on 1 July 1936 at San Diego, California. Within a year of its activation, the brigade was called upon to reinforce the 4th Marines in China, when unstable
conditions threatened American lives and property in Shanghai's International Settlement. Arriving in Shanghai on 19 September 1937, the brigade occupied
defensive positions within the American sector of the international zone. When the immediate threat to American lives had passed, the brigade, less the 4th Marines, was withdrawn and redeployed to California during February-April 1938.