17th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion
The 17th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion (17th AAA Bn) was an antiaircraft unit in the United States Marine Corps that served during World War II. The battalion was originally formed in 1942 as the 2d Airdrome Battalion and has the distinction of being the last defense battalion formed in the Marine Corps during the war. Its original mission was to provide air and coastal defense for advanced naval bases. During the war the battalion spent significant time defending Nukufetau and took part in combat operations at Tarawa and Tinian. The battalion was decommissioned on December 6, 1945.
2d Airdrome Battalion Table of Organization:
- Headquarters and Service Battery
- Light tank platoon
- 90mm Gun Group
- 3 x 90mm Gun batteries
- Searchlight Batteries
- 2 x batteries each w/ six lights
- Special Weapons Group
- 40mm Battery (w/ 12 guns)
- 2 x machine gun platoons
- 12 x .50cal water-cooled antiaircraft guns
- 12 x .30cal water-cooled antiaircraft guns
| 17th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion | |
|---|---|
17th AAA Battalion insignia | |
| Active |
|
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Type | Air Defense/Coastal Defense |
| Size | ~1100 men |
| Nickname(s) | Two:Seventeen |
| Motto(s) | "One of a Kind" |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | N/A |
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