The 13th Rifle Batallion has seen action in many battles throughout history. Serving in the Second Schleswig War against Denmark, the division saw action in the wars major battles, the Battle of Düppeler Heights and the Battle of Als. The 13th also saw combat in the Austo-Prussian war, fighting in several engagements with Austria and it's South German allies, including the siege of Wurzburg. The Battalion also fought in the Franco-Prussian War, fighting in several battles and engagements including the Battle of Borney-Colombey, the Battle of Gravelotte and the Siege of Metz. The Battalion even saw action up into World War 1! The Battalion participated in the initial German drive through Belgium and France, culminating in the First battle of the Marne and fighting in the first and second battle of the Somme. The Battalion bore the brunt of the later Allied offensives, including the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Allied intelligence rated them as a "First Class Battalion."
13th Marine Expeditionary Unit