The Battalion organization was activated on March 18, 1942, at Marine Barracks San Diego, California.
The "Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion" was an Organic unit of the 2nd Marine Division, composed of a Headquarters and Service Company and three letter companies, all equipped with the Landing Vehicle Tracked-1 (LVT-1).

In 1942, the Battalion set sail from San Diego, CA with the 2nd Marine Division to meet the Japanese tide sweeping across the South Pacific.
Elements of the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion participated in assaults on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa.
After the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the battalion returned to the United States and deactivated on 29 November 1945.
The 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion was reactivated on 1 May 1946.
The Battalion was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where it participated in peace time training with the 2nd Marine Division.
During this time the Battalion was equipped with the LVT-3 and consisted of a Headquarters and Service company and four letter companies.
As a result of the economy program, the Battalion was once again deactivated on 16 October 1949.
The Battalion organization was activated on March 18, 1942, at Marine Barracks San Diego, California. The "Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion" was an Organic unit of the 2nd Marine Division, composed of a Headquarters and Service Company and three letter companies, all equipped with the Landing Vehicle Tracked-1 (LVT-1).
In 1942, the Battalion set sail from San Diego, CA with the 2nd Marine Division to meet the Japanese tide sweeping across the South Pacific. Elements of the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion participated in assaults on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. After the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the battalion returned to the United States and deactivated on 29 November 1945. The 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion was reactivated on 1 May 1946. The Battalion was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where it participated in peace time training with the 2nd Marine Division. During this time the Battalion was equipped with the LVT-3 and consisted of a Headquarters and Service company and four letter companies. As a result of the economy program, the Battalion was once again deactivated on 16 October 1949.
2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion