The 2nd Battalion (2-106), occupied Majuro Atoll on February 1, 1944 against no resistance, and remained there until it was sent to Oahu for training on 5 March 1944. The 1st and 3rd Battalions (1-106 and 3-106) were sent to capture the island of Eniwetok on 19 February 1944. 1-106 made a beach assault against weak Japanese resistance, but became bogged down inland where enemy resistance increased in intensity. 3-106, alongside the 22nd Marine Regiment, arrived to reinforce 1-106 and the island was secured on 21 February.