<sod>Beginning in 1966, combat operations measurably increased with the battalion participating in [[Operation Double Eagle]] and [[Operation Hastings]], a coordinated Marine/[[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] (ARVN) search and destroy mission. [[Operation Prairie]] was one of the first operations that was fought in the hills west of [[Leatherneck Square]]. During this operation, Captain [[Howard V. Lee]] (E Co.) became the battalion's second [[Medal of Honor]] recipient.  Total Marines losses were put at 200 killed and over 1000 wounded. The [[324th Division (Vietnam)|324B NVA Division]] losses were put at 1329 killed and 7 POW's. On 25 June 1966 [[Operation Jay]] began about 30 kilometers northwest of [[Huế]], and lasted nine days. 2/4 landed north of the North Vietnamese 812th Main Force Battalion, and other Marine units landed south of the enemy's position. Caught in between the two Marine units, the enemy suffered over 80 dead in nine days of fighting.<ref>[http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/hd/Historical/This_Month_History/06_June.htm This month in History]</ref>  The moniker of "The Magnificent Bastards" was first used by the incoming Battalion Commander, Lt.Col. Joseph R. (Bull) Fisher the day he assumed his command on 4 June 1964.  On 24 September 1966, Battalion Order No. 5600.1B, was signed.  It officially added (by legal order) the lower pennant with the nickname the "Magnificent Bastards".<eod>
<sod>Beginning in 1966, combat operations measurably increased with the battalion participating in [[Operation Double Eagle]] and [[Operation Hastings]], a coordinated Marine/[[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]] (ARVN) search and destroy mission. [[Operation Prairie]] was one of the first operations that was fought in the hills west of [[Leatherneck Square]]. During this operation, Captain [[Howard V. Lee]] (E Co.) became the battalion's second [[Medal of Honor]] recipient.  Total Marines losses were put at 200 killed and over 1000 wounded. The [[324th Division (Vietnam)|324B NVA Division]] losses were put at 1329 killed and 7 POW's. On 25 June 1966 [[Operation Jay]] began about 30 kilometers northwest of [[Huế]], and lasted nine days. 2/4 landed north of the North Vietnamese 812th Main Force Battalion, and other Marine units landed south of the enemy's position. Caught in between the two Marine units, the enemy suffered over 80 dead in nine days of fighting.<ref>[http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/hd/Historical/This_Month_History/06_June.htm This month in History] {{wayback|url=http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/hd/Historical/This_Month_History/06_June.htm |date=20061031103434 |df=y }}</ref>  The moniker of "The Magnificent Bastards" was first used by the incoming Battalion Commander, Lt.Col. Joseph R. (Bull) Fisher the day he assumed his command on 4 June 1964.  On 24 September 1966, Battalion Order No. 5600.1B, was signed.  It officially added (by legal order) the lower pennant with the nickname the "Magnificent Bastards".<eod>