thedrifter
05-05-07, 06:41 AM
Camp Lejeune celebrates 66 years of existence
By Staff reports, Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune has trained 'expeditionary forces in readiness' for nearly six decades.
Nestled in the wooded marshes of coastal North Carolina, Camp Lejeune was once merely 246 square miles of scarcely populated farmland, swamp and beachhead of earlier years, but is now populated with a legion of warriors ready to strike anytime, anywhere.
Tuesday, Camp Lejeune, the "Home of Expeditionary Forces in Readiness," celebrated 66 years of existence.
However, May 1 was not only a reminder of how the base has changed since its beginnings in 1941, but a celebration of what the Marines of Camp Lejeune have accomplished.
Now the home to II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune has long been the home to a special band of brothers who have made a difference.
Originally named 'Marine Barracks, New River,' Camp Lejeune was established so American Forces could have an east coast amphibious training facility to prepare for impending entry into World War II.
After considering sites along the length of the eastern seaboard, its present home was selected for its ideal location and terrain.
In 1941, the 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps Lt. Gen Thomas Holcomb ordered Lt. Col. William P.T. Hill to establish a command at the base.
A year later, Hill moved his headquarters to what is now Building 1. Building 1 still stands as the headquarters of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.
Toward the end of 1942, the base was officially named after the 13th Commandant Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune.
In the following decades, Camp Lejeune served as the training point for Marines as they prepared for some of the bloodiest battles the world has ever known.
Lejeune-trained Marines fought heroically and died tragically on the shores of Japanese islands, on the frozen grounds of Korea and the hellish jungles of Vietnam.
During and between wartime situations, Camp Lejeune made advancements for both the Marine Corps and its Marines.
In August 1942, Montford Point was established as the basic training site for Black Marines.
Eventually, the site was named after Sgt. Maj. Gilbert H. "Hashmark" Johnson, an early black Marine who served as a drill instructor and as an infantryman in World War II and Korea.
Camp Johnson is now the home of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, training thousands of young Marines every year.
Camp Lejeune has also been involved in dozens of peacekeeping and noncombatant missions since its birth 66 years ago.
From the participation of Lejeune Marines in the Persian Gulf during the Operation Desert Storm to humanitarian assistance operations for recent hurricanes, Lejeune Marines have upheld the Marine Corps' reputation as "The world's 9-1-1 force."
Today, more than 43,000 service members train at Camp Lejeune for any situation which may arise. Camp Geiger trains several thousand Marines every year for combat during Marine Combat Training.
The 22nd, 24th, and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units use the rugged terrain and 14 miles of beach to train to become special operation capable, a concept which originated at Camp Lejeune.
Camp Lejeune does not only serve as the home of one of the most powerful military forces in the world, but also as a developing community.
The base and surrounding areas are home to service members, their families, retirees and civilian employees.
All of which play an important role in the operation and continued development of Camp Lejeune.
Before its establishment in 1941, the area that is now Camp Lejeune was an undeveloped tract of land used primarily for tobacco farming.
Since then, the base has seen 20 presidents, 18 commandants, and hundreds of thousands of Marines come and go.
Sixty-six years after the first stake of the original tent city was pounded into the ground, the base serves not only as a home for a stalwart and lethal military presence, but as a modern community.
Ellie
By Staff reports, Marine Corps Base
Camp Lejeune has trained 'expeditionary forces in readiness' for nearly six decades.
Nestled in the wooded marshes of coastal North Carolina, Camp Lejeune was once merely 246 square miles of scarcely populated farmland, swamp and beachhead of earlier years, but is now populated with a legion of warriors ready to strike anytime, anywhere.
Tuesday, Camp Lejeune, the "Home of Expeditionary Forces in Readiness," celebrated 66 years of existence.
However, May 1 was not only a reminder of how the base has changed since its beginnings in 1941, but a celebration of what the Marines of Camp Lejeune have accomplished.
Now the home to II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune has long been the home to a special band of brothers who have made a difference.
Originally named 'Marine Barracks, New River,' Camp Lejeune was established so American Forces could have an east coast amphibious training facility to prepare for impending entry into World War II.
After considering sites along the length of the eastern seaboard, its present home was selected for its ideal location and terrain.
In 1941, the 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps Lt. Gen Thomas Holcomb ordered Lt. Col. William P.T. Hill to establish a command at the base.
A year later, Hill moved his headquarters to what is now Building 1. Building 1 still stands as the headquarters of Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune.
Toward the end of 1942, the base was officially named after the 13th Commandant Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune.
In the following decades, Camp Lejeune served as the training point for Marines as they prepared for some of the bloodiest battles the world has ever known.
Lejeune-trained Marines fought heroically and died tragically on the shores of Japanese islands, on the frozen grounds of Korea and the hellish jungles of Vietnam.
During and between wartime situations, Camp Lejeune made advancements for both the Marine Corps and its Marines.
In August 1942, Montford Point was established as the basic training site for Black Marines.
Eventually, the site was named after Sgt. Maj. Gilbert H. "Hashmark" Johnson, an early black Marine who served as a drill instructor and as an infantryman in World War II and Korea.
Camp Johnson is now the home of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, training thousands of young Marines every year.
Camp Lejeune has also been involved in dozens of peacekeeping and noncombatant missions since its birth 66 years ago.
From the participation of Lejeune Marines in the Persian Gulf during the Operation Desert Storm to humanitarian assistance operations for recent hurricanes, Lejeune Marines have upheld the Marine Corps' reputation as "The world's 9-1-1 force."
Today, more than 43,000 service members train at Camp Lejeune for any situation which may arise. Camp Geiger trains several thousand Marines every year for combat during Marine Combat Training.
The 22nd, 24th, and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units use the rugged terrain and 14 miles of beach to train to become special operation capable, a concept which originated at Camp Lejeune.
Camp Lejeune does not only serve as the home of one of the most powerful military forces in the world, but also as a developing community.
The base and surrounding areas are home to service members, their families, retirees and civilian employees.
All of which play an important role in the operation and continued development of Camp Lejeune.
Before its establishment in 1941, the area that is now Camp Lejeune was an undeveloped tract of land used primarily for tobacco farming.
Since then, the base has seen 20 presidents, 18 commandants, and hundreds of thousands of Marines come and go.
Sixty-six years after the first stake of the original tent city was pounded into the ground, the base serves not only as a home for a stalwart and lethal military presence, but as a modern community.
Ellie