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This e-mail from a Marine officer-turned-Arkansas farmer who fought — and was wounded twice — in the Battle of Hue (in which then-2nd Lieutenant Peter Pace also fought), one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War: ... "I think Harry Reid is a wimp, who acts like a sissy, and could not lead a platoon of Marines to the head (latrine)."

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lt. Gen. James Conway, a former commander in Iraq who holds a senior post at the Pentagon, has been nominated to head the U.S. Marine Corps, the Defense Department said on Tuesday. President George W. Bush's nomination of Conway comes at a sensitive time for the Marines, with criminal investigations underway that could lead to murder charges in the deaths of Iraqi civilians in separate incidents in November and April. Conway, director of operations for the military's Joint Staff, would be promoted to the position of Marine Corps commandant to replace Gen. Michael Hagee, who had been...

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2006 – The Marine Corps will get to the bottom of allegations that some of its members wrongly killed a number of civilians during two separate operations in Iraq, the organization's commandant told reporters here today. Gen. Michael Hagee, commandant of the Marine Corps, said during a Pentagon press briefing June 7 that three Marine officers, a battalion commander and two company commanders, have been relieved of duty while investigations continue on two incidents of Marines' alleged misconduct in Iraq. Photo by Helene C. Stikkel  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. At a Pentagon news briefing,...

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2006 – President Bush welcomed a new commandant to the Coast Guard here today, and officially recognized the service as a whole for its contributions during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Incoming Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad W. Allen told the audience at his change of command ceremony May 25 that his service's "challenge is to attack each day, each task, with a purpose grounded in who we are, what we have been, and what we must become." The ceremony took place at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. Photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, USAF  (Click...

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 11, 2006) -- The Corp’s highest-ranking officer decorated a Darkhorse Marine for combat valor here, April 11. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee presented the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device to Sgt. Matthew S. Scarborough, a TOW gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment at the Camp Fallujah Chapel of Hope. The award for Scarborough’s actions a year-an-a-half ago while fighting in Fallujah. He’s back, this time with Regimental Combat Team 5. “It’s a shock,” said the 22-year-old from Dripping Springs, Texas. “Big shock. It’s a good award, but...

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (March 31, 2006) -- General Robert Magnus, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, visited Naval Medical Center San Diego March 22, for a look into the health and welfare of local injured Marines. The general took time from meetings with the commanding officer of NMCSD and Navy Medicine West to spend lunch with injured Marines and Navy corpsmen who assist them aboard NMCSD. “You all represent an awesome team, a tremendous asset, and I have to thank you all for what you do. Semper Fi,” said Gen. Magnus. Between the entrée and dessert, Gen....

AL ASAD, Iraq (Feb. 7, 2006) -- Visits from the Marine Corps’ commandant and sergeant major can be career highlights for any Marine, but Lance Cpl. Nicholas M. Gardner anticipated the Feb. 3 visit to Al Asad, Iraq, more than his comrades. He knew that when the Corps’ senior leaders came to visit Marines and sailors deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, his father, the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, would be joining them. “I consider it a privilege to be here,” said Lt. Gen. Emerson N. Gardner. “I’m thrilled to see not just my son, but also...

But sentry duty at Annapolis has been a 155-year tradition for Marines. Naval tradition is the lifeblood of the Corps, and I believed – until my former Marine Corps commandant disabused me of that belief – that to remove Marines from the guard posts at Annapolis would somehow lessen the potency of that lifeblood. Other Marines I’ve spoken to have felt similarly.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HIT, Iraq (Jan. 8, 2006) -- As part of their tour of Marine forces in Iraq, a small delegation from Washington, D.C. recently visited the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) at Forward Operating Base Hit, Iraq. Among the group was General Robert Magnus, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. Jan C. Huly, the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, and Col. Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (USMC, Ret.), the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Reserve Affairs). After an update on the MEU’s ongoing and planned counterinsurgency efforts with the 2nd Marine Division...

More than just a branch of America’s armed forces, the modern U.S. Marine Corps serves as a model that other military forces worldwide have attempted to emulate, with varying degrees of success. Marines are aware of this, and justifiably proud. But that pride has not always been conducive to working and playing well with others.

FALLUJAH, Iraq (Sept. 25, 2005) -- The Corps’ senior leaders visited several homebound 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment personnel aboard one of their forward operating bases in northern Fallujah Sept. 25. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps John. L. Estrada lauded the Marines and sailors on their successes combating the anti-Iraqi insurgency throughout the area during the past seven months. “Thank you for making such a huge difference in the lives of the Iraqi people,” Estrada stated. “You have given the people here the chance to dream of and live...

It is with deep regret that I announce the death last night, 21 June 2005, of General Louis H. Wilson, Jr. U.S. Marine Corps, Retired, our 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the battle of Guam on 25-26 July 1944. He passed away peacefully at his home in Birmingham, Alabama. In accordance with Article 1288 of Navy Regulations, all ships and stations of the Department of the Navy are required to half-mast the national ensign from the time of General Wilson's death, as a former CMC, until sunset of the date...

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world. A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in...

10 November 2003 A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS This year we celebrate the 228th anniversary of the founding of our Corps. As always, it is an occasion for remembrance, proud traditions, and joyful camaraderie. The events of the past year have called for great sacrifices from many Marines and their families. While the Global War on Terrorism will continue to demand the best from each of us, it is important that we join with our fellow Marines, families and friends to celebrate our Corps' special culture and unique warrior ethos. This past year, Marines demonstrated once...

CAMP PENDLETON ---- As local Marines prepare this fall for a possible war in Iraq, combat units at Camp Pendleton are planning two top changes in leadership. Lt. Gen. Michael W. Hagee will give up command of the 45,000-member I Marine Expeditionary Force sometime this fall to become the Marine Corps' Commandant. The Camp Pendleton-based command ---- the most powerful among Marine Corps units on the West Coast ---- is one of three expeditionary forces that provide ground combat, air and support forces to regional military commanders around the world. Last week, the Senate confirmed Hagee, 57, for promotion and...

I probably should have done this earlier, but I wanted to let all of you people who love freedom to know that today an incredible man was laid to rest. My oldest brother, Ted, CAPT USMC was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetary. Last September 11th I left Baltimor about 8:25am and landed in Atlanta to learn about what happened. This September 11th I buried my brother. It is only like God to make this day one of the greatest days of my young life. I am so thankful. Ted was a DC area resident over the...