"We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. I ask that you keep our Marines, Sailors, and their families in your prayers as we continue our search."
― Col. Christopher Bronzi,
15th MEU Commanding Officer
31 July 2020
From last week:
AAV Commander Course navigates through Pendleton

Click on the image above to watch the video on the AAV Commander Course, aboard Camp Pendleton, posted 24 July 2020.
Sad news this morning:
10 hours ago
1 Marine has died, 8 service members remain missing and 2 were injured after an AAV mishap July 30 off the coast of Southern California. All are assigned to the 15th MEU. Search and rescue efforts are still underway with support from the Navy and Coast Guard.

10 hours ago
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident. I ask that you keep our Marines, Sailors, and their families in your prayers as we continue our search,” said Col. Christopher Bronzi, 15th MEU Commanding Officer.”
Mar 13, 2018
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division and Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force Soldiers conduct a mobile beach head patrol during exercise Iron Fist 2018, Jan. 24. Iron Fist brings together U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and soldiers from the JGSDF to improve their bilateral planning, communicating, and conducting of combined amphibious operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
Tragic news today out of Camp Pendleton. The I MEF news brief above is current at the moment.

Another day at home for us. Meanwhile, active duty Marines, sailors, airmen, coasties, and soldiers are still putting it all on the line for our nation. Please remember our comrade brothers and sisters out there, and their friends and families, in your prayers.

We carry on with our planning of next year's Anniversary and Reunion. We are working on an online survey. We want to hear as many of your opinions and ideas we can get.

Thank you all who have already sent in for your 50/50 raffle tickets, to be drawn on our "Reunion Banquet" date of 22 August, 2020. Tickets to download are available below. This is our big fundraiser this year, so please get in on the raffle.

SgtMaj Troy E. Black, 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, sent us a letter this week regarding the cancellation of our Annual Reunion. You can read it below. Thank you, Sergeant Major, for your kind and moving words.

We are all in this for the duration. Please, keep washing your hands, wearing your masks in public, and looking out for each other. That's how we roll.
 
Semper Fi

Jerry Johs
President, 1st Marine Division Association



DJC
From Headquarters
Save the date!
 First week in August 2021
Oceanside/San Diego, California
 Blue Diamond 80th Birthday Reunion
“Last of the First Bottle” in honor of our WW II Vets

For more info contact:
Len Hayes
(760) 760-712 7088
Lenhayes@cox.net 

73rd Annual (Virtual) Reunion 2020
50/50 Raffle     
Prize: 1/2 of ticket sales
 
Tickets: $10 or 3 for $20

To be drawn on our “Banquet” date: August 22, 2020
Winner need not be present
 
 
Mail stub and check to
FMDA, PO Box 9000, Box #902, Oceanside CA 92051
 
Or leave a message at (760)763-3268.
Your call will be returned for your contact and credit card information.

You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
From Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan Sosner)
Click on the Memorandum below to download the document
for easier reading.
Lastest News from I MEF
Fri 7/31/2020 4:23 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
We regret to inform you the I Marine Expeditionary Force Change of Command Ceremony
has been canceled due to a training mishap late yesterday afternoon.
 
A transfer of Command will occur between
Lieutenant General Joseph L. Osterman and Lieutenant General Karsten S. Heckl
on Friday, the thirty first of July aboard Camp Pendleton, CA.
 
While we would like to have provided Photos and video of the Change of Command,
we regret that we will we be unable to provide them. Apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your patience.

Please contact the I MEF Protocol Officer if you have any questions.
 
Point Of Contact:
I Marine Expeditionary Force, Protocol Officer
GySgt John R. Martuszewski
Email: john.martuszewski@usmc.mil
Phone: (760) 725-9298
 
Very Respectfully,
 
Sergeant
Gammons, Brandon R.
I MEF SSEC, Protocol NCO
E-Mail:brandon.gammons@usmc.mil
Office: (760) 725-9102

SEMPER FI FUND

The Semper Fi Fund is caring for veterans from all U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
Change of Command
6th Engineer Support Battalion Changes Command at
U.S. Reserve Training Center, Portland, Oregon
Color Guard
Presentation of Colors
LtCol Franklin H. Freeman and his presentation
Memento presented to LtCol Freeman.
Health
Coronavirus:
Call before you visit VA.

If you are worried about COVID-19 symptoms or have concerns about your VA services and benefits, ask a question of the VA coronavirus chatbot or review the Frequently Asked Questions .

If you have an appointment, consider making it a telehealth appointment .
From Veterans Affairs

What should Veterans do?
Veterans with symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to contact VA before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility . Alternatively, Veterans can sign into  My HealtheVet to send secure messages to their VA providers or use  telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
Read responses to Veterans'  frequently asked questions about accessing their VA benefits.
Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA health care professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.
At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.
How to protect yourself
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to an infection with these simple steps.
  • Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Getting a flu shot is recommended.
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS, AWARDS, AND UNIT HISTORIES
(See the attached pdf file, or go to the URL at bottom here)
 
A New Congressional Research Service Publication on U.S. Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories
 
The Congressional Research Service has just published a short reference document that might be of interest to many:
 
The guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS reports.

 
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
USAA
New Members
PVT GEORGE D. MCADOO,
sponsor: Colorado River Chapter
Taps
We are again updating the database from Social Security records.
Recent reports are boldface.

SGT DEAN L. ABNEY, 28 Jan 2018
1STSGT GERALD EARL ANDERSON, 15 Aug 2011
CHARLES 'CHUCK' BONES, 14 Jul 2020
CPL JAMES MAURICE DUNN, 14 Jul 2011
CPL JOSEPH "RED" DUNN, 7 Dec 2006
COL PAUL J. DUPRE USMC(RET), 30 May 2013
DEAN D. DURALL, 27 Jan 2018
ROBERT EARLE, 5 Jun 2019
MARLIN G. FOSMARK, 30 May 2020
SGT MICHAEL J. HOWARD, 21 May 2020
SGT BOYD D. LEWIS, 3 Jun 2016
PFC JIM P. LEWIS, 16 Jul 2017
SGT GEORGE G. LIBERTY, 28 Jul 2020
CPL LEO M. LOOS, 28 Jun 2009
RICHARD K. MILNE, 6 Oct 2016
BARBARA JEANNE MOSS, 15 Jul 2020
Challenge Coin
Association's Challenge Coins Available
Contact HQ at (760)763-3268

These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968 are available to members. The price is $5 per coin, plus shipping.

Our coin supply is replenished.
We'll be fulfilling backorders, and welcome more. 

Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email: geronamo0122@gmail.com
Please visit our website: www.firstmardivassoc.com

First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051

(760) 763-3268