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Service

1900 - 1929

Service

On 27 November 1913, he sailed from New York with the 2d Advanced Base Regiment, with his ultimate destination Vera Cruz, Mexico, but returned to the United States to receive his promotion to colonel on 25 February 1914. Col Lejeune and his unit eventually landed in Mexico on 22 April 1914 and participated in the occupation of the city. He returned home in December 1914, this time to report to Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, D.C., to become assistant to the Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was promoted to brigadier general on 29 August 1916.

With the outbreak of World War I, BGen Lejeune assumed command of the newly constructed Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. His overseas service was, however, inevitable, and in June 1918, he arrived at Brest, France. He was promoted to major general 1 July 1918.

31 August 1890 at the Marine Barracks, New York, serving at that post until he was detached, joining Marine Barracks, Norfolk, Virginia, on 3 November 1890.

1890 - 1900

Upon reporting to the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, he was assigned to command a brigade of the 32nd Division and assumed command of the 4th Brigade of Marines of the 2d Division immediately following the attack of the division in the Soissons offensive.

From 1 October 1891 to 28 July 1893, Lt Lejeune served on board the USS Bennington and was promoted to first lieutenant on 26 February 1892. On 28 August 1893, he reported for duty at the Norfolk Barracks, where he served until 31 July 1897.

Smedly Butler and John A. Lejeune

On 28 July 1918, MajGen Lejeune assumed command of the 2d Division and remained in that capacity until August 1919, when the unit was demobilized. He was the first Marine officer to hold an Army divisional command, and following the Armistice he led his division in the march into Germany.

On 2 August 1897, 1stLt Lejeune assumed command of the Marine Guard of the USS Cincinnati, on which vessel he served throughout the Spanish-American War. He was detached from the USS Cincinnati 17 February 1899, and on 18 February 1899, joined the USS Massachusetts, to command the Marine Guard. He was promoted to captain on 3 March 1899 and left his position on the Massachusetts on 10 May 1900.

Major General John A. Lejeune with staff planning the St. Mihiel offensive in World War I

During that war he was recognized by the French Government as a strategist and leader, as evidenced by the Legion of Honor, and the Croix de Guerre bestowed upon him by that people. From General John J. Pershing he received the Distinguished Service Medal. The Navy Distinguished Service Medal was conferred upon him when he returned to the United States following the occupation of Germany.

In October 1919, he again was appointed Commanding General, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. He was appointed as Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps on 1 July 1920. Subsequent to that time, he left his headquarters at Washington several times for tours of inspection in Haiti, Santo Domingo, Cuba, Puerto Rico, to the West Coast and elsewhere.

1900 - 1929

From 3 July 1900 to 12 November 1900, Capt Lejeune performed recruiting duty at Boston, Massachusetts, and on 22 November 1900 reported at the Marine Barracks, Pensacola, Florida, to command the Marines. From 12 January 1903 to 21 January 1903, Capt Lejeune was on duty at the Norfolk Barracks, going to recruiting duty at New York City on 26 January 1903. He was promoted to major on 3 March 1903 and was on duty at Headquarters, Washington, D.C. from 15 May 1903 to 8 August 1903.

Upon the expiration of his second term as Commandant, MajGen Lejeune indicated his desire not to retire from the Marine Corps, but was relieved as Commandant in March 1929.

As Commandant

On 8 August 1903, Maj Lejeune was ordered to the USS Panther to command the Marine Battalion on board that vessel, joining 16 August 1903. On 23 October 1903, the battalion, with Maj Lejeune in command, was transferred to the USS Dixie. From 16 December 1903 to 21 December 1904, Maj Lejeune was on duty ashore on the Isthmus of Panama in command of this battalion, leaving there on the latter date on board the USS Yankee.

1929 - 1942

  • Created via congressional act the Marine Corps League (“Once a Marine, Always a Marine”).

On 10 November 1929, he retired in order to accept the position of superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, serving there until poor health necessitated his resignation in October 1937. In February 1942, he was advanced to the rank of lieutenant general on the Marine Corps retired list.

  • Established the Marine Corps birth date (10 November 1775 instead of 11 July 1798).

From 27 January 1905 to 20 May 1906, Maj Lejeune served at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He then returned to Panama in command of a battalion of Marines from 29 May to 6 July 1906, the battalion being transported both ways on board the USS Columbia. This was detached duty, and on 29 March 1907, Maj Lejeune was detached from command of the Washington Barracks and ordered to the Philippines.

  • Created and conducted the first Marine Corps birthday celebration (Philadelphia, PA, 1923).

Today, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, bears his name and he is often referred to as "the greatest of all Leathernecks," having served more than 40 years with the Marine Corps.

  • Supported the assignment and establishment of the first female Marines (World War I).

This was taken when MG John A. Lejeune, USMC, CG, 2nd Division, AEF was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal and French Legion of Honour, (Commander) at the 2nd Division, AEF parade field at Vallender, Germany

Arriving in the Philippines on 2 May 1907, Maj Lejeune assumed command of the Marine Barracks and Naval Prison, Navy Yard, Cavite, on 6 May 1907. He assumed command of the First Brigade of Marines on 15 June 1908 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 13 May 1909. He was detached on 8 June 1909 and ordered to return to the United States.

  • Maintained the Marine Corps as a positive force in readiness in the eyes of the American public.

Lieutenant Colonel Lejeune embarked on board the USS Ohio on 26 May 1912 with the Second Regiment, First Provisional Brigade Marines, for Cuba. He disembarked at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on 8 June 1912 and was in command of the District of Santiago from 9 June to 14 July 1912. On 15 July 1912, LtCol Lejeune embarked on board the USS Prairie and sailed for Colon, Panama. July 18-29, 1912 was spent at Camp Elliott, Panama.

  • Believed strongly in and required academic education combined with professional training for all Marine officers.

After returning to the United States, LtCol Lejeune was again called upon for expeditionary duty. He sailed from Philadelphia, 20 February 1913 as second in command of the First Regiment, Second Provisional Brigade Marines and disembarked 27 February 1913, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He returned to Philadelphia on board the USS Prairie on 2 May 1913.

The Birthday Message

November 1st, 1921 John A. Lejeune directed that a reminder of the honorable service the Corps had done to be published by every command, to all Marines throughout the globe, on the birthday of the Corps.

On the birthday in compliance with the will of the 13th Commandant, Article 38, United States Marine Corps Manual, edition of 1921.

Other Info of Lieutenant General Lejeune

Continuation...

  • Established the Marine Corps Institute for enlisted Marines.
  • Enhanced the building program, curriculum, and cadet corps at VMI during the Great Depression.
  • After Poland was invaded by Germany, he again offered his services to the Corps. (At 72 years old, he was gently and respectfully turned down.)
  • Was promoted to lieutenant general by FDR in April 1942.
  • Throughout the Depression, when other schools, institutions, and academies were cutting back, Lejeune was building physical structures, increasing cadet enrollees, and enhancing the cadet program at the Institute.
  • Most of this was accomplished even with a leave of absence due to a fall Lejeune took at VMI that fractured his skull, rendering him unconscious and speechless for almost a month (taking him almost a year to recover and resume his duties).
  • Drafted war plans in the 1920s (revised in the 1930s) for the conduct of an amphibious war in the Pacific against Japan.

Conclusion

  • Was a strong proponent of marksmanship training.
  • Started the creation of a Marine Corps amphibious force permanently attached to the east and west coast Navy fleets.
  • Endorsed and supported close air support and medevac by air during the Banana Wars.
  • First Commandant to travel by air in a combat zone (Nicaragua).

Getting Started

  • Born January 10th, 1867 in Pointe Coupee, Louisiana
  • Passed away November 20th, 1942 while his Marines were wresting Guadalcanal from the Japanese, beginning the assault from the sea, across the Pacific to the doorstep of Japan. (75) at the Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, and was interred in the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

John Lejeune was a dignified, highly professional man of great integrity who saw the future of his Marine Corps and convinced the Nation to allow him to position our Corps to move steadily in the direction of that future. His actions and guidance established the foundation for all future Marines—and especially for our many great Commandants—to take us to where we are today. John Lejeune was a strong leader of Marines and the fruit of his style of leadership is evident throughout today’s Marine Corps.

Wife & Kids

  • Married Ellie Harrison (Murdaugh) Lejeune on October 23 1895 in Portsmouth, VA
  • Born 1872 in Portsmouth, VA and passed away November 10 1953
  • He was educated at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, from which he graduated with a B.A. degree. Subsequently, he secured an appointment as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he was graduated in 1888. At the expiration of a two-year cruise as a cadet midshipman he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 1 July 1890.

Corporal David Rakes, Bravo Company body bearer, salutes the grave of Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune,13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, during a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetary,November 10, 2005

  • They had three daughters together: Ellie Murdaugh Lejeune Glennon (1896 - 1992), Laura Turpin Lejeune (1902 - 1998), Eugenia D Lejeune (1904 - 1971)

Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune

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