Marine Corps

The efforts of a Kentucky Air National Guardsman last year were instrumental in locating the remains of two U.S. Marines lost in combat over Vietnam a half-century ago.

Master Sgt. Dustin Turner, an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron here, joined with more than a dozen other American Airmen, Soldiers and Marines to excavate 368 square meters of rice paddies in the province of Quang Binh in June 2023.

The painstaking work, which called on Turner’s EOD skills to screen for unexploded ordnance prior to excavation, located aircraft parts, an intact dog tag and osseous material belonging to the fallen Marines. As a result of those efforts, the family members have been notified that their loved ones are no longer missing in action.

“They’re now officially accounted for, and both families have had a sense of closure,” Turner said. “This was ultimately the whole reason we were over there.”

The recovered Marines were Capt. Ralph J. Chipman, an A-6 Intruder pilot, and Capt. Ronald W. Forrester, a bombardier and navigator. Both were assigned to the 1st Marine Air Wing, Marine Aircraft Group 15, Marine Attack Squadron 533. Their mission was to conduct low-level bombing over Route 101 in Quang Binh when they were reportedly shot down by a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft battery in late December of 1972.

“We kept their portraits out on site; that helped keep us focused,” Turner said. “Every morning, before we stepped off to start our mission for the day, our captain read a vignette from the men’s lives to bring home why we were actually out there.”

Turner said they were determined to recover the fallen with honor and dignity, according to the legal policies of the host country of Vietnam, and to make sure they were documenting things properly.

The team was able to locate fabric used as material in Marine Corps flight suits, a banking card that identified the second aviator, and ammunition near the crash site.

Turner, who served as the recovery non-commissioned officer and senior EOD technician, is the first Air National Guard EOD member to be selected for such an operation, conducted under the direction of the Defense POW/MIA Accountability Agency.

The decision to include him was made over three years ago, he said. His expertise would allow the team to locate, identify and mitigate possible unexploded ordnance hazards during the recovery mission. Scientific recovery experts, archeologists and many local workers also helped Turner and his team screen for osseous material among the aircraft wreckage.

The work site was located on a rice plantation, and water pumps ran constantly to drain the excavation area. At the same time, the team had to dig carefully to ensure the land retained its usability for agriculture. Turner described the entire area as “saturated with ordnance from many decades of conflict.”

Prior to digging, team members swept the area with metal detectors and flagged any section containing metallic objects. Additionally, they made sure they had “razor sharp shovels” in order to make specific measurements in the ground.

Once that process was complete, team members began “painstakingly shoveling centimeters of earth at a time to find osseous material” while being careful not to destroy any evidence, Turner recalled.

Recovered materials were then placed in buckets that were evaluated at a wet-screening station. The Americans were assisted by local residents who worked with the team for 46 days, often for nine to 11 hours a day, he said.

Turner said he was humbled by the experience, adding that he was appreciative of the opportunity to do “his small part” in bringing peace to the families who were previously notified their loved ones were missing in action.

“I’m grateful the DoD has maintained faith with the families of the fallen, and that there are ongoing recovery efforts still occurring,” he said.

The Marines of 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, activated the Marine Corps’ first Fire Support Battalion during a ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 19, marking an evolutionary step in fire support capabilities.

Previously a fire support battery, the transition from a battery to a full battalion involves a notable increase in personnel and equipment, allowing for more flexibility and coordination in combat situations.

Fire Support Battalion’s activation is a cornerstone achievement in the Marine Corps’ Force Design journey, according to Col. Benjamin Harrison, the commanding officer of 11th Marines.

“I’m proud to say that the Marines who stand here before you today are the plank holders of the first and largest fire support battalion in the United States Marine Corps,” said Harrison. “These Marines have proven they have what it takes to fight and win today.”

This battalion establishes a unit of action with a dedicated mission to provide task organized fire support teams to support ground combat element commanders.

The battalion enables commanders to plan, coordinate, and synchronize employment of fires to achieve multi-domain effects. Designed to augment every echelon from the division down to the individual rifle company, Fire Support Battalion provides capabilities that reduce the complexities of combined arms and maneuver warfare.

This new development comes as part of the Marine Corps’ broader effort to modernize and streamline its forces for the challenges of contemporary warfare, where precision fires and rapid response capabilities are increasingly essential.

“We will remain ready at all times to answer the call of the nation even in the face of our initial establishment and growth,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Sawyer, the commanding officer of the newly activated Fire Support Battalion, 11th Marines. “We will be committed to excellence, we will be disciplined, efficient in the application of combined arms across all domains to achieve desired effects.”

The activation ceremony at Camp Pendleton solidifies the unit’s role in supporting larger military operations and reinforcing the Marine Corps’ strategy of agility and adaptability in combat.

BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO- Col. John D. Samples, Fort Buchanan commanding officer, Command Sgt. Maj. Kimberly D. Bergman- Gándara, the installation Sergeant Major, and Staff Sgt. Yesenia Ocasio, Garrison’s Religious Affairs Specialist, presented a wreath to Spec. Frances Vega’s grave at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery, as part of the Wreaths Across America Day activities, Dec. 14.

Spec. Frances M. Vega was killed in action on November 2, 2003, when the Chinook Helicopter she was in was shot down by a ground-to-air missile.

In honor of Spec. Vega’s memory and sacrifice, Fort Buchanan, the only U.S. Army installation in the Caribbean, dedicated a gate to her name on July 4, 2008.

“Next time you go through our gate at Fort Buchanan, when you see Spec. Vega’s name will be a reminder of the need to live a life with purpose. Spec. Vega set an example for us by serving her country and giving her life for our nation. It is a great honor to place a wreath today on her tombstone. Thank you, Francis Vega,” said Samples.

Ivelisse Peña, Wreath Across America Puerto Rico coordinator, facilitated the wreath placement at Spec. Vega’s grave and thousands of other graves across the Puerto Rico National Cemetery.

“Today, we place these wreaths with love and purpose in recognition of our service members’ sacrifices. The wreath symbolizes a living memorial, representing continuous remembrance and honor for fallen veterans and service members. It signifies a commitment to never forget their sacrifice and service to the country,” said Peña.

In December 2008, the United States Senate agreed to a resolution that designated December 13, 2008, Wreaths Across America Day. Subsequent National Wreaths Across America Days have been designated on the second or third Saturday of December.

Fort Buchanan, the only U.S. Army installation in the Caribbean, constantly serves and honors veterans and fallen heroes. The installation serves a diverse military community of approximately 15,000 active-duty Reserve, National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and Navy Reserve personnel. Fort Buchanan’s mission is to serve as a readiness enhancement platform and facilitate the deployment of military personnel to any place at any time.

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – Base residents and their families experienced Santa’s Workshop at The Clubs at Quantico, MCB Quantico, Virginia, Dec. 15.

“We love supporting the Marines,” said Mr. and Mrs. Clause. “We are very blessed to work with them and be a part of their Marine family.”

Marine Corps Community Services hosted Santa’s Workshop and Breakfast, where children and their families kicked off the event with a breakfast buffet.

“Oh, the pancakes were so good!” Tennison McCreanor, a child in attendance, exclaimed.

After, Santa’s Workshop opened up to all those who attended. The children who took part in the workshop were also invited to create personalized crafts, something they could take home and gift for the holiday season. All children, though, had an opportunity to meet and take a photo with Santa.

“Seeing Santa was my favorite part of the day!” Aurora Patrick said cheerfully. “I asked him for a Barbie carriage to match my favorite Barbie doll.”

Santa’s Workshop was a combination of breakfast food, holiday spirit, and family fun, offering an eventful morning for those who attended.

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii — In a ceremony that celebrated his career, retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jim R. Morris was honored with the dedication of a conference room at Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, marking 50 years of federal service.

Morris, who retired from active duty in 2001 after a 30-year career, has continued to serve with distinction as a civilian leader at MARFORPAC since 2004. His service, which spans both military and civilian roles, was commemorated on Dec. 6, 2024, with the formal unveiling of the “Jim R. Morris Conference Room.”

Senior leadership and colleagues who have worked alongside Morris throughout his career attended the dedication ceremony. The event was a testament to his commitment to the Marines, Sailors, and families of the Pacific region, as well as his contributions to improving operational efficiency and personnel administration.

“I always believed that the Marine Corps’ strength lies in its people,” said Morris.

Morris’ career in the Marine Corps began in 1971 after he graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Business Administration and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. His service took him to various key assignments, including leadership roles in Vietnam, Okinawa, Camp Pendleton, and numerous deployments across the globe. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Service Commendation Medal, among others, for his leadership and service to his country.

In 2000, Morris was awarded the Secretary of the Navy’s “Revolution in Business Affairs Beacon Award,” for his innovative efforts in improving personnel administration processes and leadership in leveraging technology to enhance support to Marines and Sailors.

Upon retirement from active duty, Morris transitioned to civilian service, continuing to apply his extensive experience in leadership and personnel management to support the operational needs of the Marine Corps. During his tenure at MARFORPAC, Morris continued to rise through the ranks, retiring for the second time as the Assistant Chief of Staff for the G-1 serving as Assistant Chief of Staff for the G-1, the section responsible for managing administrative operations and manpower needs. In this role, he oversaw manpower coordination for a region comprising thousands of Marines and Sailors.

In addition to his professional achievements, Morris’ personal commitment to mentorship has been recognized with the Honolulu-Pacific Federal Executive Board’s 2024 Mentor of the Year Award. His guidance and leadership have made an impact on the personnel he has mentored.

“Giving advice and sharing my experience to young Marines has been on the most important parts of my career,” said Morris

The newly dedicated “Jim R. Morris Conference Room” will serve as a space for collaboration and decision-making at MARFORPAC, a tribute to the man whose leadership and service have shaped the Marine Corps’ personnel programs and who has mentored countless individuals along the way.

Reflecting on his 50 years of service, Morris expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunities he had to serve his country and the Marine Corps. “It has been an honor to work alongside so many dedicated individuals, both military and civilian, who share a common goal of supporting our Marines and Sailors,” said Morris. “I am truly humbled by this recognition.”

With this dedication, Morris’ legacy of service, innovation, and mentorship will be remembered and honored for years to come at Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.