Col. Peter Lee poses for a photo with master labor contractors during the 241st Marine Corps Birthday celebration at the mess hall Nov. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The celebration was one of many held on installations across Okinawa to uphold the tradition of celebrating the Marine Corps’ birthday, which dates back to Nov. 10, 1775. The event featured a mouthwatering steak and lobster meal, a uniform pageant by Kubasaki High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and a live performance by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and was open to service members, civilian contractors, master labor contractors, and their families to celebrate together. Lee is the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/Released) - Col. Peter Lee poses for a photo with master labor contractors during the 241st Marine Corps Birthday celebration at the mess hall Nov. 9 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The celebration was one of many held on installations across Okinawa to uphold the tradition of celebrating the Marine Corps’ birthday, which dates back to Nov. 10, 1775. The event featured a mouthwatering steak and lobster meal, a uniform pageant by Kubasaki High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, and a live performance by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band and was open to service members, civilian contractors, master labor contractors, and their families to celebrate together. Lee is the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/Released)

Maj. Matthew A. Thompson, right, speaks with the Marines of Battery B after a Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony Nov. 10 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases and maintains combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Thompson is from Presho, South Dakota, and is the commanding officers for Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Maj. Matthew A. Thompson, right, speaks with the Marines of Battery B after a Marine Corps birthday cake-cutting ceremony Nov. 10 at the North Fuji Maneuver Area during Artillery Relocation Training Program 14-3. ARTP is a regularly scheduled training event that increases and maintains combat readiness of U.S. Marine forces and supports the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Thompson is from Presho, South Dakota, and is the commanding officers for Battery B, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, based out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Sgt. Blake A. Wallace, right, is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by Col. Lance A. McDaniel April 25 at Camp Hansen. Wallace and two other Marines used emergency medical techniques to save the life of a fellow Marine, who suffered a heart attack. “Everyone knows that in this organization, no Marine is left behind,” said McDaniel. “This matters everywhere we go, not just on the battlefield, but in garrison as well. These Marines honored that principle when they provided assistance.” Wallace is a fire support man with Headquarters Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. McDaniel is the commanding officer of the battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Myers/Released) - Sgt. Blake A. Wallace, right, is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by Col. Lance A. McDaniel April 25 at Camp Hansen. Wallace and two other Marines used emergency medical techniques to save the life of a fellow Marine, who suffered a heart attack. “Everyone knows that in this organization, no Marine is left behind,” said McDaniel. “This matters everywhere we go, not just on the battlefield, but in garrison as well. These Marines honored that principle when they provided assistance.” Wallace is a fire support man with Headquarters Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. McDaniel is the commanding officer of the battalion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Myers/Released)