Participants of the 80th Tarawa Commemoration Ceremony pose for a group photo on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Republic of Kiribati, Nov. 22, 2023. - Participants of the 80th Tarawa Commemoration Ceremony pose for a group photo on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Republic of Kiribati, Nov. 22, 2023.

Francisco Ocegueda, the American Battle Monuments Commission Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations for the Pacific Region gives remarks during the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, August 7, 2023. The Battle of Guadalcanal, also known as Operation Watchtower, was a seven-month campaign that marked the first Allied land offensive in the Pacific theater in World War II. - Francisco Ocegueda, the American Battle Monuments Commission Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations for the Pacific Region gives remarks during the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal Ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, August 7, 2023. The Battle of Guadalcanal, also known as Operation Watchtower, was a seven-month campaign that marked the first Allied land offensive in the Pacific theater in World War II.

Richard Russell, a World War II Marine veteran, poses for a photo during an interview at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, July 23, 2022. Russell fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal during WWII, and turned 20 years old while fighting on the island. This year he will be celebrating his 100th birthday on the 80th anniversary of the battle. - Richard Russell, a World War II Marine veteran, poses for a photo during an interview at his home in Phoenix, Arizona, July 23, 2022. Russell fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal during WWII, and turned 20 years old while fighting on the island. This year he will be celebrating his 100th birthday on the 80th anniversary of the battle.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, and members of the Women Marines Association take a group photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 11, 2022. The battalion was established on February 13, 1943 as part of the Marine Corps Reserves to provide qualified women for duty at shore establishments across the Marine Corps. - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, and members of the Women Marines Association take a group photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 11, 2022. The battalion was established on February 13, 1943 as part of the Marine Corps Reserves to provide qualified women for duty at shore establishments across the Marine Corps.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 453, 4th Marine Logistics Group, transfer a casket containing the remains of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Donald D. Stoddard to the burial site at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boulder, Colo., June 26, 2021. Stoddard died during the siege of Betio Island in November 1943 during World War II while assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division. His remains were recovered in March 2019 by the non-profit organization, History Flight. - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 453, 4th Marine Logistics Group, transfer a casket containing the remains of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Donald D. Stoddard to the burial site at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boulder, Colo., June 26, 2021. Stoddard died during the siege of Betio Island in November 1943 during World War II while assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division. His remains were recovered in March 2019 by the non-profit organization, History Flight.

Marine Forces Special Operations Command celebrates 15 years of commitment, diligence and professionalism as a component in support of Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22. - Marine Forces Special Operations Command celebrates 15 years of commitment, diligence and professionalism as a component in support of Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 22.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kirk Mullins served as the presenting officer at the funeral of private first class Louis Wiesehan, Jr., on Sept. 19. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kirk Mullins served as the presenting officer at the funeral of private first class Louis Wiesehan, Jr., on Sept. 19.

Ten Marine veterans received awards at Hadnot Point parade ground Saturday morning as a result of performances in engagements in the Pacific theater of war. Eight received Gold Stars in lieu of a second Purple Heart, one received a Bronze Medal heroic and meritorious performance of duty and one received a Purple Heart. The presentations were made by Lt. Col. T. M. Sheffield, Infantry Training Regiment, and Maj. L. G. Ditta, Infantry Schools Battalion, prior to a “pass in review” of men serving in the Officer Candidate Applicants’ Battalion. Shown in above photo, left to right, are Lt. Col. Sheffield, Maj. Ditta, Sgt. Lawrence Gerkin, Platoon Sgt. Robert Levy, Sgt. Robert Sadler, Sgt. Harry Smith, Sgt. Louis Cozzens, Sgt. Herbert Meza, and Cpl. Calvin Lawson, Cpl. Robert Heard, Cpl. William Hinkle and Cpl. Robert Radish. - Ten Marine veterans received awards at Hadnot Point parade ground Saturday morning as a result of performances in engagements in the Pacific theater of war. Eight received Gold Stars in lieu of a second Purple Heart, one received a Bronze Medal heroic and meritorious performance of duty and one received a Purple Heart. The presentations were made by Lt. Col. T. M. Sheffield, Infantry Training Regiment, and Maj. L. G. Ditta, Infantry Schools Battalion, prior to a “pass in review” of men serving in the Officer Candidate Applicants’ Battalion. Shown in above photo, left to right, are Lt. Col. Sheffield, Maj. Ditta, Sgt. Lawrence Gerkin, Platoon Sgt. Robert Levy, Sgt. Robert Sadler, Sgt. Harry Smith, Sgt. Louis Cozzens, Sgt. Herbert Meza, and Cpl. Calvin Lawson, Cpl. Robert Heard, Cpl. William Hinkle and Cpl. Robert Radish.