News Stories Archive

Alex LoRusso, one of the two victims of a car collision saved by Sgt. Joseph Howard, a Yonkers, New York native and an infantry mortarman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, poses for a photo with Howard, at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Dec. 9, 2022. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant decoration awarded. On Dec 30, 2017, at the time a lance corporal, Howard witnessed a car collision between four vehicles. Victims were trapped in a vehicle that had flipped eight times over a distance of 300 feet. Howard extracted the two unconscious victims from the car that continued to leak fuel. As he moved the second victim to safety, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and exploded. He then reassessed their injuries and provided life-saving first aid until first responders arrived. By his bold initiative and unwavering dedication to duty, Lance Cpl. Howard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service. LoRusso suffered severe life-threatening injuries but despite the circumstances he was able to recover and is now thriving. - Alex LoRusso, one of the two victims of a car collision saved by Sgt. Joseph Howard, a Yonkers, New York native and an infantry mortarman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, poses for a photo with Howard, at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Dec. 9, 2022. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant decoration awarded. On Dec 30, 2017, at the time a lance corporal, Howard witnessed a car collision between four vehicles. Victims were trapped in a vehicle that had flipped eight times over a distance of 300 feet. Howard extracted the two unconscious victims from the car that continued to leak fuel. As he moved the second victim to safety, the vehicle was engulfed in flames and exploded. He then reassessed their injuries and provided life-saving first aid until first responders arrived. By his bold initiative and unwavering dedication to duty, Lance Cpl. Howard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service. LoRusso suffered severe life-threatening injuries but despite the circumstances he was able to recover and is now thriving.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alonso Guillen and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Spencer Kirkwood, Low Altitude Air Defense gunners with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, use a Stinger Field Handling Trainer to practice tracking targets during exercise Steel Knight 23, on San Clemente Island, California, Dec. 6, 2022. 3rd LAAD provided close-in air defense to artillery positions for 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Guillen is a Longmont, Colorado, native and Kirkwood is an O’Fallon, Illinois, native. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alonso Guillen and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Spencer Kirkwood, Low Altitude Air Defense gunners with 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, use a Stinger Field Handling Trainer to practice tracking targets during exercise Steel Knight 23, on San Clemente Island, California, Dec. 6, 2022. 3rd LAAD provided close-in air defense to artillery positions for 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Guillen is a Longmont, Colorado, native and Kirkwood is an O’Fallon, Illinois, native.

U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, run during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 8, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts. - U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, run during a martial arts instructor course physical training session at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 8, 2022. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts.

U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division Band pose for an annual group photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 16, 2022. - U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division Band pose for an annual group photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 16, 2022.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alex Koeneke, a Humanitarian Mine Action Thailand Explosive Ordnance Disposal instructor with 3rd EOD Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, supervises Staff Sgt. Parawut Pongfai, a Thailand Mine Action Center student, during an EOD level 1-2 course at Jarumanee training area, Ratchaburi, Thailand, November 22, 2022. Royal Thai and American Armed Forces work together to train TMAC students in EOD level 1-2 in order to develop an EOD capacity to assist TMAC’s mission of becoming landmine free. This partnership is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense’s HMA Program, which assists partnered nations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alex Koeneke, a Humanitarian Mine Action Thailand Explosive Ordnance Disposal instructor with 3rd EOD Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, supervises Staff Sgt. Parawut Pongfai, a Thailand Mine Action Center student, during an EOD level 1-2 course at Jarumanee training area, Ratchaburi, Thailand, November 22, 2022. Royal Thai and American Armed Forces work together to train TMAC students in EOD level 1-2 in order to develop an EOD capacity to assist TMAC’s mission of becoming landmine free. This partnership is aligned with the U.S. Department of Defense’s HMA Program, which assists partnered nations affected by landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the hazardous effects of unexploded ordnance.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. George Kiernan, a financial management officer with I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 15, 2022. Kiernan played for the All-Marine Men's basketball team in the 2022 Armed Forces Men's and Women’s Basketball Championship. The tournament was hosted at Admiral Prout Fieldhouse, Naval Base San Diego, in order to promote friendly competition and unity between services. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. George Kiernan, a financial management officer with I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 15, 2022. Kiernan played for the All-Marine Men's basketball team in the 2022 Armed Forces Men's and Women’s Basketball Championship. The tournament was hosted at Admiral Prout Fieldhouse, Naval Base San Diego, in order to promote friendly competition and unity between services.

U.S. Marine Capt. Kyle King, the assistant operations officer with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and Hope Sweetnam, King’s partner, pose for a photo after an evening run in Yucca Valley, California, Nov. 8, 2022. King is the first active-duty Marine to win the Marine Corps Marathon since 1983. The Marine Corps Marathon promotes physical fitness, generates community goodwill, and showcases the organizational skills of the Marine Corps. - U.S. Marine Capt. Kyle King, the assistant operations officer with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and Hope Sweetnam, King’s partner, pose for a photo after an evening run in Yucca Valley, California, Nov. 8, 2022. King is the first active-duty Marine to win the Marine Corps Marathon since 1983. The Marine Corps Marathon promotes physical fitness, generates community goodwill, and showcases the organizational skills of the Marine Corps.

U.S Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Byron Reed, 9th Marine Corps Recruiting District musician technical assistant, speaks with students at the Bands of America Grand National Championship on Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 11, 2022. Marine Corps Recruiting Command is proud to partner with Music for All, this partnership helps increase awareness of the Marine Corps’ opportunities and connect with band directors, influencers and students. - U.S Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Byron Reed, 9th Marine Corps Recruiting District musician technical assistant, speaks with students at the Bands of America Grand National Championship on Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 11, 2022. Marine Corps Recruiting Command is proud to partner with Music for All, this partnership helps increase awareness of the Marine Corps’ opportunities and connect with band directors, influencers and students.

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment Caisson Platoon, marines from the “The President’s Own” Marine Band, and marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 24, 2021. Hoover died on Aug. 26, 2021, as a result of an enemy attack while supporting non-combatant evacuation operations in Kabul, Afghanistan. Twelve other service members from the U.S. Marines Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army died in the same attack supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Hoover was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Kelly Henson, Hoover’s mother, received the U.S. flag from Hoover’s service. It was presented to Henson by U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Seth Meade, Hoover’s best friend. - The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment Caisson Platoon, marines from the “The President’s Own” Marine Band, and marines from the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 24, 2021. Hoover died on Aug. 26, 2021, as a result of an enemy attack while supporting non-combatant evacuation operations in Kabul, Afghanistan. Twelve other service members from the U.S. Marines Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Army died in the same attack supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Hoover was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Kelly Henson, Hoover’s mother, received the U.S. flag from Hoover’s service. It was presented to Henson by U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Seth Meade, Hoover’s best friend.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Daniel Best, company first sergeant of Headquarters Service Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, instructs Marines during a field meet on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, July 28, 2022. The Marines competed in various activities such as pull-ups, sprints, and fireman carries to boost camaraderie and morale in the unit. - U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Daniel Best, company first sergeant of Headquarters Service Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, instructs Marines during a field meet on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, July 28, 2022. The Marines competed in various activities such as pull-ups, sprints, and fireman carries to boost camaraderie and morale in the unit.