Wednesday, November 1, 2023

VFC 204 command: Marine Lejeune

Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 204 held a change of command ceremony on board Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base New Orleans on Oct. 30. 

Former executive officer, Cmdr. Michael R. Koch, relieved Cmdr. Mitchell A. Newton as commanding officer. 

Koch and Newton turned over in rare fashion, as the two took to the skies in an F-5 aircraft to initiate a transfer of command via the radio.

Out-going commander Newton was awarded the Legion of Merit medal for distinguished service of the "River Rattlers."

VFC 204 is one of four squadrons assigned to the Navy Reserve's Tactical Support Wing. 


'Marine's Marine': Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune

November 10, 1775, is the official birthday of the Marine Corps. This year the service will celebrate its 248th year. 

To understand how the Marines got here, you have to understand one man: John A. Lejeune. 

Born Jan. 10, 1867, on a plantation in Louisiana and the son of Confederate army captain, Ovide Lejeune, the younger Lejeune was a Marine’s Marine before there was such a thing.

He spent two years as an ensign upon his graduation from the Naval Academy, during which time he worked hand-in-hand with Marines battling hurricanes and the Hawaiian Revolution, and ultimately fell “completely and hopelessly in love with the Marine Corps,” according to “John A. Lejeune: True Soldier,” by Robert B. Asprey. Marine Corps Marine Corps University > Research > Marine Corps History Division > People > Who's Who in Marine Corps History > Jackson - Lyle > Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune (usmcu.edu)




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