U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. William Clarke, left, sergeant major of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, delivers the organizational colors to Lt. Col. Drew Bossart, the outgoing commanding officer of VMM-165 (Rein.), during the squadron’s change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Dec. 12, 2024. During the ceremony, Bossart relinquished command of the squadron to Lt. Col. Nathan Frame. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kenneth Twaddell)
U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit return to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California Nov. 24, 2024. Elements of the 15th MEU, embarked aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), returned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton after a five-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region in support of regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Pfc. Kenneth Twaddell)
INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE – On Nov. 10, 2024, there was only one Marine Corps unit that had the privilege to recognize itself as the first unit in the world to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday – the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit – and also the very last unit in the world that day.
The elements of the 15th MEU aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) were able to celebrate the 249th birthday for two straight days since both yesterday and today were Nov. 10 aboard the ship, something that would make even Chesty Puller envious.
How is this possible?
Like the timeless 1993 movie “Groundhog Day,” where actor Bill Murray experiences the same day over and over again, Marines and Sailors aboard Boxer realized...
11.10.2024 | USS BOXER (LHD 4), PACIFIC OCEAN |
Story by Cpl. Luis Agostini
