Retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ismael Gonzalez-Ramos, a former infantry unit leader and decorated combat veteran, holds his Bronze Star medal with a combat action “V” device, an award for valor and heroism in combat, at his home in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Nov. 20, 2023. 92-year-old Gonzales-Ramos was drafted from Cidra, Puerto Rico in 1951 and served in the Korean War and Vietnam War during his 20 years of honorable service in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Loriann Dauscher) - Retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Ismael Gonzalez-Ramos, a former infantry unit leader and decorated combat veteran, holds his Bronze Star medal with a combat action “V” device, an award for valor and heroism in combat, at his home in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Nov. 20, 2023. 92-year-old Gonzales-Ramos was drafted from Cidra, Puerto Rico in 1951 and served in the Korean War and Vietnam War during his 20 years of honorable service in the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Loriann Dauscher)

Retired U.S. Marine Corps and Army veteran Maj. Billy Hall gazes upon the California coastline during an honor flight in a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, California, Nov. 11, 2023. Hall celebrated the 82nd anniversary of his Marine Corps Recruit Training graduation by flying with the Marines of HMLA-267. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sean Potter) - Retired U.S. Marine Corps and Army veteran Maj. Billy Hall gazes upon the California coastline during an honor flight in a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, California, Nov. 11, 2023. Hall celebrated the 82nd anniversary of his Marine Corps Recruit Training graduation by flying with the Marines of HMLA-267. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sean Potter)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Clay Campbell, a field medical technician with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, poses for a photo on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, September 15, 2023. Campbell was awarded and recognized for providing medical care to a young woman having a seizure until medics arrived on scene, ultimately saving her life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Megan Ozaki) - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Clay Campbell, a field medical technician with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, poses for a photo on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, September 15, 2023. Campbell was awarded and recognized for providing medical care to a young woman having a seizure until medics arrived on scene, ultimately saving her life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Megan Ozaki)

U.S. Navy Lt. Tyler Renn, a Madison, Alaska native and naval integration officer with 2d Marine Division reviews documents for a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, September 13, 2023. 2d MARDIV Headquarters Battalion held the JTFEX to promote mission readiness and support for future deployments. - U.S. Navy Lt. Tyler Renn, a Madison, Alaska native and naval integration officer with 2d Marine Division reviews documents for a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, September 13, 2023. 2d MARDIV Headquarters Battalion held the JTFEX to promote mission readiness and support for future deployments.

A sign on display during English Camp weekend, reads “English Camp,” in colorful letters. - A sign on display during English Camp weekend. CATC Camp Fuji Marines mentored Japanese children through English Camp emersion course hosted by the National Chuo Youth Friendship Center in Gotemba, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Song Jordan)

The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference 94 Marine Corps Day was held at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Sept. 19, 2023. JCOC is the Department of Defense’s public liaison program, designed to provide American business and community leaders with a deeper understanding of the military by showcasing the rewards and challenges service members face both on and off the battlefield. (Defense Media Activity photo by Edward J. Hersom) - The Joint Civilian Orientation Conference 94 Marine Corps Day was held at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Sept. 19, 2023. JCOC is the Department of Defense’s public liaison program, designed to provide American business and community leaders with a deeper understanding of the military by showcasing the rewards and challenges service members face both on and off the battlefield. (Defense Media Activity photo by Edward J. Hersom)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Juan Perez, a heavy equipment operator with Marine Corps Engineer Detachment Palau, removes brush as part of a runway clearing project on Peleliu, Republic of Palau, August 3, 2023. During this rotational deployment, Navy Seabees and Marine Corps engineers undertake infrastructure projects which benefit local populations in the Indo-Pacific and enhance the United States’ ability to render support and aid in response to disasters or other crises. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Juan Perez, a heavy equipment operator with Marine Corps Engineer Detachment Palau, removes brush as part of a runway clearing project on Peleliu, Republic of Palau, August 3, 2023. During this rotational deployment, Navy Seabees and Marine Corps engineers undertake infrastructure projects which benefit local populations in the Indo-Pacific and enhance the United States’ ability to render support and aid in response to disasters or other crises.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason Woodworth, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, poses for a photo with Philip Nguyen and Thu Ha Anders, volunteers for the Vietnamese culture display table, during a multi-cultural day celebration at the 11 area Marine Corps Exchange Food and Service Plaza Pavilion on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 30, 2023. Diversity Celebration Day was created to celebrate all of the Department of Defense approved observances that are recognized throughout the year. Woodworth is a native of Suffield, Connecticut. - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason Woodworth, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, poses for a photo with Philip Nguyen and Thu Ha Anders, volunteers for the Vietnamese culture display table, during a multi-cultural day celebration at the 11 area Marine Corps Exchange Food and Service Plaza Pavilion on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 30, 2023. Diversity Celebration Day was created to celebrate all of the Department of Defense approved observances that are recognized throughout the year. Woodworth is a native of Suffield, Connecticut.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Expeditionary Force loads debris onto a USMC 7-ton truck on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Aug. 7, 2023. Typhoon Khanun moved through Okinawa as a category 4 hurricane equivalent storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves, marking one of the strongest storms to affect the island in recent years. Immediately after the storm, crews from across Marine Corps Installation Pacific and III MEF began assessing damage and initiating repair work to ensure the Marines on Okinawa remain operationally ready. - U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Division and III Marine Expeditionary Force loads debris onto a USMC 7-ton truck on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Aug. 7, 2023. Typhoon Khanun moved through Okinawa as a category 4 hurricane equivalent storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves, marking one of the strongest storms to affect the island in recent years. Immediately after the storm, crews from across Marine Corps Installation Pacific and III MEF began assessing damage and initiating repair work to ensure the Marines on Okinawa remain operationally ready.

Corina Gonzalez and her family pose for a group photo in front of a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Gonzalez is a Marine Corps veteran and loving mother who volunteers at numerous organizations throughout MCAS Iwakuni, and has proven to be a diligent and dedicated member of the community. - Corina Gonzalez and her family pose for a group photo in front of a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Gonzalez is a Marine Corps veteran and loving mother who volunteers at numerous organizations throughout MCAS Iwakuni, and has proven to be a diligent and dedicated member of the community.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Freddy Peubla, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires a M240B machine gun during a littoral live fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity at Punta Baja, Palawan, Philippines, July 15, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense. - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Freddy Peubla, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires a M240B machine gun during a littoral live fire exercise for Marine Aviation Support Activity at Punta Baja, Palawan, Philippines, July 15, 2023. MASA 23 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at enhancing interoperability and coordination in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense.

Barracks Marines execute “officers center” during a Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, Aug 12, 2022. The hosting official for the evening was Sgt Maj. Troy E. Black, 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. The guests of honor were Sgt Maj. Alford L. McMichael, 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and Sgt Maj. Lewis G. Lee, 13th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. - Barracks Marines execute “officers center” during a Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, Aug 12, 2022. The hosting official for the evening was Sgt Maj. Troy E. Black, 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. The guests of honor were Sgt Maj. Alford L. McMichael, 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and Sgt Maj. Lewis G. Lee, 13th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

Cade Liles, a child with the Make-A-Wish foundation, poses for a group photo with personnel of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 3, 2023. MCRD San Diego supported the mission of the Make-A-Wish foundation in granting Cade Liles’ wish of experiencing portions of Marine training and military life - Cade Liles, a child with the Make-A-Wish foundation, poses for a group photo with personnel of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 3, 2023. MCRD San Diego supported the mission of the Make-A-Wish foundation in granting Cade Liles’ wish of experiencing portions of Marine training and military life