07/01/2026
Today in Marine Corps History
On 1 July 1920, Major General John Archer Lejeune was appointed the 13th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, a role he held until his retirement in 1929 MCU. Lejeune, born on 10 January 1867 in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (class of 1888) and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 25 July 1890 Wikipedia+1. His early service included assignments in Panama, the Philippines, Cuba, and Mexico, and he served with distinction in the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War, and the Mexican Revolution.
World War I Service
When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Lejeune was tasked with forming and training the 4th Marine Brigade for service with the U.S. Army in Europe warhistory.org. He later commanded the U.S. Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, leading it through major campaigns on the Western Front.
Commandancy and Legacy
As Commandant, Lejeune reoriented the Marine Corps toward advanced base warfare and amphibious operations, aligning it more closely with the U.S. Navy’s strategic needs. He:
Expanded professional military education by establishing Marine Corps Schools at Quantico in 1921, emphasizing leadership at all ranks MCU.
Formalized traditions and heritage, reinforcing the Corps’ identity and values MCU.
Elevated the Corps’ prestige among the American public, promoting its role as a warfighting institution that also fostered healthy living and civic virtue.
Lejeune’s tenure laid the foundation for the modern Marine Corps, and his influence endures through Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and Lejeune Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy U.S. Naval Institute. He retired in 1929, was promoted to lieutenant general on the retired list in 1942, and died on 20 November 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland.
