Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Navy Hospital Corpsmen throughout North County celebrated their 115th birthday during a “Beach Bash” at the Del Mar Beach Resort here June 14.

The event was open to the public with approximately 1,500 in attendance who joined the Corpsman as they celebrated their heritage with family and friends. The ceremony opened with the presentation of the Navy Colors and was followed by comments from retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe Campa and retired Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent.

The ceremony also featured retired Navy Hospital Master Chief Harry D. Penny, Jr. who presented a reading of his poem, “I am the one called ‘Doc’.”

“We are here to celebrate the birth of something essential to the mission,” said Penny, “the birthday of the Navy Hospital Corps is June 17, 1898. There were no enlisted medical affiliates before then.”

Amphibious assault vehicles were launched ashore carrying Navy Recon Corpsman who swiftly stormed the beach. The amphibious assault vehicles deployed Navy corpsman, dressed in different uniforms from sequential eras throughout Corpsman history. These Corpsman recited the exclusive Hospital Corpsman Pledge; a rendering of their obedience and dedication to the Hospital Corps.

“The Beach Bash is a lot of fun but most importantly it is a crucial time for us as Corpsman to come together to remember the birth of our heritage and traditions as we honor those Marines and Sailors who have served and those who have fallen,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Fallick, 1st Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center here.

Awards were given to those who participated in the Corpsman Cup Challenge. Fallick’s team consisted of other Corpsman of 1st Dental Battalion who took home the championship trophy of the competition earlier that morning.

Hawaiian Barbeque was served after the ceremony as the Corpsman mingled with their fellow shipmates, friends, and family until the sun set behind Del Mar Beach Resort’s pacific coast.