MCB Camp Pendleton

Press Releases

New commanding general takes helm of 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton

8 Aug 2002 | Sgt. Robert Piper Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Following in the footsteps of legends named Vandegrift and Puller, Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis assumed command of the 1st Marine Division during a ceremony here Aug. 2.

Maj. Gen. Mattis replaced Maj. Gen. James T. Conway, who took command of the division July 11, 2000. Conway has transferred to the I Marine Expeditionary Force, where he awaits assignment.

Maj. Gen. Conway received praise in a letter sent by Gen. James L. Jones, commandant of the Marine Corps, for his actions while in command, particularly the expansion of Desert Scimitar. The exercise now encompasses the entire division moving more than 200 miles and performing a river crossing.

During his speech, Maj. Gen. Conway said, "I can't think of anyone I'd rather see take command of the division," referring to Mattis.

Maj. Gen. Mattis' previous posts included commanding general for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and commander of Task Force 58 during its operations in southern Afghanistan earlier this year.

Despite only speaking briefly, Maj. Gen. Mattis managed to strike a cord with many in attendance when he asked them to look into the eyes of his Marines as they marched in the pass in review.

"After these Marines perform 'Eyes Right,' I ask you to look into their eyes and see the determination this country has to fight for its freedoms, and if this look strikes fear into our enemies, so be it - they deserve it," he said.

Maj. gEN. Mattis entered the Corps in 1969 and received his commission in 1972. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he commanded 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. Before his assignment to I MEB, Maj. Gen. Mattis served as the senior assistant to the Secretary of Defense.

New commanding general takes helm of 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton

8 Aug 2002 | Sgt. Robert Piper Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

PRINT

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Following in the footsteps of legends named Vandegrift and Puller, Maj. Gen. James N. Mattis assumed command of the 1st Marine Division during a ceremony here Aug. 2.

Maj. Gen. Mattis replaced Maj. Gen. James T. Conway, who took command of the division July 11, 2000. Conway has transferred to the I Marine Expeditionary Force, where he awaits assignment.

Maj. Gen. Conway received praise in a letter sent by Gen. James L. Jones, commandant of the Marine Corps, for his actions while in command, particularly the expansion of Desert Scimitar. The exercise now encompasses the entire division moving more than 200 miles and performing a river crossing.

During his speech, Maj. Gen. Conway said, "I can't think of anyone I'd rather see take command of the division," referring to Mattis.

Maj. Gen. Mattis' previous posts included commanding general for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and commander of Task Force 58 during its operations in southern Afghanistan earlier this year.

Despite only speaking briefly, Maj. Gen. Mattis managed to strike a cord with many in attendance when he asked them to look into the eyes of his Marines as they marched in the pass in review.

"After these Marines perform 'Eyes Right,' I ask you to look into their eyes and see the determination this country has to fight for its freedoms, and if this look strikes fear into our enemies, so be it - they deserve it," he said.

Maj. gEN. Mattis entered the Corps in 1969 and received his commission in 1972. During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he commanded 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. Before his assignment to I MEB, Maj. Gen. Mattis served as the senior assistant to the Secretary of Defense.