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Major General Joseph H. Pendleton

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Major General Joseph Pendleton served in the Marine Corps for forty years. Pendleton was crucial to the establishment of the Marine base in San Diego. Camp Pendleton, in the northern part of San Diego County, was also named in his honor, opening on 25 September 1942.

Pendleton served in the Spanish-American War in the blockade of Cuba, and was later assigned to Sitka, Alaska, and to several posts in the Philippines. He also fought in Nicaragua, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

As a colonel and later a brigadier general, Pendleton became a staunch supporter of establishing a permanent Advance Marine Base in San Diego. He embarked on a determined effort to win the hearts and minds of San Diegans and his enthusiasm persuaded Major General Commandant George Barnett to recommend that a permanent Marine base be established in San Diego.

Pendleton’s efforts were duly rewarded. On 1 December 1921, when the base officially opened with great fanfare, Pendleton served as the commanding general of the unit that opened the base: Headquarters, 5th Marine Brigade.
 
Shortly thereafter, Pendleton was promoted to major general on 10 December 1923. When the base was redesignated as Marine Corps Base San Diego on 1 March 1924, Pendleton served as its first commanding general. He retired in June of 1924. After retirement, Pendleton stayed active in the local community; he passed away on 2 February 1942 in Coronado, California.
 

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  1. Miscellaneous MCRD San Diego Command Museum

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  1. Selling Soldiers of the Sea - The San Diego Campaign MCRD San Diego Command Museum
  2. San Diego: Gateway To The Southern And Pacific Regions MCRD San Diego Command Museum
  3. Early 20th Century Expeditions from San Diego MCRD San Diego Command Museum
  4. Opening Ceremonies at a “Fine Marine Base” MCRD San Diego Command Museum
  5. Design and Construction of the “Showplace of the Marine Corps” MCRD San Diego Command Museum
  6. The Base is Redesignated MCRD San Diego Command Museum
  7. Pendleton Builds His Forces MCRD San Diego Command Museum

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