“If you don’t like something, change it.
If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
– Maya Angelou
From USNI News
Marines Testing Regiment at Heart of Emerging Island-Hopping Future

Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (MIG), hike during a field exercise (FEX) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. on May 28, 2020. US Marine Corps photo
The Marine Corps is starting to form and experiment with the littoral regiment at the heart of its modern-day island-hopping strategy, the head of Marine Corps combat development told USNI News.

The stand-up of this first Marine Littoral Regiment is among the first and most visible steps being taken towards implementing the new Force Design 2030 . The service will also test a ground-based anti-ship missile system in “weeks,” acquire stern landing vessels and a light amphibious warship to move smaller groups of Marines around the littorals in about three years, and transform the rest of the force by 2030 to reshape the Marine Corps for a fight against a peer adversary, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration Lt. Gen. Eric Smith told USNI News in a phone interview this week.

Service leadership is ready to take the plunge and go all in on this force transformation effort: Smith, formerly the commanding general of Japan-based III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Commandant Gen. David Berger , who previously held Smith’s job and prior to that led all Marines in the Pacific, have seen both the status quo of forces in the Pacific and the intelligence that shows where that force needs to evolve to.

They spent months conducting modeling and simulation, wargames and table-top exercises ahead of releasing the Force Design 2030 in March. Both have acknowledged this will be an iterative process, but they’re ready to dive in and start the work of changing the Pacific-based Marines to be ready for the pacing threat the service sees in China .

“I am very confident that we have to reduce the size of the infantry battalion, I’m confident of that. Exactly how much, we gotta experiment with that. I say that because, for example, if you’re going to be light and lethal and able to operate in an austere environment, you have to be a little bit smaller and more powerful, you have to be, because if you’re still at the size we are now, I haven’t done anything to make myself more able to disaggregate underneath the watchful eye of a pacing threat,” Smith said in a phone interview this week.

“I’m very confident that we need more long-range precision fires. Exactly how much, we have a start point and we’ll adjust. We need more command and control. We need more ability to self-sustain, so that I don’t have to rely on big logistics ships or planes coming to help me out. How much? That’s what we’re determining.”
...
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
Last I wrote you that the Executive Committee had voted to charge our hotel broker to get us the best deal in getting out of our contract with Hilton.

Barbara delivered. The 73rd Annual Reunion is cancelled. We are paying no fees or penalties. Our deposit is being fully refunded.

Colonels Len Hays and Charlie Kershaw have begun scouting the Oceanside, California area for our next Reunion in 2021. That is the year of the 1st Division's 80th Anniversary. It will be an extra special occasion to make up for this lost year. 

We want to do something to get us together in this lost year. We will be running a 50/50 raffle this summer. We could run a virtual Reunion Journal here in the Blue Diamond News. Members send in photos and greetings so we all get to catch up on each other.

Please send in any ideas you have that we could do to celebrate our camaraderie this summer.

Happy 97th Birthday on June 15 to our longtime friend and comrade Elmer Hawkins.

Let's make the best of this summer. And, keep on hanging on.

Semper Fi,

Jerry Johs 
FMDA President 


DJC
From Headquarters
Our next edition will have your 50/50 raffle tickets. 
You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
SEMPER FI FUND

The Semper Fi Fund is caring for veterans from all U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
Chapters
SgtMaj Paul 'Steve' Stephenson USMC (Ret)
WWII Korea Vietnam
21 February 1926 - 5 June 2020
SgtMaj Stephenson and active duty Marines at a cookout at Task Force Mateo, 5th Marines, Camp Pendleton, California, 26 October 2018
Southern California Chapter sadly announces the passing this morning of SgtMaj Paul 'Steve' Stephenson USMC (Ret). Thank you for your long, devoted service and friendship, Steve. We are missing you.

-- Southern California Chapter
History
Marine Amphibious Landing in Korea, 1871
Lieutenant Colonel McLane Tilton, USMC
A Naval Historical Foundation Publication, 1 January 1966

Foreword
The assault of Marines and sailors on Kangwha Island in 1871 successfully preceded by some 79 years the landing of the 1st Marine Division on Inchon, Korea, just 12 miles to the north. As a tactical operation, the earlier assault was an overwhelming success, despite initial landing difficulties similar to those encountered time and again by Marines in future amphibious operations. The letters of Captain McLane Tilton, USMC, who commanded the Marine detachment, are presented here as a personalized account of the expedition. The Marine Corps appreciates the opportunity to make these letters available though the historical pamphlets of the Foundation.

WALLACE M. GREENE, JR.
GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

Health
 
VA News Releases
 
 
06/05/2020 10:00 AM EDT
 
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries will resume committal services starting June 9 in all but two VA national cemeteries.  
 
Keep updated & let us know how we're doing.

Full text of the notice:
VA national cemeteries resume committal and memorial services halted by the COVID-19 pandemic

 WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries will resume committal services starting June 9 in all but two VA national cemeteries. 
VA national cemeteries will contact families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic to arrange memorial services for their loved ones beginning in July.  

"During the last 10 weeks VA national cemeteries have continued performing our essential mission — to inter Veterans and eligible family members," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "We believe we have a robust set of measures in place that will allow us to conduct committal and memorial services while protecting the health and safety of Veterans, their families and our team members who serve them." 

While VA is eager to resume normal operations, the department’s national cemeteries have remained open for interments and visitation throughout the pandemic. However, as a matter of health and safety, committal services and military funeral honors have been deferred since March 23. 

Interments scheduled on or after June 9, will be offered the option of a committal service at the time of interment. At Calverton and Long Island national cemeteries, that option will be available starting June 22, provided state and local guidance permit. Military funeral honors, customarily provided by the Department of Defense and volunteer honor guards, will be based on local availability.   

VA national cemeteries will continue adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the number of individuals attending committal services, practicing physical distancing between individuals not from the same household, ensuring all attendees and employees wear face coverings, encouraging frequent use of hand sanitizer and asking sick individuals to stay home.

The number of permitted attendees will vary based on state and local guidelines for gathering sizes provided the facility can accommodate increased attendees while maintaining physical distancing. Families may continue to choose direct interment and opt for a memorial service later when all restrictions have been lifted.  

Memorial services for Veterans and eligible family members who were interred without a committal service between March 23 and June 8 will commence in July. 
 
For more information, visit the National Cemetery Adminstration (NCA) . Media should contact NCA Public Affairs chief Les' Melnyk at Les.Melnyk@VA.gov . To make burial arrangements at any VA national cemetery contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117. 
###
From Veterans Affairs

What should Veterans do?
Any Veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to call before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility .
Alternatively, Veterans can sign into  My HealtheVet to send a secure message to VA or use  telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA health care professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.
At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.

How to protect yourself
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to an infection with these simple steps.
  • Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Getting a flu shot is recommended.
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS, AWARDS, AND UNIT HISTORIES
(See the attached pdf file, or go to the URL at bottom here)
 
A New Congressional Research Service Publication on U.S. Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories
 
The Congressional Research Service has just published a short reference document that might be of interest to many:
 
The guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS reports.

 
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
USAA
New Members
LCPL JAMES MARTIN
Taps
We are again updating the database from Social Security records.
Recent reports are boldface.

MR. JOSEPH L. COTTI, 15 Nov 2018
JAMES L. COTTINGHAM, 6 Oct 2004
SGT DAVID P. COUGHLIN, 30 Jun 2005
GYSGT WALTER E. COUILLARD, 1 Nov 2009
SGTMAJ JOHN W. COULTER USMC(RET), 3 Sep 2007
GYSGT A. W. COURNEY USMC(RET), 22 Mar 2009
MRS BARBARA L. COURTNEY, 1 Feb 2019
SGT SAMUEL "FRAGS" L. FELTON, 28 May 2020
SGT GUSTAVE J. LOGERFO, 28 May 2020
ROBERT OLSEN, 26 Feb 2020
SGT MARC STELLA, 3 Jun 2019
SGTMAJ PAUL STEPHENSON USMC(RET), 5 Jun 2020


Challenge Coin
Association's Challenge Coins Available
Contact HQ at (760)763-3268

These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968 are available to members. The price is $5 per coin, plus shipping.
 
Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email: geronamo0122@gmail.com
Please visit our website: www.firstmardivassoc.com

First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051

(760) 763-3268