Commandant of the Marine Corps
Flag of the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Department of the Navy
Headquarters Marine Corps
Priorities, Guidance and ConceptsSpeeches and TranscriptsNews and EventsProfessional Reading List
 
100+ Years of Marines on Guam | Reactivation of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz
U.S. Marines have left a mark on the U.S. territory of Guam since the beginning of the 20th century, contributing to regional stability by serving as an enduring symbol of the continued partnership between the Marine Corps and the government of Guam. When Marines first landed on the Pacific island of Guam during the Spanish-American War and established Marine Barracks Guam in the village of Sumay, we began a century-long relationship that ultimately led to the administrative activation of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz on Oct. 1, 2020. MCBCB is named in honor of the late Brig. Gen. Vicente “Ben” Thomas Garrido Blaz, the first CHamorro Marine to attain the rank of general officer. The MCBCB Reactivation and Naming Ceremony is scheduled for Jan. 26, 2023 to officially recognize the activation and naming of Naval Support Activity, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz after Marine Barracks Guam was deactivated on Nov. 10, 1992. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Staff Sgt. Laiqa Hitt)
Up Next
The 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, stands in preparation to receive the national ensign being folded by Marines from Marine Barracks Washington D.C. during the West Virginia State Memorial services for U.S. Marine Corps CWO4 Hershel "Woody" Williams in Charleston, WV, July 3, 2022. Williams was awarded the Medal of honor on October 5, 1945 for his actions during the battle of Iwo Jima while serving with 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He was the last living WWII Medal of Honor recipient at the time of his death on June 29, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Kathryn Adams)
The 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, testifies in a Senate Armed Services Committee, Department of the Navy Posture Hearing in Washington, D.C., May 12, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt Kathryn Adams)
The 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, and the 19th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines, Sept. 5, 2022. The ceremony honored the lives lost during the Pacific Theater of WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Kathryn Adams)
The 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, and the 19th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines, Sept. 5, 2022. The ceremony honored the lives lost during the Pacific Theater of WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Kathryn Adams)
The 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, receives an honors ceremony from the Philippine Marine Corps Commandant, Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, at Philippine Marine Corps Headquarters, Manila, Philippines, Sept. 5, 2022. Generals Berger and Gaerlan met with each other to discuss current and future training opportunities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kathryn Adams)
The 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger, receives an honors ceremony from the Philippine Marine Corps Commandant, Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, at Philippine Marine Corps Headquarters, Manila, Philippines, Sept. 5, 2022. Generals Berger and Gaerlan met with each other to discuss current and future training opportunities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kathryn Adams)