SERGEANT MAJOR JUSTIN D. LEHEW

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Justin D. LeHew enlisted in the Marine Corps July 11, 1988. After graduating recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, Private First Class LeHew reported to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California for training as an Assault Amphibian Crewman.

Upon completion of school in January 1989, Private First Class LeHew received orders to report to Company A, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and deployed with Company A in the spring of 1989 to Okinawa before moving to H&S Company in the fall of the same year to deploy with UNITAS 31 throughout South America.

After returning to the states in July 1991, Corporal LeHew transferred to Company C for service as an Assault Amphibian Vehicle Crew Chief. He then deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a Section Leader in April 1993 and participated in Operation Provide Promise and Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In January 1994, Sergeant LeHew received orders back to Camp Pendleton for duty as an instructor at the Assault Amphibian School.

From January 1994 to October 1996, Sergeant LeHew served in a variety of billets at the school ranging from Crew Chief, Class Commander, Platoon Sergeant and Classroom Instructor and was named Instructor of the Year for two consecutive years at the school. He also attended the Basic Vehicle Repairman Course during this time and received a secondary military occupational specialty as an AAV mechanic.

In October 1996, Sergeant LeHew graduated Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego and reported to Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion and served eight successful cycles as Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor in addition to serving out his time on the depot as an Academics Instructor.

From January 2000 to October 2002, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew returned to Camp LeJeune for duty as a Platoon Sergeant with Company D, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion.

In October 2002, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew transferred to Company A for service as Platoon Sergeant for 3rd platoon and deployed in January 2003 to Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 2 and Task Force Tarawa.

In June 2003, Gunnery Sergeant LeHew received orders to transfer once again back to Camp Pendleton for service with Company A, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion as Company Operations Chief.

In January 2004, First Sergeant LeHew reported for duty as Company First Sergeant, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4) and immediately deployed in May 2004 with BLT 1/4 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

First Sergeant LeHew transferred to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion upon return to CONUS and served as both Company A and Company D First Sergeant simultaneously for a two year period in addition to reactivating 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Upon promotion to Sergeant Major in the fall of 2007, Sergeant Major LeHew was posted as the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Sergeant Major and deployed the battalion once again to Iraq for combat operations. Sergeant Major LeHew transferred from the Battalion upon return to CONUS in March of 2010 and was assigned to the Assault Amphibian School. Sergeant Major LeHew transferred from the Assault Amphibian School in April of 2011 and is currently assigned as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 3rd Marine Regiment in Kaneohe Bay Hawaii.

Sergeant Major LeHew’s personal decorations include the Navy Cross, Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star.