Corps' most decorated regiment welcomes new sergeant major

Marines

Navy And Marine Corps Medal

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Command Sgt. Maj. Max Garcia, center, 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, reads an award citation for Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann, right, while Lt. Col. William O'Brien, commanding officer stands at attention during a ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mann was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)

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Navy And Marine Corps Medal

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann, center, stands at attention during the reading of his award at a ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mann was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)

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Navy And Marine Corps Medal

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann, center, stands at attention while Marines from 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, parade the colors for an award ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mann was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)

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Navy And Marine Corps Medal

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Marines from 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, prepare to parade the colors for an award ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)

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Navy And Marine Corps Medal

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann speaks during a ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mann was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)

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Navy And Marine Corps Medal

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2017) Lt. Col. William O'Brien, commanding officer, 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California, pins the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on Marine Corps veteran Corporal Randy D. Mann during a ceremony in the historical quadrangle at Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Mann was awarded the medal during the ceremony in his hometown of San Antonio for his heroic actions while on active duty with the 3D Assault Amphibian Battalion in July 2013. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn D. Childs/Released)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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Annual Surf Qualification

(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)

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3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

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3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

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3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

MORE
3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

MORE
3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

MORE
3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

MORE
3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

MORE
3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

MORE
3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

MORE
3D AA BN Gator Bash

On 12 August 2017, the Marines, Sailors and families of 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion enjoyed some fun in the sun during the annual Gator Bash celebration. Service members and their families competed for thousands of dollars of donated items in watermelon eating contests, dance competitions, and more. Special guests included Commanding General of 1st Marine Division, Major General Eric M. Smith and his wife Trish, as well as Congressman Darrell Issa of California's 49th District.

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Sergeant Maj. Alberto Ruiz, former sergeant major, 5th Marine Regiment, salutes as the National Anthem is played by the 1st Marine Division Band during a relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at the Camp San Mateo helicopter landing pad here, Sept. 6, 2013. Marines and sailors of the Fighting Fifth bid farewell to Ruiz, who retired after 30 years of service, and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Clifford Wiggins, sergeant major, 5th Marines, during the ceremony. Wiggins served as the sergeant major of 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion before assuming his current post. Ruiz is a Laredo, Texas, native, and Wiggins is a Cincinnati native.

130906-M-PH863-715.JPG Photo By: Sgt. Alfred V. Lopez

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Corps’ most decorated regiment welcomes new sergeant major

Sep 11, 2013

Camp Pendleton CA United States - Sergeant Maj. Alberto Ruiz, former sergeant major, 5th Marine Regiment, salutes as the National Anthem is played by the 1st Marine Division Band during a relief, appointment and retirement ceremony at the Camp San Mateo helicopter landing pad here, Sept. 6, 2013. Marines and sailors of the Fighting Fifth bid farewell to Ruiz, who retired after 30 years of service, and welcomed Sgt. Maj. Clifford Wiggins, sergeant major, 5th Marines, during the ceremony. Wiggins served as the sergeant major of 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion before assuming his current post. Ruiz is a Laredo, Texas, native, and Wiggins is a Cincinnati native.

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1st Marine Division