Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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{{Infobox Military Structure |name= Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton |location= Southern California |image= Image:Mcb pendleton.JPG |caption= MCB Pendleton Insignia |type= Military base |built= 1942 |materials= |used= 1942 - present |controlledby= |garrison= I Marine Expeditionary Force |commanders= |battles= }}

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Image:Camp pendleton.jpg Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is located in southern California between the towns of Oceanside and San Clemente. It is the largest Marine Corps base in the world.

The United States Marine Corps established the base on the Pacific Ocean coast north of San Diego in Southern California in 1942 to train U.S. Marines for service in World War II. The base is named after Marine General Joseph Henry Pendleton, who long advocated setting up a West Coast training base for the Marine Corps. Today it is the home of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and various training commands.

1 History Prior to WWII
2 Today
3 Unit locations (by area)
4 References
5 External links

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History Prior to WWII

Of all the Marine Corps bases throughout the world, Camp Pendleton has one of the most intriguing pasts, filled with historical charm and vibrancy. Spanish explorers, colorful politicians, herds of thundering cattle, skillful vaqueros and tough Marines have all contributed to the history of this land.

In 1769, a Spaniard by the name of Capt. Gaspar de Portola led an expeditionary force northward from lower California, seeking to establish Franciscan missions throughout California. On July 20 of that same year, the expedition arrived at a location now known as Camp Pendleton, and as it was the holy day St. Margaret, they baptized the land in the name of Santa Margarita.

During the next 30 years, 21 missions were established, the most productive one being Mission San Luis Rey, just south of the present-day Camp Pendleton. At that time, San Luis Rey Mission had control over the Santa Margarita area.

In 1821, following Mexico’s independence from Spain, the Californios became the new ruling class of California, and many were the first generation descendants of the Portola expedition. The Mexican governor was awarding land grants and ranchos to prominent businessmen, officials and military leaders. In 1841, two brothers by the name of Pio and Andres Pico became the first private owners of Rancho Santa Margarita. More land was later added to the grant, making the name Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, and that name stayed with the ranch until the Marine Corps acquired it in 1942.

In 1863, a dashing Englishman named John Forster (Pio Pico’s brother-in-law) paid off Pico’s gambling debts in return for the deed to the ranch. During his tenure as owner of the ranch, he expanded the ranch house, which was first built in 1827, and developed the rancho into a thriving cattle industry.

Forster’s heirs, however, were forced to sell the ranch in 1882 because of a string of bad luck, which included a series of droughts and a fence law that forced Forster to construct fencing around the extensive rancho lands. It was purchased by wealthy cattleman James Flood and managed by Irishman Richard O’Neill who was eventually rewarded for his faithful service with half ownership. Under the guidance of O’Neill’s son, Jerome, the ranch began to net a profit of nearly half a million dollars annually, and the house was modernized and furnished to its present form.

In the early ‘40s, both the Army and the Marine Corps were looking for land for a large training base. The Army lost interest in the project, but in April of 1942 it was announced that the rancho was about to be transformed into the largest Marine Corps base in the country. It was named for Major General Joseph Henry Pendleton who had long advocated the establishment of a West Coast training base. After five months of furious building activity, the 9th Marine Regiment marched from Camp Elliot in San Diego to Camp Pendleton to be the first troops to occupy the new base. On Sept. 25, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt arrived for the official dedication.

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Today

Training takes place by Army, Navy and Marine units throughout the rolling hills of the 126,000 acre base. Amphibious and sea-to-shore training takes place at several key points along the base's 17 miles of coastline. The main base is at Mainside, at the southeastern end of the base, and the remote northern interior is an impact area. Daytime population is around 100,000. Camp Pendleton remains the last major undeveloped portion of the Southern California coastline.

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