[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING BRIGADIER GENERAL JOSEPH J. MCMENAMIN ON HIS DISTINGUISHED 
SERVICE TO OUR NATION UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES MARINE 
                                 CORPS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROBIN HAYES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and to pay tribute 
to Brigadier General Joseph J. McMenamin, United States Marine Corps, 
on the occasion of his retirement from active duty. General McMenamin 
has served our great Nation for more than 32 years. The departure of 
General McMenamin marks not only the end of an illustrious career 
filled with many honors, but also the commencement of several 
initiatives which, by virtue of his dynamic leadership, forward 
thinking approach, and accomplished diplomatic skills, will ensure that 
U.S. national strategy is prepared to meet and defeat the challenges of 
the 21st century.
  A native of historical Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, General McMenamin 
graduated from Villanova University with a degree in political science 
in May, 1974 and later completed his Master of Arts degree in Strategic 
Studies and National Security Affairs graduating with distinction in 
May 1995 from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Upon his 
commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps via the Naval 
Reserve Officer Training Corps program, General McMenamin was assigned 
to 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan where 
he served as the 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander and Headquarters & 
Service Company Executive Officer. For heroism during a mission on the 
Koh Tang Island in the Gulf of Siam, General McMenamin earned a Bronze 
Star Medal with Combat ``Y''. Upon returning from Okinawa in February 
1976, General McMenamin was assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San 
Diego, where he served as a Series Officer, Battalion Adjutant and 
Regimental Adjutant.

  In October 1979, he transferred to the 1st Marine Division, Camp 
Pendleton, California where he served as the Weapons Company Commander 
and the Battalion Fire Support Coordinator with the 2d Battalion, 7th 
Marines for three years. Following this tour, he attended and graduated 
from Amphibious Warfare School with honors at Quantico, Virginia. 
Whereupon, General McMenamin reported to The Basic School to serve as a 
Tactics Instructor, Tactics Section Chief, Student Company Commander 
and Assistant Tactics Group Chief guiding the integration of tactics 
and weapons utilizing classroom instruction, field applications and 
live fire in order to produce a better trained basic Marine Officer. 
Selected for recruiting duty, he served as the Commanding Officer of 
Recruiting Station, Cincinnati, Ohio from June 1986 to June 1989. In 
Cincinnati, he focused on quality recruiting while reducing entry-level 
attrition. After recruiting duty, General McMenamin attended Marine 
Corps Command and Staff College graduating with honors. Completing 
school in June 1990, General McMenamin served an air-ground exchange 
tour with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan participating 
in Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh.
  Returning to the United States in July 1991, General McMenamin was 
initially assigned as the G-3 Training Officer of the 2d Marine 
Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He later assumed command of the 
2d Light Armored Infantry Battalion in July 1992 applying the post 
Desert Storm lessons learned into manuals for Command and Control and 
Combat Operations. He developed a comprehensive training program that 
laid the foundation for increased combat readiness and the professional 
development of his Marines and Sailors. Completing this assignment in 
February, 1994, General McMenamin completed his tour with the 2d Marine 
Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Readiness.
  In 1995, General McMenamin reported for joint duty with the United 
States Central Command serving as the Strategy Branch Chief and 
Division Chief, Policy and Strategy Division in the J-5 Plans and 
Policy Directorate where he guided the development of the initial 
CENTCOM Theater Engagement Plan and the significant expansion of the 
Humanitarian Demining Program. In June, 1999, he reported for duty as 
the Commanding Officer of the Sixth Marine Corps District where he re-
energized the District into a cohesive team increasing quantity and 
quality, reducing attrition, and focusing leadership development on 
long term success.

  General McMenamin then served as the Commanding General, Marine Corps 
Recruit Depot/Eastern Region, Parris Island, South Carolina from June, 
2001 until May, 2004. Under his leadership, Parris Island provided 
reception, processing and recruit training for 17,500 enlisted male and 
2,200 enlisted females annually to accomplish entry-level skills. In 
addition, Parris Island achieved a historically low 10 percent male 
attrition over the course of three years.
  In June, 2004, General McMenamin was assigned as the Director, Iraq 
Survey Group (ISG), Baghdad, Iraq leading the presidential directed 
joint coalition intelligence operations group in Baghdad, Iraq. The ISG 
was charged with the missions of assessing Iraq's weapons of mass 
destruction programs, supporting counter-terrorism and the POW/MIA 
search under combat conditions in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
  General McMenamin assumed duties as the Assistant Division Commander 
of 2d Marine Division during December of 2004, returning to Iraq in 
February, 2005. Most significantly was his personal effort in the 
engagement of the newly elected Iraqi Leadership of Al Anbar Province. 
Through his tireless efforts and leadership, he laid the foundation for 
the Division's governance, economics, security and influence Lines of 
Operation that enabled the Iraqi citizens to continue regional 
development and participate in Iraq's Constitutional Referendum and the 
National Elections. Upon returning to the Camp Lejeune, he served as 
the Commanding General (Rear) for over 17,000 Marines and Sailors. He 
oversaw the Division's Pre-deployment Training Plan and execution of 
evolving training requirements at Mojave Viper in preparation for 
deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
  General McMenamin's personal military decorations also include the 
Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of Second 
Award, Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service 
Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement 
Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.

  Throughout his career, General McMenamin demonstrated resolute 
character, discerning wisdom, and a sincere, selfless sense of duty to 
his Marines. General McMenamin's decisive decisions have and continue 
to contribute to the present day Marine Corps, as well as lay the 
foundation for the future of the Corps. We are grateful for General 
McMenamin's dedication, patriotism, advice and counsel. While the 
Marines will certainly miss him, General McMenamin's actions have 
already inspired the future leadership of the Corps. One needs to look 
no further than the Marines under his command for evidence of his 
mentorship and encouragement.
  On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I would like 
to recognize General McMenamin's extraordinary accomplishments and his 
devoted service to the Nation. Congratulations to him, and to his sons 
Joe and Jim, on a long and distinguished career.

                          ____________________