history of camp pendleton

Camp Pendleton is situated just north of Oceanside, CA on a Spanish land grant, the Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores. With the passage of the Second War Powers Act on March 27, 1942, the transformation of the Rancho into the world’s largest Marine Corps Base was initiated.  In addition to a colorful history, the Marine Corps acquired three mountain ranges, five lakes, 250 miles of road, and 20 miles of beach.


Camp Pendleton was dedicated September 25, 1942 under the command of General Joseph Fegan. Camp Pendleton was named after the late Marine Major General Joseph H. Pendleton, an illustrious figure in early California military development.  His widow was present and raised the flags during the ceremonies.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt was also present during the ceremonies and toured the old ranch house during his visit and took great interest in the history and its preservation, which is a California Historical Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Men and equipment sped to build the highways, railroads, water, sewage and electrical systems, barracks, warehouses, dispensaries, hospital and shop buildings. In September of 1942, six months after construction began, the Ninth Marine Regiment moved into the barracks at the new base under the command of Colonel Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., who would later serve as Commandant of the Marine Corps.

One year after construction started, the Ninth Marines embarked for combat duty in the Pacific. Training at Camp Pendleton were the Twenty-fourth Marines, the Amphibious Reconnaissance Company of the First Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, and the First Amphibious Corps Tank Battalion.

Before the war ended, Camp Pendleton absorbed and trained units of the Third Marine Division and the entire Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions, in addition to thousands upon thousands of combat replacements.

Camp Pendleton was declared a permanent installation in 1944. Vandegrift Boulevard which runs through the base from the main gate to the rear, is named after General Alexander Vandegrift, Commandant of the Marine Corps. Basilone Road was named after war hero John Basilone.

Because of the vastness of the Base and its 126,000 acres, camps within the Base were established. The Spanish influence prevailed in identifying some of the smaller camps including Las Pulgas, San Onofre, Del Mar, and Margarita. The old ranch brand “TO” which marked thousands of head of cattle for many decades was adopted as Camp Pendleton's logo, and can still be seen throughout the Base.

Because of the vastness of the Base and its 126,000 acres, camps within the Base were established. The Spanish influence prevailed in identifying some of the smaller camps including Las Pulgas, San Onofre, Del Mar, and Margarita. The old ranch brand “TO” which marked thousands of head of cattle for many decades was adopted as Camp Pendleton's logo, and can still be seen throughout the Base.

Camp Pendleton is recognized as an outstanding training base and its vastness allows for use of modern weaponry, providing ample space for tactical maneuvers, wide beaches for landing exercises, and a variety of terrain for experimentation in practically all types of combat operations Marines are likely to encounter.

For the Marines of World War II, tent camps were established out of necessity until permanent structures could be built. Those structures in turn have nearly all been replaced as new construction on the Base continues to this day.

The Korean conflict necessitated further expansion and $20 million was spent to upgrade existing facilities and the construction of Camp Horno. Tens of thousands of Marines were trained at Camp Pendleton before being sent overseas. 

A 1955 article described the training ritual of a new Marine in the post Korean War era: “The general pattern of training for a young leatherneck who has recently chosen the Marine Corps as his Service encompasses a ten-week course of recruit (boot) training at either of the two recruit depots- San Diego, California, or Parris Island, South Caroline. After a short leave, the young Marine reports to  Camp Pendleton for a month  of individual combat training before being assigned to a permanent duty station, school for specialists or replacement draft for overseas duty. If he reports firing the winter months, he also is sent through cold weather training in the High Sierras

“And it is at Camp Pendleton where the youngsters are buffed and polished. Ruffed conditioning hikes over hills to reach the best instruction sites keep the Devildogs trim. The four weeks of training stress the actions of the individual rifleman during fire team and squad movements. The individual learns the techniques of many military subjects, such as fighting in a village and street, attack of a fortified position, tank and infantry coordination, and use of all types of Marine infantry weapons.”

In the early 1960s Camp Matthews, located in La Jolla, closed and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot's weapons training was transferred to Camp Pendleton. New facilities were built including Edson Range, a rifle qualification complex which is utilized by the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, to qualify recruits in rifle marksmanship.

With the onset of the Vietnam War, a new buildup of men and machines began.  The Korean village combat town was transformed into a Vietnamese village. The 1st Marine Division returned home to Camp Pendleton in 1971 after six years of fierce combat.

After the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, tens of thousands of Vietnamese people were brought to Camp Pendleton. They were housed in large squad tents in a relocation center at Cristianitos waiting for sponsors to assist them resettle in various parts of the country. 

Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton have also served in Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf and Somalia. This sprawling military base continues to train battle ready military personnel who have defended our country in Operation Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.    

Camp Pendleton is currently home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group and many tenant units, including Marine Corps Installation-West, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Wounded Warriors Battalion-West, Marine Corps Air Station at Munn Field, Marine Aircraft Group 39, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego's Weapons & Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps and Army Reserve Forces, the Navy's Assault Craft Unit 5, a Naval Hospital and 1st Dental Battalion. 

Most recently the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton reports a daily “population of more than 65,000” comprised of active-duty and reserve service members, their families, civilian employees and contractors. The regional economic impact is over $6 billion dollars.

Their stated mission is “to operate a training base that promotes the combat readiness of the Operating Forces and the mission of other tenant commands by providing training opportunities, facilities, services and support responsive to the needs of Marines, Sailors and their families.” 

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