Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was named in his honor during World War II.

[7] At the completion of a two-year cruise as a midshipman, he was appointed to Naval Engineering, but was desperate to join the Marine Corps.

Exhausting all conventional channels, he contacted his senator and eventually the Secretary of the Navy arranged his appointment to the Marine Corps.

On the morning of August 9, 1898, he commanded the approximately 30-man landing party at Cape San Juan, Puerto Rico that covered the withdrawal of 35 U.S. Navy bluejackets from USS Amphitrite and 60 civilian refugees from the town of Fajardo that had been quartered at the Cape San Juan Light that the sailors had defended against a force of approximately 200 Spanish Army troops and civil guard the previous night during the Battle of Fajardo.

[13] Arriving in the Philippines on May 2, 1907, Lejeune assumed command of the Marine Barracks and Naval Prison, Navy Yard, Cavite, on May 6, 1907.

[13] Lieutenant Colonel Lejeune embarked on board USS Ohio on May 26, 1912, with the Second Regiment, First Provisional Brigade Marines, for Cuba.

On November 27, 1913, Lejeune sailed from New York with the 2nd Advanced Base Regiment, his ultimate destination Veracruz, Mexico, but returned to the United States to receive his promotion to colonel on February 25, 1914.

[20] With the American entry into World War I in April 1917, Lejeune assumed command of the newly constructed Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia; however, his overseas service was inevitable, and in June 1918, he arrived at Brest, France.

Lejeune stated his philosophy as "The key to combat effectiveness is unity – an esprit that characterizes itself in complete, irrevocable, mutual trust.

"[9] During the war, he was recognized by the French government as a strategist and leader, as evidenced by the Legion of Honor, and the Croix de guerre bestowed upon him by France.

Major General Lejeune commanded the Second Division in the successful operations of Thiaucourt, Masif Blanc Mont, St. Mihiel, and on the west bank of the Meuse.

In the Argonne-Meuse offensive his division was directed with such sound military judgment and ability that it broke and held, by the vigor and rapidity of execution of its attack, enemy lines which had hitherto been considered impregnable.

[24]The U.S. Navy's Distinguished Service Medal was conferred upon him when he returned to the United States following the occupation of Germany.

Major General Lejeune commanded the Second Division in the successful operations of Thiaucourt, Masif Blanc Mont, St. Mihiel, and on the west bank of the Meuse.

In the Argonne-Meuse offensive his division was directed with such sound military judgment and ability that it broke and held, by the vigor and rapidity of execution of its attack, enemy lines which had hitherto been considered impregnable.

Lejeune directed intelligence gathering operations in the Pacific in the early 1920s, and drove changes in the organization, training, education, and equipping of Marines, thus transforming them from 19th century colonial naval infantry into a combined arms amphibious force needed to prevail in World War II.

In September 1939, when Hitler's legions invaded Poland, he wrote to Thomas Holcomb, then the current commandant of the Marine Corps, and volunteered to serve once more given his alarm over the crisis in Europe.

[29] In February 1942, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation permitting several officers who had displayed heroism in World War I to be promoted on the retired list, and Lejeune and John Twiggs Myers were advanced to lieutenant general.

Lejeune died on November 20, 1942, in the Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, and was interred in the Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

75705—21Lejeune's military decorations and awards include: On November 10, 2005, the United States Postal Service issued the Distinguished Marines stamps in which Lejeune was honored.

[32] On November 10, 2000, a life-sized bronze statue of Lejeune was unveiled on the grounds of the Pointe Coupee Parish Courthouse in New Roads, Louisiana.

[34] Taylor, who financed the Lejeune statue project, joined the Marine Corps Officer Training program as a student at Louisiana State University, but a heart problem kept him from receiving his commission.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.