b'Ready to Fight!The Birth of Camp PendletonPhotos courtesy of the Camp PendletonArchives and Oceanside Historical Societyby Col. Richard B. Rothwell, USMC (Ret)First to Fight! is a hard-earned, respected Marine CorpsMarines came to Southern California well before 1942.motto.Surprisingly, that aggressive spirit was not evidentGillespie Field, a civilian airport in El Cajon, just east ofin the events leading to its acquisition of Camp Pendleton. San Diego, is named for Lt. Archibald H. Gillespie, a Marine Tail End Charlie would be more descriptive.Had it notofficer who served in the San Diego area as a secret agent for been for a fortuitous decision by the U.S Army, the worldsPresident James K. Polk during the Mexican War (1846-48).largest amphibious training base might have become theInternal unrest in Mexico caused President William Howard home of an armored division. Once the Marine Corps seizedTaft to dispatch the 4th Provisional Marine Brigade to San its Southern California beachhead, however, the First to FightDiego in 1911.spirit returned and never faded. Since 1942, Marines andThe Marines departed as the turbulence subsided, but Sailors trained at Camp Pendleton have been first to fight ourreturned in 1914 in response to similar turmoil to the south.nations battles wherever and whenever called.StewardsThat, too, subsided, but this time the Marines remained.of the historic base have fought battles at home toosomeThe regimental commander, Col. Joseph H. Pendleton,large, some small: Water rights, schools for dependent chil- a veteran of Nicaragua, initially based his Marines ondren, and the never-ending struggle to fend off encroachersNorth Island and later in Balboa Park.are all part of the story. While Camp Pendleton celebratesSeeing the strategic importance of a Pacific base, heits anniversary every September, let us reminisce.It is a talewrote to Headquarters Marine Corps urging the creationworth remembering. of a permanent presence in San Diego.22 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine Thank You For Your Service'