Frank J. Breth
Encyclopedia
Frank J. Breth was a United States Marine Corps
brigadier general who was the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
and the Western Recruiting Region, San Diego, California
.
. He graduated from Shades Valley High School
in Homewood, Alabama
and the Virginia Military Institute
, Lexington, Virginia
where he earned his B.S.
degree in Chemistry. He also earned a M.A.
in Personnel Administration from George Washington University
.
, Virginia in March 1960, he assigned as a Platoon Commander in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
, which transplaced to the Western Pacific as the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines
. While overseas, he was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1960. Returning from overseas in 1961, he reported to the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune
, North Carolina for duty as Weapons Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, Company Executive officer and Company Commander in the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines
. In 1963, he was assigned as executive officer of the Marine Detachment, aboard the USS Galveston (CLG-3)in the Western Pacific.
Promoted to captain in February 1964, he reported to The Basic School and served as a company officer, leadership instructor, and tactics instructor. Subsequently, Breth attended the Canadian Army Staff College, Kingston, Ontario
, Canada where he was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate. Upon completion of his studies in August 1967, he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division in the I Corps sector of the Republic of Vietnam
, where he served with the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines as a rifle Company Commander and Operations Officer. During the tour he also served as the 3rd Marine Division liaison officer to the 1st ARVN Division in Hue. He was promoted to major in November 1967.
Breth returned to the United States in September 1968 and was assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
, where he served as Guard Company Commander and Executive Officer, Marine Corps Institute
. During April 1972, he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps
, Washington, D.C., as Head Special Officer Programs Section, Personnel Procurement Branch in the Manpower Department. Upon completion of the Marine Corps Staff and Command College at Quantico in June 1975, General Breth was assigned to the Commander, Naval Forces Korea
, as the Liaison Officer to the 1st Marine Division, Republic of Korea Marine Corps in Pohang
, Korea. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in September 1975.
In July 1976, Breth assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines
, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton
, California, and later, severed as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1. He Subsequently attended the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, graduating in June 1979. He then returned to Korea to serve as Chief, Contingency Plans Branch(C-5), of the newly formed Combined Forces Command (ROK/US), Seoul Korea.
Promoted to colonel
in May 1981 he returned to the United States the following month for duties as the Deputy Director, 9th Marine Corps District, Kansas City, Kansas. In August 1982, he assumed command of the 9th Marine Corps District. He returned to Camp Pendleton July for duty as the Assistant Chief for Staff, G-3, I Marine Amphibious Force. In June 1985, he was promoted to brigadier general and assumed the duty as the Director of Intelligence, Headquarters Marine Corps. In January 1988, he was assigned as Director of the C412 Department/Director of Intelligence, Headquarters Marine Corps. He assumed the duties of Commanding General, MCRD/WRR, San Diego in September 1988 and completed military service and retired in September 1989.
General Breth died of cancer
on December 6, 2003 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
brigadier general who was the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a United States Marine Corps military installation in San Diego, California. It lies between San Diego Bay and Interstate 5, adjacent to San Diego International Airport and the former Naval Training Center San Diego...
and the Western Recruiting Region, San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Early years
Frank Breth was born in Fairmont, West VirginiaFairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
. He graduated from Shades Valley High School
Shades Valley High School
Shades Valley High School is a public secondary school located in Irondale, Alabama . The school was established in 1948 near Homewood and was moved to its present location in Irondale in the fall of 1996.-Location:...
in Homewood, Alabama
Homewood, Alabama
Homewood is a city in southeastern Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is a suburb of Birmingham, located on the other side of Red Mountain due south of the city center. It has one of the highest population densities in Alabama. As of 2009 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the...
and the Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
, Lexington, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
Lexington is an independent city within the confines of Rockbridge County in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 7,042 in 2010. Lexington is about 55 minutes east of the West Virginia border and is about 50 miles north of Roanoke, Virginia. It was first settled in 1777.It is home to...
where he earned his B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Chemistry. He also earned a M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Personnel Administration from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
.
Marine Corps career
He was commissioned in 1959 following the completion of the platoon Leaders Class Program. Upon completion of The Basic School at QuanticoQuantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
, Virginia in March 1960, he assigned as a Platoon Commander in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
2nd Battalion 7th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines is a light infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
, which transplaced to the Western Pacific as the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines
2nd Battalion 9th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, the unit played an instrumental role in the defeat of the Japanese forces in the Battles of Guam and Iwo Jima during the World War II...
. While overseas, he was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1960. Returning from overseas in 1961, he reported to the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
, North Carolina for duty as Weapons Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, Company Executive officer and Company Commander in the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines
1st Battalion 6th Marines
The 1st Battalion, 6th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It consists of approximately 1,100 Marines and Sailors...
. In 1963, he was assigned as executive officer of the Marine Detachment, aboard the USS Galveston (CLG-3)in the Western Pacific.
Promoted to captain in February 1964, he reported to The Basic School and served as a company officer, leadership instructor, and tactics instructor. Subsequently, Breth attended the Canadian Army Staff College, Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, Canada where he was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate. Upon completion of his studies in August 1967, he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division in the I Corps sector of the Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, where he served with the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines as a rifle Company Commander and Operations Officer. During the tour he also served as the 3rd Marine Division liaison officer to the 1st ARVN Division in Hue. He was promoted to major in November 1967.
Breth returned to the United States in September 1968 and was assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. is located at 8th and I Streets, Southeast in Washington, D.C. Established in 1801, it is a National Historic Landmark, the oldest post in the United States Marine Corps, the official residence of the Commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806, and main ceremonial...
, where he served as Guard Company Commander and Executive Officer, Marine Corps Institute
Marine Corps Institute
The Marine Corps Institute, commonly referred to as MCI, develops and maintains a curriculum of Marine Corps education. Subjects include infantry strategy/tactics, leadership skills, MOS qualifications, personal finance, and mathematics...
. During April 1972, he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
, Washington, D.C., as Head Special Officer Programs Section, Personnel Procurement Branch in the Manpower Department. Upon completion of the Marine Corps Staff and Command College at Quantico in June 1975, General Breth was assigned to the Commander, Naval Forces Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, as the Liaison Officer to the 1st Marine Division, Republic of Korea Marine Corps in Pohang
Pohang
Pohang is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, and a main seaport in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. The built-up area of Pohang is located on the alluvium of the mouth of the Hyeongsan River...
, Korea. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in September 1975.
In July 1976, Breth assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines
2nd Battalion 1st Marines
2nd Battalion, 1st Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Nicknamed "The Professionals," the battalion consists of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors...
, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California, and later, severed as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1. He Subsequently attended the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, graduating in June 1979. He then returned to Korea to serve as Chief, Contingency Plans Branch(C-5), of the newly formed Combined Forces Command (ROK/US), Seoul Korea.
Promoted to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in May 1981 he returned to the United States the following month for duties as the Deputy Director, 9th Marine Corps District, Kansas City, Kansas. In August 1982, he assumed command of the 9th Marine Corps District. He returned to Camp Pendleton July for duty as the Assistant Chief for Staff, G-3, I Marine Amphibious Force. In June 1985, he was promoted to brigadier general and assumed the duty as the Director of Intelligence, Headquarters Marine Corps. In January 1988, he was assigned as Director of the C412 Department/Director of Intelligence, Headquarters Marine Corps. He assumed the duties of Commanding General, MCRD/WRR, San Diego in September 1988 and completed military service and retired in September 1989.
General Breth died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on December 6, 2003 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
External links
- Brigadier General Frank J. Breth, official United States Marine Corps biography.
- Arlington obituary