1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Sergeant Major
SgtMaj Justin D. Lehew
Sergeant Major Justin D. LeHew was born in Lima, Ohio and enlisted in the Marine Corps July 11, 1988. After graduating recruit training at Parris Island, SC PFC LeHew reported to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA for training as an Assault Amphibian Crewman.
Upon completion of school in January 1989, PFC LeHew received orders to report to Company A, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune, NC and deployed with Company A in the spring of 1989 to Okinawa before moving to H&S Company in the fall of the same year to deploy with UNITAS 31 to South America.
Upon returning from South America, LCpl LeHew immediately deployed to Southwest Asia with the battalion in January 1991 and participated in Operation DESERT STORM.
After returning to the states in July 1991, Cpl LeHew transferred to Company C for service as an Assault Amphibian Vehicle crew chief. He then deployed with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as a section leader in April 1993 and participated in operations PROVIDE PROMISE and DENY FLIGHT in Bosnia Herzegovina.
In January 1994, Sgt LeHew received orders back to Camp Pendleton for duty as an instructor at the Assault Amphibian School.
From January 1994 to October 1996, Sgt LeHew served in a variety of billets at the school ranging from crew chief, class commander, platoon sergeant and classroom instructor. He also attended the Basic Vehicle Repairman Course during this time and received a secondary military occupational specialty as an AAV mechanic.
In October 1996, SSgt LeHew graduated Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego and reported to Company G, 2nd Recruit Training Bn, where he served as drill instructor, senior drill instructor and academics instructor.
From January 2000 to October 2002, GySgt LeHew returned to Camp LeJeune for duty as a platoon sergeant with Company D, 2nd Assault Amphibian Bn.
In October 2002, GySgt LeHew transferred to Company A for service as platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon and deployed in January 2003 to Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team-2 Task Force Tarawa.
In June 2003, GySgt LeHew received orders to transfer once again back to Camp Pendleton for service with Company A, 3rd Assault Amphibian Bn as Company Operations Chief. In January 2004, 1stSgt LeHew reported for duty as 1stSgt, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines and immediately deployed in May 2004 with BLT 1/4 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
In April 2005, 1stSgt LeHew transferred to 1st Reconnaissance Bn for duty as company 1stSgt for Company A. 1stSgt LeHew was selected for the rank of SgtMaj in November 2006. He is currently assigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major for 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.
SgtMaj LeHew’s personal decorations include the Navy Cross, Bronze Star with Combat “V”, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star and the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star.