Marine Corps Birthday Ball Medal – 1999

Any event from a buffet dinner to a mess night held on or close to November 10th each year to commemorate the birthday of the United States Marine Corps in 1775. To qualify it must have a decorated cake so that the first two pieces go to the oldest and youngest Marine present and the reading of the Commandant’s Birthday Order and the Birthday Order of Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune.

III Marine Expeditionary Force, the Marine Corps' forward-deployed Air-Ground-Logistics-Base Team, is a Force in Readiness. III MEF maintains a forward presence in Japan and Asia to support the U.S. – Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

Marine Corps Ball of Okinawa Japan

Obverse: The Marine Corps Eagle Globe & Anchor (silver colored) and surrounded by scarlet in center, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, / Honor . Courage . Commitment, around above /  1775, left 1999 right / 224 Years / Birthday Ball, around below.

Reverse: Map of the Island of Okinawa (The units inscription around) III MEF (3rd Marine Expeditionary Force), Marine Corps Base, 1st MAW (1st Marine Aircraft Wing), 3rd FSSG, (3rd Force Service Support Group) 3rd MAR DIV (Third Marine Division) around above / OKINAWA, JAPAN around below.

Medal – gold plated bronze, 60mm.