Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Joey Lee Gutierrez. Joey served from 1990-1998.

Joey enlisted with the Marine Corps while still in high school, and after graduating attended boot camp at Camp Pendleton. After completing his training, Joey was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines Regiment, 2nd Marines Division and stationed in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Joey completed his first deployment in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. While deployed, Joey spent time across the Middle East, including in Northern Iraq, Turkey and Israel. In 1992, Joey was deployed for the second time to South and Central America. There he participated in United States Marine Corps Special Operations against Narco-Terrorism in Columbia.

In 1993, Joey participated in Operation Deny Flight, where an international coalition lead by North Atlantic Treaty Organization enforced a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. While participating, Joey was stationed off the Adriatic Sea and provided support to airmen, soldiers and his fellow marines.

In 1994, Joey participated in Operation Uphold Democracy, where United States forces invaded Haiti to remove the military regime which had overthrown president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. While in Haiti, Joey was stationed in Port-au-Prince.

Joey was discharged in 1998 at the rank of corporal. Throughout his service, Joey earned several awards, including a Good Conduct Medal and a Joint Meritorious Unit Award.

Thank you for your service, Joey!

More on his story can be found at: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.43665/

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Graphic By Alexandra Craig: Alexandra Craig is an undergraduate senior at the University of San Francisco studying International Peace and Conflict Studies.

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3 Comments

  1. Remote Wipe February 3, 2019 at 17:05

    I didn’t know we did a narco terrorism interdiction

  2. Michael Dreyer January 31, 2019 at 09:46

    Sorry.. But most Marines who went through Boot camp at MCRD.. simply say camp Pendleton instead..
    Its really ok.. No one is hurt except you..
    I will have to say that that is probably a typical response from an officer..
    USMC
    CPL. Michael D.

  3. Modesto Silverio January 30, 2019 at 15:10

    Dear Mr. Rogers-Dillon,

    I read with interest the Veteran of the day story about Marine Corps Veteran Joey Lee Gutierrez. Be aware that there is not a Marine Corps boot camp in Camp Pendleton, CA. The boot camp is located in the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, CA. However, MCRD normally conducts weapons training in Camp Pendleton.

    Sincerely,

    M. Silverio
    Captain USMC
    Retired

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