Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Established in 1801, Marine Barracks Washington, is the "Oldest Post of the Corps" and has been the residence of every commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806. The selection of the site for the Barracks was a matter of personal interest to President Thomas Jefferson, who rode through Washington with Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in search of a suitable location. The site now occupied was approved due to its proximity to the Washington Navy Yard and because it was within easy marching distance of the Capitol.
8th and I
"The Oldest Post of the Corps"
Photo Information

Marine Corps Body Bearers carry the casket of Gen. Samuel Jaskilka (1919-2012), 16th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, to the caisson before it is delivered to the grave site at Arlington National Cemetery Jan. 26. Jaskilka joined the Marine Corps reserves as a second lieutenant in 1942 and served as the assistant commandant from 1975 until he retired in 1978. Jaskilka was also honored with a flyover of four MV-22 Ospreys during the ceremony. Jaskilka’s awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Star Medals, a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star Medal with a valor device, a World War II Victory Medal, seven Vietnam Service Medals and a United Nations Korea Medal.::r::::n::

Photo by Cpl. Austin Hazard

8th and I Marines honor former ACMC

26 Jan 2012 | Cpl. Austin Hazard Marine Barracks

Marine Barracks Washington supported the funeral of the 16th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps at Arlington National Cemetery Jan. 26.

More than 130 Barracks Marines, including the official Marine Corps Color Guard, Marine Corps Body Bearers, U.S. Marine Band and commanding officer of the Barracks, marched through the cemetery, leading a caisson carrying Gen. Samuel Jaskilka (1919-2012) to his final resting place.

“From the bottom of my heart, I’d like to thank the Marines of the Barracks,” said Mike, Jaskilka’s oldest son, as tears formed in his eyes. “None of those young Marines knew my father, but they honored him as if they served together. It truly means a lot to our family.”

The commanding officer and a detail of musicians from the band headed the funeral procession, followed by four platoons of ceremonial marchers, the color guard, the caisson, the body bearers and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.

The general was honored with a flyover of four MV-22 Ospreys before the caisson was unloaded and the casket carried to the gravesite.

During the funeral, Dunford presented a folded flag to the family in honor of Jaskilka’s service, personally consoling Jaskilka’s three living children and granddaughter.

Jaskilka joined the Marine Corps reserves as a second lieutenant in 1942. He fought as a platoon leader in the Pacific island hopping campaign of World War II and served as a company commander in the Korean War. Jaskilka went on to hold various commands during the Vietnam War. He later served as the assistant commandant from 1975 until he retired in 1978.

His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, two Silver Star Medals, a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star Medal with a Combat V, a World War II Victory Medal, seven Vietnam Service Medals and a United Nations Korea Medal.