Frank J . Breth Frank J . Breth ( 1937 – 2003 ) 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 . Early years . Frank Breth was born in Fairmont , West Virginia . 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 Master of Arts in Personnel Administration from George Washington University . Marine Corps career . He was commissioned in 1959 following the completion of the platoon Leaders Class Program . Upon completion of The Basic School at Quantico , 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 , served 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 .