caption serviceyears branch commands allegiance awards image_size placeofburial_label battles birth_date rank image article_title name
'' first marine to command a navy flotilla ` brigadier general joseph v. medina '' ' 1976 - 2007 25px & nbsp ; united states marine corps 3rd group three mcb camp smedley d. butler 3d marine expeditionary battalion brigade 3rd marine division 2nd marines 3rd marine regiment expeditionary strike united states united states of america navy of merit defense meritorious service medal meritorious service medal distinguished service medal defense superior service medal legion 150 place of burial kosovo war operation iraqi freedom 1953 25px brigadier general bgenmedina1.jpg joseph v. medina
 joseph v. medina
joseph v. medina

brigadier general joseph v. medina -lrb- born c. 1953 -rrb- is a united states marine corps general whose career has taken him from an initial posting leading a rifle platoon to head of the contingency plans branch overseeing nato 's kosovo operation .
on november 2003 , medina took command of expeditionary strike group three .
this event marked the first time in history that a united states marine corps officer took command of a naval flotilla .
in april 2007 , bgen medina took command of the 3rd marine division .
