MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The Jacksonville-Onslow Military Affairs Committee recognized a 2nd Marine Division Marine as the Marine of the Month for March during a ceremony at the Camp Lejeune Officer’s Club March 19.
Sergeant John Margaritondo was selected as the Marine of the Month for his overall performance and proficiency in his duties as the platoon sergeant for Weapons Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment.
“Over the past four years, I’ve seen a good portion of the world. I’ve fed starving kids in third-world countries, and I have fought with some of the best men I’ll ever know in combat,” said Margaritondo, a St. Petersburg, Fla., native. “Today I’m just honored to receive this award, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the right mentors.”
Margaritondo’s leadership regards his devotion to the Corps highly and spoke to the assembly about his position in the platoon.
“The role of platoon sergeant is normally held by a seasoned gunnery sergeant,” said 1st Lt. Grant Hundley, Weapons Platoon commander. “Sergeant Margaritondo was not only successfully holding a billet of platoon sergeant, but he was excelling at it.”
According to Hundley, Margaritondo’s initiative and resourcefulness were key to his selection for this honor.
“I cannot begin to list the amount of times that his level of initiative has impressed me or even left me awestruck,” said Hundley to the committee members as well as fellow Marines from the company.
The committee has presented the monthly award for more than 30 years, according to Bob Dupois, the chairman of military affairs with the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Of the 12 monthly recipients, one of them will be chosen as Service Member of the Year.
“It’s things like this that make us realize that there are people out there who actually care,” said Margaritondo.