Marines Get New Region Commander
Brig. Gen. Donald E.P. Miller assumed command of five western Marine Corps air bases Monday in an hourlong ceremony at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, replacing retiring Brig. Gen. William A. Bloomer.
The actual change of command came at 10:25 a.m. with the ritual passing of the El Toro station flag from Bloomer to Miller, before nearly 600 spectators.
Bloomer had commanded the western region--which includes air stations in El Toro, Tustin, Camp Pendleton and Yuma, Ariz., and the expeditionary air field at Marine Corps Air/Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms--since July, 1984.
“He was passed over for (promotion to) major general, so he decided to retire,” said Sgt. Anne Larson, a Marine spokeswoman.
Bloomer, 53, received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1955 and received his regular commission two years later. He was a fighter pilot and flight instructor and flew 330 combat missions in Vietnam during 1968 and ’69.
Miller, 51, received his commission after completing flight school in 1958. He served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1968. Miller left the post of director of public affairs for Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington to command the western region.
During the ceremony, Bloomer was awarded his second Legion of Merit, an honor bestowed for “exceptionally meritorious conduct,” Larson said.
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