Camp Lejeune: What’s in a Name?

We’ve all passed Camp Lejeune going to the beach, but how the heck do you pronounce it?

The camp got its start in 1941, and it was named for John A. Lejeune a year later. Lt. General Lejeune was the 13th commandant of the Marine Corps, often called “the greatest of all Leathernecks” and “a Marine’s Marine.” He was a tough guy.

But how you pronounce his name – and by extension the camp – is often debated. “La-June” or “La-Jerne.” There’s no “r” there but history shows the family said “La-Jerne.”

After all, in this country we say Marine “Core.”

– Ron Smith, S&A Communications