CAMP SMEDLEY D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin relinquished command of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler to Maj. Gen. (select) Peter J. Talleri July 23, during a change of command ceremony here.
"I consider Okinawa a second home," said Talleri. "It is an honor to serve side-by-side with the kindest, most courteous and peace loving people on the face of the earth - the Okinawans."
Talleri is from Butler, Penn., and was commissioned in May 1979 following graduation from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He was subsequently assigned to the 1st Marine Division where he served as a platoon commander and supply officer for 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.
Upon taking command of MCB Camp Butler, Talleri began his fourth tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan. From 1986 to 1988 he was assigned to 3rd Supply Bn., 3rd Force Service Support Group where he served as the Supply Company commander and officer-in-charge of the Supported Activities Supply System Management Unit.
From 1994 to 1997, Talleri served with Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing as the group supply and logistics officer.
Talleri has deployed to the Central Command theater multiple times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. From 2001 to 2003, Talleri served as the Chief, logistics and transformation automation division, within the logistics directorate, at United States Central Command and deployed to the Middle East for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
From 2003 to 2005, Talleri commanded 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group. He deployed to Iraq for a second time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Haiti for Operation Secure Tomorrow.
July 2005 to June 2006 he served as the assistant chief of staff, G-4, U. S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command and again deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During Talleri's most recent tour to Okinawa, July 2006 to June 2008, he commanded 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
"That my boss (Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling) gave me the opportunity to come out here is a great honor," he said.
Prior to taking command here, Talleri served as the commander of the Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Distribution Center in Pennsylvania.