Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune. Camp Lejeune is a major United States Marine Corps base located in Onslow County, North Carolina. Established in 1941, the installation serves as the home to the II Marine Expeditionary Force, the 2nd Marine Division, and other critical combat and support units. The base has played a pivotal role in training and deploying Marine forces for conflicts from World War II to the Global War on Terrorism, while also becoming the center of a significant environmental health crisis.

History

The land for the base was purchased in 1941, with construction beginning that same year under the direction of then-Major General John A. Lejeune, for whom the camp is named. Its strategic location on the Atlantic coast made it ideal for amphibious warfare training, a capability heavily utilized during World War II. Throughout the Cold War, it was a key installation for forces preparing for potential conflicts like the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The base expanded its mission in later decades, supporting operations during the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.

Geography and facilities

Encompassing over 246 square miles, the installation borders the city of Jacksonville, North Carolina and includes 14 miles of beachfront on the New River estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. Major training areas include the Greater Sandy Run Training Area and the Onslow Beach landing complex. Key facilities within its borders are Marine Corps Air Station New River, home to MV-22 Osprey and CH-53E Super Stallion squadrons, and the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune. The base also hosts the Marine Corps Engineer School and the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools.

Environmental contamination

From the 1950s through the 1980s, drinking water supplies at the base were contaminated with volatile organic compounds. Primary sources included leaking underground storage tanks from an off-base dry cleaner and improper chemical disposal practices at the base's own industrial sites. The most significantly affected water treatment plants were the Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace systems. Testing by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry later confirmed the presence of toxins such as trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride at levels far exceeding safety standards.

Health effects and legal issues

Prolonged exposure to the contaminated water has been linked to severe health conditions among former residents, including leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Parkinson's disease. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes certain presumptive conditions for affected veterans and family members. This led to the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, allowing those harmed to sue the United States federal government for damages. Numerous lawsuits are being coordinated through the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

In popular culture

The base and the water contamination scandal have been featured in various media. It is a central subject in documentaries like The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten and has been covered in investigative series by CNN and ABC News. The crisis inspired storylines in legal dramas such as Law & Order and was a key plot point in the film *Erin Brockovich*. It has also been referenced in songs by artists like James McMurtry and discussed extensively in podcasts like *The Daily*.

Category:United States Marine Corps bases Category:Onslow County, North Carolina Category:1941 establishments in North Carolina