Migration News
Marine Forces Korea gets new commander
Stars and Stripes
June 15, 2007
Maj. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen, left, outgoing Marine Forces Korea commander; U.S. Forces Korea commander Army Gen. B.B. Bell, center; and incoming Marine Forces Korea commander Maj. Gen. Frank A. Panter salute during the change-of-command ceremony Wednesday on Yongsan Garrison. (Todd Macdonald / Courtesy of U.S. Navy)
YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Marine Forces Korea bid farewell to one commander and welcomed another Wednesday on Yongsan Garrison.
Maj. Gen. Duane Thiessen relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Frank Panter during a change-of-command ceremony.
U.S. Forces Korea commander Army Gen. B.B. Bell praised Thiessen for his performance in South Korea.
Bell said Thiessen’s ability to understand the political-military dynamics of the U.S.-South Korea alliance was masterful and that he had been a chief navigator of the partnership.
Thiessen will move to the Pentagon to serve as the assistant deputy commandant for programs and resources.
The incoming commander is a Vietnam War veteran whom Bell described as having extensive operational experience across the Pacific.
Panter comes to South Korea from Washington, where he served as the Marine Corps Headquarters assistant deputy commandant for installations and logistics.