Biography

Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152
Sergeant Major Lee R. Ancona

Sergeant Major Lee R. Ancona was born in Reno, Nevada. He entered recruit training on 3 January 2006. Private Ancona graduated Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA on 31 March 2006. Upon completion of Recruit Training, Private Ancona attended Marine Combat Training on Camp Pendleton, CA. Subsequently Private Ancona attended Marine Corps Communications Electronics School-Radio Operator's Course in Twenty-nine Palms, CA where he graduated top of his class and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Private First Class.

Private First Class Ancona received orders to 3rd Battalion 11th Marines, Twenty-nine Palms, CA where he served as a Radio Operator for the Fire Support Coordination Center (FSCC). Private First Class Ancona was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal on 1 February 2007 while still serving as a Radio Operator with the FSCC at 3rd Battalion 11th Marines. Lance Corporal Ancona deployed with 3rd Battalion 11th Marines in June 2007 as a Radio Operator serving in a provisional infantry role while deployed. Lance Corporal Ancona was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 1 October 2007 while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Corporal Ancona returned from Iraq in April of 2008. Corporal Ancona deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in May 2009 while serving as the Radio Chief with the FSCC in 3rd Battalion 11th Marines. Corporal Ancona returned from Afghanistan in October 2009.

On 15 December 2009, Corporal Ancona transferred to Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG) in Twenty-nine Palms, CA where he served as the Radio and Maintenance Chief for the communications section. Corporal Ancona was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on 1 January 2010.

On 1 November 2011, Sergeant Ancona was attached to 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Twenty-nine Palms, CA where he served as an Assistant Radio Chief and Substance Abuse Control Officer (SACO) for the battalion. Sergeant Ancona played a vital role in the support, coordination and pre-deployment training to Afghanistan by planning, coordinating, and overseeing the implementation of all radio satellite equipment.

On 12 April 2013, Sergeant Ancona was attached to Combat Logistics Regiment 15 in Camp Pendleton, CA where he served as an Assistant Radio Chief and Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) Alternate custodian. Sergeant Ancona was chosen by the Commanding Officer to serve as the EKMS custodian to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from April 2014 to October 2014. On 5 January 2015, Sergeant Ancona checked into Basic Recruiter Course on Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon completion of basic Recruiter Course, Sergeant Ancona was assigned to Recruiting Station San Francisco, Recruiting Sub Station Pearl City, Hawaii. Sergeant Ancona was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on 1 October 2015. Staff Sergeant Ancona was hand selected to PCS to Recruiting Station San Francisco as the Recruiting Sub Station Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. Staff Sergeant Ancona was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on 2 July 2017. Gunnery Sergeant Ancona successfully completed Recruiting Duty in April 2018.

On 27 April 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Ancona was transferred to Combat Logistics Regiment 35, Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Battalion Radio Chief and Communications Chief for Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3d Supply Battalion. He played an instrumental role in the implementation of the Deployed Readiness Coordination program for the battalion supporting over 1,000 Marines, Sailors and family members. In March of 2021, Gunnery Sergeant Ancona was selected and promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and received orders to Inspector-Instructor duty with Combat Logistics Battalion 453, Detachment 2, Maintenance Company. On 10 April 2021, First
Sergeant Ancona reported to Inspector-Instructor duty with Combat Logistics Battalion 453, Detachment 2, Maintenance Company in
Wichita, Kansas as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant.

First Sergeant Ancona was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major and reported to VMGR-152, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan on 16 February
2024.

First Sergeant Ancona's education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in Business Administration
(M.B.A.) from the University of Redlands. Sergeant Major Ancona's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal X2 and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

1st Marine Aircraft Wing