Biography
Public Web Site for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Executive Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Lieutenant Colonel Josef H. Wiese

Lieutenant Colonel Wiese is a native of Tacoma, Washington.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Washington and was commissioned in December of 2004 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program. He is a graduate of The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, Light Armored Vehicle Leaders Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, and Marine Corps Command and Staff College where he graduated with distinction and earned a Masters in Military Studies. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Wiese holds a Masters in Business Administration from Washington State University.

His service in the operating forces includes Platoon Commander and Executive Officer, Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Company Commander, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, Company Commander, Headquarters & Service Company, 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Executive Officer, 3d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and Executive Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

While in the operating forces, highlights include three combat deployments. The first two were in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, where he conducted counterinsurgency and security operations in the Al Anbar province and the Ninewa province.  He later deployed as a company commander with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he provided security for the withdrawal of Marine Corps forces from Camp Leatherneck Bastion Airfield and the subsequent turnover to the Afghanistan National Army.

His service outside the operating forces includes Warfighting Instructor, Staff Platoon Commander BOC 6-10, and Executive Officer BOC 3-11, The Basic School, Company Commander and Operations Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Battalion-Bangor, Washington, and Department Head, Exercise Control & Design, Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group.

Lieutenant Colonel Wiese’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with 4 Gold Stars, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star, and various other unit awards and campaign medals. Lieutenant Colonel Wiese was also the recipient of the Bevan Cass Writing Award (First Place) while attending Command Staff College.