Japanese Imperial Decoration for Robert B. Neller, former Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps

General Robert Blake Neller, the former Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the most prestigious Japanese Imperial Decoration ordinarily conferred on foreign nationals, in recognition of his contributions toward the strengthening of mutual defense relations between Japan and the United States.
 
Mr. Hideo Fukushima, the Consul-General of Japan in Houston, hosted the conferment ceremony, which was attended by General Neller’s family and friends in Austin, Texas on July 2, 2021. They were also joined by Colonel Yusuke Kawachi, a Military Attaché from the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
 
Consul-General Fukushima expressed deep appreciation for General Neller’s invaluable contributions toward the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance and the building of mutual trust between the two nations. In particular, General Neller received special praise for his decisive leadership in the various collaborations between the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force that occurred under his watch, including the development of Japan’s amphibious operations capabilities.
 
The Consul-General then presented General Neller with the Patent of Decoration, which was personally signed by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, before formally placing the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on him.
 
General Neller then concluded the ceremony by saying that he was deeply honored to receive the decoration, and that he appreciated Japan’s recognition of his efforts to strengthen mutual defense cooperation between itself and the United States.