Passing on The Tradition: Father, Son Serve Together as Oldest, Youngest Marine at Birthday Ball

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The passing of U.S. Marine Corps tradition and legacy took on a special polish for Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 26, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, during the battalion’s 251st Marine Corps birthday ball, Nov. 6, 2026.

As a slow rendition of the Marine’s Hymn began to play, the ceremonial birthday cake was delivered to the official party for the cake cutting ceremony, where the oldest Marine present receives the first slice of cake and then passes it to the youngest Marine, symbolizing the transfer of experience, wisdom, history and the enduring brotherhood of the Corps from one generation to the next.

However, unlike most birthday celebrations across the Marine Corps this year, the oldest and youngest Marines were not strangers, but father and son. That day, Master Sgt. Philip Joseph Bender had the honor of passing the Marine Corps’ history and legacydown to his own flesh and blood, Pfc. Noah Riley Bender.

Earlier that same day, Philip was at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, to witness his son graduate from recruit training. This moment started nearly 20 years ago in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when Philip was in his junior year of high school and he first considered joining the military upon graduation.

“My grandfathers, uncle, and brother all served,” said Philip. “My grandfather on my father’s side was in the Air Force and uncle in the Army. My grandfather on my mother’s side was in the Army as was my brother. I am the first Marine in our family.”

Ultimately, Philip decided not to join the military, and upon graduation from Tara High School began attending classes at Southeastern Louisiana University.

“I wanted to go to college first. However, I found out that college was not for me,” said Philip. “I needed a challenge and fulfillment that I was not receiving in civilian life.”

Searching for higher purpose, Philip called the Marine Corps recruiting office out of Baton Rouge and soon after shipped off to MCRD Parris Island. After graduating recruit training in May of 2006, and the completion of his military occupational specialty school, Philip became a logistics embarkation specialist with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263, Marine Aircraft Group 29,and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shortly after returning from Iraq, Philip welcomed his first son into the world.

“When Noah was born, I never could have imagined that he would want to follow in my footsteps,” said Philip, who at the time was 23 years old. “I was a young Marine, but he quickly became my whole world.”

After a second deployment, this time with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Philip and his wife Nicole moved their littlefamily to MCRD Parris Island where they would welcome their second son, Caleb.While stationed on the island, Philip would be selected to attend Drill Instructor School and later assigned to Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, from 2012 - 2015. During this era of the family’s life, Noah began showing a special interest in his father as a Marine.

“Noah was a fun kid growing up,” said Philip. “He said from an early age that he wanted to be like dad and be a Marine. When he was little, he was always dressing up in cammies or putting on my covers and pretending to be a Marine. As a teenager he was so excited to join the [Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps] at Lejeune High School. I have always encouraged it and supported his dream of becoming a Marine.”

Throughout Philip’s Marine Corps career, he moved his family to places such as Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and Norfolk, Virginia. Noah grew up and continued to show considerable interest in becoming a Marine like his father, as did two of his now three younger brothers. This was despite how much the military had asked of Philip. Philip would continue to deploy with units across the Marine Corps and even be transferred to serve aboard theamphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1)and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3.)

“My family sees all the sacrifices that I have made with countless field operations, four deployments, traveling the world, helping Marines along the way, and the family that the Marine Corps really is,” said Philip. “My family loves this lifestyle. It has sent us places and given us experiences you would never find anywhere else.”

The family would return to Camp Lejeune, where Noah would graduate from Lejeune High School and step on the same legendary yellow footprints as his father August 11, 2026. Noah would start his Marine Corps journey as a recruit with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, the same company Philip was a drill instructor with over 10 years ago.

Philip and his wife Nicole eagerly and nervously waited for Noah to make the traditional call to notify his family of his safe arrival at MCRD Parris Island. Soon the phone rang.

“Instant heartfelt emotions from both my wife and myself. We even recorded the phone call,” said Philip. “We were so proud of him for walking through those silver hatches and taking the first steps to earn the title United States Marine.”

Philip and Nicole would be in regular communication with Noah through the letters he wrote during his time in recruit training. As parents, they were naturally worried about how their son would handle the mental, physical, and emotional challenges Marine Corps boot camp had to offer. However, week by week, letter by letter, Noah would continue his journey to become a United States Marine.

“He wrote in a letter that after each event, he would look down at his name tape, the ‘BENDER’ name tape, and say, ‘Dad I did it, I passed the next thing,’” said Philip. “He told me in his letter that I was able to do this as a recruit, and I did it all again as a drill instructor. He can do it as well.”

Noah and his company began the crucible on October 22, 2026. The crucible is a 54-hour culminating event which recruits must complete before they earn their Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and the title Marine. Noah and the rest of Echo Company would conclude their final 15k hikein front of the Iwo Jima statue where they would receive theiremblems.

After completing the final hike, tired, his uniform covered with dirt, Noah was pulled out of the formation to reunite with his father.

“I was so proud, happy, excited, and so many emotions all at once,” said Philip. “When he said “dad, I did it. I am a Marine” ... the emotions can’t be described.”

Noah said whenhewalked upto his father; the noise stopped. At that moment it was just Noah and Philip. This was themoment Noahhad dreamed about since he was a child, dressing up, looking up to his father. And now being able to see his father face-to-face an a newly forged Marine was unforgettable.

“I rushed to him and felt relief, like, I have the EGA, I have the title Marine, I have what my dad has. Instead of wearing his name itfelt like our name,” said Noah. “I finally made it to the point where I am not only representing my dad, but myself and the Marine Corps.”

Two weeks later, on the morning of November 6, 2026, Philip, his wife and three younger sonswatched Noahmarch across the same historic Parris Island parade deck Philip himselfdid nearly 20 years ago. After being dismissed by his senior drill instructor at the end of the graduation ceremony, Pfc. Noah reunited with the rest of his family. A United States Marine.

“I am so proud of him for following in my footsteps, knowing what a great person and man he has grown to be,” said Philip. “I have not stopped showing off or talking about him and how we have a son who is a Marine now.Noah has taught me so much about myself and that I can overcome so much more.”

That same day the family would drive up to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,to attend Noah’s first Marine Corps Ball as a United States Marine. While in recruit training, Noah expressed his desire to celebratethe Marine Corps birthday with his father as a brand-new Marine, an honor that in no way can be overlooked by Philip and that he is proud to share.

“The community that we as a family have built withfriends and families around us throughout the past 20 years cannot be underestimated,” said Philip. “We may not be related but we are close with several other Marines and their families who helped uscelebrate Noah becoming a Marine.I cannot express the love and support that we have had from Marines local and across the world.”

In a room filled with generations of Marines dressed in their best, medals shining and camaraderie flowing,Philip and Noah joined Marines with CLB-26 in escorting the birthday cake to the official party. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Marines, Philip received his slice, took a bite, and passed it to Noah.

Reflecting on the ceremony Noah said, “It felt amazing that I just graduated and now I’m standing next to my dad and having him pass the cake and the traditions to me.”

“Having him join me for the cake cutting ceremony was a once in a lifetime event,” said Philip. “I know there are many Marines whose children are serving at the same time as they are but being able to pass on tradition, knowledge, and experience from one generation to the next was an emotional moment.”

The remainder of the ceremony followed as usual, but there was nothing ordinary about the evening for Philip and Noah. While the father and son have stood side-by-side for the last 18 years, they now share an extra bond standing shoulder to shoulder as United States Marines. CLB-26’s Marine Corps Ball would mark the beginning of Noah’s Marine Corps career.

“I hope this Marine Corps ball becomes a core memory that he will never forget,” said Philip. “I also want this to reinforce why he joined and motivate him in the future to keep going and make this a career.”

Noah is set to attend Marine Combat Training at Marine Corps Base Camp Geiger and then go into the signal intelligence field where he wishes to challenge himself learning a new career field.

“I am so proud to havehim follow in my footsteps knowing what a great person and man he has grown to be,” said Philip. “I can’t wait to see what he does next.”

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