Joseph H. Pendleton championed the establishment of a permanent Marine Corps presence in Southern California. In 1914, then Col. Pendleton arrived in San Diego as the commanding officer of the newly formed 4th Marine Regiment. San Diego was preparing to open a two year-long exposition in Balboa Park celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal. Pendleton and his Marines served as a deterrent against cross Mexican border banditry during the exposition, and soon after arriving, Marines established quarters in Balboa Park. In addition to that role, they became a popular attraction for exposition visitors. Pendleton quickly recognized San Diego's advantages for a permanent Marine Corps presence: a deep-water port for navy ships, pleasant weather for training, and proximity to the western mouth of the strategically important Panama Canal. Working with San Diego civic leaders and his superiors in Washington DC., he played a significant role in the decision to build Marine Advanced Expeditionary Base, San Diego, now known as Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Then Brig. Gen. Pendleton officiated at the opening of that base in 1921. After retiring in 1924, Maj. Gen. Pendleton settled in Coronado, where he served as mayor from 1928 to 1930. He died on February 4, 1942, while the Marine Corps was negotiating the purchase of Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores. In recognition of his efforts to establish a permanent Marine Corps presence in Southern California, Marines named Camp Joseph H. Pendleton in his honor, and today it is known as Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.