The Why, with JD LeHew

This conversation between Heather A. Warfield and retired Marine SgtMaj Justin “JD” LeHew explores the profound journey of recovery for missing service members, focusing on the mission of History Flight. The discussion delves into the importance of community support, personal pilgrimages, and the psychological aspects of recovery, highlighting how these elements intertwine to create a meaningful narrative of remembrance and healing. This conversation explores the profound impact of military service on personal lives, the importance of honoring the fallen, and the emotional journey of families searching for their missing loved ones. LeHew shares personal anecdotes and insights into the recovery of MIAs, the role of DNA in identification, and the significance of empathy in bridging military and civilian experiences. The discussion emphasizes the need for remembrance, the power of stories, and the importance of community support for families navigating their grief. 

Sergeant Major Justin “JD” LeHew currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the world’s most successful private MIA search and recovery organization, History Flight, responsible for locating and returning more than 400 Missing In Action American Servicemembers remains, with 169 of those being positively identified thus far and returned to their families.

Prior to serving as the CEO and COO of History Flight, Justin served a 31-year career in the United States Marine Corps, retiring at the rank of Sergeant Major in 2018 after serving as the Enlisted head of the United States Marine Corps’ Training and Education Command.

During his distinguished career, he served in the Assault Amphibian, Infantry and Reconnaissance communities, served as an Assault Amphibian Instructor, where he was recognized as the Instructor of the year, and served as a Drill Instructor, where he was a two time Dan Daly award winner for most Inspirational Drill Instructor. He has served in combat actions around the globe ranging from Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1993 and multiple tours during the War on Terror between 2003-2010.

Justin recently served as the National Commander of America’s oldest Veteran’s Service Organization, the Legion of Valor, also known as America’s Fighting Hall Of Fame. This organization is comprised of all Medal of Honor and Service Cross recipients from the United States and was founded in 1890. He also currently serves as the co-chair, co-designer and Vice President of the Amphibian Tractor Memorial and Association, serves on the Board Of Directors for Faithful Service for Veterans, a service dog training and placement program for America’s veterans and wounded warriors, and was appointed in 2025 as Special Advisor to the Governor Of Virginia on the Joint Council on Leadership and Veterans Affairs.

In 2022, Justin founded and led Team Long Road, a team of three Marines who hiked 3365 miles across America from Boston MA to Newport OR, to raise awareness for our Nations fallen and Missing in Action and Gold Star families. In 2023, TLR was the American Legion Auxiliary National Public Spirit Award recipient, presented during the National American Legion Auxiliary Convention in Charlotte NC. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Casper Weinberger, Charles Schultz, Madeline Albright, Ray A. Kroc and a host of other notable Americans. In 2023 TLR also hiked 300 miles across the state of Virginia and just recently hiked 120 miles across the entire Florida Keys in 2024 to continue to cast a spotlight on our nation's efforts to locate and recover our Missing In Action and reinforce our nation's promise and commitment to never leave a fallen comrade behind.

Justin currently resides in Fredericksburg, Virginia with his wife Cynthia, who also served the nation for 22 years as a United States Navy Fleet Marine Force Corpsman.