General John M. Paxton Jr., assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, honors Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Byrd Sr., and his wife Tora L. Byrd, during a retirement ceremony at the Little Hall Theater, Friday. - General John M. Paxton Jr., assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, honors Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Byrd Sr., and his wife Tora L. Byrd, during a retirement ceremony at the Little Hall Theater, Friday.