sentences:  Returning to the Mainland in December 1923, he served briefly at Headquarters, Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California, before he was ordered to San Diego, California, in February 1924.There he served in a number of capacities, including duty with the staff of the commanding general, Western Mail Guard, during a wave of railway mail robberies.On completing that assignment, he joined the 4th Marine Regiment in January 1927, sailing with that unit for China the following month.