Colonel Del Pizzo assumed command of VMX-1 in June of 2024.  A native of Atlanta, Georgia he graduated from Parris Island in September of 1993 and served 3.5 years in the Marine Corps Reserve. After completing his bachelor’s degree, in April of 1997 he commissioned via the Platoon Leaders Course program and in October of 1999 he was designated a Naval Aviator.

Operationally, Colonel Del Pizzo served as the Schedules Officer, Flight Officer, and Logistics Officer, and Pilot Training Officer for the Black Sheep of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA)–214, the Operations and Maintenance Officer for the VMA-311 Tomcats, and the Executive Officer for the VMA-542 Tigers. Colonel Del Pizzo commanded “The First and Finest,” VMA-231 Ace of Spades. While in command Colonel Del Pizzo led the squadron to the Central Command area of operations where the squadron supported Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. 

Colonel Del Pizzo’s staff assignments include Assistant Division Air Officer, 1st Marine Division; AV-8B Requirements Officer, Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation; Aide de Camp to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps; Senior Watch Officer for the 2d MAW (FWD) Tactical Air Command Center, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan; Marine Aircraft Group 14 Operations Officer; Division Chief for Oceania, South, and Southeast Asia in the J5 of the Joint Staff, Deputy Directorate for Asia; the Director’s Action Group for OPNAV N95 Expeditionary Warfare; the Marine Corps Service Deputy at the F-35 Joint Program Office; and the TACAIR Branch Head, Headquarters Marine Corps Aviation.
 
Colonel Del Pizzo is a Weapons and Tactics Instructor, a Forward Air Controller, and a Joint Qualified Officer.  He is a graduate of Auburn University, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College.  Colonel Del Pizzo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s Degree in Military Studies and a Master’s Degree in National Security Strategy.

Colonel Del Pizzo has completed six deployments in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, the Unit Deployment Program to the Western Pacific, and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.  He has flown over 3000 hours in multiple military and civil aircraft.