honor

Honor guides Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior

courage

Courage is the mental, moral and physical strength ingrained in all Marines

commitment

Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in Marines

Bulletins

Here are some important highlights to pay attention to

christmas breakfast
14 december

Don’t miss our Annual Christmas Breakfast. 14 DEC 2024 0900-1130 at the Rothchild Catering & Conference Center.   Click here for event details. Registration has Closed

Monthly
Officer mEETiNG
13 january

Monthly Officer/Committee meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month at 17:00. All detachment members are welcome to attend. 2651 Hobbs Rd, Louisville, TN

DETachment MeeTiNG
28 January

Detachment meeting is held the last Tuesday of each month at the VFW post 5154 w/ Social Hour from 17:30-18:15 and meeting from 18:15-19:30, all welcome. 2651 Hobbs Rd. Louisville, TN 

2024 Wreaths across america

Be sure to come out Saturday, December 14th at 11:00am to the East TN Veterans Cemetery to help lay wreaths upon the graves of our fallen veterans for the holiday season. Click here to add to your calendar.

honor
guard

The Marine Corps League Honor Guard is available to support funerals for Marine Corps League Members and upon request can also support non-members. Click here for details

New video gallery

We recently added a new menu item to the Gallery Menu above called Video Gallery and this is where we will post videos from events or other fun video content. Today the ROTC Iwo Jima Flag Raising Reenactment that Susie referenced in the October meeting is there. More to come!

Toys for tots 2024

Collection for Toys for Tots ends on 12/13/24 so make sure to get your new, unwrapped toys dropped in a collection box before then. However, that is the beginning of the real work of toy distribution and volunteers are needed for that. Click here to sign up as a volunteer today!

Detachment meeting photos

Every month during our detachment meetings, we try and capture photos of activities, awards, recognition and the general session. Pictures are posted under the Gallery in the menu above or you can click here to view. If you have photos from our meetings you want to share, please email them to websgt@mclknoxville.org 

We will be highlighting a detachment member each month with a spotlight bio. This month’s spotlight is on James Russell!  Click Here for more spotlights

James Russell

History

Honoring a Medal of Honor Recipient

Detachment 924 honors the Knoxville native and Medal of Honor recipient First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman Jr. who gallantly gave his life in battle for Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll and Gilbert Islands on November 22, 1943 with the namesake of our detachment.

In October 1942, Bonnyman sailed for the South Pacific aboard the SS Matsonia. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Guadalcanal as part of a Marine pioneer unit (lightly equipped combat engineers).

Bonnyman’s civilian background, temperament and skills would come to play an important role at Tarawa in November 1943, where he was assigned to a shore party handling beachhead logistics. When the assault troops were pinned down by heavy enemy artillery fire at the seaward end of the long Betio Pier, on his own initiative Bonnyman organized and led five men over the open pier to the beach. There he voluntarily obtained flame throwers nd demolitions and directed the blowing up of several hostile installations.

On the second day of the struggle, Bonnyman, determined to breach the enemy’s strong defensive line, led a demolition team of 21 Marines in an assault on the entrance to a huge bombproof shelter which contained approximately 150 Japanese soldiers. Bonnyman advanced his team to the mouth of the position and killed many of the defenders. Bonnyman again pressed his attack and gained the top of the structure, thereby flushing more than one hundred of its occupants into the open where they were cut down by Marine infantry and a supporting tank. When the Japanese returned fire, Bonnyman stood on the forward edge of the position and killed three of the attackers, but was himself killed as he ordered more charges brought forward. Of Bonnyman’s original assault party of 21 Marines, 13 had survived. Betio Island was declared secured on the same day.

Detachment Officers

Below are the fine Marines that currently lead Lt. Bonnyman Detachment 924

Suzie Schmidt

Commandant

(865) 806-0490

Keith Kregel

Sr. Vice Commmandant

(865) 679-4388

Jim Toussaint

Jr. Vice Commandant


Robert Ballesteros

Judge Advocate


Ken DeBoer

Past Commandant


Bob Willis

Paymaster

(317) 501-8294

Jerry Wernli

Quartermaster


Ron Naugle

Chaplain

(581) 565-6980

Chris Alberding

Web Sgt


Anthony Alvo

Special Projects


Joe McCarter

Bonnyman Young Marines

Unit Commander

Joann Bryan

MCLA President


Buckles, Greg

Greg Buckles

Sgt. At Arms


Our Mission
The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen the fraternity of Marines and their families; serve Marines and FMF Navy Personnel who wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor; and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism.
 

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