"I could not be prouder of the Marines I see serving today. At home, at sea, and across the globe, you carry forward our proud traditions with skill and ferocity. It is your discipline, initiative, and fighting spirit that anchor our Corps. The battles of the next 250 years will challenge us in new ways, but I have no doubt we will prevail. Happy Birthday, Marines!"

— Gen. Eric M. Smith, Commandant

Click above for 250th USMC Birthday Message

from Gen Eric M. Smith, Commandant

10 November 2025

Dear Marines:

First, Happy 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. We have done well.

Next, I should on behalf of myself and all association members, give a BIG THANK YOU to both Susan Finnigan, our ‘Sgt at Arms’ and Mike Galyean, our recent President for their efforts & efficiency in organizing the 2025 re-union. Mike who as a true Marine, with no advance notice, stepped up and assumed the President’s role when William Godfrey’s health condition prevented him from continuing in that position.

It has now been nearly two months since our reunion in Virginia/DC. In the overall, I was quite pleased with the event. While attendance can always get bigger, we had a good turnout. My wife and I, as well as a few others, were able to schedule a White House tour on Tuesday (before our Marine activities started).

The Wednesday Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a memorable event. Although I’ve been twice before, I still find the Marine Corps Museum outside of Quantico to be very worthwhile. Having served in Recon Bn during 1970, the team Rush Act memorial on Thursday was especially important to me. My old Lieutenant (a retired 3 star general) gave the eulogy. Many enjoyed the Friday afternoon Smithsonian Space Museum. Several of us, attended the evening parade at “8th & I” to end a great day. And the Saturday night banquet was wonderful with the current CG as our speaker.

It’s always good for me to see some of the men that I served with 55 years ago and gather again with others that I met at earlier reunions. My wife and I also enjoyed eating at a few legendary DC restaurants with long & interesting histories. We self-toured Georgetown & the DuPont Circle areas as well as near the White House. Also got a little shopping done while there.

Congratulations to Robert Cortesi, winner of the 50/50 drawing at the banquet. Prize was $560.

This past Friday night, I had the distinct honor of attending the 1st Marine Division H&S Regiment's Birthday Ball. We met at Pechanga Resort, in Temecula, California.

Wonderful time was had by all.

Next year’s reunion will be in the San Diego/Oceanside vicinity (hopefully exact details will be established by year-end). I’m trying to make contact with active duty personnel at Camp Pendleton, so we can visit the base during our reunion in August.

Living in Nevada, I haven’t been familiar with local chapters of our association – but did visit the two closest recently: Southern California, they meet on base at Camp Pendleton and Colorado River, they meet in Bullhead City, Arizona. Both have a strong comradery, but (like probably all veteran’s groups these days) a declining level of membership, so participation is smaller than they’d prefer.

I am still learning what my role as your President includes. Dennis and June at the office are both helpful and accommodating. This is my first Blue Diamond newsletter. Both William Godfrey & Mike Galyean, as well as Jerry Corrento & AJ Burn have offered their assistance in helping me get orientated for the tasks ahead.

Finally, I have some good news regarding Past President William Godfrey. He is looking after his health. He is still in fight.

Semper Fi

RALPH WITKIN

President, 1st Marine Div Assoc

email: ReconBn70@gmail.com

203-536-7015

At the 78th Annual Reunion, members voted to have next year's Reunion in the San Diego / Oceanside Area. Exact locations will be known after all the hotels packages have been studied, and we negotiate our best deal.

We are working with the Division for possible activities aboard Camp Pendleton and MCRD San Diego.

A reminder of our new mailing address:

1st Marine Division Association

3784 Mission Ave Suite 148/608

Oceanside, California 92058

New members may apply, and members may renew their dues,

on our website: www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org

HQ remains located in Building 33421, Camp Margarita, Camp Pendleton.

We welcome visits by members, but please call ahead.

SgtMaj(Ret) Marty Vasquez, MGen Thomas B. Savage, and President Ralph Witkin at the pre-ball cocktail social.

LtGen Christian F. Wortman passed the first slice of birthday cake to the oldest Marine present, SgtMaj(Ret) Marty Vasquez. He will be 98 years old this 12 November.

Guest of Honor LtGen Christian F Wortman, 1MEF Commanding General, spoke to the 1,000 gathered in the ballroom.

Sergeants Major in attendance

Finally, the music started.

1st Marine Division Association President Mike Galyean lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Arlington National Cemetery.

1st Marine Division Commanding General, MGen Thomas B. Savage was our honored guest speaker at the banquet.

Sgt-at-Arms Susan Finnigan, President Mike Galyean, and MGen Savage

MGen Savage and Dr. Vivian Cisneros-Wersel

1st Marine Division Band's brass quintet provided ceremony and entertainment

Secretary Pierre Sims, Harriet Wenhold, and Treasurer A.J. Burn

Rich Crawford, Charles Niziol, Mark Thompson, Nancy Galyean, Mike Galyean, and Cindy Reese

Missing Man table honored our fallen, missing, and imprisoned comrades.

Photo credits: Pierre Sims and Dennis Coady

Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation

Our Mission:  To rebuild and re-establish The Tun™ as it was, a functioning mariner’s tavern reminiscent of colonial Philadelphia, serving period-influenced refreshments, food, and entertainment and offering an educational experience through exhibits, historical documents, and special events. 

All profits from operations of The Tun™ will be donated in perpetuity to support veteran causes, Masonic charities, educational scholarships, and qualified charities as determined by The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation’s independent Board of Directors.

MSGT JASON HAWKINS

EMOJEAN KAY JOHNSON, Sponsor: Don C. Loberg

ASHLEY PETTERS

LCPL JEFFREY D. RYDER

We continue to search public records to produce our Taps Report. Older dates here were missed in routine matching with USPS records.

An important source is the VA's Gravesite Locator database. Veterans and family will be listed there if the VA paid for a marker from 1997 on.

https://www.cem.va.gov/nationwide-gravesite-locator/

Please report the passing of any Marine, Association member or not, so that we may honor our comrades here.

More recent passings are indicated by boldface.

SGT ANTHONY P. ARMENIO, 6 Nov 2024

CPL CYRIL L. BARRETT, 30 Dec 2019

SSGT ROBERT NELSON BERGERON, 12 Aug 2025

CPL CHARLES E. BUTLER JR, 8 Jul 2023

LT J. BIRNEY DIBBLE MD, 9 Mar 2025

ANDREW P. GENNINGER, 13 May 2022

CPL ARTHUR J. NELSON, 11 Oct 2020

LCPL DANIEL T. NELSON, 7 Sep 2021

SGT MILTON NELSON, 24 Mar 2015

SGT RAYMOND A. NELSON, 21 Mar 2014

SGT STEPHEN A. NESMITH, 3 Nov 2018

MRS MARY E. NESS, 28 Dec 2023

SGT ARNOLD A. NETTEKOVEN, 28 Mar 1922

MARYANNE NEUMANN, 31 Dec 2023

PFC ERKKI NEVATIE, 10 Aug 2017

1STSGT RALPH L. NEVILLE, 28 Jan 2018

CPL MAX A. NEWBOLES, 11 Jun 2011

SSGT JAMES R. NEWLIN JR USMC(RET), 16 Sep 2022

MR. HARVEY B. NEWMAN USMC(RET), 15 Nov 2013

CWO4 CHARLES P. NEWSOME JR USMCR(RET), 13 Mar 2019

JAMES D. NEWSOME, 12 Mar 2013

SGT RICHARD F. NICHOLS, 4 Jul 2008

CPL JAMES E. NICHOLSON MD, 19 Mar 2025

CPL IRA L. NIX, 7 Jun 2015

MAJ CHARLES H. NOBLE JR, 24 Jan 2025

LTCOL JACK LEO NOLAN, 15 Dec 2021

PFC RAYMOND M. NOLAN, 30 Aug 2009

CPL ROBERT E. NOLAN, 19 Jun 2022

BRUCE M. NOONAN, 8 May 2013

MRS GLORIA NORDHAUSER, 1 Sep 2015

CPL EUGENE L. NORHEIM USMC, 2 Sep 2020

SGT DONALD G. NORMAN, 29 Dec 2009

CPL JOSEPH F. NORRIS, 7 Mar 2019

CPL KEITH L. NORRIS, 6 Mar 2015

LTCOL CHARLES F. NORTON USMC(RET), 16 May 2022

SGT KARL E. NORTON, 29 Dec 2011

CPL LAWRENCE M. NORTON, 20 Oct 2020

MR. JAMES R. PERKINS, 30 Mar 2021

SGT RODNEY R. PETZAK, 19 Aug 2023

SGT DENNIS IRWIN STRUEBING, 22 Jun 2025

SGT JESSE E. TIPTON, 31 Aug 2025

SGTMAJ ARTHUR T. TORIZZO

CPL ELBERT C. WHITAKER, 12 Jul 2021

HM2 ROBERT C. WICKMAN, 10 Oct 2025

MRS ELIZABETH WRIGHT, 18 Jul 2019

CPL JOSEPH A. YINGLING, 5 Oct 2024

SGTMAJ ROBERT S. YNACAY, 10 Aug 2014

ALICE J. YOHE, 18 Apr 2011

Taps Report was last run on 7 August2025

Headquarters Office telephone numbers

(760)763-3267 June Cormier

(760)763-3268 Dennis Coady, and general information

(760)763-3269 SgtMaj Marty Vasquez

(760)763-3270 fax

President Ralph Witkin's email: reconbn70@gmail.com

Please visit our website: www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org

Mailing address:

1st Marine Division Association

3784 Mission Ave Suite 148/608

Oceanside, California 92058

HQ Office: Building 33421, Camp Margarita, Camp Pendleton, California

Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News.

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Semper Fidelis