“Never fear your enemy but always respect them."

- GySgt John Basilone

GySgt John Basilone

Remembered on

80th Anniversary of Battle of Iwo Jima

Colonel Sean Dylan, Assistant Division Commander of 1st Marine Division speaks at the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the death of GySgt John Basilone. The ceremony was at Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial in San Diego, California 19 February 2025.

Sgt Basilone was awarded the Medal of Honor for his action on Guadalcanal with 1/7. He then toured the nation promoting War bonds, but asked to be returned to his boys.

GySgt Basilone was killed in action on 19 February 1945, the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima. His valor that day with C/1/27, 5th Marine Division, earned him the Navy Cross.

Col Dylan noted that GySgt Basilone is remembered every day as we drive on Basilone Road, on the way to CP 1st Marine Division.

Kim Van Note, niece of John Basilone, spoke of how her family remembers their Uncle John.

1st Marine Division Band entertained and inspired all gathered.

Colonel Dylan and the memorial's Executive Director Neil O'Connell unveiled a plaque dedicated to GySgt Basilone. A copy of the plaque will sent to 1st Marine Division Association.

We gathered on a beautiful day for the ceremony on Mount Soledad, with views from Mexico to Camp Pendleton.

Association members Sgt Marshall Varano and SgtMaj Marty Vaquez inspect the plaque dedicated to GySgt John Basilone. The plaque joins 6,500 others installed at the memorial site.

Photos by Dennis Coady

Dear Marine Family,

Working as your Association President has been a very special honor for me. Thank you for your trust and allowing me to serve. However, I regret that I must tell you that I am stepping down due to my health situation.

Our Vice President, Mike Galyean, is taking over as Acting President. As Chairman of the Nominating Committee, Mike has done a great job in assembling the slate for Association leadership we will be voting on soon. He deserves your full confidence and support as he leads us through the upcoming balloting for officers, and our Annual Reunion in August, in Arlington, Virginia.

I have appointed Past President Jerry Corrento Sr. as Vice President.

My work with the 1st Marine Division Association is, along with my service in the Marine Corps, one the most fulfilling activities in my life. We make life better for the comrades we served with. I ask that you members will consider offering your time and talents to support the Association. From leadership positions, to volunteering to lend a hand at the Reunions, keep us running to serve our members.

I hope you can attend this year's Reunion. I will be there if I can.

Your prayers for me are appreciated, as I remember all of you in mine.

God bless the United States Marine Corps.

Semper Fi

William S. Godfrey

President

(505)554-9635

wsgr9454@aol.com

We have sold 46 mugs so far. Thank you to all who bought a mug or two.

We had these mugs made for our 2024 Reunion. Price includes domestic shipping. Limited quantities are available, until sold out.

Mugs will ship from HQ FMDA.

Click here to order your mug

Our 78th Annual Reunion is set for 10-17 August 2025. Please see EVENTS section below for details.

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.

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.

78th Annual Reunion

1st Marine Division Association

10 - 17 August, 2025

Hotel: Sheraton Pentagon City

Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1727800902471&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true

Group Code: FI4539 (Foxtrot India 4539)

Reservations: 1-888-627-7101

Sales: 703-271-6602

Complimentary WiFi, Overnight parking $15

Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines

Vietnam Veterans (1965-1970) 

Reunion at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Des Moines, IA 50309

May 29 - June 1, 2025

POC: Jerry Moorehead 515.999.2690, gamoorehead@msn.com

CWO MICHAEL R. ALLEN, Sponsor: Gary Brannan

HM1 E6 JAMES BOWES, Sponsor: Vince Mast

SGT BERNARD BRENNAN

CPL PATRICK KIM DAVIS, Sponsor: Tom Herroux

E-4 MICHAEL J. DUNN, Sponsor: Michael Ostrom

CPL JIM ANTHONY HAFTARCZYK

E-3 CPL JERRY HAVENS

E-1 PFC FRANCISCO ALAN JARAMILLO

LCPL PAUL KEATING, Sponsor: Bridge Hart

SSGT PAUL J. KELLUM

MGYSGT STEVE LOWE, Sponsor: Vince Mast

SGT/E-5 DAVID POOL

E-5 SGT ALFREDO SANCHEZ

E-4 CPL SPENCER HARRISON WALKER

We continue to check public records to create the Taps Report. Our recent fundraising letter brought back news from several families.

Please report the passing of any Marine, Association member or not, so that our comrades may be remembered here. More recent passings are noted by boldface.

CPL PETER C. CALIENDO, 4 Sep 2023

PFC C. K. CAREY, 1 Dec 1998

SGT JOHN D. CARRIGAN, 21 Oct 2022

LTCOL GREGORY J. CIZEK, 5 Feb 2021

CAPT FRANCIS M. CLEMENTS USMC(RET), 31 Oct 2002

SGT LARRY R. CUMMINGS, 5 Dec 2024

CPL RALPH C. CURTIS

CPL FRANK C. DEFUSCO, 21 Mar 2008

CPL JOHN G. DEVINE, 15 Nov 2019

PHILIP J. DEVLIN, 1 Oct 2023

THOMAS G. DOUGHERTY, 24 Nov 2002

SSGT RAYMOND L. FOURNIER, 15 Mar 2021

W. E. GARDNER, 17 Jul 2006

SGT JESSE GARZA, 3 Apr 2011

YNC BILLY J. GENTRY USMC(RET), 13 Nov 2002

SGT THOMAS R. GIBSON, 6 Jun 2007

COL MARC H. GLASGOW

SGT ROBERT A. GLASNER, 28 Aug 2022

CPL FRANK E. GOLD

SGT PATRICK P. GRADY

GYSGT SHELDON E. HESS USMC(RET), 22 May 2008

CPL CHARLES J. HOWARD, 5 Apr 2010

CPL JOHN L. KIDDER

SSGT GEORGE M. KLENK, 16 Jan 2024

PHM2 GEORGE WILSON LOWE, 24 Apr 2014

SSGT RICHARD MARASCOLA

CHARLES D. MILLER, 26 Dec 2017

GYSGT CHARLES K. MILLER, 20 Mar 2108

SGT EDWARD D. MILLER, 5 Jul 2022

SGT EDWARD W. MILLER, 28 Jul 2018

LCPL GARY D. MILLER, 13 Jul 2010

COL JOHN G. MILLER (RET), 31 Aug 2009

1STSGT JOSEPH M. MILLER (RET), 4 Dec 2021

SSGT ROBERT P. MILLER, May 2021

CPL WILLIAM J. MILLER, 24 Oct 2015

GYSGT OTIS D. MILLIGAN, 26 Sep 2012

SSGT ROY D. MILLIGAN, 19 Jul 2019

SGT DAN MILLS, 22 Oct 2009

CPL KEVIN C. MINIHAN, 15 Jan 2019

ROBERT W. MINOR, 10 Aug 2010

SGT WILLIAM T. MINOR, 13 Dec 2020

HENRY CLARK MINTER JR, 4 Feb 2016

SGT ROLAND T. MINTER, 18 Dec 2018

TONY MIRATSKY JR, 29 Sep 2012

LCPL JOSEPH L. MISERENDINO, 27 Oct 2011

COL BRYAN B. MITCHELL USMC(RET), 18 Jun 2023

MRS CAROL MITCHELL, 17 Feb 2018

CPL DOUGLAS W. MITCHELL, 9 Jan 2022

MRS LOIS D. MITCHELL, 3 Dec 2022

LCPL SCOTT A. MITCHELL, 17 Jun 2021

V. D. MITCHELL, 8 Nov 2008

SGT STANLEY S. PARSON, 15 Jan 2004

SGT ROGER R. PRINCE, 15 Feb 2023

COL MINTER B. RALSTON IV, 2 Aug 2022

CPL FRANK J. REILLY, 16 Apr 2002

COL GEORGE P. REILLY, 13 Feb 2015

PHM2 WILLIAM BERT RICHARDS, 1 Jul 2022

MRS ELEANOR RINEHART, 5 Aug 2022

SGT WALTER L. RONEY, 19 Feb 2022

SSGT ANGELO L. RUDOLFI, 30 Jun 2023

SGT ELMER C. SACCOCCIA, 1 May 2022

MRS JOAN MARIE SCHERBAN, 7 Dec 2015

SGT WILLIAM W. SIMPSON, 18 Mar 2023

SGT JAMES 'HORSE COLLAR' SMITH, 3 Jan 2022

SGTMAJ ANSELL C. STOWE USMC(RET), 29 Apr 2009

CPL MILFORD A. TATROW, 22 Jul 2000

JOSEPH R. VADUS, 17 Oct 2022

CPL EDWARD J. VARLEY, 6 Dec 2010

SSGT GEORGE WADALAVAGE



Report last run 11 December 2024

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 William S. Godfrey's email: wsgr9454@aol.com

Please visit our website: www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org

Mailing address:

1st Marine Division Association

3784 Mission Ave Suite 148/608

Oceanside, California 92058

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Semper Fidelis