History of the Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Corpsmen and Chaplains, who proudly wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related Veterans’ organization in the country. Since its earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments of the U. S. Marine Corps.
National Headquarters of the Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 49 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 1100 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff. League membership nationally, has grown to over 76,000 members.
Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress
South Carolina Department of the Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League Department of South Carolina has approximately 1200 members assigned to 23 Detachments throughout the state. Eligible members are Marines or Navy FMF Corpsmen and Chaplains who are either currently on active duty or have been honorably discharged. In addition, other interested individuals who support MCL’s principles are also welcome to join. Those not eligible for a regular membership would be allowed to join as Associate members.
Nonprofit Status 501(c)(4)
The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. The Marine Corps League is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor. The Detachment annually files a Form 990N with the Internal Revenue Service.