Bunker News—Page 1 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

My fellow Marines, FMF Corpsman, Associates, Family and Friends.... Its another month gone by and we keep moving in the right direction. Thanks again to Col. Warren for making the new chairs possible. Doesn't our home look GREAT!!!

We are heading into July and there is lots to do. The 4th of July cook out starts at 12:00. Please come out and support us and bring a side dish. The flag retirement ceremony will begin at 2:00 pm. Then we have the Memorial for the local Marine on Sunday the 5th at 10:00 am. We have a Stand In Respect Honor Guard on the 10th for a fallen brother at 10:30. Please plan on attending all these events.

As you all have heard, we did not get the bid for the Fall Conference. But we have learned and will try again next year. Congratulations to Member Len Krueger who won 2nd prize in the Department of Fl. Scholarship drawing, $500.00. Way to go Len.

The time has come to start gearing up for our 6th Annual Golf Tournament. Sept. 19th is the date. Our Charity is The Injured Warrior and Paws for Patriots. I am extremely excited to announce that Paws for Patriots Marine spokes person Michael Jernigan has accepted my offer to be the official starter at the Tournament. He is an amazing person/Marine and it will be our honor to stand with him as we raise money for this very important cause.

Lets not forget about the 240th Birthday Ball on Nov. 6th at IMG Country Club. Start getting those ball books and push the ticket sales. Its never to early. And the drawing for the sword will be at the cook out on the 4th of July.

As always I thank all that have helped us to have a successful first 6 months and with everyone's help we can continue.

SEMPER FI Mike Monteleone

Commandant, Detachment 588

Commandant’s Corner

Bunker News J U L Y 2 0 1 5

N E W S L E T T E R

O F F I C E R S

Mike Monteleone

Commandant

(941) 567-8199

Bob Fields

Sr. Vice Commandant

Mike McClain

Jr. Vice Commandant

Larry Sajec

Adjutant

Stephen Dalton

Pay Master

Rick Phillips

Chaplain

Dave Klein

Sergeant at Arms

Leonard Krueger

Assistant Sergeant at Arms

Robert Schooks

Judge Advocate

************************

This newsletter is available

at the Bunker or on the

WEB at http://

www.orgsites.com/fl/mcl588/

_pgg3.php3

(To submit articles, events

or materials) contact Bob

Fields

(941) 504-5012 or email to

Jarhead@tampabay.rr.com

*************************

Detachment Email:

mcldetachment588@

Gmail.com

Chartered: May 1, 1985

Bunker News—Page 2 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

On July 5th at 1000 hours,

A Memorial Ceremony will be held

in remembrance of

Lance Corporal

Scott Eugene Dougherty

United States Marine Corps

June 6, 1984 – July 6, 2004

Killed in Action in Iraq

Service is at the Bayshore Gardens Memorial Site

6919 26th Street West

Bradenton, Florida 34207

We need volunteers to be part of the flag honor guard, the

rifle salute squad, a bugler. We also just need marine corps

league members and associate members to show up to support

the event and support the family of this young local marine who

gave it all for us.

Semper Fidelis

Bunker News—Page 3 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

REMINDER: NEXT REGULAR DETACHMENT

MEETING IS MONDAY, JULY 20TH AT 1830

@ the Bunker.

Be there or we will send this after you.

And bring a new member.

Bunker News—Page 4 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

The Use of the M2A4 Tank in WW II by The Corps By John D’Alusio

The 1st Tank Battalion is an armored unit of the USMC. It is now based out of the Marine Corps Air Ground

Combat Center Twentynine Palms, CA. It falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and Ist Marine

Expeditionary Force.

The 1st Tank Battalion was first activated on 1 November 1941 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and was

attached to the 1st Marine Division (1st, 5th, 7th & 11th Marines). This unit was originally organized on

1 August 1940 as the 3d Tank Company. It was reorganized and re-designated as Company A, 1st Tank

Battalion, on 1 May 1941. Other companies of the battalion were later activated in early 1942.

After the outbreak of WW II the unit was ordered to the South Pacific. Companies from the battalion were

eventually deployed to Samoa and New Zealand. The first combat operation for units from the battalion was

the brutal Guadalcanal campaign, in which they were equipped with the predecessor of the famed M3 Stuart

light tank; the M2A4 light tank.

The M2A4 (of which only 375 were built) saw limited use during World War II. The tank, designed in the late

1930’s, was equipped with one 37 mm (1.5 in), one .50 M2 Browning machine gun, and five .30 cal M1919

Browning machine guns. The armor was thin, the main gun was anemic, the crew quarters were cramped and

hot, and the engine drive train was unreliable, but it was all the Marines had.

The M2A4’s only combat use in American units was with the US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion during the

Pacific War in 1942. On 7 August 1942, Companies A and B took part in the 1st Marine Division's landings

on that Japanese held island. The next month, M2A4 light tanks from the battalion supported infantry units in

the Battle of Bloody Ridge, when Col. “Red Mike” Edson’s Marines halted a major Japanese push to take the

airstrip (Henderson Field) and eject the invaders from Guadalcanal. The two tank companies continued to

engage the enemy until the end of the year when the 1st Marine Division was relieved by the Army. Although

these early light armored fighting vehicles were far from state of the art, the Japanese didn’t have any armor

on Guadalcanal to oppose the Marine tanks, and their infantry usually suffered accordingly whenever the

Marine armored units made an appearance.

The 1st Tank Battalion's campaign on Guadalcanal was unique, in that it was the only combat experienced by

the M2A4 light tank in World War II, by US forces. The 1st Marine division was then moved to Australia in

January 1943.

That Fall the 1st Tank battalion moved to New Guinea to begin preparations for the invasion of Cape

Gloucester, New Britain. 1st Marine Division units including the 1st Tank Battalion made an amphibious

assault on Cape Gloucester the day after Christmas 1943. At this point the M2A4’s were taken out of service

and replaced with the more modern M3, and eventually the M5 and M4.

By the time the 1st Marine Division assaulted Peleliu in the Palau Group on 15 September 1944, the light

tanks had been mostly replaced with the superior M4 Sherman medium tank and it’s 75MM main gun and

thicker armor.

Besides seeing action with the Corps in the South Pacific, M2A4s also served early in WW II in Burma and

India with the British 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment during their engagements with the Imperial

Japanese Army's 14th Tank Regiment.

Continued on next page

Bunker News—Page 5 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Continued from previous page:

Although the M2A4 was a somewhat flawed design, it led to the M3 and M5 versions of the Stuart light tank.

Both of those versions of the Stuart saw widespread use throughout the war.

An M2A4 of the USMC 1st Tank Battalion on Guadalcanal in 1942.

Bunker News—Page 6 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Just as with anything, personal preference comes into play. For me, I am a Marine, despite not being on active or

reserve duty. Marines are unique in this sense compared to the other services. From the time we enter boot camp

or OCS (officer candidate school), it is drilled into our heads that ‘Once a Marine, Always a Marine.’

Many people will refer to a Marine who is no longer on active or reserve duty as an ‘ex-Marine.’ I find the term to

be mildly insulting, as, to me, the term implies a dishonorable discharge – or, being kicked out. Another term,

which I sometimes use to refer to myself or to correct another is ‘former Marine.’ However, that is also incorrect.

Once a recruit completes basic training and earns their EGA (Eagle, Globe & Anchor) they have officially become

a Marine by earning the title. it wasn’t just given to them, it was worked for and earned. It’s something that cannot

be taken away.

To properly refer to a U.S. Marine whether on active duty, reserve duty or living as a civilian, you call them Marine.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps reaffirmed this in December 2011.

A Marine is a Marine. I set that policy two weeks ago – there’s no such thing as a former Marine. You’re a

Marine, just in a different uniform and you’re in a different phase of your life. But you’ll always be a

Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico. There’s no such thing as a

former Marine.

The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos (December 2011)

How to address a

MARINE.

Some upcoming events:

August 10th Executive Board Meeting 18:30hrs August 15th Toys for Tots Desoto Speedway Truck Night (1400-2200) August 17th General Membership Meeting 18:30hrs September 14th Executive Board Meeting 18:30hrs September 19th 6th Annual Golf Tournament 08:00hrs September 21st General Membership Meeting 18:30hrs October 12th Executive Board Meeting 18:30hrs October 21st General Membership Meeting November 6th USMC Birthday Ball @ IMG November 9th Executive Board Meeting 18:30hrs November 16th General Membership Meeting 18:30hrs

Bunker News—Page 7 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Members awaiting the start of the meeting.

New members being sworn in. Both are Vietnam Vet-

erans. John Baumgarten and Benjamin Franklin.

Welcome Aboard.

New Associate members swearing in. Thomas Cooke, James

Loar and Robert O’Hanlon

Bunker News—Page 8 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

If you have not visited the website for the Marine Corps League, Department of Florida lately,

WHY NOT ? Go to: WWW.MCLFL.ORG

You can find out many good topics there. See uniform regulations and

many other hot topics.

Commandant reminded everyone that we need help at our Sam’s Club fundraisers.

The schedule is: September 13th

October 18th

SAMS CLUB on SR 70

When Desoto Detachment member Bob Everly goes back to Ohio each summer, he does not hang up his Marine Corps League Uniform. The photo above is from Memorial Day 2015 in Marion City, Ohio. Bob was invited by American Legion Post 101 of LaRue Ohio to help with the wreath presentations. They started the day at Connie’s Bar & Grill in LaRue, Ohio. Throughout the course of the day, they rendered honors at six small cemetery's; culminating at the much larger LaRue Cemetery. Bob says he learned some lessons about handling the flag in 40 MPH winds. He said it was two steps foreword and two steps backward, and at one point it was so hard that they almost lost control of the flags.

(photo left) Desoto Detachment Marine

Bob Everly is presenting the flag of the

United States of America. At his left in

the photo is American Legion Post 101

Commander, Larry J. Knapp, U.S.A.F.,

who flew many close air support mission

in support of our Marines in Vietnam.

Well Done Bob!

Bunker News—Page 9 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

What the heck?

This Army-Navy Store was kind enough to donate a set of dog tags to Detachment 588 to hang from the rifle that we stuck in the ground with it’s bayonet, and a helmet on the rifle butt, that we used recently during the burial ceremony of a Marine who is now guarding the streets of Heaven. I recently visited the store. A great place.

Bunker News—Page 10 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

CORPORAL MICHAEL JERNIAN

U.S. MARINE CORPS (RETIRED)

Will be the official starter for the event

Bunker News—Page 11 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Bunker News—Page 12 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

ADVERTISING IN THE BUNKER NEWS

AD SIZE SINGLE COPY COST 12 ISSUES DISCOUNT

FULL PAGE $20.00 $200.00

HALF PAGE $10.00 $100.00

QUARTER PAGE $5.00 $50.00

NOTES:

Checks for ads are to be made out to “MCL Det 588”.

Business cards for businesses who have provided material support for the detachment will be inserted free of charge.

SOME IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

(703) 607-8000

www.arlingtoncemetery.mil

BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS

701 S. Courthouse Rd., Bldg. 12 Suite 1001

Arlington, Virginia 22204-2490

(703) 604-6884/6885

www.donhq.navy.mil/bcnr/bcnr.htm

COLD WAR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

USAHRC

ATTN: AHRC-PDP-A, Dept. 480

1600 Spearhead Division Avenue

Ft. Knox, KY 40122-5408

https://www.hrc.army.mil then type “Cold War Certificate” in the search box.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE

MARINE CORPS

18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy.

Triangle, Virginia 22172

1-(877) 653-1775

www.usmcmuseum.org

Bunker News—Page 13 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Stand By

It is coming!

Our campaign will be starting shortly. We will need all hands to help with

this. Marines, FMF Corpsman and Associate Members will not let the

children of Manatee County down.

Independence Day

July 4th, 2015

At the Bunker

12:00 until……

Flag Retirement Ceremony at 14:00

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

Please bring a dish to share

50/50 Drawing

Be there.

Bunker News—Page 14 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Bunker News—Page 15 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

MARINE CORPS HISTORY IN JULY

4 July 1801: President Thomas Jefferson reviewed the Marines, led by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, LtCol William W. Burrows and the Marine Band, on the White House grounds. The smartly uniformed Marines performed drills and fired various salutes in observance of the new nation's 25th anniversary.

6 July 1990: One of the oldest and most versatile attack aircraft in Marine Corps history, the A-4 Skyhawk, retired from the Corps' active aviation structure after over 30 years of service. The last two Skyhawks from MAG-32 flew their initial flight from Cherry Point to NAS Patuxent River on this date.

7 July 1941: The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing was activated at Quantico, Virginia. Within a year of activation, the Wing would participate in the Marine Corps offensive at Guadalcanal. That bitter campaign would be the first in a series of legendary battles in which the Wing would add luster to its reputation. The 1stMAW would earn five Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry in campaigns spanning World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

11 July 1798: President John Adams approved "An Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps", and it became law. The following day, the President appointed William Ward Burrows the Major Commandant of the new Corps. In August, Major Burrows opened his headquarters in Philadelphia, at that time still the capital of the new nation.

14 July 1993: The USS IWO JIMA was decommissioned after over 30 years of service in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia. The ship was named for the World War II battle during which three Marine divisions ousted 20,000 entrenched Japanese troops. The Iwo Jima was commissioned 26 August 1961, and it was the first ship specifically designed as an amphibious assault ship from the keel up.

18 July 1918: The 4th Brigade of Marines began an attack near Soissons, France, as part of a three-division counterattack against the Germans. In the first two days of battle, the brigade sustained 1,972 casualties.

24 July 1944: The V Amphibious Corps, commanded by Major General Harry Schmidt, landed on Tinian, in the Mariana Islands. The following morning, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions began a shoulder-to-shoulder southward sweep of the island. Organized enemy resistance faded within a week, and on 1 August, MajGen Schmidt declared the island secure.

26 July 1947: The National Security Act of 1947 became effective, reaffirming the status of the Marine Corps as a separate military service within the Department of the Navy. The Act Provided for Fleet Marine Forces, and confirmed the Corps' mission of seizing and defending advanced bases, as well as land operation incident to naval campaigns.

28 July 1918: Brigadier General John A. Lejeune assumed command of the 2nd Division, U.S. Army in France, and remained in that capacity until August 1919 when the unit was demobilized. He was the first Marine officer to hold an Army divisional command, and following the Armistice, he led his division in the march into Germany.

Bunker News—Page 16 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

VOLUNTEER HOURS

NAME ____________________

DATE HOURS MONETARY PROJECT OR CAUSE

Bunker News—Page 17 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Marine Corps League

Desoto Detachment 588 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton (941-301-4598)

Event Calendar for July 2015

Open to all Members and Friends for all Special Events

07/04/2015 1200 Independence Day Cookout at the Bunker

07/04/2015 1400 Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Bunker

07/05/2015 1000 CPL Daugherty Memorial at BayShore Gardens

07/13/2015 1830 Executive Board Meeting at the Bunker

07/20/2015 1830 Regular Monthly Meeting

Reverend Ric Phillips

(Detachment Chaplin)

Please let me know about needs for:

Prayer Requests.

Marines or Family Members who are

sick or in distress.

Contact me at: 777Ricips@Gmail.com

Please Come Out and Support the Events

Bunker News—Page 18 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Support the Businesses

that support the Marine Corps League,

and Toys for Tots.

Bunker News—Page 19 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Scuttlebutt

The Paymaster has asked that everyone confirm your email address next time you are at

the Bunker.

Send your articles, announcements, photos for the newsletter to Bob Fields by the 25th

of each month for inclusion in the next month’s newsletter. If you want it in the Bunker

News, send it to: Jarhead@tampabay.rr.com

Visit the Marine Corps League, Department of Florida website: www.MCLFL.org. There

is even a list of discounts for veterans and senior citizens that covers: Restaurants, Re-

tail & Apparel, Grocery Stores, Airlines, Rental Cars, Hotels, Entertainment, Telephones,

Haircuts, etc.

DEADLINE: for registering for the Camp Lejeune contaminated water program

is 9/11/2015. Go to this website for more information:

https://offthebase.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/to-do-list-for-camp-lejeune-water-

contamination-victims/

If your dues are in the arrears, please catch them up with the paymaster.

When is the last time you invited a non-member to the Bunker or to a MCL Meeting?

We need some volunteer Bar Tenders…...Contact Steve Dalton or Mike Monteleone.

Remember to always tip your bartenders

at the Bunker very generously!

Bunker News—Page 20 JULY 2015

Desoto Detachment #588, 5225 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida 34207 (941) 301-4598

MEETINGS ARE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 1830

Marine Corps League

Application for Membership

Full Name: _______________________________________________ Phone: (______)-______________________

Street Address: ___________________________________ City________________State______ Zip______+_____

Date of Birth: ___/___/_____ E-Mail Address: ________________________Service Or S.S. #:__________________

Date of Enlistment/Commissioning: ______________ Date of Discharge/Retirement/Separation:______________

Type of Application: New □ Renewal □ Membership Type -- Regular □ Associate □ Dual □

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? YES □ NO □ If yes is checked, I agree to waive my rights under the Privacy

Act and disclose the nature of the felony conviction for consideration of membership in the Marine Corps League.

□ I hereby apply for membership in the __________________ Detachment, Marine Corps League and enclose

$_____________________ for one year’s membership.*

□ I hereby apply for membership in the Marine Corps League as a Member-at-Large (MAL) and enclose $30 for

one year’s membership*

*Includes free subscription to “Semper Fi”, (The Magazine of the Marine Corps League)

I hereby certify that I am currently serving or have served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps, on active duty, for not

less than ninety (90) days * and earned the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, or have served or am currently serving in the

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and have earned no less than ninety (90) Reserve Retirement Credit Points or that I have

served or am currently serving as a U. S. Navy Corpsman who has trained with Marine FMF Units in excess of ninety

(90) days and earned the Marine Corps Device or Warfare Device worn on the Service Ribbon authorized for FMF Corps-

men. If discharged, I am in receipt of a DD Form 214 or Certificate of Discharge indicating "Honorable Service".

("Honorable Service" will be defined by the last Form 214 or Certificate of Discharge that the applicant received). Gen-

eral discharge under Honorable Conditions is acceptable.) By signature on this application, I hereby agree to provide

proof of honorable service/discharge upon request. I hereby authorize the National Executive Director, Marine Corps

League to obtain an un-redacted copy of my latest DD Form 214 from the Marine Corps custodian of Official Military Per-

sonnel Files (IMPF, and/or verification of honorable service if deemed necessary to verify my eligibility for regular mem-

bership in the Marine Corps League. I understand the DD Form 214 may contain information such as military awards,

training, and character of service.

(*Korean War Era Marines See National Bylaws, Article 6, Section 600)

_________________________________ _____________________________________

{Sponsor where applicable) Applicant's Signature (see reverse side)