Marine Corps League Detachment #1257 Air, Land NC
Commandant – Bill Brown
Senior Vice Commandant – Danny Richards
Junior Vice Commandant – Bill Mosena
In 1964 I joined the US Army, completing basic training and a wheel vehicle mechanics course at Fort Dix, followed by assignment to C CO. 7th Combat Engineer Battalion Fort Devens as awheel vehicle mechanic. In 1965 I completed my training at Fort Benning Track Vehicle Mechanics School, graduating second in my class. I was then assigned to HQCO 1st Battalion 87th Infantry, 7th Army in Baumholder Germany where I served as a track vehicle mechanic and operator for a 66ton M88 tank retriever (wrecker) until the fall of 1966. I was a temp sergeant (NCOIC) on the 87th Infantry Battalion drill team, competing in 2 x 100 mile competition in Worms, Germany and one international walk for civilians or marching military held in Nijmegen, Holland. The military awarded a participation medal that could be worn on uniforms. I was assigned to C Battery (Air Defense Artillery, Hawk Missile system) 6th Battalion 56th Artillery Group as Sr Track Mechanic in Vietnam. After a Command Motor Maintenance Inspection (CMMI) I was selected for duty at HQCO 97th Artillery Commanding officer Aid (1966 through November 1967). Then I went to Fort Sill, OK to the Service Battery 4th Battalion 14th Artillery Group as Motor Sargeant. I was assistant coach while a wrestler on the fort Sill wrestling team, winning post champion at light heavyweight in 1968 and 1969. I wrestled free style and Greco Roman on the US Army Team in 1969. I received an honorable discharge in 1969 to attend college. In 1972 I enlisted in USMC, going to Boot Camp MCRD San Diego CA. After graduation I went to Avionics Tech School, Millington Naval Air Station, then to primary MOS school SU#3, TME-21, MWHS-2 2dMAW, MCAS, Cherry Point. A/C Pass ECM System Tech. Top secret clearance, ALQ76/86 system, offensive/defensive countermeasures. I was then assigned to VMCJ-2, MAG-14, 2dMAW, MCAS, Cherry Point. l was a marksmanship instructor Jd FAP to H&HS, MCAS, CPNC Rifle Range and was honorably discharged. Exide Electronics design engineering 1977 to 1982.Arrow Electronics – Intel Technical Specialist for Intel’s 8086 and 8088 chip set, Development System with ICE (Circuit Emulation). Electronic Marketing Inc. Account Manager/Sales Rep for semiconductors, LEDs, LCD, Printed circuit boards, contract manufacturing like PLEXUS, selling turnkey solutions to Customers, IBM, Lucent, AT&T, Troxler, Cisco Systems. Thompson Automotive Group: (2002-2018) Service Writer, Detail Shop Manager, Automotive Sales, Thompson Parts Department expanding to a Regional Wholesaler of GM parts
Judge Advocate – Jack Kemeny
I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1962, and was initially an aviation mechanic for I&I duty at Willow Grove NAS, PA. Selected for NESEP in 1963, earned Aerospace Engineering degree from Penn State and was commissioned. Attended engineer officer training at Camp Lejeune before deployment to Vietnam in 1968. Served with 11th Engineer Battalion in Dong Ha, as Heavy Equipment Platoon Commander, then transferred to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines to fill in for shortage of infantry lieutenants. Medevac’d to Japan for recovery, before returning to the HE Platoon, then Company XO at Vandergrift Combat Base for construction/deconstruction support until 1969. Final duty station was Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as Maintenance Officer, then Personnel Officer during officer shortage. Obtained M.S. Systems Management from Southern Cal. After resigning in 1971, worked for Bechtel Power Corporation in San Francisco, then Gaithersburg, MD for project management positions in several states for nuclear power plants. Worked for two other engineering/construction companies in Atlanta as project manager and vice president. Started own company in 1997 building custom dream homes in Brunswick County, NC. General contracting and home inspection licenses until 2008 and retirement to Southport, NC, later moving to Raleigh, NC to be near family. Married to Arlene, with one daughter and three grandchildren. Our Marine son died in 2006.
Paymaster – Ed Whalen
Chaplain – Al Pasquale
Adjutant – Shawn Potwin
Assistant Adjutant – Frank Williams
Frank’s Marine Corps service was from May 1968 – Apr 1970. He earned PFC upon graduation from MCRD Parris Island, and LCpl upon on graduating first in his class at Camp Lejeune Supply School as a MOS 3042 Supply Administration. Frank was subsequently assigned to Camp Del Mar, the U.S. Marine Corps Language School, earning MOS 9940 Vietnamese Language Interpreter. However, once in Okinawa in May 1969, he was given an assignment there as a Purchasing Agent, procuring supplies and services (a SNCO billet), earning MOS 3081 Procurement Specialist and promotion to Cpl. Frank’s civilian career includes as a financial associate at Fidelity Investments and administering the GM Pension Plan. He currently volunteers for the Convention of States. He joined Det 1257 in 2005 and is a life member.
Service Officer –
(currently vacant)
Past Commandant – Terry Shackelton
Sgt at Arms – David Crafton
Born and raised in South Hill, Va. I currently live in Castalia, NC with my wife Sabrina Crafton of 29 Years. Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in March 1993. Went to Recruit Training on April 26, 1993 as a Private First Class. Graduated boot camp on my 19th birthday. I was given the MOS Combat Engineer (1371). I obtained the rank of GySgt. Deployed twice to Iraq with First Battalion, Eighth Marines. Awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for actions in the Battle of Fallujah in November 2004. Recognized as the Outstanding Combat Engineer SNCO of the year in 2005. I was promoted to First Sergeant in May of 2007 moved to Raleigh as the I&I First Sergeant until 2010. Deployed to Afghanistan with 8th Engineer Support Bn in 2011. I retired in 2014 from the Marine Corp Engineer School.