Marine Corps League Detachment #1257 Air, Land NC
Commandant – Shawn Potwin
Shawn served in the Marine Corps from Oct 1994 through November 2004 with a primary MOS as an F/A-18 aircraft mechanic, specializing in ejection seats and environmental control systems. His first duty station was Beaufort, SC, with VMFA-451. He also deployed to Japan, Okinawa, and Thailand. Shawn transferred to VMFA-251 and deployed on the USS George Washington in 1997-1998 in the Mediterranean, but spent most of the time in the Persian Guld supporting the no fly zones in Iraq, and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Subsequently, Shawn was assigned as I&I staff for VMFA 321, Andrews Air Force Base, MD.
Senior Vice Commandant – Danny Richards
Danny Richards enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1968, earning MOS 6236, F-4B Radar Technician. He was initially assigned to Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron (H&MS) 14, Cherry Point, NC, before deploying to Vietnam from 1970-1971 where he supported VMFA-115 in Danang. Upon completion of the deployment, he transferred to Iwakuni, Japan with H&MS-15. Subsequently, he returned to H&MS-14, Cherry Point and later was an instructor for the Navigation/Attack system of the AV-8A Harrier attack jet. Upon discharge, he had a 30-year career with Phillips medical systems as a cardiovascular imaging/digital x-ray technician. Danny then became a real estate agent for 9 years, before retiring in Youngsville. He was married 47 years, with 3 children.
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 – Mona
Paymaster – Ed Whalen
(bio pending)
Chaplain – Al Pasquale
Al (Alfredo Vincenzo) Pasquale joined the Marine Corps League in 1969, member number 4070. He had volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1954 after quitting high school and served four years on active duty. His 70th anniversary as a Marine is on May 6, 2025. He graduated MCRD Parris Island as the honor platoon, and attended ITR Camp Geiger, NC, carrying the M1911 pistol, M1 rifle, and B.A.R. automatic rifle. He attended Airman Preparatory School at NAS Jacksonville, FL and was assigned MOS 7041, Aviation Administration (S2/S3). He was assigned to VMF-312 Checkerboards (FJ-2 Fury) at Cherry Point, NC (with detachments to Roosevelt Road, PR), stopping at Camp Pendleton, CA before sailing 14 days to HMR-161 Greyhawks (HRS-1 and H-21) at Kaneohe Bay, HI. He later served in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, NY in the security detachment. Following active duty, he was a top salesman, overseeing three retail stores for the Johnston-Murphy corporation, and various jobs including for Crysler and Subaru, as well as performances in musical theater. Al is originally from Providence, RI and lived near Philadelphia, PA before moving to the Raleigh area in 2018. He is married, with four daughters, four stepdaughters, and two deceased sons. Al sings in several parish choirs at St Francis of Assisi catholic church, and the Concert Singers of Cary.
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.
Sgt at Arms – Marshall Roberts
Marshall has served from 1977-1981 and again 1983-1988, as a Radio Telephone Operator (RTO) and MOS 0311 Rifleman, with units including self-propelled artillery and engineers. He has participated in many exercises and detachments under arctic conditions, including to Norway. Additionally, Marshall was an Air Force Reservist.
Service Officer –
(currently vacant/ Bill Mosina, Acting; see above for bio)
Past Commandant – Bill Brown
William E. “Bill” Brown enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 in October 1965, serving 27 years. He earned MOS 3043, Supply Specialist, and his first assignment was 3d MAW, El Toro, CA. In 1967, he deployed to Okinawa and fielded new tactical/mission essential equipment to FMF units in Vietnam and throughout Southeast Asia. Other assignments include recruiting duty, formal schools instructor (Supply School), SNCO Academy (honor grad), fielding a new automated supply/logistics system at Camp Lejeune and Okinawa, 3d Marine Division (controlled items chief), MCB Quantico (supply chief, supporting Military Police, CID and NIS), Supply Chief Leadership Course (top of his class), on the FSMAO-1 inspection team for supply and maintenance unit readiness assessments, MCB Albany, GA (NCOIC, Materiel Division, overseeing Joint Service projects such as build-outs for four 500-bed fly away hospitals and support to Special Operations Command/MAGTF), HQMC-Material Performance Appraisal Section (FSMAO Coordinator), MCB Japan (NCOIC of Stores Accounting and Base Property Control Chief, for $65M in base property), and at HQMC, I&L (NCOIC of Logistics, Plans, and Policy Branch, including logistical and materiel readiness support throughout operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, the Ground Supply MOS Occupational Field Sponsor, and a Joint Service Project Officer for name tape implementation). Bill also earned his BS degree in Management, Summa Cum Laude. Upon retirement, Bill supported Federal contracts for DEA, Customs, US Courts, Navy/Marine Corps Intranet Program (including relocating 1000 seats after the 9/11 Pentagon attack in less than 72 hours), and relocating the US Army’s Personnel Command’s records to Fort Knox, KY, before retiring from Hewlett Packard in 2013. For the Marine Corps League, he has been Past North District Vice Commandant, and current Judge Advocate for the Department of North Carolina. He is also active in the Military Order of the Devil Dogs, was 2024 Dog of the Year for Jesse O. Price Pound 210, North Carolina Pack and serves as Smart Dog (Judge Advocate) of Pound 210. Bill lives in Wake Forest with his wife, Anne Marie.
Past Commandant – Terry Shackelton
(bio pending)