WELCOME
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MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
CPL LARRY E. SMEDLEY
Medal of Honor Detachment 064 - Orlando, Florida USA
On behalf of the members of the Cpl Larry E. Smedley Detachment, welcome to our website. We're the premier veteran's organization of the United States Marine Corps. Since our founding in 1923, the Marine Corps League's purpose has been to perpetuate the traditions and "esprit de corps" through the continuous association of Marines who served under the Eagle, Globe and Anchor at any time in war or peace. We also welcome Associate Members who were not Marines but support our League.
Our Detachment was named after Cpl. Larry E. Smedley, who at the age of 17 dropped out of Colonial High School here in Orlando in 1966 to join the Marines. In September of 1967 he arrived in Vietnam and three months later would earn the nation's top military decoration . . . the Medal of Honor.
On December 21, 1967, after leading his six-man squad to an ambush position in Quang Nam province, Smedley spotted about 100 enemy troops heavily armed with rocket launchers and mortars. Realizing they were preparing to attack, he radioed for reinforcements, moved his squad into
better position, and . . . though he was roundly outnumbered . . . attacked.
The Military Order of Devil Dogs
This is the fun and honor society of the Marine Corps League. The Order provides amusement and entertainment at all gatherings of the League when and where advisable. The Order is also very active in raising funds for different charities.League members desiring membership in the Order must be recommended by the Detachment Commandant and sponsored by two Devil Dogs or Pedigreed Devil Dogs.
The Order's many charitable donations not only help people in need, but also build
public relations for the Order, the League and the United States Marine Corps
.WHAT IS THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE?
It's an organization for all Marines
The MCL 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. 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.
PURPOSES: The purposes of the Marine Corps League as prescribed in it Federal Charter are:
, , , to preserve the traditions and to promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps;. . . to band those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service together in fellowship that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy;. . . to fit its members for the duties of citizenship and to encourage them; to serve as ably as citizens as they have served the Nation under arms;. . . to hold sacred the history and memory of the men who have given their lives to the Nation;. . . to foster love for the principals which they have supported by blood and valor since the founding of the republic;. . . to maintain true allegiance to American institutions;. . . to create a bond of comradeship between those in the service and those who have returned to civilian life;. . . to aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines and former Marines as well as to their widows and orphans;. . . to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by filling acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of peculiar interest to Marines. THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE . . . The Organization for ALL MARINES
active duty . . . reserve . . . . former . . . retired . . . officer . . . enlisted
As machine-gun fire ripped Smedley's men , a grenade exploded and knocked him down. He realized the blast had blown away part of his right foot. Still he rose, rallying his men, as he charged the machine-gunner, firing his rifle and lobbing grenades.
Enemy fire dropped him, once, but Smedley, bloody and fading, resumed his assault. With a grenade, he finished off the machine gunner. But struck in the chest by enemy fire, Smedley, too, was finished. Today, Smedley rests in Arlington National Cemetery, but his memory still walks the halls of Colonial High School, and stirs the hearts of each member of our Detachment. He was Central Florida's youngest Medal of Honor recipient.
Again, we "Welcome" you to our website and hope you will join us either as a member or associate member. We'd love to have
you as a part of our League.
STEVE NOBLE - Commandant
Cell Phone: 321-230-9868
Email: steve.noble61@yahoo.com
Orlando Devil Dogs of the Young Marines Shine on Graduation Day
The Orlando Devil Dogs had their Recruit Graduation Ceremony at the Cpl. Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum on June 5th. Eight recruits were sworn in to the Young Marines Program. The Orlando Devil Dogs are one of the top units in the nation and our Detachment salutes their hard work and conmmittment to be the Best! OooRahl!!!
2011 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA Ceremony
Draws Large Crowds to Orlando's Greenwood Cemetery on Dec.10th
Click "What's Happening" Link Above for Full Details & Photos
FOR CURRENT ACTIVITIES OF DETACHMENT . . . . . CLICK HERE
CHALLENGE COINS ARE BACK!!!
We have a limited number of coins available for purchase at $20.00 each. If response is strong, more will be minted. Contact Commandant Steve Noble at 321-230-9868 to order yours today. Or, email him at steve.noble61@yahoo.com
THE BACKGROUND BEHIND OUR DETACHMENT'S NAME
Click here to add text.
OUR NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012 - 19:00 HRS.
Orlando Aviation Authority Administrative Bldg. - Orlando
2-blocks south of Colonial Drive on Rickenbacker Drive at Executive Airport
