honor
Honor guides Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior
courage
Courage is the mental, moral and physical strength ingrained in all Marines
commitment
Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication found in Marines
Bulletins
Here are some important highlights to pay attention to
annual dues
Non-Life members need to pay their annual dues of $35.00 by August 15th to our Paymaster for transmittal by August 31. Call or email Bob Willis (317) 501-8294 to arrange payment
Officer meeting – may 13
Monthly Officer/Committee meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month at 17:00. All detachment members are welcome to attend. 2651 Hobbs Rd, Louisville, TN
monthly meeting – April 30
Detachment meeting is held the last Tuesday of each month at the VFW post 5154 w/ Social Hour from 17:30-18:15 and meeting from 18:15-19:30, all welcome. 2651 Hobbs Rd. Louisville, TN
scholarship applications
2024 Scholarship Applications must be mailed and postmarked before 17 July 2024. Click Here to open and print the scholarship application. Be sure to type or print legibly
Veteran breakfasts
Veteran breakfasts are held in the Knoxville area and are a great opportunity to enjoy a good breakfast and share in the camaraderie with fellow Veterans and guests. Click Here for details.
pistol match
Jack McGivney Memorial Pistol Match is at 09:00 on 20 April at the Windrock Shooting Range & Traning Center. 720 Windrock Rd, Oliver Springs, TN. Click here for more details about this event.
New Member Highlight
Welcome our new members from March 2024
James Russel
USMC
Tim Sarver
USMC
History
Honoring a Medal of Honor Recipient
Detachment 924 honors the Knoxville native and Medal of Honor recipient First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman Jr. who gallantly gave his life in battle for Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll and Gilbert Islands on November 22, 1943 with the namesake of our detachment.
In October 1942, Bonnyman sailed for the South Pacific aboard the SS Matsonia. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Guadalcanal as part of a Marine pioneer unit (lightly equipped combat engineers).
Bonnyman’s civilian background, temperament and skills would come to play an important role at Tarawa in November 1943, where he was assigned to a shore party handling beachhead logistics. When the assault troops were pinned down by heavy enemy artillery fire at the seaward end of the long Betio Pier, on his own initiative Bonnyman organized and led five men over the open pier to the beach. There he voluntarily obtained flame throwers nd demolitions and directed the blowing up of several hostile installations.
On the second day of the struggle, Bonnyman, determined to breach the enemy’s strong defensive line, led a demolition team of 21 Marines in an assault on the entrance to a huge bombproof shelter which contained approximately 150 Japanese soldiers. Bonnyman advanced his team to the mouth of the position and killed many of the defenders. Bonnyman again pressed his attack and gained the top of the structure, thereby flushing more than one hundred of its occupants into the open where they were cut down by Marine infantry and a supporting tank. When the Japanese returned fire, Bonnyman stood on the forward edge of the position and killed three of the attackers, but was himself killed as he ordered more charges brought forward. Of Bonnyman’s original assault party of 21 Marines, 13 had survived. Betio Island was declared secured on the same day.
Detachment Officers
Below are the fine Marines that currently lead Lt. Bonnyman Detachment 924
Suzie Schmidt
Commandant
commandant@mclknoxville.org
(865) 806-0490
Keith Kregel
Sr. Vice Commmandant
srvice@mclknoxville.org
(865) 679-4388
Jim Toussaint
Jr. Vice Commandant
jrvice@mclknoxville.org
Robert Ballesteros
Judge Advocate
ja@mclknoxville.org
Ken DeBoer
Past Commandant
pcomm@mclknoxville.org
Bob Willis
Paymaster
paymaster@mclknoxville.org
(317) 501-8294
Jerry Wernli
Quartermaster
qm@mclknoxville.org
Ron Naugle
Chaplain
chaplain@mclknoxville.org
(581) 565-6980
Chris Alberding
Web Sgt / Sgt at Arms
websgt@mclknoxville.org
Anthony Alvo
Special Projects
projects@mclknoxville.org
Joe McCarter
Bonnyman Young Marines Unit Commander
bym@mclknoxville.org
Connie Sexton
MCLA President
mclapres@mclknoxville.org