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🏛️ Spring Conference 2026 • Mar 5–7 • Hampton Inn, Lake Havasu City ⚓ Hosted by Lake Havasu City Detachment #757 📋 Conference Agenda now available — View Events Page 🎖️ State Convention: June 2026 • Hosted by Old Breed Detachment 📞 Questions? Contact the Department 🏛️ Spring Conference 2026 • Mar 5–7 • Hampton Inn, Lake Havasu City ⚓ Hosted by Lake Havasu City Detachment #757 📋 Conference Agenda now available — View Events Page 🎖️ State Convention: June 2026 • Hosted by Old Breed Detachment 📞 Questions? Contact the Department
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Marine Corps League Department of Arizona
Department of Arizona

Marine of the Year

Marine of the Year Nominations

Marine of the Year Medal

Within the Department, there is no award higher than that of the “Marine of the Year” that can be bestowed upon a Marine Corps League member by the Marine of the Year Society.

All detachments have a Marine who performs and displays the dedication, leadership qualities and principles of a good Marine above all others.

It is this Marine who is always willing to roll up his/her sleeves to do that tough job, the daunting tasks or put in the long hours of personal sacrifice, without hopes of reward, all to achieve the goals of the detachment and the Marine Corps League. All of this is evaluated through the Marine’s participation, and noteworthy accomplishments, perseverance and devotion to duty.

“Marine of the Year” is the award to recognize that special Marine.

Marine of the Year Society Information Download Nomination Form (PDF)
⚠ Reminder — All nominations need to be to the Department Adjutant by February 15th every year.

Past Marines of the Year

A record of every Marine of the Year honored by the Department of Arizona since the award began in 1973.

Award Recipient
R.I.P. — Passed On
No Award Given
2020s
No Award Given
2024
Mike Noble Verde Valley #1176
2023
Bud Watts Lake Havasu #757
2022
Mike Myers Copper State #906
2021
Pat Connell Old Breed #767
2020
2010s
Phil Yin Fountain Hills #1439 R.I.P.
2019
Gayle Smith Nighthawk Det. 72
2018
Thomas Blair White Tank Mountain #1246
2017
David F. Stockwell Copper State #906
2016
Larry Brown White Tank Mountain #1246 R.I.P.
2015
Robert Wallace Copper State #906
2014
Manuel Lugo Ira Hayes #002
2013
Lloyd Dellacort Sedona #1237
2012
Don Lavetter Nighthawk Det. 72
2011
Gene Burns Lake Havasu #757
2010
2000s
Charlie Crick Sedona #1237
2009
Stewart Fraiser Copper State #906
2008
Mike Andrichack Copper State #906 R.I.P.
2007
Frank J. Wienke Saguaro #554 R.I.P.
2006
No Award Given
2005
Milton L. Cruver San Francisco Peaks #912
2004
Robert Bohach Old Breed #767
2003
Kenneth R. Pitts Ira Hayes #002
2002
Frank Gonzales Old Breed #767
2001
Richard Broderick San Francisco Peaks #912 R.I.P.
2000
1990s
Phillip C. Carper USS Arizona #517 R.I.P.
1999
Robert C. Canright Saguaro #554 R.I.P.
1998
Jack H. Day Pvt. Joe Hardt #818 R.I.P.
1997
Donald D. Davis Pvt. Joe Hardt #818
1996
Nick DeFelice Lake Havasu #757
1995
Alex V. Romero Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1994
Lee S. Shaffer USS Arizona #517 R.I.P.
1993
Joe Gianninto Lake Havasu #757 R.I.P.
1992
Benjamin Rivera Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1991
Donald L. Frost Ira Hayes #002 R.I.P.
1990
1980s
Bobby Hughes Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1989
No Award Given
1988
Edward Skicewicz Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1987
Norma J. Gallagher Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1986
Andy Y. Herreras Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1985
Hector Dorame Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1984
Thomas A. Gulino Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1983
Gary Smith Ira Hayes #002
1982
Bert Q. Rincon Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1981
Gilbert Franco Tucson #007
1980
1970s
Harold Don Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1979
Edward D. MacIntyre Ira Hayes #002 R.I.P.
1978
Robert I. Matlack Ira Hayes #002 R.I.P.
1977
Thomas O. Price Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1976
Joseph J. Ryan Ira Hayes #002 R.I.P.
1975
Harold M. Keller Tucson #007 R.I.P.
1974
Chester Olson Ira Hayes #002 R.I.P.
1973
49
Marines honored since the award began in 1973

52
Years of the award — 1973 to present

3
Years with no award given (1988, 2005, 2024)

About the Award

The Marine of the Year is the highest honor a detachment can bestow upon one of its members. It recognizes the Marine who best demonstrates dedication, leadership, and the principles of the Marine Corps League through their actions and sacrifice.

All detachments are encouraged to nominate their most deserving member each year.

Nominations due February 15th annually

Most Decorated Detachments

Tucson Det. #007 — 15 recipients, the most of any detachment in Department history.
Ira Hayes Det. #002 — 10 recipients spanning 1973 to 2013.
Copper State Det. #906 — 5 recipients including three consecutive years (2014–2016).
Lake Havasu Det. #757 — 4 recipients across four decades.

In Their Memory

We honor the 27 past recipients who have since passed on. Their dedication to the Marine Corps League set the standard for all who follow.

SEMPER FIDELIS

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