📢 UPCOMING
🏛️ 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
MCL AZ Seal
Marine Corps League Department of Arizona
Department of Arizona

Past Department Commandants

Leadership Heritage

Those Who Led the Department

Active / Living
R.I.P. - Passed On
* Charter Commandant
2020s
Joe Uribe
2023–2025
Roger Smith
2022–2023
Lawrence R. Brown (Larry) R.I.P.
2020–2022
2010s
John Rodriguez R.I.P.
2018–2020
Patrick Connell
2016–2018
Bill Ebright
2015–2016
Mike Flynn
2014–2015
Bill Ebright
2013–2014
Milt Cruver
2012–2013
Alex Romero
2010–2012
2000s
John D. Walker
2008–2010
William V. Cheek
2006–2008
Robert S. Broderick R.I.P.
2004–2006
Abner Reese R.I.P.
2002–2004
Frank J. Wienke R.I.P.
2000–2002
1990s
Robert C. Canright R.I.P.
1998–2000
Howard Fornof R.I.P.
1997–1998
Robert I. Matlack R.I.P.
1996–1997
William Pakinkis
1994–1996
Robert I. Matlack R.I.P.
1993–1994
Frank Ceniseros R.I.P.
1992–1993
Fritz M. Fossdal R.I.P.
1991–1992
William Pakinkis
1990–1991
1980s
Thomas Guillino R.I.P.
1989–1990
Andy Y. Herreras
1988–1989
Lee Shaffer R.I.P.
1987–1988
Bobby Dean Stephenson R.I.P.
1986–1987
Kenneth Brooks R.I.P.
1985–1986
Bert Q. Rincon R.I.P.
1984–1985
Donald L. Frost R.I.P.
1983–1984
Bert Q. Rincon R.I.P.
1982–1983
David R. Hart R.I.P.
1980–1982
1970s
James Dawkins R.I.P.
1979–1980
Gary L. Smith
1978–1979
Steven S. Wilson R.I.P.
1977–1978
Phillip M. Hale R.I.P.
1976–1977
Robert I. Matlack R.I.P.
1975–1976
Gilbert Valenzuela
1974–1975
Edward D. MacIntyre R.I.P.
1973–1974
Joseph J. Ryan * Charter Commandant R.I.P.
1972–1973
40
Total Commandants since the Department was chartered
25
Passed On — R.I.P.
53
Years of continuous leadership — 1972 to present

Charter Commandant

The Department of Arizona was chartered in 1972. The first man to lead it:

Joseph J. Ryan
1972 – 1973  •  R.I.P.

Multiple-Term Commandants

Robert I. Matlack served three separate terms — 1975–1976, 1993–1994, and 1996–1997 — making him the most-termed commandant in Department history.
William Pakinkis served two terms — 1990–1991 and 1994–1996.
Bert Q. Rincon served two terms — 1982–1983 and 1984–1985.
Bill Ebright served two terms — 2013–2014 and 2015–2016.

In Their Memory

We honor the 25 past commandants who have passed on. Their service to the Marine Corps League and the veterans of Arizona will never be forgotten.

SEMPER FIDELIS

About the Department Contact Us