About Us

In 1923, then commandant of the Marine Corps John A. Lejeune was the driving force behind the creation of the Marine Corps League. The mission statement of the Marine Corps League reads:

Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American feed and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans, and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

General Lejeune, as the first Commandant of the Marine Corps League, signed the charter for the Simpson-Hoggatt Detachment (984) of Kansas City, Missouri on June 1, 1925. The detachment was named for James Simpson Jr. and Harry Hoggatt, two Kansas City Marines who were killed in action during World War I. Harry Hoggatt also served in the 6th Marines and was killed in action October 5, 1918 at Mont Blanc. Although the Simpson-Hoggatt detachment is still active, the detachment donated their original charter to the Marine Corps Archives at Quantico, Virginia because of the historical significance of it being signed by John Lejeune. The charter was presented to the Archives on August 9, 2007.

The same Marines who founded the Simpson-Hoggatt Detachment also chartered the Simpson-Hoggatt American Legion Post (329) in Kansas City, Missouri. the charter for this post was issued on November 29, 1941, and was cancelled on May 10, 2001.