Welcome

to the

Deane Hawkins Detachment #323

of the Marine Corps League.

Our Marines, Corpsmen, and dedicated Associates that comprise this detachment, join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps.

We welcome into our fold those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have retired or have been honorably discharged from that service, as well as Navy Corpsmen who have earned  the Marine Corps Device or Warfare Device worn on the service ribbon authorized for FMF Corpsmen.

Our mission is to aid and render assistance to all Marines, Corpsmen, and their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps through fitting acts, and to observe the anniversaries and events of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

We support our El Paso Young Marines organization.

In addition, the Detachment contributes to the betterment of the community by supporting various local worthy charities.

We are ever open to new members, and look forward to making your acquaintance at one of our monthly meetings or at an event that the Detachment supports.

Remember, there are no ex-Marines or former Marines.

Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Semper Fi.

Current Events

2nd Annual High School Physical Fitness Competition

Detachment Meetings

The Deane Hawkins Detachment has its regular meetings every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 3730 Shell Street, El Paso, Texas 79925.

 

William Deane Hawkins

1 Lt, USMC

 

Born:  April 19, 1914 at Fort Scott , KS

Entered Service in the US Marine Corps from El Paso , TX

Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II for heroism November 20 & 21, 1943 at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands

 

Died:  November 21, 1943 at the age of 29

As commanding officer of a Scout Sniper Platoon attached to the Assault Regiment in action against Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Island , First Lieutenant Hawkins was the first to disembark from the jeep lighter. He unhesitatingly moved forward under heavy enemy fire at the end of the Betio Pier, neutralizing emplacements in coverage of troops assaulting the main beach positions. Fearlessly leading his men on to join the forces fighting desperately to gain a beachhead, he repeatedly risked his life throughout the day and night to direct and lead attacks on pillboxes and installations with grenades and demolitions. At dawn on the following day, First Lieutenant Hawkins resumed the dangerous mission of clearing the limited beachhead of Japanese resistance, personally initiating an assault on a hostile position fortified by five enemy machineguns, and, crawling forward in the face of withering fire, boldly fired pointblank into the loopholes and completed the destruction with grenades. Refusing to withdraw after being seriously wounded in the chest during this skirmish, First Lieutenant Hawkins steadfastly carried the fight to the enemy, destroying three more pillboxes before he was caught in a burst of Japanese shellfire and mortally wounded.