Birmingham Marines – Howlin' Mad Smith Detachment 1192, Marine Corps League

Mission Statement

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 freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Navy Chaplains and former Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Navy Chaplains 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.

Announcements

Department of Alabama Quarterly Meeting

0930 on Saturday September 12, 2026 | American Legion Post 133 | 4980 Main St, MILLBROOK, AL 36054

Pre-Need Burial Eligibility

You can apply to find out in advance for what benefits you are eligible and save your loved ones the task of locating the information required after you are gone. Find out in advance if you are eligible for burial in a VA cemetery or eligible for other burial benefits.

Click here for more information and access Pre-Need forms.

Honoring Korean War Veterans

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Korean War veterans for the Korean Ambassador of Peace medal. The Korean government would like to show their respect and gratitude for the devotion and sacrifice of the U.S. troops during the Korean War by presenting the medals to veterans. Sometimes called “The Forgotten War,” in part because its memory is often overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War, it began after some 75,000 North Korean soldiers poured into South Korea on June 25, 1950. By the time the war ended in July 1953, an estimated 5 million soldiers and civilians had died, including more than 700 from Alabama. South Korea’s government began offering the medals in 1975 to veterans who visited the country through its “Revisit Program,” which was meant to show gratitude for the vets’ service, as well as see how the country has prospered since the armistice was signed. In Alabama, there are 21,991 Korean War veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. But the state does not have a list of their names and addresses, so has to rely on word of mouth and local media to alert veterans to the honor. Veterans should call 334-242-5084 to receive an application for the medal.

• ▶ Ambassador Peace Medal Application Form (PDF)

Marksmanship Information

• The Marine Corps League (MCL) features two primary types of marksmanship events: the National Marksmanship Postal Matches and regional or department-level in-person matches.The National Postal Matches run annually from March 1st through October 31st. These are friendly, detachment-level events rather than elite professional matches, designed to promote camaraderie, recruitment, and retention.Postal Match Classes: Include Service Pistol, Service Rifle, Open Pistol, Optics Rifle, and .22 LR Pistol/Rifle.Cost: Standard individual registration is roughly $10 per shooter per class, with no extra charge for team categories.Courses of Fire: Pistol events typically feature slow, timed, and rapid-fire stages fired from 25 yards on standard targets, while rifles are shot at 200 yards. Scores are verified by detachment commandants and submitted to national directors.
  
• ▶ Match Rules – National Rifle and Pistol Match (PDF)