History of the Marine Corps League

The Marine Corps League (MCL) was founded in 1923 by Marine Corps Commandant John A. Lejeune to preserve Marine Corps traditions and strengthen the bonds among Marines. The organization received its federal charter from the 75th U.S. Congress on August 4, 1937, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, making it the only federally chartered Marine related veterans organization. Its mission is to serve Marines, FMF Corpsmen and FMF Chaplains and their families, and to foster American patriotism and volunteerism, with membership open to active-duty, reserve, and honorably discharged Marines and qualified Navy FMF personnel.
 

The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter that allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary, and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

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Total Membership: As of the first half of 2025, the Marine Corps League's membership is reported to be over 70,000.