Marine Reconnaissance Foundation

06/18/2026

The LtCol William Leftwich Tombstone Dedication took place on 17 June 2026 at Forest Hill Cemetery in Tennessee. Members of the MRF Board, the Sgt Walter K Singleton Detachment Marine Corps League Memphis, fellow Marines, veterans and local leaders attended this event to honor LtCol Leftwich and those Marines and Sailors killed in action.

In coordination with the Brooks Tucker, the former Chief of Staff of the Veterans Affairs, Chief of Staff for National Cemetery Administration, Craig Berry from the Marine Corps League Memphis, Konrad Tolai, the Assistant Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations & the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, we have been able to secure a replacement headstone for LtCol William Leftwich’s gravesite as it was in a state of disrepair.

1st Reconnaissance Battalion lost their battalion commander, LtCol William Leftwich, and the Marines of Recon Team Rush Act during a dangerous emergency extraction in Vietnam on November 18th, 1970.

Today, the Marine Corps presents the Annual Leftwich Award, a trophy given for outstanding leadership following a selection board chaired by the Deputy Commandant of Plans, Policies and Operations (DC PP&O) for nominees that are Marine Captains in the ground combat elementserving on active duty as a company or battery commander with the ground forces of the Fleet Marine Force at the time of nomination. The Commandant of the Marine Corps is the approving official for this coveted award.

TEAM RUSH ACT
Daniels, Russell Glen HM2
Delozier, David Vincent LCpl
Hudson, Gary Duane LCpl
Pope Jr., Charles Alfred LCpl
Stockman, John Frank Cpl
Tucker, Robert Eugene LCpl
Villasana, Fernando Cpl

Extract team
Leftwich Jr., William Groom LtCol
Harvey, Cleveland Ray 1stLt
Manela, Randall Paul Cpl
HELICOPTER CREW
Bajin, Enver Cpl Gunner
Buttry, Richard Russell LCpl Gunner
Donnell II, Robert A Sgt Crew Chief
Rogers Jr., Orville Curtis 1stLt Pilot
Stolz Jr., James Edward 1stLt Co-Pilot

https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/06/17/vietnam-war-heros-weathered-headstone-replaced-forest-hill-cemetery/

06/17/2026

Happy birthday Doc!

Our Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsmen (SOIDC)/Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsmen (SARC) and their predecessors, all known as “Doc” are world class gunfighters who provide the highest level of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). By far some of the most capable warriors in the United States military today.

soidc

06/16/2026

Sid is a loved and respected teammate who is not forgotten

Never above you
Never below you
Always by your side

06/16/2026

Recon Foundation athletes with our Expeditions Branch summit Mt Rainer (14,410 feet) on 13 June 2026, demonstrating the technical skills, mental and physical toughness of the Reconnaissance Marine/Sailor.

06/15/2026

LOE3: Historic Preservation

Reconnaissance History.... 60 years ago today, the Battle for Hill 488, also know as “Howard’s Hill” after legendary Recon man Staff Sergeant Jimmie Howard (who earned the Medal of Honor) took place.

Reconnaissance Marines and Corpsmen from 1st Recon Bn were surrounded and defended their position from being overrun by an estimated NVA force of ~400 enemy soldiers.

During the battle the Reconnaissance men had to resort to hand to hand combat and throwing rocks due to ammunition being so low.

This combat action resulted in dozens of enemy killed and six Reconnaissance men Killed In Action.

Often considered one of the most decorated combat actions in American history, the battle resulted in one Medal of Honor, Four Navy Crosses and Thirteen Silver Stars being awarded to our Recon Marines and Corpsmen.

The Arleigh Burke-class guide missile destroyer USS Howard, named in honor of Jimmie E. Howard, was christened on November 20, 1999

forcerecon 1st Reconnaissance Battalion

06/14/2026

Congratulations to teammate Colonel Jason Armas for a successful command tour of 1st Marine Infantry Regiment.

The 1st Marine Regiment held its latest change of command ceremony on June 5, 2026, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. During the traditional passing of the colors, Colonel Jason Armas relinquished command of the regiment to Colonel Johnathon Frerichs.

1st Marine Division
Marine Recon Foundation

06/14/2026

17th Annual Recon Challenge: BLACKSHELL + MRF

Blackshell is a multidisciplinary collective founded by two former Recon Marines and based between Utah and Wyoming. The team specializes expeditionary filmmaking and focuses on documenting companies and organizations operating at the highest levels of innovation in the defense and tech industries.

This MAX GAIN episode follows the Wave Relay team as they take a closer look at the Recon Challenge and the meaning behind the event. The story carries a unique connection, with host and Persistent Systems team member Kyle Haydel also having served as a Recon Marine.

Nearly 30 miles. Camp Pendleton, California. The Annual Recon Chall...

06/13/2026

NEW MRF ATHLETICS DIRECTOR: Marc Nelson

Marc is an active ultrarunner and triathlete, who began his involvement with endurance sports leadership in the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation Athletics Program, where he served as Assistant Team Leader for the Endurance Team and currently holds the role of Athletics Director.

Marc’s military career began with his enlistment in the United States Marine Corps in 1992 through the Delayed Entry Program while still in high school. After completing Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego, he then went to Marine Combat Training and the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton. Following SOI he was assigned to 9th Marines in Okinawa, Japan. Following the unit’s disbandment, he joined 3rd Reconnaissance Company, where he participated in two 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments and multiple deployment-for-training events. During this time, he completed advanced training including Marine Combat Diver School (MCD), SERE, and other leadership courses. He later transferred to 2nd Reconnaissance Company at Onslow Beach, where he deploying with the 26th MEU before completing service in 1997.

After his enlisted service, Marc attended the University of Oregon, earning a degree in Architecture. He went on to commission as a Navy Ensign in 2004 and served in multiple Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) assignments. While assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE, he served as Company Commander for a Convoy Security Element in Al Anbar Province, supporting II MEF operations by leading Convoy Operations where he was responsible for the safe movement of personnel and critical supplies across the AOR.

Following his NMCB tour he completed the Joint Diving Officer (JDO) program in Panama City, Florida, and was assigned to Naval Experimental Dive Unit, where he served as Engineering Officer. His subsequent tours took him to Hawaii for additional NAVFAC assignments before finishing his career as Diving Officer for the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command at the Expeditionary Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, California. He retired from active duty in 2018.

You can contact MRF Athletics at: [email protected]

06/12/2026

Please consider supporting our teammate Ken Ellis, following a terrible industrial accident.

On Tuesday June 2nd, beloved Ken Ellis, suffered a sudden and horrible accident on a job site. An 800 lb beam fell on Ken’s head, crushing his cervical spine; he was life-flighted to Logan Health in Kalispell MT. The damage to vertebrae C5, C6 and C7 and the discs are extensive. Thankfully, by the Grace of God and many angels our beloved Ken has mobility in his extremities, and his brain is intact with good cognition. Ken had spinal surgery on June 4th, fusing cervical vertebrae C4 through C7, placing plastic-like bone graft cages and a titanium plate with rods and pins to stabilize the area. For the next several months Ken is required to wear a neck brace 24/7 with the hope that bones will grow and fuse together on their own, which can take over a year. Ken’s life has drastically changed in a flash of a moment and the road towards recovery is long and slow.

On Tuesday June 2nd, beloved Ken Ellis, suffered a sudden and horrible… jeff Mase needs your support for Plz help Ken Ellis recover from traumatic work injury

06/11/2026

LOE3: Historic Preservation

Today we remember Col. Clovis ‘’Buck’’ C. Coffman Jr.

Buck was a legendary Force Reconnaissance Marine who received a battlefield commission in Vietnam while serving in 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company under Alex Lee.

He was a decorated and distinguished teammate who earned a Navy Cross; three Silver Stars; five Bronze Stars with ‘’V’’; Airmedal with ‘’V’’; seven Purple Hearts during his time in service.

“Forever shall I strive to maintain the tremendous reputation of those who have gone before me”