April 29 – May 1, 2025 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center

IRON MIKE & DICKEY CHAPELLE AWARDS

MILITARY ORDER OF THE IRON MIKE

This award was conceived by the Marine Corps League for the purpose of recognizing annually that person who has contributed the most to the United States of America and the United States Marine Corps.  Previous award winners include:    

​The award is named after the landmark statue, Iron Mike, located at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.  The bronze rendering depicts a World War I vintage Marine figure familiar to millions who have served as Marines.

Bob HopeLee Marvin
John RusselLarry Burroughs
Howard K. SmithCol Barry Zorthian, USMC
H. Ross PerotJohn Wayne
Donald E. JohnsonJohn Warner (SECNAV; 1973)
Gen Lewis W. Walt, USMC (Ret)Gen Louis H. Wilson
Ed McMahonCAPT Charles J. Covert, USN (Ret)
Sen. Dewey F. BartlettRep. Bob Wilson
Amb. Kenneth D. TaylorJames Brady
Thomas DelahantyTimothy McCarthy
Philip I. BurmanSen. Zell Miller
Congressman C.W. “Bill” YoungGen Raymond G. Davis, USMC (Ret)
Donald T. ReganJames H. Webb, Jr (SECNAV; 1987)
Rep. John P. MurthaRep. David O’Brien Martin

DICKEY CHAPELLE AWARD

This award was conceived by the Marine Corps League for the purpose of recognizing annually a lady who has contributed substantially to the morale, welfare, and well-being of Marines and the United States Marine Corps. Previous award winners include:   ​

​Martha Raye
Esther Clark
Jeane J. Kilpatrick
Col Hazel Benn
Sally Ride
Maj Robin Higgins
Congresswoman Beverly B. Byron
Linda Mundy
Katie K. Dixon
Diane J. Jones
Karen Guenther
Brenda Nyland
Senator Kay Hagan
Cathy Lanier
Congresswoman Susan Davis
Ellyn Dunford
Dr Betty Moseley Brown
Elizabeth King
Marjorie Merriweather Post
Kate Smith
Sister Veronica
RADM (Amazing) Grace Hopper
Lucy Caldwell
Susan Braaten
Betty Cooper
Zandra Meyers Krulak
Clara J. Miller
Rita McMichael
Carol Sefton
Linn Ezell
Shannon Maxwell
Debbie Paxton
Congresswoman Niki Tsongas
Senator Mazie K. Hirono
Senator Tammy Duckworth
Maj Jacqueline Barnum

This award is named to honor the memory of the late Dickey Chapelle, an American foreign correspondent who was killed while covering the actions of Marine infantrymen engaged in combat operations against enemy forces during the Vietnam War.  

​ENLISTED AWARD RECIPIENTS

EXAMPLE SUBMISSION PACKAGE

  • SgtMaj Wilbur Bestwick Award (Ground Combat Element Marine of the Year)
    • 2016 – SSgt Jason K. Krumrie
    • 2017 – GySgt Joseph Lowery
    • 2018 – Sgt Robert A. Dewitt
    • 2019 – SSgt Nicholas E. Carney
    • 2020 – GySgt Michael Watts
    • 2021 – GySgt Josue Coloma
    • 2022 – Sgt Ethan Sutherland
    • 2023 – GySgt Jack Hausmann
    • 2024 – GySgt Samuel J. Mills
  • GySgt Carlos N. Hathcock Award (Marksmanship Instructor of the Year)
    • 2016 – Sgt Joshua K. Sherman
    • 2017 – Sgt Narendra Sookdeo
    • 2018 – Sgt Kailub S. Young
    • 2019 – SSgt Stephen T. Ferguson
    • 2020 – GySgt Nathaniel Baker
    • 2021 – GySgt Andrew Hoppe
    • 2022 – Sgt Benjamin L. Morrow
    • 2023 – SSgt Caleb Neff
    • 2024 – SSgt Austin C. Hill
  • Sgt Harry D. Myers Award (Logistics Combat Element Marine of the Year)
    • 2016 – SSgt Ekhart Kohkemper
    • 2018 – Sgt Loggan G. Barley
    • 2019 – Cpl Richard Coronelnelson
    • 2020 – SSgt Kayla Erianne
    • 2021 – Sgt Luis Bocanegra
    • 2022 – Sgt Gustavo A. Felixgomez
    • 2023 – Sgt Michael Garcia
    • 2024 – Sgt Brandon Lopez
  • SgtMaj Frederick B. Douglass Award (Aviation Combat Element Marine of the Year)
    • 2016 – GySgt Samuel Martinez
    • 2017 – Sgt Rafael Almodovarsanabria
    • 2018 – SSgt Jamie L. Murray
    • 2019 – SSgt Esmerada Ramirez
    • 2020 – Sgt Dakota Newbolds
    • 2021 – SSgt Bradley Watkins
    • 2022 – GySgt Michael A. Creamer Jr.
    • 2023 – Sgt Andre Doss
    • 2024 – GySgt Dillon W. Ellis
  • HMC George William “Doc” Piercy Award (Corpsman of the Year)
    • 2016 – HM2 Dave P. Dominguez
    • 2017 – HM1 Brett A. Boland
    • 2018 – HM1 John E Cantu
    • 2019 – HM2 Daniel Matheney
    • 2020 – HM1 Michael Bryson
    • 2021 – HM1 Steven J. McKinley II
    • 2022 – HM1 Timothy L. Moore
    • 2023 – HM1 Raymonddave Soriano
    • 2024 – HM1 Patrick M. Shea
  • Marine Corps Reservist of the Year
    • 2016 – GSgt Garrett A. Czesak
    • 2017 – SSgt Edward Cucina
    • 2018 – SSgt Julio Pinto
    • 2020 – SSgt Devin Birk
    • 2021 – SSgt Christopher Sutton
    • 2022 – GySgt Sean R. Lesson
    • 2023 – GySgt Daniel Porter
    • 2024 – GySgt Joshua Y. Kelly

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor emblem and the name Marine Corps® are registered trademarks of the USMC.  The Marine Corps League supports the USMC and its veterans; however it is not officially connected to or endorsed by the USMC, and the name and emblem are used with permission.​