- A terminally ill child that has some unique or qualifying link to the military or the Marine Corps.
- An individual who has given extraordinary service or support to the Marine Corps, and for whom any lesser form of recognition would be insufficient.
- Deceased individuals whose actions or contributions on behalf of the Marine Corps would have merited consideration before their death.
- http://www.marineparents.com/marinecorps/motto-and-slogans.asp
- http://www.marines.mil/Community-Relations/Outreach-Programs/Honorary-Marine/
- http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/MCO%205060.19B.pdf
- http://blog.uso.org/2014/11/10/29-facts-you-may-not-know-for-the-marine-corps-239th-birthday/
Written by Jenifer Chrisman on October 17, 2016.
“When I was asked to come to Washington, D.C., to meet and have dinner with Marine Corps Commandant, General James T. Conway, that was honor enough. When he informed me I had been named an honorary member of the Marine Corps, I was speechless.”
– Chuck Norris
“The Few. The Proud. The Marines.”
The United States Marine Corps has always underscored the high caliber of those they accept within their ranks. When it comes to Honorary Marines they hold to the same principles.
Designed to recognize individuals within the civilian community who have given distinguished support or service to the Marine Corps, the Honorary Marine title is a reinforcement of the special bond between Marines and the American people. It is not given to foster friendship, show appreciation or as a reward; it is only for extraordinary contribution.
Nominations for the title of Honorary Marine can be authorized by commanding generals, commanding officers and officers-in-charge; but only the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) can designate the title to an individual. And the qualifying criteria are strict:
To date, approximately one hundred (100) men and women have received this title. And although he is not listed below, Master Sergeant Bugs Bunny is an Honorary Marine.
HONORARY MARINES
| Year | Name | Year | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Nathan Aldaco | 2002 | Eric Reams |
| 2015 | Raymond L. ‘Rusty’ Hicks | 2002 | Gary Schweikert |
| 2015 | Mark Noah | 2002 | Clark & Alice Sefton |
| 2015 | John Wentling, chaplain | 2002 | Shannon Spann |
| 2015 | Representative Robert Wittman | 2001 | Shingo Arasaki |
| 2014 | Karen Geunther | 2001 | William E. Bailey Sr. |
| 2014 | Australian Army Brigadier Michael Harris | 2001 | Carlos Berra |
| 2014 | Jacob Sprinkle | 2001 | Senator Max Cleland |
| 2014 | Andrew Oliver Starr II | 2001 | Bettye Daley |
| 2013 | Ethan Arbulo | 2001 | Dr. Felix de Weldon |
| 2013 | Darren Wankum | 2001 | H. Lee Dixon |
| 2013 | Representative C.W. Bill Young | 2001 | Senator Daniel Inouye |
| 2012 | Patrick M. Bowling | 2001 | Alex Kapitanski |
| 2012 | Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker | 2001 | Patrick Lynch |
| 2012 | Gary A. Sinise | 2001 | Galen Medina |
| 2012 | Phyllis Taylor | 2001 | Jim Nabors |
| 2011 | Kenneth Fisher | 2001 | Randy Randall |
| 2011 | Mama-San Machiko Hamamoto | 2001 | Verna Respass |
| 2010 | Colonel Ivan J. Cahill | 2001 | Edward Walsh |
| 2010 | Briana Menendez | 2001 | Barbara Woodbury |
| 2010 | Derrick Owen | 2000 | Sergeant Major Jon Cavaiani |
| 2010 | Dr. Howard Short | 2000 | Corey Depooter |
| 2010 | Rep. Ike Skelton | 2000 | Victor Gainor |
| 2009 | Frank T. Deangelis | 2000 | Arthur Goldberg |
| 2009 | Joseph E. Robert Jr. | 2000 | Christopher L. Heard |
| 2008 | Eleazar Rodriguez | 2000 | Tsui Chi Hsii |
| 2008 | Father Peter Vasco | 2000 | Bob Kerry |
| 2007 | Arnold Fisher | 2000 | Timothy John Rafe |
| 2007 | Judge Lawrence Irving | 1999 | Logan Gatewood |
| 2007 | Gilles Lagin | 1999 | Tyler Willis |
| 2007 | Dr. Ronald K. Lingle | 1998 | Samuel Ardito |
| 2006 | Thomas A. Cottone Jr. | 1996 | Thomas Cavanaugh |
| 2006 | Leslie Gelb | 1996 | Joe Rosenthal |
| 2006 | Mary Howell | 1995 | Michael Swenton |
| 2006 | John Innes | 1994 | Thomas Klosterman |
| 2006 | Chuck Norris | 1994 | Jeremy Rogers |
| 2005 | Michael Ansari | 1993 | Benjamin Degroot |
| 2005 | Hunter Box | 1993 | Heather Halloway |
| 2003 | Dodge Ackerman | 1993 | Dennis Muha |
| 2003 | Peter Murphy | 1992 | Johnny Grant |
| 2003 | Joseph Stephens | 1992 | Jaclyn McKenney |
| 2002 | Sir Martin Clemens | 1992 | Gerald May McRaney |
| 2002 | Gregory Collins | 1992 | John Jacob Mosely |
| 2002 | Gerald E. Daniels | 1992 | Jason White |
| 2002 | William Edwards | 1992 | Troy Wood |
| 2002 | Ron Fraser | N/A | Andy Anderson |
| 2002 | Roland Jabaut | N/A | Bonnie Carroll |
| 2002 | George Murphy | N/A | Carlos Familia |
| 2002 | Captain George Pucciarelli, USN | N/A | Zachary Fischer |
Sources:
