Our History & Namesake
The Foundation: Greater Atlanta Marine Corps League Detachment 647
Chartered in 1982, our organization originally served the North Georgia veteran community as the Greater Atlanta Marine Corps League Detachment 647. For over three decades, the Greater Atlanta MCL Det 647 established a legacy of service, providing a dedicated space for Marines and FMF Corpsmen to maintain the bonds of the Corps while serving the citizens of the metro Atlanta area.
The Turning Point: July 16, 2015
The identity of our detachment changed forever following the domestic terrorist attack in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which claimed the lives of five service members. Among the fallen was Lance Corporal Squire “Skip” Wells, a 21-year-old Marine reservist and Marietta native.
A graduate of Sprayberry High School, Skip was a young man defined by his humor, his passion for history, and his protective nature. During the assault on the Navy Operational Support Center, Skip was the first to identify the threat. He ran toward danger to alert his fellow Marines, an act of selfless bravery that saved lives and earned him the posthumous Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
A Living Memorial: LCpl Squire "Skip" Wells Detachment 647
In 2016, the members of the Greater Atlanta Marine Corps League Detachment 647 voted unanimously to rename the detachment in honor of our hometown hero. By becoming the LCpl Squire “Skip” Wells Marine Corps League Detachment 647, we committed ourselves to ensuring that Skip’s sacrifice and the legacy of the “Chattanooga Five” would never fade.
Today, we bridge our history as the Greater Atlanta MCL Det 647 with our mission as the LCpl Skip Wells Detachment. We continue to serve the Marines of Cobb County through:
Veteran Advocacy: Assisting local Marines and their families in navigating post-service life.
Annual Traditions: Leading the Marietta Independence Day and Veterans Day parades and coordinating the local Toys for Tots campaign.
Community Honor Guards: Providing a Marine Corps presence at local ceremonies and final honors for veterans.
We remain “Semper Fidelis” to our past as Greater Atlanta MCL Det 647 serving the Metro Atlanta area and to the memory of LCpl Skip Wells.
The LCpl Squire “Skip” Wells Detachment 647 is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization and holds the original charter of the Greater Atlanta Marine Corps League Detachment 647.