In the years following Korea, former Dog Company Marines met in small, scattered gatherings throughout the nation. A select few of Lt. Paul Mullaney's 1st Platoon gathered in or around Marlboro, Mass. on several occasions. Col. Al Mackin, former CO of Dog Company, maintained contact with several Marines in his "outfit" and in response to a letter from Al, nine former D Company Marines and their wives managed to get together in Kansas City, Mo. during a 1st Marine Division Assn gathering there. Seven former Dog Company Marines managed to find each other, thanks to a notice posted by Al Bradshaw, at the first gathering of the Chosin Few in San Diego in 1985. And, through the efforts of "Friend of Marines", Peter Mozzone, a resident of East Taunton, Massachusetts (home town of D Company "Doc" and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient HN Richard DeWert, USN), to contact former Dog Company comrades of DeWert, connections were made and ...

If the post-Korean War years can be likened to an ash-heap of (truly "forgotten") history, there were obvious stirrings during them that gave birth to what "we" consider a unique brotherhood among many others so considered. In 1987, some 35 former D Company, 7th Marines gathered in Austin, Texas for the first ever reunion of Dog Company. The experience was such that all present promised to "do it again" .... soon. The formal association "came to be" the following year in San Jose, Calif., our second reunion, where a board of directors were elected, Dog Seven Association was selected as the organization name and an agreement made to incorporate as a non-profit organization. Also approved, a reunion "next year", somewhere in the area of Boston, Massachusetts.

Since then, a reunion has been held each year and the membership rolls have grown to number almost 850, a great many active and, sadly, many deceased and over 475 "inactive" for any of a number of reasons. The association mailing list stands at 350, including about 85 Honorary and Associate Members, plus Friends of the association.

Planned current and future reunions are posted on the Reunions page and a historical summary of all reunions, including a sampling of photos, can be accessed from there.

Each reunion seems to exceed expectations and enjoy a turnout at or slightly higher than the reunion previous. First time attendees number in the 6 to 10 range and observing that interaction is, as some might say, worth the price of admission. It is truly heartwarming.

The Association is, if anything, a family. Old wartime and post-wartime bonds are re-established and strengthened, new bonds are created. And, while this camaraderie is extremely special, it becomes decidedly subdued, for a few hours, at our now traditional Saturday night banquets, which are dedicated to remembering our fallen brothers and those who have departed our unique "family".

It is worth noting that the three or four reunion days are increasingly extended by members arriving early and/or departing late and virtually all thinking ahead about the days that must pass before the next gathering.

The search for approximately 1000+ still missing former brothers is on going. The process is slow due to various things ... we're getting older and less able to do the necessary research. Thanks to the dedication of two members, one now deceased, almost 150 brothers were "found" between the 1995 and 1996 reunions. Efforts fell off for a brief time however new "recruiters" stepped into the breech, including one who has found over 100 former D Comany Marines in the year and a half following October 1999. But, the search continues. The fact that ten of 37 Smiths who served with D Company have been accounted for does suggest a certain dedication.

The experience of finding a brother who, seemingly, has been waiting to be found is one to be treasured. Occasionally our discovery is made too late and we are moved to wonder why things didn't come together, say, in 1977 or 1967 or even earlier. Such was and is not the case so we continue our determined search for our missing comrades. Our aim is, one day in the not too distant future, to account for all who served with or were attached to D Company, 7th Marines in Korea, September 1950 though March 1955. We eagerly look forward to being able to respond to the command, "Company .... Report!", with a resounding, "Dog Company, 7th Marines, Korea ... All Present or accounted For, Sir!".