Named in honor of Marine Captain Johnny Michael ‘Mike’ Spann, Marine Corps League Detachment #1272 was chartered on 24 April 2007.
Our namesake was the first battlefield casualty in the war on terrorism that began on September 11, 2001. Our profound gratitude is expressed to his family for permission to name the detachment after their son, husband, father, and friend.
The work of Marine Corps League Detachment #1272 of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is dedicated in his honor, and to support of the country, the Corps, and the Marines he so faithfully served. Our detachment meets the 2nd Thursday, 1800 hours at 3500 5th Street, Northport, AL 35476.
Capt Johnny Micheal “Mike” Spann (March 1, 1969 – November 25, 2001) was an American paramilitary officer in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Special Activities Division. Spann was the first American killed in combat during the United States invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. He died at the Qala-i-Jangi fortress during an al-Qaeda prisoner uprising.