homas G “Tom” Claxton and retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major Bryan B. Battaglia were recognized as Mobile Bay Area Veteran and Patriot of the Year respectively by the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission and the Mobile County Commission during Monday’s County Commission meeting.
“It’s an honor to have both of these men up here because it’s an opportunity for us as a community to show our admiration and respect for people who have dedicated their lives to our country, community, and our citizens,” said Commissioner Connie Hudson. “We want to let them know how much we appreciate them and what they’ve been through in service to our country.”
Claxton, the Veteran of the Year, served in the Marine Corps from June 1956 to Aug. 1962 and attained the rank of Sergeant. After leaving the Corps, he served in various capacities, including the P.L. Wilson Detachment of the Marine Corps League, serving his fourth term as the Detachment’s Commandant. During his tenure, Claxton has brought more than 190 new members into the P.L. Wilson Detachment.
Claxton was chosen as Ed’s Seafood Veteran of the Year for 2023 and received a Quilt of Valor from that organization. He also created and promoted a “News from the Front” program, which relays information about local soldiers and Marines from the frontlines to the headlines. He is also the founder of the “Veterans Helping Veterans Car Show,” one of the largest Jeep and car shows on the Gulf Coast.
During his service to the Marine Corps League, Claxton has been awarded six Distinguished Service Awards, two National Recruiter Awards (Bronze), two National Recruiter Awards (Silver), two Community Service Awards, and four Recruiter of the Year awards. He was also selected as the Detachment’s 2009 Marine of the Year, and for his service to the veterans of Alabama, then-Governor Bob Riley appointed him as an Honorary Colonel for the State of Alabama.
In addition, Claxton is the co-founder and co-host of The Scuttlebutt Network radio program, a one-hour program and its companion website, which covers the Gulf Coast and the nation on issues important to the veterans’ community.
SgtMaj Battaglia, the Patriot of the Year, served 37 years at the highest levels of the United States Marine Corps and the Department of Defense. He served as the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as serving as the most senior ranking non-commissioned officer of the United States Armed Forces and principal military advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Generals Martin Dempsey (U.S. Army) and General Joseph Dunford (USMC).
Battaglia, a Gulf War and Iraq War veteran, served in combat and received two Bronze Stars, with one for valor. He also received a Purple Heart for being wounded in action. Among his other awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, the U.S. Army Parachutist Badge, eight awards of the USMC Expert Rifle Badge, and two awards of the Expert Pistol Badge.
Sgt. Maj. Battaglia served at every enlisted leadership level in the Marine Corps, from Fire Team Leader to Sergeant Major of a Marine Corps division. In March 1993, he attended the Royal Marines Commando Course, graduating third in his class and earning the coveted Green Beret.
Courtesy of Call News
