Get your tickets for the 250th Birthday Ball here: https://givebutter.com/Ball250
September 15th, 2025
It is with Great Pride that we announce our guest speaker for our 250th Birthday Ball hosted at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana:
Michael M. Kurth
Service: USMC
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Battalion: Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369)
Division: 1st Marine Division
Navy Cross Recipient
“The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Michael M. Kurth, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE (HMLA-369), during Operation DESERT STORM, on 26 February 1991. As the FIRST Marine Division attacked north to prevent Iraqi forces from escaping, Lieutenant Colonel Kurth’s repeated acts of bravery in providing close in fire support to embattled Marines helped collapse the Iraqi defenses. With visibility nearly impossible due to hundreds of burning oil field fires, and with total disregard for his own safety, he flew under and perilously close to high voltage power lines. Placing himself at grave personal risk to intermittent Iraqi ground and anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Colonel Kurth flew continuously for ten hours during the most intense periods of combat, twice having to control crash his aircraft. Employing a commercially borrowed Forward Looking Infrared Radar and Laser Designator, he flew through the Al Burgan Oil Fields fires, between the AH-1W holding pattern and Task Force Ripper’s forward lines, leading flight after flight of rearmed gunships to requesting units and then remaining dangerously exposed forward of friendly lines as he designated Iraqi armored vehicles for engagement. Lieutenant Colonel Kurth’s courage and fearless dedication rallied fellow Marines and resulted in the destruction of as many as 70 Iraqi armored vehicles destroyed that day. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kurth reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Services.”
Colonel Michael M. Kurth (then Lieutenant Colonel), United States Marine Corps. for extraordinary heroism as commanding officer of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 during Operation Desert Storm on 26 February 1991. As the 1st Marine Division attack north to prevent Iraqi forces from escaping, Lieutenant Colonel Kurth’s repeated Act of Bravery in providing close in fire support to embattled Marines helped collapse the Iraqi defenses. With visibility nearly impossible with visibility due to hundreds of burning oil field fires, and with total disregard for his own safety, he flew under the perilously close to high-voltage power lines. Placing himself at grave personal risk to intermittent Iraqi ground and anti-aircraft fire. Lieutenant Colonel Kurth flew continuously for ten hours during the most intense periods of combat, twice having to control crash aircraft. Employing a commercially borrowed forward looking infrared radar and laser designation, he flew through the Al Burgan oil fields fires, between the Ha-1Wholding pattern and the task force ripper’s forward lines, leaving flight after flight of rearmed gunships to requesting units and then remaining dangerously exposed forward a friendly lines as he designated Iraqi armored vehicles for engagement. Lieutenant Colonel Kurth’s courage and fearless dedication rallied fellow Marines and resulted in the destruction of as many as 70 Iraqi armored vehicles destroyed that day. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and at most devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kurth reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Services.
Additional Awards and Recognition
- (2) Legion of Merit
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Navy Achievement Medal
- Alfred A. Cunningham Award Marine Aviator of the Year 1991
- Commander Marine Helicopter Squadron of the Year 1991
- John A. Lejeune Award for Inspirational Leadership 1992
- Member Legion of Valor
- Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators of London
- Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society
- Vice President British Army Aviation Museum
Sources:
June 18, 2025
We have many members that have requested the forms to distribute to possible donors and people wanting tickets. They can be downloaded and printed here, see below:
May 29, 2025
The ball poster/flyer has been approved by the venue so we can release it here:
Please see below for ticketing information or click here: https://givebutter.com/Ball250 secure your tickets before the rush.
We had people begging last year at the last minute for tickets and we unfortunately could not accommodate them after the final numbers were put in and tickets were sold out.
Coordinating the seating, dinner, bar package, photographers, and fundraising items are a big job and it really does help us out when we can get the guest number squared away as soon as possible.
May 25, 2025
It’s that time of year again! With the 250th Marine birthday upon us in 2025 we will be once again be having the ball at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. There will be an official ball poster coming very soon, BUT to get things started you can BUY TICKETS HERE: https://givebutter.com/Ball250
Due to venue restrictions, 21 and older only once again this year
Ticket Purchase information and Service Fee Schedule:
We use a service called GiveButter.com that gives us tools that normally would not be available to small not-for-profits. In using this service there are standard credit card processing fees (2.9%+.30) plus a small platform fee (5%) that is passed along to the purchaser. This ensures that the $100 ticket donation gets to the First District Ball Committee in full. Thank you for your understanding.
HOW TO AVOID SERVICE FEES:
You can make arrangements to pay CASH or CHECK in person with an authorized Ball committee member or at the home of the Howlin’ Mad Detachment #93:
Tun Tavern
6880 Hendricks Street
Merrillville, IN 46410
Detachment Meetings: 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30pm
Bar Hours:
- Wednesday: 4-10
- Friday: 4-10
- Saturday: 12-10
- Sunday: 12-10
We are a 100% volunteer run organization, your understanding in hours of operation and days open are appreciated. The best time to purchase tickets would be during regular detachment meetings.
December 9, 2024
With the the 249th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in the books we would like to thank everyone involved in making our first large scale venue event a success. We are also excited to post a link to all the photos that were taken at the event: HERE
Thank you to all our Sponsors and Volunteers, those that may or may not be listed below. We appreciate you all!
Archived Event Sponsors and Posters:
If you click on an event poster it will also take you to the event pictures.
2024:
- https://www.bunchjewelers.com/
- https://www.mycalumetpark.com/
- https://www.albertsjewelers.com/
- https://mission-bbq.com/
- https://www.albanesecandy.com/
- https://www.oakpartners.com/
- https://www.texasroadhouse.com/
- https://aurorahelicoptersllc.com/
- https://www.whitehawkcountryclub.com/
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
- Ace Hardware Hobart, IN
- Starbucks
- https://johnsonsfarmproduce.com/
- https://www.emeraldcoastoliveoil.com/
