Bulgaria_Sofia

Archivist: Bill Stanson
Research Assistant: Mary Tracy
Contact: history@embassymarine.org

	Main Page Of Photo Gallery (Send photos & memories to history@embassymarine.org)
Send your comments and memories to history@embassymarine.org	MSG Detachment Products (Shirts, mugs, stickers)

COMMAND CHRONOLOGY
HQBn, HQMC / RMO Region ? (1948-1954)
Fox Co., HQMC / RMO Region ? (1954-1971)
MSGBn / Company H (1971-2007)
MCESG / Region 8 (2007-)

Detachments Within Bulgaria

AMEMB Sofia

CIA Factbook: Bulgaria
Military.com: Country Watch
Lonely Planet: Bulgaria
DOS Post Report: Sofia
DOS Consular Information: Bulgaria
Altapedia Online: Bulgaria
Country Watch: Bulgaria
NationMaster: Bulgaria
Study Abroad: Bulgaria
A Lovely World: Country Info
Library of Congress: Bulgaria
US Dept of Agriculture FAS: Country Info
Nations Online: Country Info
Dept of State: Country & Region Information
US Embassies: World-wide
Embassy World: Information
Embassy World: US Embassies
Embassy World: Foreign Embassies
Aneki World Almanac: Country Info
A Lovely World: Country Info
Travel: Bulgaria Travel & Tourism
Travel: Travel-Bulgaria
Travel: Bulgaria Travel.org
Info: Bulgaria.com
Info: Colombia Univ - All About Bulgaria
Info: Bulgaria On-line

INFO: Weather - Bulgaria
INFO: Time - Bulgaria
INFO: Languages- Bulgaria
INFO: English / Bulgarian Phrases

News:

Bulgarian News Archive - news from various sources on the Net related to Bulgaria and the broader region.
Kapital Weekly - online edition of the national newspaper (in Bulgarian).
news.bg - includes news, exchange rates, weather, and more.
novinite.com - real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news and events.
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Bulgaria

Sofia MSGs Roster * = MEGA Member

Adams, Nolan S. 94-95 *

Adams, Terry D. 84-85 *

Allen, Bill G. 71-72 *

Boyd, Robert, LCpl. 72-72

Bowen, James, MSgt. 72-73 NCOIC

Brickell, Danny Cpl. 86-87

Churchill, Jay 88-89

Delzer, Ron Cpl. 72-72

Donaldson, Mark C., GySgt. 85-87 * NCOIC/Det. Cmdr

Dontje, Vince, Sgt. 83-85

Edwards, James, Cpl. 73-74

Galarraga, Ulises 05

Gray , Jeffrey L. 80-81 *

Hilderbrand, McKinley 70-71 *

Kaszas, Janos T. 98-99

Keeter, Joel, Cpl. 73-74

Lassitter, Marvin (Gene) E. Jr. 68-70 *

Lubas, Peter, Sgt. 85-87

Lyons, Clinton G. IV 72-74 *

Main, Malcom E. (Mike), GySgt. 77-78 NCOIC

Martin, August, MSgt. 74-75 NCOIC

O’Brien, Shane Kim 75-76

Osborne, Bill 85-86

Pineda, Raul 06

Renzulli, Gege, Sgt. 86-87

Shelton, Robert, Cpl 73-74

Stanson, William J. 70-71 *

Stewart, Donnie E. 81-82 *

Thorsen, Jon, SSgt. 95-97 Det. Cmdr

Trexler, Kevin D. 82-83 *

Wall, Benjamin 93-94

Wilcox, Randy H. 74-75

Yates, Cpl Class 5-84

THE NAMES OF CURRENT DETACHMENT MEMBERS ARE NOT TO BE DISPLAYED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE DETACHMENT COMMANDER

2016

Ambassador: Marcie Berman Ries

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2015

Ambassador: Marcie Berman Ries

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2014

Ambassador: Marcie Berman Ries

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2013

Ambassador: Marcie Berman Ries

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2012

Ambassador: James B. Warlick, Jr. / Marcie Berman Ries

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2011

Ambassador: James B. Warlick, Jr.

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2010

Ambassador: James B. Warlick, Jr.

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2009

Ambassador: Nancy E. McEldowney

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2008

Ambassador: John R.Beryle / Nancy E. McEldowney

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2007

Ambassador: John R.Beryle

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2006

Ambassador: John R.Beryle

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Raul Pineda,

2005

Ambassador: John R.Beryle

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander: Ulises Gallarraga,
Watchstanders:

2004

Ambassador: James W. Pardew

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2003

Ambassador: James W. Pardew

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2002

Ambassador: Richard M. Miles (Ambassador 1999-2002) / James W. Pardew

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2001

Ambassador: Richard M. Miles (Ambassador 1999-2002)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

2000

Ambassador: Richard M. Miles (Ambassador 1999-2002)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1999

Ambassador: Richard M. Miles (Ambassador 1999-2002)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Janos T. Kaszas,

1998

Ambassador: Avis T. Bohlen

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Janos T. Kaszas,

1997

Ambassador: Avis T. Bohlen

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander: SSgt. Jon Thorsen,
Watchstanders:

1996

Ambassador: Avis T. Bohlen

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander: SSgt. Jon Thorsen,
Watchstanders:

1995

Ambassador: William Dale Montgomery

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander: SSgt. Jon Thorsen,
Watchstanders: Nolan S. Adams,

1994

Ambassador: William Dale Montgomery

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Nolan S. Adams, Benjamin Wall,

1993

Ambassador: William Dale Montgomery

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Benjamin Wall,

1992

Ambassador: Hugh Kenneth Hill (Ambassador 1990-)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1991

Ambassador: Hugh Kenneth Hill (Ambassador 1990-)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1990

Ambassador: Sol Polansky (Ambassador 1987-1990) / Hugh Kenneth Hill (Ambassador 1990-)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1989

Ambassador: Sol Polansky (Ambassador 1987-90)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Jay Churchill,

1988

Ambassador: Sol Polansky (Ambassador 1987-90)

Company Commander:
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders: Jay Churchill,

1987

Ambassador: Melvyn Levitsky (Ambassador 1984-87) / Sol Polansky (Ambassador 1987-90)

RSO: Chris Andrews
Company Commander:
Detachment Commander: GySgt. Mark C. Donaldson, A/: Sgt. Gege Renzulli
Watchstanders: Cpl. Danny Brickell,

1986

Ambassador: Melvyn Levitsky (Ambassador 1984-87)

RSO: Chris Andrews
Company Commander:
Detachment Commander: GySgt. Mark C. Donaldson A/: Sgt. Peter Lubas, Sgt. Gege Renzulli
Watchstanders: Cpl. Danny Brickell, Bill Osborn,

Comment from GySgt. Mark C. Donaldson: As a side note I was in Sofia for only a few months when watchstander Lonetree spilled his guts at the Christmas Party in Vienna, Austria about letting the Russians in the embassy in Moscow while he was there. Needless to say it was turmoil for us in the satellite bloc countries. I had to send my watchstanders, one at a time, up to the company office in Frankfurt for the 'pholygraph' test. Out of 7 I lost 5, not for any security breach but for doing stupid stuff like dancing with a Bugarian woman, etc. After that all bloc post had a Marine Officer attached to check on the Det Commanders, I can't remember if it was 60 or 90 days. I got a good report with no noted problems. This was my intro into the 'Embassy Marine'.

1985

Ambassador: Melvyn Levitsky (Ambassador 1984-87)

RSO: Chris Andrews
Company Commander:
NCOIC: GySgt. Mark C. Donaldson A/: Sgt. Peter Lubas
Watchstanders: Terry D. Adams, Sgt. Vince Dontje, Bill Osborn,

1984

Ambassador: Robert Louis Barry (Ambassador 1981-84) / Melvyn Levitsky (Ambassador 1984-87)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Terry D. Adams, Sgt. Vince Dontje, Cpl Yates,

1983

Ambassador: Robert Louis Barry (Ambassador 1981-84)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Sgt. Vince Dontje, Kevin D. Trexler,

1982

Ambassador: Robert Louis Barry (Ambassador 1981-84)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Donnie E. Stewart, Kevin D. Trexler,

1981

Ambassador: Jack Richard Perry (Ambassador 1979-81) / Robert Louis Barry (Ambassador 1981-84)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Jeffery L. Gray, Donnie E. Stewart,

1980

Ambassador: Jack Richard Perry (Ambassador 1979-81)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Jeffery L. Gray,

1979

Ambassador: Raymond Leonad Garthoff (Ambassador 1977-79) / Jack Richard Perry (Ambassador 1979-81)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1978

Ambassador: Raymond Leonad Garthoff (Ambassador 1977-79)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: GySgt. Malcom E. (Mike) Main
Watchstanders:

1977

Ambassador: Martin Florian Herz (Ambassador 1974-77) / Raymond Leonad Garthoff (Ambassador 1977-79)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: GySgt. Malcom E. (Mike) Main
Watchstanders:

1976

Ambassador: Martin Florian Herz (Ambassador 1974-77)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Shane Kim O'Brien,

1975

Ambassador: Martin Florian Herz (Ambassador 1974-77)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: MSgt. August Martin
Watchstanders: Shane Kim O'Brien, Randy H. Wilcox,

1974

Ambassador: Martin Florian Herz (Ambassador 1974-77)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: MSgt. August Martin A/: Sgt. Clinton G. Lyons IV
Watchstanders: Cpl. James Edwards, Cpl. Joel Keeter, Cpl. Robert Shelton, Randy H. Wilcox,

1973

Ambassador: Horace Gates Torbert, Jr. (Ambassador 1970-73)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: MSgt. James Bowen A/: Sgt. Clinton G. Lyons IV
Watchstanders: LCpl. James Edwards, LCpl. Joel Keeter, Cpl. Robert Shelton,

1972

Ambassador: Horace Gates Torbert, Jr. (Ambassador 1970-73)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: MSgt. James Bowen A/: Cpl. Ron Delzer
Watchstanders: Bill Allen, LCpl. Robert Boyd, Cpl. Clinton G. Lyons IV, LCpl. Ed Moreles,

1971

Ambassador: Horace Gates Torbert, Jr. (Ambassador 1970-73)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: McKinley Hilderbrand,
Watchstanders: Bill Allen, William J. Stanson,

1970

Ambassador: John M. McSweeney (Ambassador 1967-70) / Horace Gates Torbert, Jr. (Ambassador 1970-73)

Company Commander:
NCOIC: McKinley Hilderbrand,
Watchstanders: Marvin (Gene) E. Lassitter Jr., William J. Stanson,

1969

Ambassador: John M. McSweeney (Ambassador 1967-70)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Marvin (Gene) E. Lassitter Jr.,

1968

Ambassador: John M. McSweeney (Ambassador 1967-70)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders: Marvin (Gene) E. Lassitter Jr.,

1967

Ambassador: John M. McSweeney (Minister 1966-67) / John M. McSweeney (Ambassador 1967-70)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1966

Ambassador: Nathaniel Davis (Minister 1965-66) / John M. McSweeney (Minister 1966-67)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

Note: Legation Sofia had been raised to Embassy status Nov 28,

1965

Ambassador: Nathaniel Davis (Minister 1965-66)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1964

Ambassador: Eugenie Anderson (Minister 1962-64)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1963

Ambassador: Eugenie Anderson (Minister 1962-64)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1962

Ambassador: Edward Page, Jr. (Minister 1959-62) / Eugenie Anderson (Minister 1962-64)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1961

Ambassador: Edward Page, Jr. (Minister 1959-62)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1960

Ambassador: Edward Page, Jr. (Minister 1959-62)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1959

Ambassador: Edward Page, Jr. (Minister 1959-62)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1958

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1957

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1956

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1955

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1954

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1953

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1952

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1951

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1950

Ambassador:

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

Relations were suspended in February 1950, however, when Bulgaria refused to withdraw false charges of complicity in espionage made against the U.S. minister during the trial of the Bulgarian Communist Party Leader Traicho Kostov.

1949

Ambassador: Donald R. Heath (Minister 1947-50)

Company Commander:
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

Declared persona non grata by Government of Bulgaria, Jan 19, 1950. The Department of State announced on Feb 21, 1950 the suspension of diplomatic relations with Bulgaria.