The Marine Corps League Department of New York was chartered on September 4, 1937. The charter was signed in by the National Commandant Maurice Illch. The Honorary National Commandant was John Lejeune, and John B. Hinckley, Jr. was the National Adjutant and Paymaster. The first Department of New York Commandant was Jack Hagle in 1932-33.

Section 2 of the charter indicates that the objectives of the Department of New York are: To perpetuate the honor and memory of those Marines who have passed on to their eternal rest; to decorate the graves of all deceased Marines with the official grave marker of the Marine Corps League; wherever and whenever possible, to aid and assist and provide for the fathers and other dependents of deceased Marines; to strive for the passage of legislation favorable to the Marine Corps League, the United States Marine Corps, the officers and men of the active service and honorably discharged Marines, and to agitate for the defeat of legislation unfavorable to them; to foster social and fraternal intercourse among the members, to urge the participation of all members in patriotic functions and such other civic, state and national affairs as are of particular interest to Marines.

Neither the Marine Corps League, the Department of New York, nor any of its constituent units shall take part in any labor dispute or issue and it shall ever be nonsectarian, non-political and non-partisan; it shall never be used as a medium of political ambition or preferment; rank or advancement within the Marine Corps League by reason of present or former military rank or civilian position shall not be countenanced.

Notwithstanding the provisions of item (a), herein, it is expressly provided that the Marine Corps League, Department of New York, and any of its constituent units may engage in political and legislative issues which affect the welfare of the United States Marine Corps or of the Marine Corps League or any of its constituent or subsidiary units, and of the rights, privileges and benefits which are based on military service of any member thereof.