Peace Declared in ‘Marine vs. Marine’ Legal Battle Over Historic Tun Tavern Name
PHILADELPHIA — A ceasefire has been reached in the contentious legal dispute that pitted two Marine-led organizations against one another over the rights to the name “Tun Tavern,” the legendary birthplace of the United States Marine Corps. The settlement, announced Friday, clears the path for two distinct Tun Tavern projects to operate in Philadelphia just as the Corps prepares to celebrate its semiquincentennial.
The Settlement
The dispute involved Aljess LLC, owned by Marine veteran Montgomery “Monty” Dahm, and The Tun Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization also led by Marine veterans. Under the terms of the agreement, the federal lawsuit filed by Aljess has been dismissed. The Tun Legacy Foundation has secured the right to use the name “Tun Tavern” for its planned historically accurate reproduction of the tavern on Second Street in Old City, Philadelphia.
In exchange, Aljess LLC retains its exclusive rights to open and operate Tun Tavern-branded restaurants in other locations throughout the United States. Additionally, Aljess has already moved forward with its own vision, having opened a Tun Tavern restaurant on Chestnut Street in Old City in November 2025. This resolution effectively means Philadelphia will host two separate venues paying homage to the same historic site, located just blocks apart.
“The parties have now resolved the dispute over their competing plans,” the organizations said in a joint statement. While financial terms remain confidential, the agreement emphasizes a shared goal of honoring Marine Corps heritage. Monty Dahm, who has stewarded the trademark for nearly 30 years, expressed satisfaction, stating, “The history of the Tun Tavern is more than just a business interest—it is a matter of honor, heritage, and patriotism.”
Conflict and Objections
The road to this truce was paved with significant friction. The legal battle began in May 2024 when Aljess sued the Foundation for trademark infringement. Dahm, who had operated a Tun Tavern in Atlantic City since 1998, argued that the Foundation’s use of the name would cause consumer confusion and infringe upon the federal rights he had maintained for decades.
Conversely, the Foundation raised strong objections to Dahm’s demands during negotiations. Court filings revealed that the non-profit balked at what they described as an “exorbitant trademarking fee” demanded by Aljess to license the name. Supporters of the Foundation argued that a charitable project dedicated to historical preservation and veterans’ causes should not be hindered by commercial trademark disputes. The “Marine vs. Marine” nature of the lawsuit drew criticism from within the veteran community, with many expressing frustration that a symbol of unity had become a source of division.
The acrimony led to visible confusion during the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday celebrations in November 2025, where attendees found themselves navigating between Dahm’s newly opened restaurant on Chestnut Street and the Foundation’s celebratory block party at their construction site on Second Street.
Historical Background
The original Tun Tavern, built in 1686 on Philadelphia’s waterfront, holds a sacred place in American military history. On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas to raise two battalions of Marines, a recruitment drive famously conducted at the tavern. It served not only as the Marine Corps’ cradle but also as a founding site for the Freemasons in Pennsylvania and the St. Andrew’s Society.
The original structure was destroyed by fire in 1781, and its precise location is now buried beneath Interstate 95. For over two centuries, numerous attempts to rebuild the tavern failed due to lack of funding or political will. The current dual efforts represent the most significant progress in restoring the icon in nearly 250 years.
With the legal hurdles cleared, The Tun Legacy Foundation is proceeding with its $21 million capital campaign to build its functioning historical replica, which will direct profits to veteran charities. Meanwhile, Dahm’s commercial venue continues to serve patrons, ensuring that after centuries of absence, the Marines finally have their tavern—twice over.
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