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I remember when we were in second phase, as we moved into the
Quonset huts, which were located next to the Grinder. One night
myself and another Private were on guard duty at the end of the
road by the Recruit training area when a car pulled up and
stopped.
We did not know what to think of this situation, until
we both heard giggling coming from the car, I approached the
car, and to my surprise was asked by a young lady, if I knew
where "Happy MCRD" was - where they were going to a party.
Myself and the other Private, both responded no mam. Well they
left and soon our drill Instructor come to pick us up. We
informed him of this, and I seem to remember he thought it was
funny. To me, I was scared S######s! Anyway nothing came of it.
Later in training, in fact it was the night before graduation,
our Plt Commander had the duty, and after he said, Prepare to
mount. We responded, Sir prepare to mount Sir, Aye, Aye Sir. We
mounted our racks, we said our Marine Corps prayer, said good
night to Chesty, where ever you are. He then began talking to us
as he walked thru the squad bay. I do not recall his message to
us, but at the end he said Good Night Marines. I do not know
about the other privates, But I felt ten feet tall. Anyway if
anyone might know where SSgt Leonardi is please let me know.
Again Good Morning Marines, and Semper Fi!
Robert Hogue
30 Years
My old man's first tattoo. Over 30 years after he got out.
Dan Gregory
The Situation
Was at New River Dec 61 thru Jan 63 and remember all those
places on Court Street. Yes, we went back in 2001 and didn't
recognize anything on Court Street. Was told by one of the
business owners (Real Estate) that the situation with the drugs
and prostitutes got out of hand and "eminent domain" was
instilled for the area and the city closed down all the pawn
shops, bars and other businesses not enhancing to the City of
Jacksonville, N.C.
One thing though, I would like to know if anyone remembers the
manager or owner of the "Birdland" or "Jazz Land" lounges? I
seem to remember that a former Marine, L/Cpl Iernia nicknamed
"Teebo" managed or operated one or the other? If anyone has any
info on this, please share...
Grandle Starling Cpl E4
1858183 USMC
Hardcore Marine
In reference to SSgt Jeffrey Beaty's story (55 year old Marine,
03July08) about Sgt Jim Roper. I had the pleasure and honor of
meeting Sgt Jim Roper in May 2005 at 4th Maint Bn, Charlotte,
NC. I was a Sergeant at the time and had been mobilized early
for 6th CAG to be the Data Chief. Sgt Roper showed up a couple
of weeks before the whole unit was mobilized on June 1, and when
I met him I was completely amazed by his humbling presence.
First off, Sgt Roper is about 6'4 and is a brick S&*T house. So
naturally your like this guy looks like a SgtMaj but then I
looked at his collar and he was wearing Sgt chevrons, but trust
me he definitely received total respect from all of the senior
Marines in the unit. We were at Camp Lejeune for 2 1/2 months
for our workup cycle and during that time I was Sgt Roper's
roommate and let me tell you every morning he woke up with a
smile on his face ready to PT, I mean he was in better shape
than almost every Marines in our unit, including me. On most
nights, we'd hangout outside our room and shoot the sh*t with
the other Marines and on many occasions the question would
arise, "Sgt Roper, Why did you want to come back after all these
years?". This awesome Marine responded, "Because I just wanted
to do my part, I'm just happy to be a Sergeant in the Marines!".
Now if that isn't motivating as h$ll, I don't know what is.
Unfortunately I didn't end up deploying with Sgt Roper and the
CAG due to back injuries I sustained from a car accident, but I
was in Charlotte when they returned from deployment and of
course he stepped off that bus with his tradition smile! It was
an amazing experience and pleasure to meet Sgt Jim Roper and
something that I will always carry with me. Semper Fidelis
Sergeant Roper, you are truly a Marine's Marine!
Adam T. Greene - 4066/0651/0659 - Staff Sergeant - USMC
1998-2002 Active Duty; MAG-29 & HMM-365 & 26th MEU (Afghanistan, Swift Freedom)
2002-2006 Reserves; 4th Maintenance Bn, H&S Co
Yemassee
Sometimes the memories are so vivid even though I went in Jan
10, 1961....my first recollection of indoctrination into the
CORPS was the train ride to YEMASSEE, SOUTH CAROLINA...and
getting there early in the morning and hitting the station with
the DI's yelling into our ears...get in line you pukes....get
over here, line up left to right (and you know how that went).
Of course when you get there they look for any excuse to yell at
you. Coming from a small town in Upstate New York I was wearing
my High School jacket with the name on it...SUFFERN....and don't
you think that I got a kidding for that ..so WE staggered over
to the barracks and began to settle in when the DI came in and
started to yell this and that....and then out with the tooth
brush and GI the shower....finally into the rack, bunk...bed (of
course someone said that, and the DI repeating what a bed was
for....it was a launching pad for a guided m _ _ _ _ _ )...Then
up at the crack of dawn and over to a local restaurant...and
those steel trays and the order...eat what you want but YOU WILL
EAT everything that is ON YOUR TRAY....Then pile on the bus and
on to PARRIS ISLAND and WELCOME to the CORPS....
John Cerullo 1961-1964
I Get Comments
I get comments every day on my Marine stickers on my car, I work
in the Court in a Northern California town and was looking at my
Sgt. Grit catalog when 2 men who I thought were not former
Marines. One who is a Vietnam vet and the other a Iraq vet ask
me to pass the catalog to a brother Marine who both about a week
late thanked me and said they purchased stuff for themselves and
buddies with whom they both served with. If it was not me
looking at the catalog at that time I never would have made new
Marine buds.
Thanx Capt. Mac
Tough Old Bird
as an old jarhead now retired 07/2000, i give back whenever i
can. i had a heart wrenching experience when my mom passed away
i was tore up inside. my cousin confided in me that mom always
worried bout me when i was in, she never once told me. always
put on her war face, always was the "tough old bird", made it
easier on me. she was a military spouse old school woman from
Montana. I tell myself god needed extra help, mom will carry on
in a perfect military fashion, "Marine mom coming through"
Semper Fi jd
1980-2000
Note: My mother also kept here fears and concern to herself. I
was in my late 40's, that is, I had been back from Vietnam and
out the Corps for over 25 years, when my mother talked briefly
about how much she worried about me. It was natural to believe
she would worry. But hearing her talk about it that evening
struck me as to the depth of her feelings and concern.
She passed about a year ago, but I will always remember that
conversation.
God Bless you Mom.
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
Aw Sh*t
Sgt. Grit,
I wanted to share with you some things that made me say "Aw
Sh*t!" during my time in the Corps.
Having a new platoon of recruits in sneakers make more noise
than our older platoon
In boots on the streets of MCRD. I can remember Sgt. Blooms
face......aw sh*t.
Having our Platoon Commander, Gunny Kirk, sneak around behind
our platoon while at ease and get one of his buddies from
another platoon give the command "Attention". You people don't
know MY voice? ......... aw sh*t.
On qualifying day at the rifle range after firing a nice tight
group on the 300 meter rapid fire target with my M14....
Slightly below where I wanted the rounds to go.
Range Officer "What happened to this asshole? Wrong dope, Sir."
Aw sh*t!
I still fired Expert.
IN Da Nang with L/Cpl Spaceman Rymer driving a PC (3/4 ton
truck) having the passenger windshield shatter and crumble to
the floorboards and hearing a loud thump on same. WE counted to
ten or one thousand and looked to see a large rock between
Rymer's feet.....aw sh*t!
Semper Fi,
Dan Buchanan
1969-71
FNG Screw Up
This relates to not a FNG mission but definitely a FNG screw up.
While on a CAX in 29 Palms with my unit MWSS-373 I was sent out
to preop the far gear on the runway one morning. Two freshly
minted 7011 Expeditionary Airfield Technician PFC's had just
arrived in their best and freshly pressed cammies and were
waiting to go meet the CO and SgtMaj.
Since they had time on their hands I was told to take them out
and show them around the M-21 gear. They hopped in the HMMWV
with me and upon arrival at the gear I handed them the checklist
and had them start on the easier, non-messy items. One item of
critical importance was to check the petcock valve at the top of
the gear...however before doing this you needed to make sure all
pressure had been dumped from the gear the night before. Even
before you open the petcock under pressure and get doused with
tens of gallons of glycol shooting straight up at a high rate of
speed your first clue you are doing something wrong should be
how hard the petcock is to actuate if there is still pressure in
the system.
Guess what these two noobs forgot to do?
I was in the back of the pit checking out the tool box when I
hear:
FNG 1 - "...#$&^ing thing won't go in."
FNG 2 - "just lean on it with your thumb."
...some grunting and straining noises...
About this time the light comes on in my head and I stand
straight up and as I am about to turn around I hear a VERY LOUD
POP quickly followed by a very large splash.
I had to bite my tongue I was trying not to laugh so hard. Both
of them looked like drowned rats they were so soaked. The bad
part (for them) was that this glycol was very thick and heavy,
made automobile coolant seem like purified water.
No one was upset with me but these two got the quickest ride
ever in the rear of that HMMWV back to the barracks and then
after equally fast showers and uniform changes they were
standing in the SgtMaj and CO's offices...smelling faintly of
something sweet...
Andrew Mathias
Corporal 1997-2001
MWSS-373 and H&HS Miramar
Total man. Total Marine
You might wonder about the U.S. Marine Corps every now and then.
Not, however, if you were Herk Swaney or one of his two Marine
Corps sons, and not if you had the privilege of serving with
Herk.
Well, he just died. Up and died. Just slipped way to the silver
streets up there, wherever up there is. Old Marines are turning
out right now to greet him, flagons raised high, Marines who
have been there ever since Tun's Tavern in 1775. They knew about
Herk.
You might not have known about Herk. He lived right there in
Santa Rosa. Was a machine gun platoon leader on Iwo Jima.
Machine gunners loved him. He loved them right back. Nobody like
Herk.
He bellowed out orders. He got things done. No one ever
questioned him. No reason to. We lost some, but he saved a bunch
of us. Deep voice. Barrelful of courage.
Total man. Total Marine.
If you want to find out about why the Marine Corps succeeds,
find out about Herk Swaney. Never thought there was another like
him, but because of him, I will betcha my Browning 1919, there
are thousands out there, not just like, but maybe enough like
Herk, serving the Corps and our country today.
CALVIN W. ATWOOD
F-2-26 5th Division, USMC
Jack Lucas
Sgt. Grit,
One small correction to this bulletin. In the last article,
Marine Martin states Jack Lucas was the youngest man to ever
earn the Medal of Honor at 18. It is true that he was the
youngest to earn the Medal, but he was not 18. For many years as
Chaplain for the Iwo Jima Memorial Services at Golden Gate
National Cemetery in San Bruno, California or at the Marines'
Memorial Club is San Francisco, in my opening remarks I stated
that Jack Lucas earned the Medal of Honor THREE days after his
17th birthday. Several years ago at one of our China Marine
Association reunions in Washington, DC, a group of us were
invited to attend the Marine Corps Honor Society Banquet. I met
Jack there and told him about my invocation prayer. He said,
"Ed, you got it almost right, it was SIX days after my 17th
birthday."
Semper Fidelis,
Ed Fulwider, President China Marine Association
Pure Adrenalin
The letter from B Otis in the last newsletter reminded me of a
similar experience that I had at Parris Island back in 69. I was
assigned to platoon 281, with S/Sgt Ringer, SDI, Sgt Martin and
Sgt Rushing JDI's. We were on our first conditioning run and we
were only about a mile or so into it, when my lack of endurance
became evident. I began falling back. One by one the platoon was
passing me by. I knew the last of the platoon had passed me when
I saw their orange "road guard" vests running around me. just
then I felt an intense pain on the back of my head. It was Sgt
Rushing hitting me with his "chrome dome". He was yelling
something about no one dropping out of a run unless they were
dead. He continued his onslaught upon my head and shoulders like
a man possessed.
I was so scared, I was suddenly running on pure adrenalin, I
took off like A SHOT! Before I knew it I was way the heck out in
front of the entire platoon. Upon arriving back at the squad
bay, S/Sgt Ringer comes up to me and announces that, being the
fastest body in the platoon, I was now the "hatch-body". It
would be my job, during our daily conditioning run, to pull away
from the rest of the platoon, when we were approximately a mile
from the squad bay, and open the hatches, start the DI's coffee
and stand at attention at the front hatch and await the arrival
of the rest of the platoon. I'm not sure how I did it during the
next few days, but I accomplished the task as it was set forth.
It got a little easier each time.
Ron Morse Sgt USMC 69-75
FNG Missions
I was sent out to find a GU '11' and a TR double 'E'. The TR
double 'E' was 8 feet tall and still covered with leaves as I
dragged it into the ops shack. After that I wasn't an FNG
anymore.
Non FNG 68 - 71
What about having the FNG run over to the maintenance hooch to
sign for and bring back 200 feet of shoreline for fording ops
and a box of grid squares before heading out to the field.
Semper Fi
Mike Damigo
FNG...Task, For 155Towed & 105's a favorite for the FNG's first
time in field on 155(towed) there was "Qualifying with the Axe".
Mike Pierce
Go find me a....
Can of muzzle blast.
Chemlight batteries.
A box of grid squares.
A hundred yards of gun line.
We always loved to send the boots to the First Sergeants' pit to
see if he had any batteries for our Prick E-8 radio. There were
many holes dug while looking for those batteries. Registering
rounds was also fun, telling the boots they had to run the 100
lb. 155mm shell back to the CO's pit then the FDC to have it
signed OK to fire, and then back to the gun line...good times!!!
J. M. Samuels
CPL. 3/11 M Battery 2000-2005
Although I didn't fall for it, while going through training at
NAS Memphis, I did see a young Marine being sent off to get a
100 yd spool of Flight Line and a bucket of Prop wash!
This poor individual also ended up walking a post "guarding" the
airplane on display in front of the chow hall.
Tyler Therrien
Cpl. USMC. EAS 7/87
Well, Let's see...while stationed at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii we
used to send FNG's to the airwing side of the island for some
"Flight Line", to the Captain's office for a ST1 (stone), oh,
and there was always someone falling for "hey hand me a dollar
bill so I can test the KW-7 (which promptly cut it in half when
the hatch was slammed shut).
Darrell Gibson
As a FNG we were all sent on important missions to find the
likes of:
Bucket of back blast. Mastur-bation paper. Frequency grease.
Bandolier for 175....Black Smoke (For Corpsman...so Gooks
couldn't see it at night) Bottle of Backblast (to get high on)
Pink Popup
Sir, I have been sent to find....A B1RD ladder or a ST1 hammer,
can you help me? Can do private, go see Gunny Krudd; he is in
the MT section. At the MT section...I am looking for Gunny
Krudd, do you know where he is?
However being in electronics, the one that caused me much
personal embarrassment was...
Private Parmenter, get your can over to Supply; we are going to
need a replacement fallopian tube for this console.
Supply didn't have one... nor did the Motor Pool. Zilch at
sickbay, however they did suggest that I try the Base Bakery.
OK!...so I have got a shallow learning curve.
Semper Fi
Sgt Steven Parmenter
MACS-4 '65-'69
A carrying strap for a M151 (jeep). One time I sent one for
frequency grease and he came back with a heat tab with
electrical tape wrapped around it. I think he adapted and
improvised.
We also used to "axe qual" new Marines when we went out in the
field. We would blind fold them, get them on their knees and
tell them they had to chop a quarter in the sand while
blindfolded. When they would raise the axe, we would throw their
cover over the quarter, thus leaving a big slice in it. Good
times, good times.
Semper Fi
Cpl Mark Harris
MP Co. H&S Bn. 1st FSSG, '86-'89
As a Tanker, we used to send the new guys for a can of black and
yellow checkered paint, a sky-hook, or piston return spring. But
my favorite was when they qualified with the sledge hammer.
Practice unblind-folded hitting a nickel on a rock. Then remove
their cover and blind-fold them to try to hit the nickel. But
then we'd put their nice starched cover over the rock. They'd be
beating the living h*ll out of their own cover, we'd be laughing
our a**es off, and they thought they must really be nailing that
nickel. The look on their face when they removed the blindfold
and saw what was left of their pride and joy starched cover ...
G. Cagle 79-83, Sgt USMC
50 feet of slack.
Box car load of post holes.
And of course camouflage paint.
The longer it's been the more we remember the good and fun
times.
Cpl Hamilton
'65-'68, Viet Nam '66-'67
Sarge, I recall going for a can of back-blast for the 106, and
an asbestos suit to pull butts for the flame-thrower.
Ralph Thompson
Sgt of Marines, '63-'67
Illuminating grid squares. I once sent a FNG down to the Gunny's
office to ask him where he could find a PRC ("Prick") E-7. That
one didn't go over well.
Semper Fidelis,
Craig Anderson, Lance Corporal of Marines '88-92, 0311/8151
Have you ever been sent by the Gunny to pick up 15 feet of
shoreline or a roll of flight line. When going on deployment ,
how many hours did you spend standing out on the bow of the
(boat) ship standing watch looking for the mail buoys and did
you ever find the keys to davie jones locker??
Don Laughner Sgt 55-65. Major Ret 78
A BFA for the 81mm mortar. We sent one of our boots to go find a
fuse wrench for a HE round. Our Gunny sent him back with "Fuze
Wrench" written on his middle finger and told him to show it to
our squad leader.
J Putney USMC, CPL, 02-06
We sent people looking for; Cans of Beep for the radios (they
set off the encryption equipment) 10 feet of shoreline, Left
Handed Hammers, Keys to the Humvees BA-1100N w/ ST-Rings. We
once sent a FNG all over Camp Delmar holding a box of rocks
(told him it was a radio) looking for the Humvee it went in. And
my personal favorite...I sent an FNG in to the gunny to fill out
his ID-10T form to requisition a PRC-E7. I am sure there were
more. They all put a smile on your face, even if you were the
butt of the joke. We Marines are some sick b*stards.
Semper Fi
Sgt Michael Brown, 1990-1996
Grit...FNG errands...go get: 200 yards of firing line, a
gallon of propwash, a J double- E P driver, the muzzle report (
should've been a common one in the 11th Mar). cleaning patches
for a 106 recoilless rifle...(actually had a newbie come back
from Bn Supply at 1st ATBn with a box of round cotton thingies
that would've worked....have no idea what they were, but they
for sure were not official 106 'patches')...
left handed monkey
wrench, metric hammer (or crescent wrench). Getting an order off
today for Dunc's books...had them before, foolishly loaned them
out, haven't seen them in years, but anyone who hasn't read them
is really missing out...my favorite story, and have told it
countless times over the years, is the one about the first
female air traffic controller...am I shilling for Duncan?....you
betcha! (us Mustang Majors gotta stick together...and I have
never met the man)
Semper Fi, Dick Dickerson, '57-'81
Try some Major Duncan Books
How about 50 yards of MLR?
Peter C. Formaz
My M.O.S. being 2841/ Ground Radio Repairman, we had a lot of
fun with our FNGs. The batteries used in the man-pack radios
part number always started with either BB or BA. This being the
case, we would send said FNGs into the Comm Chiefs office and
have them ask for a couple of BA-1100- Novembers, translation...
Balloons. My personal favorite though was sending them looking
for a "Prick E-7". Yeah, I had to push a lot for that one the
gunny never saw the humor but it was totally worth it every
time.
Ben Bortle, Cpl. 1997-2001. 2nd AAV BN Comm.
As a former radio operator you might recall the mission to find
a gallon of Side Tone. Our "Boots" could never come up with it!
"Murch" '54-'57
One of our group in Okinawa was sent to find a barrel of prop
wash. He was not really an FNG and remembered where the barrels
of detergent for the turboprop planes were stored. Checked out a
truck and brought the Master Sgt. two barrels.
Doug O'Neal
Sgt. 1975 - 1986
President - Devil Dogs MC
How about "Get me two fifty yard rolls of white flight line."?
I was also told to get a "Valve core extractor." It sounded so
phony that I didn't do it. It exists. It is used to let the air
out of tires. I grew up calling it a "gut puller". Got in
trouble for that one. Aw well.
Thanx for the memories.
Jim Martin CPL VMFA 513/VMFA 542 1964 TO 1968
We sent guys out for a bucket of A-1-R (air), or a bucket of
rotar wash. We sent guys down to the hangar bay to "fire-proof"
their mattresses. Imagine yourself dragging your mattress all
the way down there to find you been scammed. Lol OR, Hey Noob,
go get some Delta -1- Charlie-K from maintenance control.
We had a Doc that convinced people he had to take a sperm sample
to ensure they were not exposed to radioactivity of the reactor.
One guy actually went so far as to drop his pants until he
realized it was a joke.
Lastly the Doc had a horse needle filled with molasses. He told
us it was a shot you had to receive to ward off radioactivity.
I looked at that needle and said NO F-ing way you are sticking
that in me lol.
I'd give the Docs name but HM1 is still active and may not want
to share haha.
S/F
Marine
The haze is clearing. How could I, as an old school 2531, forget
"to feed the Gamma Goat". Man he would get angry if he didn't
get three squares.
S/F
Cooper
If you remember, let me rephrase that, if you could remember, we
sent a guy after two buckets of slack, a tube of frequency
grease, 100 yards of flight line, and four radio nets. Kelly
dropped a dime on us to that mustanger Lieutenant Mattox and we
were told that if we had nothing to do HE would find something
for us.
SSgt Huntsinger
Get your saline shots from Medical.
SSgt Carr,
Wpns Co 3/25 00-07
-to the post office for a "boasting punch"
-pad eye wrench
Bryan Butas USMC CPL, 1989 - 1993
While on I&I staff at NAS Sandpoint, Seattle, WA. 68-69 we would
have them go out and help preflight the B1RD (bird) for the next
mission. When we sent them out to work on the R4-Q2 (say that
fast! lol) they would figure that we were shining them on again
and not go out. That was the Navy's designation for the C-47
"Gooney Bird". We would also tell them that the little black
funnel attached to a black tube, in the cargo bay of our
C-119's, was the crew intercom. For those that aren't in the
know, it is the in-flight relief tube. No heads in our planes!
Bill Wilson Gy/Sgt Ret'd.
Swing with the Wing!
Way back when there was "head space for the machine gun",
"100yds of firing line" and "a tube of night vision".
Ron Sharetts
MSgt USMCRet
1957-1979
As a FNG assigned to MWSS 371 at El Toro in Aug of 1986 I
remember one of the other FNG's that checked in with me. He was
told to go to Base Supply and pick up 6 rolls of "Flight Line."
We all had a good laugh when he returned a couple hours later
after being sent to just about every supply office on the base
looking for "flight line." He said every office he went to, the
supply NCO would tell him they were out and to go check another
office.
My father was in the air department on the USS Yorktown during
WWII and loaded bombs on the planes. I remember a story he told
me about one of the activities prior to the shellback ceremony.
My dad had already took part in the ceremony and he went to
check on some of the "Wogs." This sailor was standing near the
bow of the ship and he was looking through two rolls of toilet
paper like a pair of binoculars. My dad asked what he was
doing, and the sailor replied he was sent there to look for the
equator.
Louis (Tiger) Gouge
Sgt of Marines, 1985-1991
Desert Storm, HqCo 1st Marine Regiment
Brown Bagger
I was just reading one of your letters and someone asked if
anyone remembers the brown bagger bar. Yes I do, however it was
not outside the main gate to Camp Lejeune. The Driftwood is
closest to the main gate the Brown Bagger was further up the
road on the same side and I think the Bayou and Platos were very
close to one another right around the same area. I remember
someone tossing a CS grenade into the Bayou after an
"altercation". and a brawl in the parking lot of Platos when
reinforcements were called in all the way from Onslow Beach at
0030 one night! I was there along with others to bail out our
SSGT and a Sgt from our unit. We made it from the beach to
Platos in 15 minutes and for any of you who know where Onslow
Beach is that is record time!
Someone also asked about Court st. it's cleaned up now but in
the late seventies and early eighties it was one dive after the
next. Purple Haze, Birdland, Big ED'S Bowery, the Asian Lounge
just to mention a few. I think the Asian lounge is now a parking
lot for the Sheriff Dept. Outside of Camp Geiger was Bronco
Billy's, but I did not do any two stepping in that
establishment. My unit mostly hung out at the Driftwood when we
were not in the field. Harry and Joe ran the place, Harry is
long gone from there and up until 5 years ago Joe was still the
head man. The early eighty's was a wild time down there and
reading some of your newsletters sure brings back memories some
good some not so good.
Semper Fi,
Sgt Bart "gourd" Smittle
Charlie Co. 2nd Recon Bn.
1980-1983
4th 105mm Howitzer Battalion USMCR
Sgt. Grit, I have written you before about my organization
(nationalmilitaryheritagemuseum.com) and would like to mention a
project I am working.
Our museum building, located in St. Joseph, MO, housed the 1st
and later 4th 105mm Howitzer battalion USMCR in the 1940-1950s.
This unit went active in 1950, and went to Camp Pendleton for
staging. They joined the 1st Marines at Chosin Reservoir for
that most grueling of battles. I have some roster sheets from
the Marine Corps and a Picture of the unit dated 1954. I would
like to meet and talk to any Marine or family member of a Marine
of that unit that is willing to discuss this time with me.
I can be contacted at the above website, at igfiddles@hotmail.com,
or by mail at The National Military Heritage Museum, 701 Messanie,
St. Joseph Missouri, 64501.
Semper fi, D Ward, Sgt 1971-1975.
The Rock
Great newsletter keep it up:
While reading the 2 July news letter. I was reminded of a
couple of incidents at Camp Hague Okinawa. Cpl Hight, if you
were in 4/12 in '61. Do you remember the night that the leg on
SgtMaj Ebert's desk got shot off, and the Pvt in Kilo Bty fell
asleep during a Saturday morning inspection, while in formation?
In 76 while in Bravo 1/12 out of Hawaii. I was on a WesPac
cruise we stayed at Camp Hague. The old 4/12 CP was still
occupied, and the roof still leaked.
The "Rock" was a great tour in '61 for a boot PFC. It is
amazing how something as simple as an address can trigger so
many memories. All you young Marines today won't realize this
till your in your 50's & 60's.
Keep up the good work, you're all in my thoughts and prayers
always
Semper fi
Jim Leonard SSgt Ret. 60-80
Marine Air
Sgt. Grit,
I spent some time talking with a few young men the other day and
the topic of MARINE AIR came up. Much to my surprise, these
youngsters had no idea that the Marine Corps had any aircraft
except for helicopters and 'Harriers'. This got my curiosity up
so I called a few of my 'civilian' friends and asked them what
they knew or thought about the airwings of the Marine Corps.
They didn't know jack either! Seems that the idea of the Marine
Corps having jets and other aircraft in their inventory is an
alien one to say the least.
Now, I hate relying on 'Hollyweird' to put out the word on
anything military, but other than 'Flying Leathernecks' with
John Wayne, has there been any other movie, especially a recent
one, that portrays MARINE AIR as a true flying, fighting force?
A segment of the recent PBS show, 'CARRIER', did deal a little
with a Marine Air Squadron serving aboard the USS Nimitz, but
did not really discuss MARINE AIR that much. And I'm not
talking about a fantasy flick or sci-fi movie like the fairly
recent 'Independence Day' or 'Aliens'. Are there any others out
there?
I have seen evidence of MARINE AIR in several VietNam War movies
('We Were Soldiers', 'Hamburger Hill', etc) but one has to look
real quick and hit the 'pause' button at just the right time to
see that big, bold, beautiful 'MARINES' on the fuselage of an
F-4 'Phantom' that's in a 2 second film clip.
It sure seems to me that MARINE AIR could use some publicity to
add more notoriety for their efforts. More Americans should be
made aware that the Marine Corps can and will 'fight our
country's battles' in the air as well as on the land and on the
sea.
You all have a safe and happy Independence Day!
Happy Birthday USA!
Semper Fidelis,
Tony Glass
Sgt USMC
2851-AvRadRepMan
1974-78
Eyes Right
In the movie Battle Cry there is a scene where the main
characters are in their tent the day before graduation and their
Drill Instructor enters the tent and tells them quote " you are
Gyrenes now and when you pass in review tomorrow and the command
is given "eyes right" let me hear them eyeballs click "
Former Marine Corporal Joe L. Reyna , MTM Co, Maintenance Battalion,
1st FSR 70-73
Cosmoline
This is in response to GySgt D.L. Morton's entry in the
newsletter dated 3July, regarding M-1/M-14s in boot camp. He
stated he entered MCRD San Diego in June 1962, platoon 342 and
was initially issued an M-1. I was glad to see his entry because
I've long contended that we were one of the first platoons to be
issued M-14s. I stepped onto the yellow footprints at MCRD San
Diego, 28June1962. We formed as Platoon 145 on or about
1July1962 and a few days later, were issued M-14s still covered
in cosmoline. I recall washing them in hot water to remove the
cosmoline, then spending what, at the time, seemed like days
cleaning the rest of the cosmoline from all the tiny nooks and
crannies of the rifle. What Gunny Morton didn't mention were the
hours spent sitting on buckets on the platoon street, rubbing
linseed oil into the stocks with our bare hands. I recall doing
that all through boot camp. It never occurred to me at the time
that we were the first recruits to be issued those rifles. What
did any of us know about boot camp and how things worked? That
all happened just 46 short years ago today (3July2008).
Go Cubs!
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
Carlos Hathcock Medal of Honor Petition
Goal:
Our goal in establishing and circulating this petition is to get
10,000+ signatures to present along with letters to every
senator and congressman in America, in hopes one of them will
ask the Secretary of the Navy to review Carlos' sacrifice and
heroism for the Congressional Medal of Honor. Going forward
with letters could be a possible success, but we feel being able
to show them the signatures of thousands of United States
citizens may get their attention focused even more.
Get More Info
If you would like to help:
http://www.myspace.com/carloshathcocktribute
Matty Mattel
I also would like to offer some info on the M-14, it originally
came with a ventilated upper fiberglass fore piece that broke
very easily when Marines did rifle drill. They were later
replaced by unventilated pieces that were retrofitted at the
armory. Qualified with the M-14 in boot camp in '65, reissued
M-14 in RVN in '68 at ChuLai and in early '69 was given an M-16
(Matty Mattel) it was light and the Magazines were small but it
never replace the M-14 in my mind. I was given an air rifle for
a birthday present years ago an exact? replica of the M-16 and I
think the stock was heavier and the whole thing weighed more
than My '69 M-16.
Bill Carey
Cpl of Marines 65-69
P.S. Semper Fi and thanks to Sgt Grit for the stuff that helps
brothers recognize brothers.
Boot Camp Games
The 2nd Recruit Bn at Parris Island was still in the wooden H-
shaped barracks. The squad bays were long and narrow. Standing
at attention in front our bunks one day we heard: "Right Face",
"Column Right, March". When we got to the opposite end of the
squad bay we were halted and the Drill Instructor yelled " What
the @#$% are you doing? Get in front of your racks! NOW!" The
center of the squad bay became a huge mass of bodies, each
rushing and pushing to get back to their racks. Guys got knocked
down and trampled, some racks even got knocked over in the rush.
We played this game many times to the delight of the Drill
Instructors. Even Drill Instructors from the other platoons
would come in to watch the fun.
Bill Wright '67-'71
Plt. 268, MCRD Parris Island
Comm-Elect. School Bn, MCRD San Diego
1st Mar. Div, Hq Bn, Comm. Co., Radio Relay Plt.
2nd MAW, MWHS2, Cherry Point
Dewey Canon
I served with Bravo Company, First Battalion Ninth Marines,
starting with operation Dewey Canyon. The operation is
synonymous with other great battles that the Corps has fought
throughout history. The courage and sacrifice of the men of
Ninth Marines will always be etched into my mind. Triple canopy
jungle, unbearable heat, and a determined enemy could not
withstand the United States Marine Corps Grunt. With little
resupply or air support due to the weather it was a even match
with the NVA for supremacy.
We lost some very good men but nothing compared to enemy
casualties, going toe to toe with Ninth Marines even though they
had a numerically superior force proved devastating to the North
Vietnamese regulars. This is not bolstering, but a tribute to
the men of Ninth Marines for courage and determination Above and
Beyond the call of duty.
This is also a tribute to the Navy Corpsmen that gave comfort to
the dying during this operation. Especially during the
withdrawal when the point squad was ambushed. We Marines
carried our KIA's and WIA's in a straight line while the
Corpsmen moved up and down the line caring and comforting the
dying men, walking twice as far as we did, they might have worn
Navy insignia but they are Marines through and through! My only
solace to them is on the last day when we were boarding the
choppers the doc to my right got hit in the neck with shrapnel
and I helped him aboard. It doesn't seem like much in the here
and now but like all combat operations it was one of those" you
had to be there moments"
To all the newer generations of Marines whether you are just off
the yellow footprints a Desert Storm, Iraqi or Afghan veteran
or anything in between you are part of the most feared fighting
force in the world. As you grow older and you're talking to
persons from other services I will guarantee when it comes your
turn to say what branch you served in, at the point you say I
was a Marine, someone will undoubtedly repeat, you were a
Marine? To all the Marines that came before me WW 1, WW 2 or
Korea and all those that have passed this life I can only say I
am Proud to be your brother! Semper Fidelis, Semper Fi, "Always
Faithful" remember when you earned the Eagle Globe and Anchor
you will always be, not an X or former but a "Marine"!
William Whitley
Short Rounds
in response to Cpl Kirk Jones, Paul Peek of the peek a boos,
attended my high school in Greenville SC. He was quite a
musician and went on to play with Gene Vincent and was in a
movie with him. I ran into Paul in Jacksonville while in K-3-8.
Unfortunately he passed away several years ago without ever
reaching the pinnacle in the music business. I believe his
story may be on the internet.
Semper Fi Jim McCuen Dublin, CA
The newsletter is outstanding as it always is. To Chuck Stark
who said he was almost a MARINE if you are an FMF CORPSMAN you
are a MARINE who wears his or her chevrons only on the left
sleeve and upside down. ANCHORS AWEIGH and SEMPER FI
R B SCOTT E Co 2/9 56-57 67-68-69
Just to be clear, in my previous post I did not claim that our
platoon was the first to be issued M-14s at MCRD. I have no
idea when the M-14 was first issued to recruits. What I did say
was that our platoon (Platoon 361) was the first to go to Camp
Stuart Mesa for range training. That was the last week of July
or the first week of August, 1964. On a good day, with a strong
north wind, I can hear the recruits at Edson Range firing as I
live near the back gate of CamPen.
Michael Hackett
Did anyone notice that in Sunday's Parade (July 6) in the
article by John McCain there was a sentence mentioning soldiers,
sailors aviators and Marines that Marines was the only one
capitalized?
Upon return from the University of Rice (DaNang campus) I was
fortunate to spend my last few months of active duty at Camp
Delmar, Camp Pendleton Ca.
Dan Buchanan
L/Cpl of Marines, 1969-71
Chesty Puller for President
Pacifism is a Luxury Paid for By Warriors
Semper Fi
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Sgt Grit
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