Marines aboard Naval Vessles

I’ve noticed in the past several issues, articles or notes about Marines on Ships. Attached are some pictures of VMA (AW) 121 when we were stationed aboard the USS Ranger CV-61 from Dec 84 – Sept 89. We flew A-6E Intruders and were part of the Carrier Air Wing, CVW-2. During General Quarters, all the Marines in my unit had General Quarters stations, Hanger Deck, Flight Deck, Ready Room, or their respective shops.

Funny story, I was home on leave in Aug 1988. I was wearing my Dress Blues Deltas for an appointment with my divorce lawyer and some business at the local Air Farce Base. My Mother had just bought a video camera so she was filming me doing some minor drill movements outside and explaining what all the ribbons and badges were on my uniform. About that time some lady drove up and asked me if I was Mr McDaniel. I said yes and proceeded to get served divorce papers. The lady serving the papers was pretty ashamed of herself to have to serve them to someone in the military. I sat there laughing about the situation. I met my Dad over at my lawyers office and had the meeting with him. We discussed the divorce and all it’s BS. After we were done, my lawyer asked me if Marines were pretty tough, I said yes with a big grin on my face. To Quote My Lawyer, “When I was in the Navy, If you could beat the crap out of a Marine, you were pretty tough” I just smiled back and said, “I’m in a Marine A-6 Squadron stationed aboard the USS Ranger, we teach those squids how to fly!!” My Dad had been just sitting there for moral support and about had a heart attack when I said that. My lawyer just looked at me and said “That will be $500.00 upfront with a $75.00 filing fee.” I gladly paid the man with a smile upon my face.

Ken McDaniel
USMC 85 – 97
VMA – 121, VMA – 211, VMA - 214 

Posted by Sgt Grit Staff