Parris Island and San Diego BS

Platoon 322 1951

I would like to hear from any one who knows anyone in this picture. This was my Uncle's boot camp picture, He went to Korea, was in the Moter Pool.

My Uncle's name is Bill Turney, to the end he could play the Marines Hymn on the piano. also he could not remember his birthday, but he knew every year when the Marine Corp birthday was. He gifted his sister my Mom, with a set of USMC service ware, in which I grew up eating with. I think he knew what he was doing. I found this Picture and the names in some of his things, and would like to hear from anyone who knows or knew anyone in the picture.

I am Harold L Ramer 2531 from 1978-1982 My E-Mail address is cchillbilly [at] yahoo.com Semper Fi Harold L Ramer

Served with 2bn.4th Marines.Echo.Co.0331

Sgt.Grit.The"PICS" MCRD .San Diego.I served with 2bn.4th Marines.Echo Co.0331.I got wounded in Feb.25.1969.Check out the web. www.lzrussell.org.I took these "PIC" on Feb.25.2009.At San Diego for Reunion of LZ Russell Survivors.I meet these DI for photo shoot.Im Mr.John Carranco.San francisco.I was born in San Antonio.Texas.THese PICS where did boot camp training in 1967.The famous"yellow-foot-prints''a recruit symbol for 12weeks as a "BOOT".Talk to Marines that remember "yellow foot-prints' in MCRD Training in San Diego.

Semper Fi..

DI DI.......................OOH_RAH

Honor Platoon 141

Dear Sgt. Grit.

Attached is the platoon picture of Honor Platoon 141, MCRD, San Diego, March/June 1967. So far, eighteen of us, including our Junior DI have found each other. We would like to find more of for a possible platoon reunion in June/11. Please help us.

Semper Fi!
Jay F. Grams (jgrams1 [at] aol [dot] com)
Corporal of Marines

Aaron's graduation

Sirs,

Our son, Aaron, graduated from MCRD San Diego 30 January 2009. Things were such a whirlwind that I never got to take a photo of all the Marines in our family standing together that day. Our friends from Washington, Rick (Vietnam era Marine) and Donna joined us. Rick and Aaron have a special relationship. Also my husband's mother and stepfather, Harry, drove in from Arizona. Grampa Harry served in the Marines in the 50's. And my husband served in the late 70's/early 80's. Four Marines proudly representing the Corps and our family that day.

During the graduation ceremony someone asked all prior service Marines to stand to be honored. Mom told me that touched Grampa Harry so much! He said NO ONE had ever honored him for his service.

Grampa Harry was called to his final post in August 2009, guarding Heaven's gates. I am sure that the honoring of prior service Marines during graduation is traditional, but it's impact should never be underestimated.

Harry is wearing the red hat, Rick the gray shirt, Dad the red shirt.

With pride,
Harriet Cook
Federal Way, WA

Marine Corps Stories Boot Camp DI

This story starts in April 1964 when as a young and eager 17 yr old. I departed Staten Island, NY for Parris Island SC. When we arrived at the receiving center we were greeted by the usual screams of, "Get off my f'n bus" and "Get on my yellow footprints" (receiving used to be up by the Iron Mike statue for those of you who came after we left), it is now down past 2nd btn. and the schools building. I digress back to receiving, well we did all the forms and made our phone calls to who ever answered the phone at home. Then some of the group were picked up and went to their platoons, the rest of the group were sent back to the classroom in receiving where we waited 2 days for the rest of our platoon to be selected, as we later found out, to be members of the Stoner 63 Rifle/Weapon System Test Platoon. We became platoon 236. That was when we met our loving caretakers and banes to our existence for the next 13 weeks. Our drill instructors S/Sgt.. Edwards, Sgt Hall and Cpl. Later to become Sgt Wade. Well I don't need to elaborate on the thumps and other eccentricities these gentlemen performed on our young bodies. Locker box manual of arms was a favorite and moving house was another. Oh and when we got to the rifle range "get neckid and waller" in the steam room was a real treat. We started with 95 "Laddie Bucks" and graduated 62. As you know the most enjoyable sight in my entire time in the corps was seeing that long causeway disappear out the back window of the bus leaving recruit training depot Parris Island.

Being that we were a "special" Test platoon after PI we stayed together through ITR and then went out into the division to A Company 1st Btn. 8th Marines to continue the testing of the Stoner system. We stayed together for a few months after PI and I think it was Sept of 64 when we finally finished our phase of the testing, broke up and went to our respective fields of endeavor throughout the Corps. I went to 10th marines with a few of the other guys. We did the Santo Domingo thing in 65 I did a stint in Gitmo. When I got back from Cuba I found orders to WEST PAC, and wound up in Kilo 4/12 for my remaining time in the corps .

Then about 10 years ago I told my wife that I would like to find as many of the guys I went thru P I with as I could, so we started to do some research and came up with 42 of them. We have had several reunions and great times since.

Last February we made plans to go to Titusville, Fla for a reunion and tour at Knight Armament Co., who now hold the rights to the Stoner system and were guided on our tour of Knights Museum by Reed Knight, designer of the Rail Systems for the M16 and Mrs Barbara Stoner, wife of the late Eugene Stoner. About a month or 2 prior to the get together, the lovely Mrs Bob tells me upon my arrival home from running some errends that I had a phone call from a Charlie Edwards. It seems that she had found our Sr DI and he was willing to talk to me. I said, "HOLY CRAP! What do I say to this guy," and Mrs Bob, told me that I stood at attention through the whole conversation! Well it turned out he is a really nice guy and I thanked him for making me the man I am today. I invited him to our reunion and he said he and his wife didn't fly and since they were in California it didn't seem likely. I told him to expect many calls from the guys, to which he answered, "I doubt those guys will want to talk to me." Which proved to be wrong as Charlie soon found out.

We went to Florida and on the first night as Marines are wont to do were all standing around at the bar waiting to be seated for dinner telling all of the "how Bad we were stories" when in the back door comes this campaign hat tilted down in the front and this guy strutting his stuff like it was 40 years ago and we screwed up on the drill field. MAN YOU WANT TO SEE 15 60 year old plus guys sphincters tighten. Our wives and children tell us, "It was a pleasure to watch". My wife Flora, Barbara Chadwick (wife of MGYSGT Mike Chadwick USMC Ret. and Terry Edwards (wife of Capt. C. E. Edwards USMC Ret.) , co-conspirators, had it all planed to surprise us and man did it work. We had a great reunion nice to find out after all these years he didn't hate us after all.

Semper FI
Bob Molski

Attached photos: Parris Island graduation, Feb 2009 reunion Knight Armament Museum, 1st meeting after 45 years at restaurant.

PS any other Stoner Guys out there Email me at nabiki3485 [at] aol [dot] com

SGT Grit staff: If you want you guys can forward any responses if you think it is better to do it that way

Best Christmas Present

Sarge

I got the best Christmas present any father could ask for from his son. A NEW MARINE! My oldest, Ryan, just graduated from Parris Island Friday, December 18, 2009. He is 3rd Generation to walk down this path, and would like to share photos of family members that have preceded him. In order of succession there is - Grandfather (wife’s father), myself & son.

There were a total of 8 graduating platoons – 6 male platoons comprised 2nd Battalion, Hotel Company. And 2 female platoons comprised of 4th Battalion, Papa Company. All of these new Marines could not have stood straighter & taller.

On Friday, when Ryan’s platoon was dismissed by their Senior Drill Instructor, there was not a mad rush from any of these guys to mom & dad. No! 2088 surrounded this guy to shake his hand & thank him. It was AWESOME!

One of the first things out of Ryan’s mouth on Thursday (Family Day) was – “Get me off this Island & Everything here happened to me except getting shot!”

Ryan was given an MOS of an Engineer. Do not know specific job. Would like to here from others that have had this MOS or similar?

Words cannot describe how PROUD I am of son!

Semper Fi

JJ Chervinko
Cpl USMC

An Early Birthday Present

I have been blessed as so few have. Not only did I earn the title Marine... but I also had the opportunity to return to MCRD Parris Island 27 years, 74 days later... when my son earned the title Marine as well! Old Corps. New Corps. It's our Corps!

Old Corps?

I enlisted in 1953 and went to San Diego on January 3, 1954. (I know-Hollywood Marine)

Korea ended in November of 1953 so most of the drill instructors were vets from the war as was ours. He was Sgt Dilks and had one eye that looked slightly to the side so keeping your eyes straight ahead was nearly impossible when he was in your face. Did the drill instructors pass out physical punishment? Yes, and it was deserved for the most part. They did have their games using us as punching bags but it was all part of the process of getting us ready if Korea broke out again. Many recruits owe Sgt Dilks their thanks for setting them up for life itself. If you're still with us Sgt Dilks: Thank you!

There were no yellow footprints but then we were already smart enough to not look down.

I was scheduled to go to Electronics school out of boot but my history of playing the drums sent me to the Field Music school in San Diego where I was stuck for a couple years. Then I was assigned to the Fleet Marine Force Pacific Drum and Bugle Team in Pearl Harbor. We toured all the Pacific military bases and Alaska as good will ambassadors which took us to Japan. One day orders came to load up and board the aircraft carrier USS Princeton. No word of why but we were issued 45s before we boarded ship. (No ammo)

Once we were out to sea we were told by the Princeton's Captain that we were to be part of a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization war games. We had 6 or 7000 other marines on board and a bunch of little helocopters. We were to be part of the first ever helocopter assult landings. Most of us had not even been close to a chopper much less actually get on one.

A bag piper was also aboard and practiced seemingly all the days we dinked around getting to Thailand. (18 days) Someone must have known he was going to be with us when the decision was made not to issue ammo. When we loaded up in our heloteams (name must have been made up by a swabbie) the bagpiper was scheduled to go in on the first run. I was in the team behind him. There must have been 10 choppers once they all got air born and turned to go to the airport in Bangkok. All of a sudden a cloud of black smoke and one of them headed into the water! We all watched as the Navy rescued all hands and headed back. The Captain came on the PA and announced that all were safe. The cheers were quite loud. Then he announced that the bag pipes were not recovered and the cheers were loud enough that everyone back in Japan must have heard them.

We camped on the airfield and watched as the rest of the players arrived. The crazy Airborne flew non-stop from the US and jumped next to us. One tried to do the roman candle bit but rode down with another crazy guy. A site to behold!

I always regret not getting "some"! Read the book "Hard Corps" by Marco Martinez, Navy Cross recipient, and you'll know what I mean. It's a short look into the War on Terror. (and my grandson is mentioned)

I am proud to have served, if only beating a drum for three years. Probably ony 90% of us get "some". One of my Uncles got "some" in 1921 and my grandson got enough "some" for all of us.

Semper Fi
Sgt Vincent Meyers
1954-1956

Platoon 286 PI 1957

Sgt Grit,

It's been 52 years since this picture was taken, but it would be nice to have a reunion. Anyone interested could contact me at fboconnel [at] verizon.net.

MY PLATOON PICTURE

p.s. i'm the third "grunt" in the top row.. third from the right..... again thanks

50 years ago this month

50 years ago this month made the big jump into life in the Corp. Platoon 280 Second Batt. Honor platoon, everything except the range.

This was our company and platoon leaders for 280 series.

Company “E” Co. Capt. E.E. Evans
Series Co. Lt. D.S. Rilling

Senior Drill Inst. Sgt. M.H. Cooper
Junior Drill Inst. Act. Sgt. F.M. Burke
Junior Drill Inst. Act. Sgt. D.I. Kolek

First Battalion Platoon 78 - Honor Platoon Sept. 21, 1955

Hi, I found this in my fathers Marine Corps Recruit Book from Paris Island, First Battalion Platoon 78 - Honor Platoon Sept. 21, 1955 and thought you might like it for your web site.

Platoon 315

Dear Sgt Grunt.

While looking at photos posted on your website I found one of Platoon 78 Ist Battalion Sept 1955. One of the DIs is Sgt A V Stacey. I graduated at Parris Island in Sept 1954 in Platoon 315 C Company 4th Recruit Training Battalion. The Senior D I was Sgt P A Wood and Sgt Stacey was one of the junior D Is. I considered all of my Drill Instructors to be the finest of men and great Marines. and there were none more fair and upstanding than those of Platoon 315.

Semper Fidelis
Larry Pate
God Bless America and The United States Marine Corps

Parris Island 1962

A PICTURE OF MCRDPI CLASS OF 1962 PLATOON 150.

THOSE WERE CERTAINLY THE DAYS.

SEMPER FI

New Proud Marine Mom

Sgt Grit,

I found your website when I was looking for Christmas gifts last November for my son. He has wanted to be a Marine since he was twelve years old. In November 2008 he signed up and was in the Poolee program the rest of his Senior year. Although he wasn’t a Marine yet, we purchased a few items from your site and tried to become enthusiastic about his decision (which I’m very proud to say we are very happy for his decision). It is a very scary thing for a Mom to let her son grow up and go out on his own but when you add joining the Marine Corps to the mix it adds a new dimension to the feeling. Nonetheless, I have since enjoyed your newsletter, loved the items you sell and found great comfort from the stories I read in the newsletter. I have since discovered what Honor, Courage and Commitment truly means and now understand the pride felt by all Marines, new and old. I have learned to embrace my son’s decision and to be very proud of his decision. I wear a badge with my son’s picture and tell everyone I meet about how proud I am to be a Mother of a US Marine.

He was to leave for boot camp at the end of July but received a call the Wednesday before Father’s Day and asked if he would leave earlier. So on Father’s Day and with a heavy heart we said goodbye to our ‘boy”. I am very proud to say, we have welcomed back the ‘man’, a brand new United States Marine. I have attached a picture of our family during liberty on family day at the MCRD San Diego.

God Bless you Sgt Grit, for all you do. You have provided me with great encouragement through your newsletter and through the wonderful stories you share. And God Bless all the Marines since 1775 who have heard the call to defend this great country of ours. May God always protect them as they defend and protect us. I can now say I am proud to be the Mother of one of the Few and the Proud. A United States Marine.

With God’s Blessing,
Ida Henscheid,
Mother of Pfc. Benjamin Henscheid

Our signs for our Marine

Here is a photo of the sign I made for my son when he graduated from MCRD. His graduation date is on the bottom corner. The other sign was made by his 8 year old sister who is extremely proud of her brother!! (As we all are!!)

Thanks for all the stories, etc.

VPMM of PFC Hermanson

Platoon 1065 group photo

Sgt. Grit

Here is a group photo of our bootcamp platoon

MCRDSD started 26 August 1968 graduated 24 October 1968

First Battalion co. B platoon 1065 HONOR PLATOON

Senior drill instructor Gysgt. R.J. Mederious
drill instructor Ssgt. B.L. Nious
drill instructor Cpl. H. E. Heater

LCPL Joe Torres

Good Morning Devil Dogs,

I just wanted to share a picture of my son now Lance Corporal Joe Torres From Tustin California. My sister Retired NYPD Detective Yvette Torres A 911 Veteran and survivor from the Bronx. Standing at the front gate of Parris Island . We are proud to say that my son is the six member of our Family to serve in the Marines. He is with the First Marine 3rd Bn. The Thundering Third in Camp Pendleton. Getting ready to go to Afghanistan. I just want to say that we as country should be very thankful that we still have brave young people to serve. Thank you so much for your web site.

Semper Fi
SGT. Joe Torres
1975 - 1982

New and Old

Sgt Grit:

Attached is a photo taken by my wife on July 10, 2009. It shows my son, Francis, saluting me on the same parade deck on which I graduated in May ’69. I am justifiably proud, as you might guess. I am, however, even MORE proud of the fact Francis had to lose 65 pounds to even be able to enlist, AND he lost an additional 40 pounds in boot camp. His platoon mates told me he was an inspiration to others who had to lose weight. He constantly motivated them to lose weight. OOOO-RAH!!

Dudley Garidel
Chief Warrant Officer 4 of Marines (Ret)
Semper Fidelis
Non Sibi Sed Patriae

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
“If you seek peace, prepare for war”

Well here's another WM Boot Camp picture

Well, it has been many years since I became a Marine. I just thought that one of my four children would become a Marine, but only one has joined the service—the Air Force. Upon graduating as a Honor Graduate, another airman asked him how he did it. His answer floored me, but made me proud too. He said, “Do you think I could be anything but number one being raised by a Woman Marine”. He went on to graduate from Tech school as an Honor Graduate too.

Anyway, thought I should include my boot camp picture from platoon 12-A November 9, 1965 – I’m in row 4, 7th from the right. Of all the WM’s I graduated with I only know one now—who husband graduated high school with me, her name is Jo Ann. I have included a picture of Jo Ann, I and C.T. (my son) from his graduation from boot camp in 2008. Jo Ann is also in row 4, 2nd from the right.

And to J. M. Oliver who posted the 11-A Platoon picture – yes, we remember.

Pamela Q. (PQ) Laucius