To my fellow Marines,
As I listened to the news reports about Fallujah, I couldn't help
thinking that they need to unleash the Devil Dogs. Any self respecting
Corporal or Sergeant knows that ANYTHING WORTH FIGHTING FOR IS WORTH
FIGHTING DIRTY FOR. I long to see the day when politicians and the
general public SIT DOWN, SHUT UP, AND LET MY MARINES DO THE JOB. And to all Marines, everywhere, I wish God bless and God's speed.
Mac
Sgt, Fox 2/14, Desert Shield/Storm vet
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Old Corps - New Corps - Family of Marines - Future Marines
1ST Annual Sgt GriTogether!
Saturday, May 22, 2004
11 am -3 pm
Free Burgers and Hot Dogs!
Family Fun! - Door Prizes!
Moonwalk
Free Temporary Tattoos and Face Paint for the Kids
Pull-up Bar
Sgt Chuck Gregg's huge Marine collection.
MORE INFO
New Stuff!
6" Marine Chopper Decal
12" Marine Chopper Decal
Our National Treasure Painting (ORIGINAL)
Light Up Eagle, Globe & Anchor Hitch Cover
Single Churchill Cigar with black Tube
Angels of Death / O.I.F. II - Black T-shirt
Operation Iraqi Freedom KA-Bar
Recollections of a Boy Marine by Gene Ciliberti
Colder Than Hell by Joseph R. Owen
Hello Marines.
The Corps is back in Iraq, Afghanistan and Haiti
in a big way. And making the news. They need all the support we
can give them. With prisoner abuse, beheadings, and political
nonsense our Marines and troops need to know that we are behind them. Do something! Write a letter, make a call, talk to someone, say a prayer. But do not sit on the side lines and watch. You Korean
vets understand indifference. We Vietnam vets understand abuse.
Do not let either happen to today's Marines. I get letters and
emails everyday boldly stating a desire to re-enlist and kick some
ass. Well most of us are just plane to old, that's a fact of life.
Just because you can't hump 70 lbs. of gear for 3 days with little
sleep in miserably cold or hot climates, and then effectively carry
out a combat mission. This does not mean you can sit on the side
lines and whine about what's going on. Do something! Get creative!
And no, I am not going to tell you what or how to do it. You remember
what your DI taught you; Adapt, improvise, overcome!!
Sgt Grit
HE WAS WITH 5TH MARINES
Hello Sgt. Grit my name is Skip O'Brien. I have never written a comment
to your newsletter, but I read every issue. About a month ago the young
marine that lives across the street from me ( LCPL Jim Cullen ) was
wounded in Faluja. I had been listening to what was going on in Iraq
that day while I was at work and I couldn't stop thinking about all
of the men and women over there. I was especially thinking about the
young marine that lives across the street, because I had been talking
to his mother a few days earlier and she gave me his mailing address
and I could see that he was with the 5th marines and I know that his
MOS is a grunt. When I came home from work that day, I saw that the
street was lined with cars on both sides and I had a terrible feeling
come over me. When I got my car in the driveway and got out, I didn't know what to do. Then I saw his grandmother coming across the street,
and she told me that Jim had been shot and that he was alive, but they
didn't have much more information at this time. I went in the house
and told my wife and then all of my emotions started coming out of me.
It brought up memories from my time in the service that I had put away
a long time ago. Jim's mother lives alone and she is handicapped, with
very little mobility. My wife and myself have been shoveling her
driveway and her handicap ramp and taking the trash out to the curb
for her and she has a lot of family support. I have talked to her a
few times since Jim was wounded and she has told me that he is all
patched up and that he couldn't wait to get back with his unit.
Hopefully this war in Iraq and Afghanistan will come to an end and
all of our men and women can come home. I'm looking forward to
taking LCPL Jim Cullen out to lunch when he comes home
Skip O'Brien
CPL USMC D-2-11
Vietnam 70
THE ENTIRE PLATOON STOOD UP
I've just gotten onto this site, and really enjoying it by the way.
Reading some of the Boot Camp tales brought back memories of my 3 month
stay at P.I. in Platoon 28 back in '49. We started out with Sgt. Croft,
Sgt. Swartz and Cpl. Hudson as DIs. Sgt Croft found himself up on
charges of Maltreatment filed by a nut that wanted out and who had
really stretched Croft's patience to the limits before the idiot was
sent to Psycho for evaluation. While there a young Lt. filed charges
against Croft on his behalf and defended him in the hearing. When Sgt.
Swartz told us about Sgt. Croft's situation, the entire Platoon stood
up and volunteered to testify for him (in spite of the fact that he
had "bounced" most of us around at one time or another!) Only two were
called to testify. Sgt. Croft was cleared of all charges, the nut
escorted to the bridge and told to "get." Sgt. Croft, though cleared,
was not allowed to return to the Platoon and was sent to Gitmo. We
continued on with the addition of Pfc. J.J. Collins as an Asst/DI.
Sgts. Croft and Swartz were both former WWII Marine Raiders, and we
felt honored to have them as DIs, and had a great deal of respect for
them both. Croft's case came up just after we got out to the Rifle
Range, which was then and probably still is, a turning point in a
Platoons progress. It was for us, as we were all of one mindset,
to earn that "Honor Platoon" flag for Croft. We did it too.
Afterwards we were twice selected to serve as Honor Guard for the
Base CO, Gen. Noble when he welcomed VIPs aboard the base. It became
our honor each Friday to escort the Colors out to the Parade Field
for the BTN. Review. Oh yeah, we were some proud Boots, marching
about two feet of the deck! We respected Sgt. Croft, and even
feared him a little, but he was a fair man. Sgt.Swartz we did not
like at all. But we respected him as well. Cpl. Hudson we had a
different relationship with. He was strict, but allowed some leeway.
PFC. Collins had, I suspect for some reason lost his stripes but was
allowed to stay on as an Asst. DI as a PFC. He was the one we could
talk to, a big brother in some ways. Together, they made a formidable
team. When Croft left Swartz took over as Senior DI. It was his
leadership during Croft's hearing that changed our viewpoint on him.
>From that point on, we were a team working together for a common goal.
We lost one leader, but gained another and got on with the task at
hand. Such is the way of things in the Corps. There were a lot of
guys lined up to shake their hands as we left the Barracks on our
last day of Boot Camp. We were all saying "Goodbye" in our own way, but now these many years later I would like to say to Croft, Swartz,
Hudson and Collins wherever they may be, on behalf of Platoon 28,
PIMCRD June 1949, "Thank You, and Semper Fi !
Sgt. M. J. "Rich" Richard USMCR
TO MY SURPRISE
Some years ago, Many, I married and my wife's brother was in the Army. A career man and a Green Beret. Dale was a buck sgt but, received a commission and at that time was a lstLt. Wife and I were visiting he and his wife at Ft Bragg in NC. He decided to take us to their officer's club. I explained that I was just a Sgt but, his mind was made up so off we go. We sat in the first table close to the band and the CG was down about ten tables, I was sorta sweating about the whole thing. I excused myself and went to the "head". Upon returning I sat down and all of a sudden the band played the Marine Corps Hymn. Sweating hard, I knew I had to come to attention which I did. Now there must have been 300 hundred Army officers in attendance and one lone person standing at attention. To my surprise the CG stood at attention and the whole club then was standing and stayed for the whole hymn. How proud I was to be a MARINE! Band finished and every one broke out into applause. My BIL knew that Marines stood for their hymn and put the band up to playing our Hymn. God bless him, he has since died, a true Army hero that would have made a d'mn good Marine! Dave
MARINE CORPS HUMOR
The Commanding Officer of
Marine Air Support Squadron Three
requests the pleasure of your company at the
Change of Command Ceremony at which
Lieutenant Colonel James D. Gass, USMC
will relinquish command to Lieutenant Colonel
David F. Aumuller, USMC
on Friday, the seventh of May 2004
at nine o'clock
Marine Air Support Squadron Three
Building #120
Blue Diamond Main, Iraq
Reception immediately following
R.S.V.P
DSN XXX-3402-555
Military: Utilities
DIRECTIONS:
FROM SAN DIEGO:
Fly the most direct route to Kuwait City International Airport
(this will likely involve 2-3 stops and about 17 hours in the air).
>From KCIA take the 7th Ring Motorway to Hwy 80N towards Iraq. Once
across the international border and UN checkpoint, this will become
MSR Tampa. Follow MSR Tampa for approximately 400 miles. The route is
well marked but very dangerous. It is not recommended that you travel
without adequate firepower, and food and water to last several days.
You may also consider some form of 2-way communications in order to
contact the nearest available Quick Reaction Force. Additionally,
unnecessary stops enroute are highly discouraged. Take the Baghdad
Beltway south and west of the city towards Fallujah. Be especially
alert when passing through the Fallujah cloverleaf. Follow the signs
to Blue Diamond Main. The MASS-3 area will be the last compound on
the right. Parking is available in the well-marked but poorly
lit Motor Pool area.
*Sponsors are not responsible for damage caused by indirect fire.
Submitted by:
Mark Sasak
A SIMILAR QUESTION
Sgt Grit:
Reading the comment about how a young Marine felt about having a
woman in his sights, I thought about a comment a friend of mine made
some years ago when asked a similar question. Then Capt. John Yancey,
a veteran of the Canal and the Chosin Reservoir, 2 Navy Crosses and
several Purple Hearts replied "I will never apologize for killing
my country's enemies."
Ray Walker
A/1/5 1948-53
BETTER AND BETTER
As the newsletter articles keep coming, and as I read more and more
about my fellow Marines in action in Iraq, I find that as old as we
are, the better we have become. Marines have fought all over the
world, under conditions that would discourage almost anyone, but yet
we prevail. The training, the discipline and tradition carry on, and
on and on. We just keep getting better and better and better. May
God bless every Marine that has made the ultimate sacrifice, past,
present and future. Continue to make us proud. OORAH!
Semper Fi
SGT DUCK
THROUGH THE GRINDER
It's great to hear that other Marines remember the names of the ships they hitched a ride on. When I first wrote in to the News Letter about the soldier who couldn't remember the names of any of the troop transports he went to Korea on, other writers kind of put me down and said that doesn't prove he wasn't in korea. Well, he didn't even know some of the jargon and little words we use in Korea that any vet should remember. It isn't hard to figure out when you've been fed a line of BS by a wannabe. I see from the names of your ships that you went through the grinder in the islands. You have my deepest respect as you are truly from the OLD CORPS. Semper Fi, Sgt. Dan Powell
TAKE PRIDE
Hey! I have a few words for M. A. Mansfield who "never had the
honor of serving in combat." You were where the Marine Corps
wanted you to be, when they wanted you to be there and doing what
they wanted you to do. Come to terms with it and take pride in
what you contributed. Remember, there is no MOS, activity or
assignment in the Marine Corps that is unimportant.
Oh yes. God - take care of our Marines in Iraq and the forces
that are helping them.
Joe Reilly fmr. cpl., USMCR, 4.2-1 Korea 1950-1951
SPIT AND POLISH GUARD COMPANY
Sgt. Grit,
I saw Greg Andrus' letter about his having to sign up for
the Draft after already joining the Corps. My "Draft Board"
experience was spread out a bit more. Back in 1948 I set out to
join the Corps, but ran into a problem. They were only taking 18
year olds at the time, to build up their Reserve Corps program.
The 18 Year Old enlistment program meant I would have to go on
Active Duty for one year, and afterwards serve in a Reserve unit
for the next 6 years. I wanted to go in on a 4 year hitch.
Sgt. Ethridge, the Recruiter at Alexandria, La. explained the 18
year old program to me, and said after my year, I could re-enlist
in the Regulars for 4 years, and the Reserve obligation would be
canceled. Sounded good, so I waited till my 18th B-Day (a few
months away) and enlisted. I was sent down to New Orleans for
tests and physicals and afterwards was sworn in at the 8th Naval
District Headquarters there. A few minutes after my swearing-in
a Sgt. gave me a handful of Streetcar Tokens with instructions
to go out into the suburbs to a Draft Board Office, where I was
to sign up for the Draft! I asked "Why? I'm already in the
Marines ain't I?" but all I got was "Just Go, Now! So I took off
and signed up for the Draft. The next day I boarded a train for
Parris Island. After Boot Camp I was sent to Yorktown, Va. to a
spit and polish Guard Company. When my time was up I got out
intending to just "play around" for three weeks, then Re-enlist
in the Regulars. Somewhere about week 3 1/2 the mess in Korea
broke out and I was Recalled to active duty. My plans for "Re-Upping"
were interrupted and I was sent to Camp Pendleton for "Re-Training'."
Early in December of 1950 20 of us boarded a MATS C-54 headed for
the "Frozen Chosin." We were over the Pacific between Wake Island
and Japan when our pilot passed the word "The Marines have broken
out and are headed for the sea!" We were diverted to Japan until
the 1st Division got down to Mason Korea. I was in B-1-5 the rest
of 1950 and until late November of 1951 when I rotated stateside.
We made it home for Christmas thanks to a great Merchant Marine
crew aboard an old WWII Liberty ship, the USS General Noble. They
pushed her hard all the way across, but she got us home. An aside
here, Gen. Noble was the CG at Parris Island when I was in Boot
Camp there, and in 1950 he was at Pendleton and came down to see
us off to Korea. Our ship the USS Gen. Noble had a weekly Newsletter.
The first issue welcomed us aboard for our "Cruise to Treasure
Island," and it was signed "Lt. Robert Louis Stevenson, Editor."
I don't know if that ship was named for the General or not, but
I have never had any trouble remembering the name of the ship I
was on because of it. While home on leave I got a phone call
from the Director of the local Draft Board asking me to come in.
When I went in, he started to strut around telling me I had not
registered for the Draft, and he was going to correct that. I
told him about signing up in New Orleans, but he said, "Well that
doesn't count here, and you will register in my jurisdiction!"
I said "But as I am already registered, and I served my hitch,
was Recalled to Active Duty with the Marine Corps. I am currently
home on leave after a years combat with the 1st Marine Division
in Korea, after which my orders are to report for duty with the
6th Marines at Camp LeJeune. So I'm going home now, to enjoy the
rest of my leave and you can stuff it." He threatened me with an
arrest, but nothing ever came of it. I knew his Secretary who
later told me that he had some sort of Napoleon complex and that
appointed job of his had gone to his head. At Camp LeJeune me and
my Squad held Marine Rifle Squad Combat demos for new Corpsmen
coming into the FMF. That was a job I liked, as our Corpsmen are
the greatest, and those new guys were so Gungho and full of
questions it was good duty. We kind of felt like we were paying
back a small part of a big debt. I'm now an old Marine of 73
and haven't been drafted yet, so I guess I'm safe now huh? It
just hit me, they never did send me a Draft Card either! Wonder
how much stuff I'd stir up if I requested one after all these years?
Semper Fi !
Sgt. "Rich" Richard USMCR
Cajunland
YOU ARE TOTALLY BRAINWASHED
Hi Sgt. Grit.
It's me again. My dad just sent me this story and I would like to
add that he sincerely has a hearing problem and could have been
discharged from the Marines but he asked the doc to PLEASE LET HIM
GO BACK. JUST SIGN THE PAPERS THAT I'M OK. PLEASE.
So back he went. To Paradise Island.
In Basic training or Boot camp, the military gives you a hearing
test, They get the results and the ones with hearing defects get
to have another hearing test. well I was one of the ones who got
to have another hearing test. They sent me to Beuford Naval Hospital.
I was sent there by USMC truck. I was given the first of seven
hearing tests. After being in Boot Camp for 4 or 5 weeks you are
totally brainwashed as was my case. After the hearing test I was
told to go and eat noon chow at the cafeteria. when I got to the
cafeteria, I didn't have to get in line or carry a metal tray and
eat by the numbers, Not only that, there was all kinda foods you
could pick from.
There was even Kool-Aid, which we never got at Paradise Island. it
was like I was free. So after chow I had 2 hours to wait for the
truck to take me back to P.I.. So being free I was walking around
in the hospital complex. I passed by a small PX station where
they sold pogey bait (candy) and magazines etc.
I remember I had 2 dollars in my pocket. (I went to Boot Camp
with 4 dollars). I saw these M & M's in this display. So I bought
2 big bags. I hid them in my field Jacket. so I went back to the
waiting area, to wait for my ride back to Paradise Island. Sitting
there I couldn't resist the temptation of having 1 MM. I began
eating the M&M 's one at first then before I knew it, I had eaten
the whole bag. That nite after I rejoined my Platoon. After light's
out I called over some of the fella's that were near my rack and
gave them some. after being in training for 5 weeks that
candy sure tasted good.
I QUIT TRYING
It's been a long time since I said Semper Fi. to the corps that I
love so much. I joined up on January 25, 1951 and was in Korea on
January of 52. I served in Fox Co. 2nd. Bat. 7th. Marines 1st
Marine Division and was WIA on July 4th of 52. Much happened
during the year that I was there. Most folks have no idea of what
it's like to nearly freeze to death, or to wonder if the next
round has your name on it, so that's why I quit trying to tell
about it because they think you're stretching the truth. For over
fifty two years now I am still a United States Marine and will be
until the day I die. I just hope that there will be a division or
two of Marines in Heaven because most of us have served our time
in h@ll down here. God blessings to all of my Marine brothers,
Semper Fi.
Former Sgt. Thomas 'Willie' Williams
CHESTY WILL BE PROUD
Evenin' Sgt. Grit,
Last night (04-28-04), our Brother-in-arms Leroy Green passed
away from cancer. He was a true hero. He survived Guadalcanal and
other battles during WWII in the pacific. He made his home in Casper
Wyoming. He was loved by his family and friends, and even though
I only met him once at a family gathering, he was Marine through
and through. I know Chesty will be proud to have "Uncle Lee"
on duty at Heaven's gates.
SEMPER FIDELIS, UNCLE LEE!!
Daniel Miller
U.S.M.C. '74-'76
0311
39 YEARS AGO
Sgt. Grit,
I would like to do something I should have done 39 years ago.
I want to thank my D.I.s for changing me forever and making me
the man I am today. I went to Parris Island in 1965 and was
transformed into a Marine by my senior D.I. SSGT. McCue and his
second hat SGT. Love. As hard as they made my life during those
first few months in the Corps, I give them all the credit for
inspiring me and instilling the pride in me that we all share
as Marines.
Even today my best friends are those that I met in the corps.
I still keep in touch with them and get together with them
from time to time.
SSGT. Ken McIsaac
USMC 1965-1969
A THUNK IN THE DARK
>From Doc Baty, USN, 1/1 Marines
Semper Fi,
Mike
Let me relate a true no sh-t story that is the flip side to
these Marine warriors mentioned below.
It is 2300 on a dark night, the weather is overcast, moon phase
is new, a nice cool wind of about 15 mph from the NE. I am on
the wire looking east over a vast expanse of what appears to the
untrained eye to be "flat " ground. It is actually inundated with
dips and wadis and ditches of varying depth, good cover and concealment
for the wayward hooka huffer. I have no night vision devices. I have
no pop ups. I have no early warning devices in front of me. For all
intents and purposes I am "blind" after 25 yards. Being the warrior I
am I can picture the ground before me in my mind and I know it is a
good area for the Burkha Lounger to mount a raid or a diversion
(hence my presence at this spot on such a dark night). Sure enough
a white star cluster lights up the air about 300 yds out and I hear
the report of an AK type weapon, raggie has deployed early ( obviously
intimidated.) I call for the Army and one of it's Strykers
( a multi-million dollar LAV type vehicle with either a Ma Duece or
a MK 19 mounted, with night vision AND thermal imaging capability.)
Mike and I prepare to defend against the unknown, confident that we
will put down this incursion with our M16A2's and the help of the
Army's new weapon. Here is the good part;
30 MINUTES LATER after they find the right turn off the main road
( total distance from me to them in the beginning was less than 2
clicks, total distance they traveled is unknown since they passed
the turnoff twice ) they roll up on me and me compadre, Mike Duarte,
with their high beams on and back light the hell out of us!! We
duck for cover and to protect our night vision. The TC sallys forth
and standing in the head lights wants me to come to him and explain
why they have been disturbed on this ominous night, and "why are you
down in that ditch?". I politely tell them to turn their f--king
lights off and come to me. After they know the story and have lit
up their night vision machine which plays out inside the vehicle on
something a little smaller than a 20 inch flat screen, they peruse
the area and pronounce they can't see anything!!!! They switch to
thermal and again after about 30 seconds come to the same conclusion.
They decide to "recon by fire" with the Ma Duece ( Browning .50 caliber,
air cooled, belt fed, fires from the closed bolt position, heavy
machine gun, for those of you not savvy.) You may remember this as
a mighty weapon system just when it is mounted on a tripod with a
T&E and in front of a competent gunner? Mind you this Ma is mounted
in a state of the art cradle that allows the gunner to sight and fire
from inside the safety of the beast using the afore mentioned flat
screen tv that now has a cross hair the size of the screen in it.
They pull the trigger and ? CLICK or should I say THUNK as the heavy
bolt slams home on an empty chamber!!! You got it, they rolled out
to a possible situation with an empty gun. Mike and I exchange a
concerned look but are still confident.
15 MINUTES LATER- they have the gun loaded and are ready to do
the "recon by fire". I always thought
( I didn't do many recon by fire missions as a sniper ) that the
recon by fire tactic was supposed to be an awesome sight to see,
second only to the FPF? You can therefore appreciate my dismay
when they fired a 4 round burst off into the darkness so high the
tracer burnt out before it hit terra firma. They did manage to hit
a steel 2" round fence post 10 feet in front of them with an API
round. That started the concern in earnest on my part right then
and there. Mike was bewildered, or so the look on his face said.
Such incompetence is unheard of in the Army of one, right? I
really don't like to be showered with white hot magnesium at 2345.
5 MINUTES LATER- they rolled it up and called it a night and they
deserved a break, I guess they were tired with all that "excitement".
So much for the reactionary force I thought I had in reserve. I
didn't even get to see a decent fireworks show
( the API meeting the fence post doesn't count, I didn't see that
very clearly due to me doing the duck and cover.)
Mike and I exchange a look of amazement, bewilderment, and confusion.
Then like any good Marine would do we started the time honored
tradition of cursing the United States Army and all its mechanized
toys and wishing for a good Marine rifle squad sans state of the
art equipment but with the Devil Dog attitude. I bet we could have
put on one hell of a recon by fire mission that night.
Once again this is a no sh-t story and it happened just this way.
Ask Mike Duarte, he is still cursing.
P.S. By the way no Camel jockey insurgents were injured in
the making of this fiasco.
P.P.S Camel Jockey, Hooka Huffer, Burka Lounger, and Raggie are
not to be taken in the negative sense , lest we offend the
enemy. We do not want to rattle too many tea cups.
Semper Fi,
SWOOPING
upon returning main side from Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor I got to Camp Pendleton and went to my unit 2/7 Fox Co. they had returned from 29 stumps where they had done desert training. the whole Battalion had a 96 so being the bright Marine I was decided to go home to Brownsville, Texas. got home flew into Mc Allen then hitch hiked home to run into my parents who were shopping downtown. what a surprise. i was lucky to get out of the valley and back to my unit on time had to fly out of Mc Allen again. this was done during the air controllers strike back in 83. was i ever lucky. Semper Fi to all Marines may god bless you all
TO TAKE OFF YOUR STRIPES
Dear Sgt G
Over the past few months I have written about some to the more
humorous events that I saw happen during my tour in the Marine
Corps. What I didn't mention was all the hard work that the
troops and I went through. I'm probably the only one who has gone
through cold weather training at Pickle Meadows 3 times.
Its true I was promoted meritoriously twice once to Corporal and once
to Sgt but it wasn't because I was a pretty face or had relatives
who had influence its because when there was a tough job to be
done the finger was always pointed at me.
You may have had occasion to take off your stripes and go out into
the boonies and go to knuckle city with some guy. I know I did.
There was a kid from Oklahoma City PFC Terry Allen and I did. And
I have to tell you this kid wasn't there for no light courten. We
stood toe to toe for about 15 minutes (both of us were in excellent
condition) finally I got a lucky punch in and he dropped to his knees.
He got up and said " Ok Sgt I have had enough". From then on as often
happens we were friends. Once we were at the mess hall for Sunday
Brunch and one of the cooks on duty gave me a hard time. I told him
I wanted my eggs over easy and he over cooked them. When I complained
he said something to the effect that's too bad. Well in the next instant
PFC Allen had the guy by the collar up against the stove and he said
" Maybe you didn't hear the Sgt, he wants his eggs over easy now I
suggest you give him what he wants". Well to make a long story longer
I got my eggs over easy.
As I got to know Terry I discovered he was a talented wood worker. His
father owned a cabinet making shop. Terry decided he wanted a bow and
arrow so he bought the bow but made the arrows. He also made gas
powered model planes. He made one for me that I kept for years.
Even though I never heard a shot fired in anger the danger was always
right around the corner. Once we made a ship to ship transfer on the
high seas I was the last guy off the landing craft and start climbing
up the net suddenly I find myself on the back side of the net with the
landing craft banging against the side of the ship. For a second or
two I thought about dropping my pack and rifle and try to swim away but
the thought came to me Marines don't drop their pack. After awhile I
finally got back on the right side of the net.
On that same exercise we got aboard this tracked personnel carrier
( it was like 5 in the morning). The driver starts the engine and we
drive down the ramp. We hit the water and submerge the driver had
forgotten to put all the latches in place and suddenly the escape hatch
burst open and a flood of water pours in. Instantly 10 strong men get
up and force it back into place. If they had not done that it would
have sank in about 40 feet of water. So if there is any Marine out
there who wants to make rank just remember they don't give it to you
you have to earn it. You have to take the sh"t details and the lousy
duty and do it well, you have to look your best at all times walk and
look like a Marine even when you are wearing civilian clothes. When you are on the rifle range always shoot to be an expert nothing
else is acceptable.
And don't think when you are discharged you leave the Corp behind
you are no longer a Marine because as we have all learned
ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE.
S/Sgt. Norman Barnes 1435350 (1953-1965) H&S COMPANY 1st Bn 5th Marines.
ONE OF THE MORE SHOCKING CHANGES
Sgt Grit,
Here's another funny PI story to keep everyone in good spirits
and as usual it involved my favorite DI Sgt Mazenko and platoon 2063.
I know every PI vet recalls taking a crap for the first time on that
long line of sh'tters with no stalls and then having to share three
rolls of toilet paper for the ten or so sh'tters, but if that wasn't
tragic enough having to rush through a good crap was probably one of
the more shocking changes for me and my introduction to the Corps!
Just kidding.
Anyway, one night after evening chow and during our hour of
free time, I was enjoying a peaceful crap, when some recruit decides
to screw up and be called to the quarterdeck by Mazenko. For some
reason he wanted every other turd "on line" and had the fire watch
"clear the head". Well, much to my dismay and that of the other 3
fellow recruits enjoying a dump, we had to cut it short, but we
weren't quick enough for Mazenko and he came banging into the head
and screamed for us to cut it short, yank em up and get on line.
Like any other normal human beings we decided to clean ourselves first
and thought that he understood this most basic human hygienic function
not to mention our predicament and would allow us to finish! Wrong!
Mazenko, in his usual blood curdling, vein-bulging scream yelled, "
Did I tell you stinking-@ssed #$%&#@$ to wipe? Get your &%$#@&*
trousers up and get your %$^&*$# foul-@ssed bodies on line now!
Move!" So.....we dutifully yanked up our trousers, sans proper
cleansing and got our stinking @sses on line! We had to stand
there for about 10 minutes while the offending turd banged out
"bends and mother&*^%$#@" till Mazenko got tired. Afterwards, the
three of us waddled back into the head to clean up before lights out!
Every time I think of Sgt. Mazenko, I smile. I have so much
respect for him, even to this day, but now I can laugh at a lot of
what we went through, but I'd be willing to bet we gave him plenty
to laugh at back then. Sgt Mazenko, if you are reading
this...thanks for making us MARINES!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Kunkel
CPL. 0331, 81-85
AFTER 2 YEARS IN IWAKUNI
In reference to Jerry Cox' "paper mill" odor, when I reached Iwakuni
in the summer of '61 I thought the putrid odor was from the open sanitation
(binjo?) ditches. I couldn't eat for a couple of days! After 2 years
in Iwakuni I could handle almost anything. Then again, the same thing
happened in TJ. Both "illnesses" were cured by the old
Marine penicillin....booze!
Grivas
60-64
IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN
SGT Grit-
I have been called many things in my life, I can't even remember
most of the titles I have earned, but the one I most remember
is that of Marine.
Most people don't know what that means, but the few that do
respect the thought of what that word means.
The pride that comes with a person earning the title goes
to the grave with him or her.
It's hard to explain.
To those that know, explanation is not necessary.
Jones
2063342
BOOTS WALKING AROUND
Dear Sir:
I took one of my kids at Phoenix airport yesterday. While I
was waiting for my wife saying goodbye, I was sitting there. To my
delight, I notice boot's walking around the airport with their love
ones. I didn't say anything. But, I though that this the first time
ever that I have ever seeing anybody in uniform enroute to their
next duty station. And it have to be Marines in uniform.
Talking about pride...
MIDEAST MEMORIAL
Hope you can pass this on. On June 19 2004 starting in Summit,
Illinois and going to Marseilles, Illinois about 150 round trip.
The Illinois Motorcycle Community will be dedicating a memorial
to all US service members killed in the Middle east from 1980
through current times. The memorial will have the names carved
in granite and be along the river that runs through town. The
cost of the memorial is estimated to be around 1.5 million and
is being done through donations. More information can be found
at www.ilfreedomrun.org. We are hoping if the weather is good to
have 15-20 thousand people attend. Everyone is welcome. If you
know anyone killed in the Middle east this memorial is for them.
There courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Semper Fi,
Cpl.David S. Lis
USMC 84-88
708-598-2217
War: Mankind's oldest contact sport
THE TRUTH TODAY
President Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot
stand." (17 June, 1858) The President was quoting Mark 3:25, "And
if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Clearly, he recognized the infinite truth in the Bible because what
he said 146 years ago is still very much the truth today.
I would challenge my fellow Marines to look for other words of
wisdom from the source used by President Lincoln if they want to
make sense of this world and what is happening. Today's active
duty Marines are protecting us against those who would, like Nazis
of WWII, burn all books that contain the truth and murder all
those who believe in the one true God, not some dead prophet. Pray for their safety and for strength to their family and loved
ones who worry constantly about what might happen or has
happened to them.
Semper Fi
Joe McCoy
Corporal, 2nd MAW, RVN 69-70
IT MOTIVATES ME
Sgt Grit,
I have received your newsletter and purchased from your catalog
for years. In all this time I have only read the stories and
letters, because they serve as a great reminder to me of the
importance of being in the US Marine Corps.
It motivates me to no end to know that the military is appreciated
by our fellow Americans. I was approached near work a couple weeks
ago by a WWII Veteran and he asked, "Son, are you in the Corps." I
told him proudly that I am and when he asked how long I told him I
had been in for seven years. He then grew quiet and said the following,
"Thank you very much. It means a lot to me." I was completely awestruck
that a gentleman who served in WWII would thank me for what I am doing
today. After I collected my thoughts, the elderly man had already
gotten back in his vehicle. I walked over to him and told him thank
you for his service and for his gratitude. Ever since that day, I
have thought about that and how much it has influenced me.
I have yet to serve in a forward deployed unit. I know I will get
the opportunity. In the meantime I want to thank each and every one
of you. The service members overseas, veterans, civilians, family
members, mothers, fathers, spouses for your time, your effort, and
your support. Continue to let the service members that you appreciate
them and the tireless work that they do. I will continue to serve
you all proudly for another 23 years.
Sgt Stephens, JM
MCCES Instructor
USMC 1997-present
WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING
In your last newsletter someone mentioned about getting politicians
out of the military's business. I agree. A good example of their
"Rules of War" is as follows;
It was around 1830 hours when the mortar rounds started coming in.
I had only been in Viet-Nam for about three week and I had not gotten
accustomed to the sounds. I was on watch in the Battalion bunker
when I heard the, "Incoming!!!!!!!!!" yell. Over the radio I heard
someone from the 105's, "Got them breach sighted. Permission to
fire!". We were all surprised when the CO grabbed the mike and yelled,
"Permission denied! Permission denied!" He then called Hotel Company
and told them to go take care of the situation. As we all looked
at the CO in disbelief he explained the situation.
The VC had entered a friendly village and set up inside the area.
That was where the rounds were coming from. The politicians, in their
infinite wisdom, deemed it necessary to hand down a mandate which
stated, if we received fire from within a friendly village, we were
to first surround the village. Second, we were to use a PA and request
all the villagers come out and the VC were to stay. Third, after all
the villagers were out, then we could go and get the VC. As if
they would still be there.
Well we sat and did not fire back - as the mortars hit a hooch, killing
3 and the mortars hit the hospital - killing 2 and wounding 6. However,
pay back is a mean mother, Hotel company set up an ambush on the back
side of the vil and eliminated all the VC when they came out. There
was no excuse for this to have ever happen.
Like the sign says, If you have not been there you don't know S***.
Keep the politicians out and let the MARINES do their job.
We know what we are doing.
J.E. Halpin
2/9, 1966-1967
JOKE
Some air bases the Air Force is on one side of the field
and civilian aircraft use the other side of the field,
with the control tower in the middle.
One day the tower received a call from an aircraft asking,
"What time is it?"
The tower responded, "Who is calling?"
The aircraft replied, "What difference does it make?"
The tower replied, "It makes a lot of difference...
If it is an American Airlines flight, it is 3 o'clock.
If it is an Air Force plane, it is 1500 hours.
If it is a Navy aircraft, it is 6 bells.
If it is an Army aircraft, the big hand is on the 12
and the little hand is on the 3.
And If it is a Marine Corps aircraft, it's Thursday afternoon
and 120 minutes to "Happy Hour."
TODD T. SHEAF ( SGT )
USMC - 73 - 80
SEMPER - FI !
RICHARD WOODY WEST
Sgt. Grit -- I take this opportunity to pass on to you the death
of one of our Marines, a man I never met but for whom, as a regular
contributor to the Washington Times Civil War Page for the last
10 years, I felt I knew pretty well. He knew I was a Marine mom,
and we shared that love of the Corps.
His name was Richard "Woody" West, and he told me early on he was
a Marine, a fact of which he was very proud. He was Associate Editor
of The Washington Times and the originator and editor of The Civil
War Page in that paper. Woody was born June 6, 1934 in Helena,
Montana and lived there until he moved to California with his
family after World War II. He was in the Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957, serving in Thailand and Japan; his last duty
station was at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C.
Woody was only 70 when he died, he had been diagnosed with lung
cancer a month before and had announced his retirement for
April 30. He died on May 1, 2004.
He worked for many newspapers throughout the country, having
graduated from American University with a degree in history.
He worked for the Lincoln (Neb.) Star, and the Omaha World-Herald,
before joining the Washington Star here in Washington, DC.
When that paper ceased publication, he along with many other
former Star folks joined the newly created Washington Times.
Woody was a consummate history buff and a knowledgeable one, an
avid reader, a true gentleman, and a mentor to many newspaper
folk who were privileged to know him. I regret that I do not
know his unit or regiment with the Corps, and perhaps your sources
can provide that information to augment this. As Times editor
in chief Wes Pruden said, "he was the go-to guy for
everyone on the staff. Woody was our rock."
He's survived by his wife, JoAnn and his sister-in-law, Suzanne
Wochos, both of Hagerstown, MD; services and burial will be
private as was his request. He wanted no fuss about his retirement,
and wrote his own obituary a few weeks before his death so that
he could control the content. However today's Washington Times
features on page 15 an entire page of tributes to this wonderful
newspaperman and fine individual.
Memorial contributions can be made to the scholarship fund of the
3rd Marine Division Association, Inc., P.O. Box 297, Dumfries,
VA 22026-0297. He even remembered the Corps to the last.
Sgt. Grit, I had no way of knowing if anyone else would get this
info to you, and surely Woody had many friends in the Corps
around the country who would want to know.
Thanks for letting me pass this on.
Sincerely,
Martha M. Boltz
Vienna, VA
MOTOR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION REUNION
USMC Motor Transport Association 8th Annual Meeting/Reunion September 19 - 22, 2004. POC Hal Clapp; (910) 346-8797; Email: usmcmta@vol.com; PO Box 1372, Jacksonville, NC 28541-1372. For membership information; POC Terry Hightower; (910) 293-3264; Email: usmcmta1@yahoo.com. You must be a member in good standing to attend.
THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE
My wife and I are both involved with the Marine Corps League & the
Ladies Auxiliary, The Aux. had a fund raiser to raise some money
and send some boxes to our troops in Afghanistan. She got in contact
with a unit commander from the Army & The Marine Corps, they sent
wish lists from the troops, The Army wanted new DVD's, cigarettes,
new Cd's ,a laptop and pda's. The MARINES wanted shaving cream,
razors, toothbrushes and some candy. That's the difference between
the Marines and the Army. We adopted 1/6 BLT and we sent them
plenty of boxes, everything from toothbrushes to shaving cream to
candy. Inside each box was a letter to all of them!! The support
was overwhelming when we were doing this, we received donations
from everyone! Let us not forget that we have troops in Afghanistan!
We sent our 1st round of support packages out on Friday,
each one weighing over 15lbs.
SEMPER FI! MY BROTHERS! Desert Storm Vet! Harry N.
26TH MARINES REUNION
Hey,
I am not one of the official organizers for this event (to be
held starting Wednesday, June 16th at the Tahoe Biltmore) but
I thought if it hadn't been already posted somewhere, one or
two of your readers/comrades might be interested... The last
reunion we had was in Ennis, Montana and almost 300 showed up!
And lots just walked in without pre-registering.
The official contact at this late date would be Scotty O'Connell
at (775) 423-9633. The hosting hotel is sold out, but there are
many bed & breakfast type places in the area more than happy to
accommodate anyone willing to pay a fair rate for a room.
This event is family oriented, sort of, and is well organized
with bus trips, etc. And a big reunion banquet on Friday night.
For anyone serving in the 26th Marines, it is an event not to miss. Ron "Swede" Swensson, M/3/26 ('66-'67) ronaldswensson@cox.net
I PURPOSELY PAUSE TO REFLECT
This time every year I purposely pause to reflect on and remember
the Marines of 'Screw Crew,' Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron 462,
Marine Aircraft Group-16. Some were my friends, one very close.
As we grow old they are forever young men.
Respectfully Submitted.
R.W. Lowe, GySgt (ret)
THE SIXTH OF MAY (1985)
A Terrible thing happened in May
A tragedy occurred one day
Something that cuts into you like a knife.
For on this day your friend lost his life.
An emptiness fills the air
Faces appear with blank stare.
No time for good-byes, no time to pray
Our buddies are gone on the sixth of May.
Let no man question when we must cry
Till he understands the reason why
No less of a man if you shed a tear
No less of a man if you've known fear.
Many a good Marine lost his life
One had a new baby, one a new wife.
Sadness fills the hearts of their mothers
They were more than Marines They were our brothers.
Your legend will live forever
We all remember your past endeavor
And let no man cast shadows on you
The brave fallen Marines of 462
A song reminds us of who guards Heavens scene
He's a very brave man he's a Marine
The guard will shout as they grow near
Open the gates Screw Crew is here!
by Sgt Rick Applegate, USMC
In memory of
Capt J. R. Reese
Cpl T. S. Tulenko
Cpl S. H. Blates
Capt. D. E. Sellers
L/Cpl A. G. Bunn
1stSgt F. J. Jones
Capt J. H. Tuset
L/Cpl R. E. Hughs
Sgt E. Eddie
Cpl R. J. Murray
PFC T. J. Agnew
Sgt J. M. Lizana
Cpl P. M. Saleedo
Sgt. D. S. Thom
Sgt. R. A. Piper
MSgt J. H. Gruber
SSgt D. Mello
SHORT ROUNDS
my dad says during boot camp....."MY D.I. ASKED ME IF THERE WERE ANYMORE TURDS LIKE ME AT HOME."
Sgt. Grit, I really feel horrible about the way Iraqi prisoners
have been treated, then again they could have gone to boot camp at
MCRD or PI in the sixties, talk about torture !!! Ok , Ok , they
did have to do some of there exercises butt naked. Geeezzz !!
T. Marti 3rd 8"/175 (SP)RVN 68-69
Dear Sgt Grit:
To Marine M.A. Mansfield who regretted that he never shared actual
combat because he was a radio repairman. Did it ever occur to him
that he may have saved Marines' lives because the radios he repaired
worked when they were desperately needed? Have no regrets, Marine.
You did your share and your duty. Semper Fi. Larry Malby, USMC Ret.
I just learned of this fine organization set up to help the children of men and women killed in action. 100% of every dollar donated goes to the children and the volunteers pay all administrative expenses themselves. Donations rage from $1.00 up. Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation http://www.mc-lef.org/ Semper Fidelis
Stop Global Whining!
Semper fi!
Sgt Grit
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