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With a tear in my eye and a hole in my heart I need to let you
know of the death of one of your own. Paul retired in 1968 and
out of his 21 years in the Navy eight of those were FMF. He fought
by your side in Korea in 1951 and again in Vietnam in 1965.
We had 52 wonderful years of marriage and two sons.
RIP Paul, we miss you.
HMC Paul Helms
1930-2006
Margaret
Breathe
Someone mentioned Camp Matthews and the old "pram" tents and
cold stoves last week and the memories came flowing back. I
learned many things there, how to go up and down Big and Little
Agony while "duck-walking" and the runs, but one thing that I
learned at Camp Matthews was how to take a cold shower. Get in
fast and try to remember to breathe.
That lesson served me well at various times during 30 years in
the Corps but came back with a vengeance this past Christmas
while visiting my Son and family. I learned another valuable
lesson, NEVER take a shower right after one of the Grandkids,
they use ALL the hot water. Wow, even 47 years later, it
doesn't get any easier. Do it fast and try to remember to
breathe!
L. H. Marshall, Sgt Maj, USMC Ret. (59-89)
Insisted That He Stand Guard
Sgt. Grit,
Each time I read the newsletter it brings a smile to my face,
and sometimes a tear. I earned the title "MARINE" in 1977. I
have two older brothers that earned the title, as well as a son,
(who died while on active duty), and a nephew. I also have
another nephew working to earn his now at MCRD San Diego.
A few years after I got out of the Corps I became a cop. I'll
never forget my first day at the academy. The academy director
came in to speak to us. He announced that he retired out of the
Air Force and wanted to know of many of us had been in the
military. Out of eighty two of us only five raised our hands.
Out of us five he asked if any of us had been in the Air Force.
None of us had. Had any of us been in the Army. None of us
had. Out of us five one of us had been in the Navy. He then
asked if us four Marines had anything on us to show we were
Marines. It didn't matter if it was a coin, I.D. card, photo,
or whatever, anything but a tattoo. Each of us did indeed have
something. The director then stated that in all his years he
had never seen anything like the Marine Corps. He said that the
Marine Corps has always been able to achieve what no other
branch of the military has been able to. No matter how long it
had been since the Marine had gotten out of the Corps, he found
that every one of them would have something to show they were
Marines. No other branch of the U.S. military has been able to
instill that kind of pride. I say they show their "espri de
corps", their "Semper Fidelis".
While my son was in the Corps he told his mother that he was
glad he joined. He said that if for no other reason he
understood his dad a little better. While he laid in the
hospital I witnessed the Semper Fidelis that Marines are known
for. Many Marines came to see him. Many of them would take
their 96's and visit him instead of trying to go home or go out
and party. When he died, many of them took leave and attended
his funeral. They could have easily taken leave and gone home,
but they chose to come to Missouri and see my son off one last
time. They carried my son to his resting place. One of them
even insisted that he stand guard at attention throughout the
funeral at my sons side. These were all Marines that my son
served with. They were all in the same unit at Camp LeJuene
N.C. The Marines provided the honor guard as well. They were I
& I duty at St. Louis, MO. I am so very grateful to these
Marines as well as to the Corps. To all of my Marine brethren,
past and present, I salute you!
SEMPER FI.
L/Cpl. Curless, Bradley D.
MTM Co.
2nd Battalion, 2nd FSSG
Camp Lejuene, N.C
1977-1980
Know Now
Sgt Grit,
I come from a long line of Marines. My 18 year son is now a Gung
Ho Marine and we are proud of him! Maybe (no maybe about it) I
am getting old but I worry about the Marine. I offered to go
with him to watch his "six" but he just laughed and said don't
worry Dad. I survived Viet Nam and know now what I put my dad
through.
Semper Fi!
Carl Crumbacker Sr
Quotes
"The Marines fought almost solely on esprit decorps, I was
certain. It was inconceivable to most Marines that they should
let another Marine down, or that they could be responsible for
dimming the bright reputation of their Corps. The Marines simply
assumed that they were the world's best fighting men."
- Robert Sherrod, 1943, regarding the battle at Tarawa
"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to
the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious
fighters on earth - and the amusing thing about it is that they
are."
- Father Kevin Keaney, 1st MarDiv Chaplain, Korean War
SWAK
Sgt. Grit,
Parris Island, Platoon 202, February 1974. After a few weeks at
Parris Island, my Drill Instructors had given all of the
recruits in the platoon notice that for any 'extra writing' on
the outside of envelopes mailed to us, the recruit would have to
'pay dearly'. Several recruits had the letters 'SWAK' (Sealed
With A Kiss) written on the back of their envelopes and had to
report to the Quarterdeck and do 'bends and motherf*ckers' for
each letter until the Drill Instructors got tired. The Drill
Instructor would spell out 'Sealed With A Kiss' and count each
letter.
At mail call one evening, the Drill Instructors (I believe it
was Sgts. Hurley and Peterson) had all of the recruit's mail in
one stack and a huge envelope separated from this pile. Once
the Drill Instructors had passed out all of the mail except the
big envelope, one could sense the feeling of dread going around
the squad bay as all of us recruits hoped this envelope wasn't
his. After the two Drill Instructors talked quietly with each
other, I hear "Private Glass, git yore a** up here NOW!".
I ran up to the quarterdeck as fast as I could and was presented
this envelope. I may be exaggerating now, but it seemed that
this envelope was 2' x 3' long! I was told to open it up and
present the contents to the Drill Instructors. I opened the
envelope and pulled out this large Valentines Day card. On it
was a pink hippopotamus, wearing pink boxer shorts with red
hearts all over. I don't recall the message on the card or all
of the 'fun' comments my Drill Instructors made, but do remember
that my girlfriend at that time had written 'SWALBAKWS' on the
back of the envelope. One of the Drill Instructors sat down and
began writing: Sealed With A Lick Because A Kiss Won't Stick.
The two discussed this and then told me to begin 'Bending and
Thrusting' and that I would still be at it until dawn the next
morning!
I can't remember how many 'Bends and Thrusts' I did on the
quarterdeck that evening, but am sure it was in excess of 500,
and even now, I have concerns with cards I get in the mail!
Semper Fi,
Tony Glass
Sgt USMC 1974-78
It's Tradition
Sgt Grit,
A few weeks ago I was set back on my heels when my 19 year old
son called me from the east coast and announced he was going to
become a Marine. Naturally, I asked him why he wanted to join my
beloved Corps.
His response: Well, it did you right for 20 years, didn't it?
There aren't any jobs here and I'm ready to leave this place (he
is living with his mother in WV, her hometown).
Then he started to talk about the dates for the ASVAB test,
physical, and his ship date to Parris Island. My mind flashed
back to three very tough years of duty.
I immediately asked him if he would want to come out to the west
coast and go to MCRD San Diego.
His reply: No way. I'm going to the Island - where you went.
It's tradition.
If it's the one thing he knows I can't argue against, it's
tradition.
He will be shipping out in a couple of weeks for the Island. I
could not be a more prouder father and Marine. We all know
what's happening around the globe and how much in harm's way we
were treading into from deployment to deployment-having just a
brief time home with family and loved ones. My son knows what
one side of that coin is like. Soon he will get the bittersweet
taste of the other-the life I enjoyed and endured. It's a
demanding career and a great sacrifice which I would, without
hesitation, do again. I am happy and honored that my only son is
following in this retired Marine's footsteps.
I wasn't there for his high school graduation, and a lot of
other moments like the rest of the fathers, like his school play
or to sit in the stands at the high school football stadium, but
I will be proudly standing on that Grinder on the Island, when
my son Passes In Review.
To those and their family who served, and those and their family
serving now, I wish you peace and comfort. Fair winds and
following seas.
Semper Fi!
GySgt. Morrow, K. M., Retired
First taste of McDonalds!
When I was in the Grunts 1-2 Camp Lejeune, N.C. 1963 our great
Country was in the height of racial tension and like Cpl. Sully
we were 3 white guys and 2 Black guys yet, all brothers, Green
Marines. We had left the famous "circle" to catch a ride to
Boston and were on our way and almost out of North Carolina. We
pulled over to a gas stop and fast food place as we were all
very hungry grunts. Our driver who was white began to order when
a much older woman approached me and asked what I wanted to
order.
I was trying to read the board and pointed to my brother, a
black Marine and said he was here first. She again addressed me,
what do you want to order. Again, I said with more
determination, for I was perturbed that she was ignoring our
brother. She told me if I wanted something I better speak up. I
said again, this man was first he was before me! She said, what
is it you want - you better order or I will ignore you too! I
said, he was here first why are you ignoring him? She said he
does not exist, he is not a person and will get nothing here. I
said how can you say that when our brother is right here before
you. We are all Marines, we happen to be government property and
if in combat this young man may have to give his blood and
probably his very life so that you can sell your crummy food. I
ask her, are you a Christian? She said she was and what's that
have to do with this? I said that no where in the Bible does it
say that God has commanded us to hate anyone, in fact God Who is
Love, has commanded us to love everyone even those we hate or
who are our enemies. Christ died for all - not just white
people, but for everyone, everyone, even hateful people like you
woman.
Because our conversation was heating up a State Trooper standing
on the side motioned me to come over to him. The Trooper said to
me that he was in the Marines, that he did not like how our
black brothers were being treated either and that he had a
family to support. He suggested that we go further North and we
would have no problems. I said because of you we will do that
just that. As we started to leave the waitress came with the
driver's food and asked for the money. The driver said I did not
order anything did anyone else place an order? We all said no,
not me, we did not order anything! Perhaps she was hearing
voices and needed help!
The waitress were irate and call for the Trooper to arrest us
and he said what for, no one broke the law. She asked what are
we to do with the food, we said feed it to the cat and see if it
lives! With that, we left.
As we drove off I asked the black Marines next to me if they
wanted me to go order 3 or 4 hamburgers so that they could have
some. They said no, that it was not the same. He said you don't
understand, you guy could have some food at least. They really
felt bad for us and snapped at us and said you guys could have
had the food did you did not have to give it up just because of
us. Because of us? We all are us brother! I said, if you would
believe me, how could we eat and you not? We do understand
because we are all in this together. By rejecting you guys they
reject us all. There was dead silence for miles and miles - it
was an very eerie feeling that no words could consol. Finally we
came to Washing D.C. and we pulled into McDonalds. We had some
nice black people wait on us and that was my first ever taste of
McDonalds. When I ate their french fries, I thought I went to
Heaven. Being a Marine we are all one family, when one has joy
we share that joy and when one is hurt we all feel the pain as
though it was ours alone, for we are all the same, one big
family - US Marine Corps! - We live and die the true spirit of
the Corps namely, Semper fi!
a brother Marine
Carlos Hathcock & Scope Shot!
Sgt Grit,
Last night I watched a "MythBusters" episode, and they claimed a
sniper, could not do this shot!
It's easy to see how they messed this one up. They where using
large, variable scopes! They claimed they where the same as used
in Viet Nam. I read the "Sniper" book and if I recall, the Viet
Congs only had outdated, 2 1/2 power scopes.
If this is true, the older scope would have a lot less lens as
the variable 3X9 etc; would have!
Their basis is the scopes multiple lenses would stop any high
powered rifle from penetrating. They made 3 or 4 attempts of
doing so including putting the guns only 3 feet away from each
other!
My point in contacting you is to see if you could contact their
producers and set them straight! They are shown on the Discovery
channel.
Although they did not mention Carlos by name, it left no doubt
who they where talking about!
If the "shot through the scope" is confirmed, they should stand
corrected and make acknowledgement of such!
Thanks
Jess Cox
San Antonio, Texas
"A die hard fan of "White Feather"
Gunny Hathcock Poster
He Didn't Even
Over the Christmas Holidays, my wife and I took our kids to her
families side for dinner and gifts. While there, her cousin
showed up and I saw on the back of his pickup window he had a
2nd division sticker. Normally I would greet him by saying
Semper Fi, but in his case I said nothing. He didn't even make
it through boot camp and calls himself a Marine. Just so there
was no trouble, I didn't even talk to him, but what should be
protocol in that situation? ( short of kicking his *ss in front
of his family)
SGT. Robert D. Koenning
SEMPER FI
1/23 86-92
More Apricots
I was a tanker, don't know where the apricots thing came from,
don't much care. As a Pvt I was told if I bring apricots aboard
the tank, I get my *ss kicked, - "Apricots are bad luck on a
tank". So Hey, Why Take Chances? And . . .why get my *ss
kicked. Had an apricot tree in the back yard growing up, and
love apricots. But to this day now, am hard pressed to eat an
apricot. Over 25 yrs later, maybe just outta respect for the
curse, maybe a little paranoid about stepping off a curb and
getting run over by a bus or something. So in the end, if
abstaining from apricots will save a few lives, then THE
APRICOTS be D*MNED!
G. Cagle, Sgt USMC, 79-83
Orphanage
Sgt Grit: I recently discovered your website, ordered a Marine
T shirt, then started receiving the newsletter. What a joy!
Thanks for all the great stories and memories.
This newsletter has a couple of stories of orphanages in
Vietnam. I was with VMCJ-1 at DaNang Airbase – served as Supply
Officer for the Squadron. Unfortunately, I haven't kept up with
any of the men from VMCJ-1. A few of us taught English two
nights a week at a Catholic orphanage named Anh Sang. Anybody
out there remember that?
Robert M. Worley, Capt. USMC, '68 – ' 72 – Vietnam '69 – '70
The Sao Mai Catholic School/Orphanage in DaNang.
In regards to John J. Cihak question about the orphanage, I
joined 1st. Rad Bn in the fall of 1969. To the best of my
memory this is the same place as I remember. We would still
drive down there and entertain the children once a week. I
think these visits were the one thing that kept us civilized.
Most all of the children were Ameraisian and did not have good
prospects for later in life. To be able to hold them and treat
them like innocent little children brought a lot of happiness.
Sorry to say that when I left Hill 327 I never went back to
visit the children.
Cpl. Flattem Vietnam 69 - 71
Reading about the orphanage was a trip to the past! I adopted
a little girl from there in 1969 and today she is a beautiful,
wonderful, smart, well-educated young lady.
Gen. Barrow even sent me to DaNang on Courier Duty to pick
Lara up after I had extended to do an accompanied tour on
Okinawa. That is a decision we have never regretted!
R. M. MacConnell
Capt. USMCR
1963-1972
RVN 1969-1979
SSgt CihaK:
Thank you for the message regarding the Sao Mai Catholic
Orphanage. The history of this conflict leaves a bad taste in
the mouth of all Americans...Marines and civilians. We fought
the good fight and we did so much more.
Tom Tomfohr
Lt. of Marines 1968-1971 (USMCR, Active Duty)
Corpsman
I want to thank you Sgt. Grit for getting more CORPSMAN items. I
just received my Death Cheaters coffee mug. It really is great.
I have looked at other web sites but yours is the only one with
FMF CORPSMAN items. It seams like every month you add one more
item to your catalog. Thank you again for not forgetting us
Corpsman. SEMPER FI
Doc Garcia
I Co. 3/9 Nam 65-66
Gung Ho
Sgt Grit, Old Salt, Bruce Otis of the PI recruit Depot in 1957,
has it right. I was a San Diego Marine. I spent 3 week in
receiving before our platoon was formed that was Oct 1956.
I was instructed by the Sgt and Cpl in charge the proper way to
handle my self when in a Platoon it was to be 2061, S/Sgt Swan a
very hard Marine and his staff, Sgt Fish, Sgt Gore, and Sgt
Teasley. The instruction of speaking to a DI was first on their
list of how to dos.
The first word out of your mouth is Sir and the last word out
will be Sir. "SIR as loud as you could yell Pvt ??? wants to
speak with the Drill Instructor, SIR" and if it was at all
unclear or he had to say louder, it would be push ups or laps
around the Grinder for the whole platoon, When one failed the
treatment was the same for all recruits the (10%) cause all to
suffer the wrath of the DIs.
L/Cpl Thomas A Leigh-Kendall 1649003
Sea Going 2 yrs, G/2/5 then 1st Pioneers(MDB)Engineers, and as
Marine Security Detachment, Fallbrook NAD released in 63
Honorably
Semper Fi Tom
Reading My Mind
This is in response to Sgt Garry Olson's remark the week of
jan.1
You were reading my mind Sgt. Olson. This is something we all
need to think about!
I thought we take care of our on. The reporter's or public did
not go through the door, our brother's did
Amen Sgt. Olson........ Amen.
CPL. J.D.TINGLE
BLT 3/8 83-86
COMM PLT. TACP
Our Marines Are There
Semper fi Sgt. Grit,
I just love to read all the stories from your newsletters. I
most certainly agree that the news reporters should not get
themselves involved in the front lines. Our Marines are there to
seek, kill and destroy by all and any means. How can one
determine if an Iraqi is in disguises, its kill or be kill,
right? I do understand that there are going by the Geneva
convention and that is part of the war laws. but! in some cases,
its judgment call.
Many Thanks and Honors to our fellow Marines who served both in
peace and war - SALUTE TO YOU ALL! If there are readers out
there that went to boot camp at MCRD San Diego who graduated on
Jan. 05,1977 Plt. 1108 please make a shout out? maybe we can get
in touch.
R. Blas USMC, OORAH!
Camp Tarawa Memorial
Sgt. Grit,
On October 6th 2006 The Camp Tarawa Detachment of the Marine
Corps League received its charter. A large part of our
detachments mission will be to restore and keep up the almost
forgotten Camp Tarawa Memorial on The Parker Ranch in the town
of Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. We have set up a docent
program to greet and explain the history and interaction between
the Marines and Corpsmen that trained at Camp Tarawa from
December 1943 until September 1945, the town of Waimea and The
Parker Ranch. The history of Camp Tarawa is slowly being
forgotten as the years go by. The docent program will explain
the history of Camp Tarawa to local residents as well as
visitors to the Big Island. The 2nd Division arrived in December
1943 and built the 441-acre camp from scratch. When the 2nd left
for the invasion of Saipan-Tinian the 5th Division arrived to
train for the invasion of Iwo Jima and returned to train at Camp
Tarawa for the invasion of Japan just before the end of WW II.
Anyone who trained at Camp Tarawa and would like to add their
personal histories to what we now have available or anyone
interested in our Camp Tarawa docent program please feel free to
contact me at: barefoot.one @ hawaiiantel .net.
Sincerely and Semper Fi,
Jim Browne
USMC 1950-1954
Commandant
Marine Corps League
Camp Tarawa Detachment #1255
Graduation
Sgt. Grit,
I recently went to San Diego to visit my civilian son and had a
reservation for quarters at the MCRD and when I rented a car at
the airport the lady at the car rental desk asked if I was there
for the Marine graduation. I had forgotten about the term
"GRADUATION" but then these were "Hollywood Marines." My son
was a Hollywood Marine and I did go to his Graduation in 1976.
When I completed boot camp at 'Pleasure Island" in 1946, we just
called it "Survival" but that was the old Corps. I went to
China after surviving Parris Island so I am one of the last
China Marines. In 2000 I took a commercial trip to China and
while in Beijing (Peking to us back then) hired a taxi to take
me back to Tientsin, now called Tienjin. Of course I didn't
recognize anything from the little town where we offloaded at
sea, down cargo nets into LCI's to get into the little town, now
a very large city.
I am a retired Air Force Officer now but will always be a
Marine. Are there any Tientsin French Arsenal Marines out
there?
Bob Campos
The Making of a Marine
Sgt. Grit,
I am a former Drill Instructor. MCRD San Diego. 1958-1960. I've
written this story for Marines. It takes place at Parris Island,
(my alma mater) South Carolina. The shock is the same regardless
of which coastal transformation station they attended.
You are welcome to print it if you wish. I'm sure many boot camp
alumnus will recognize something familiar.
Former Sergeant of Marines,
Matt Heslin
Marine Corps Tradition & Respect
Greetings Marines!
As any good Marine knows, tradition and respect are two of our
keystones as Marines. Too frequently in the past, and even in
the last news letter to Sergeant (Sgt.) Grit I have seen Sgt.
Grit addressed as "SARGE". I looked at the rank and branch of
service of the writer(s) and was appalled. It was a Marine(s).
That's like calling a Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) "Staff". This
"jacks my jaws" to the limit. Other branches of our armed
services may call E-5s to E-7s and sometimes E-8s "Sarge", but
NOT IN OUR Marine Corps! As we all know rank is a long and hard
road in the Marine Corps. So lets give the due respect to each
other, whether you were/are a one tour of duty Marine or a
career Marine. It is part of what makes us who we are, "UNITED
STATES MARINES"------FOREVER!
Semper Fi (Always Faithful)
Fratres Aeterni (Brothers Forever)
"Top" R. Plumlee, Sr.
Master Sergeant of Marines (Gold Wing) Airborne (Retired)
Still Lean, Mean, And Always A Marine!
"Attitude Is Everything"
The "Texas Top" says-----"Never Forget"!
You're The First
I thoroughly enjoyed reading comments from other Marines. It's
been over 40 yrs since my tour of duty ended and it's comforting
to know that "feelings" (that I thought were my own weakness, or
sentimentality) are shared by others. I thought I might be
weird, or strange, because my eyes still get wet whenever I hear
"the Hymn" or "National Anthem."
For one duty station, I was with the ever-popular Military
Police, in Hawaii. Two of my favorite memories are:
A fellow MP, loved to listen to all the bugle calls, which were
on tape and were played (for all the base) from the MP Station.
Every time he pulled duty, he'd play the entire day's bugle
calls, with the base PA system turned off. Until one night,
while he was on the 2400 to 0400 watch (as Desk Sgt) he got a
call from the Staff Officer Housing area, asking that he "turn
off" the speakers for their neighborhood. The next day, he was
asked to choose something else to pass the time.
My proudest moment came as a lowly gate receptionist. One
evening, I got a phone call from someone who claimed to be base
Commanding General to say that he was expecting a visitor and
would I please expedite a visitor pass, plus give directions to
his home.
When the visitor arrived, I followed SOP and called the General.
He didn't sound very happy when he said, "Son, didn't I call you
to approve the visitor that you're asking about?" I replied,
"Sir, anyone can call me and claim to be a General. I figured
that you'd answer, if I called the number that's recorded for
you in the base directory."
He said, "Son, you're the first MP that's done that. Thank you
for keeping the base secure."
Those were special times that all of us spent; unaware that we
were doing anything special for our country.
Semper Fi
J.J. Haight
Columbus, Ohio
Baptism Under Fire
Spring of 1953 at Camp Pendleton and awaiting my draft for
Korea. I was one of many assigned to Guard Duty.
My assignment was the ammo dump. While guarding this huge
"Dump" I stumbled across a hut loaded with M-80 firecrackers. As
all teenagers I filled up my pockets and waited for my relief to
get off duty.
I packed a few in my suitcase which was being sent home, gave a
few to my buddies and kept 2 for myself. The reason I know how
many I kept, I'll explain. At the mess hall that evening the
meal was stuffed pork chops.
As I went thru the chow line and sat down someone let loose with
one of the M-80's. Unknown to me in the chow line was the
Officer of the Day and about 10 MP's. All I heard was "Lock the
Doors". I couldn't hold a cup in my hand I was shaking so hard.
I removed the two M-80's from my jacket and stuffed each pork
chop with one M-80. I immediately got up, passed the MP's and
dumped my tray into the waste barrel. As I was walking away
from the Mess Hall I heard someone yell "I found one". Needless
to say the least I made a bee line for my tent area and sweated
out the night.
I guess you could say it was my baptism under fire.
Jack Nolan E-2-5
1950-1957
The REAL Party
Reading Bruce Otis letter regarding Sept 7,1957, really got my
attention. I was in Plt 167 and had been there for a few weeks.
The day Otis was being welcomed to P.I.,I too was being
subjected to h&ll. It was my birthday and my Mother, as Mothers
will do, decided to surprise me with an unscheduled, and much
unwanted visit. She never understood why I was not happy to
spend that day with her. She had no idea of the REAL party
awaiting my return and visit with S/Sgt Koonce.
Robert Chitty
Plt 167 - 1957
Bunch Of Squid-Kids
When I was in Field Med School at CLNC in 1967 ( was an HM3 at
the time), we had an instructor named GYSGT Yates. Being one of
the biggest guys in my class (6'2", 205), I was the center of
his attention... literally. GYSGT Yates was about 5'9", and 165
or so, with a voice that sounded like 40 miles of gravel road!
To make a long story short, I always swore if I ever saw that
little sucker outside the base, I was going to wad him up in a
little ball. Well, later I was sent to the Nam, and ended up at
Khe Sanh, a few weeks before the opening of hunting season in
1968. I was assigned to the BAS until the powers that be could
find a company for me. About a week later, I was doing check
ins for new incoming personnel. I took the health record, and
started glancing through it. Hmmm... the Name was Yates, and
the rank was GYSGT... I looked up, and lo and behold, guess who
it was! He looked at me and said, "Well, Doc, you still want to
kick my a$S?" (It suddenly got very quiet in the BAS) I jumped
up... chair went sailing back... and I stuck out my hand and
said... "No, Gunny, I want to shake your hand and thank you for
all you taught me. It's kept my dumb butt alive so far!"
For those of you in FMSS, I have this piece of advice... LISTEN
to your INSTRUCTORS! Just like boot camp, these guys are taking
a bunch of Squid-Kids, and trying to teach them skills that will
keep you alive. Gunny Yates, if you are still with us, and read
this, or someone else does and knows you, Thank you again, for
kicking my butt, making me do the best I could possibly do, and
for making a smart a$$ kid into someone who was proud of his 11
years FMF.
Addison (Tex) Miller
HMC(FMF), USN, Ret.
Ribbons of an Unfinished Campaign
I was walking my boxer "Corporal" today and decided to put on
paper some of the thoughts running through my mind - mainly for
those who know about these things, but also for the few who care
as well as those sons and daughters who may one day find
themselves rummaging through their Vietnam veteran father's
trunk or old boxes.
A "ribbon" is defined as "a woven strip or band of fine
material". Military style ribbons of course are much more than
that. They also tell a story.
These few ribbons tell a simple story but one I would like to
share with you.
A military uniform is just not right without at least one ribbon
so anyone who signed up during the Vietnam War received the
"National Defense Service" ribbon. These have been awarded
since 1950 to anyone serving in our nation's armed forces during
a time of war or conflict. It basically meant you were willing
to go to Vietnam (except maybe for some of the draftees) whether
you were sent there or not. We jokingly called it the
"firewatch" ribbon - meaning you earned it during training by
walking firewatch at night to ensure the barracks didn't burn
down with all hands ! It was the only ribbon you wore when you
marched out for boot camp graduation but it sure looked good !
Everyone who went to Vietnam was authorized the "Vietnam
Service" ribbon. It meant you served "in harm's way" whether
you were a computer specialist working in an air conditioned
office in Saigon or a grunt up at the DMZ. The design of the
ribbon was based on the South Vietnamese flag which consisted of
three vertical red stripes on a field of bright yellow. We used
to joke that their flag should have been red with three
"yellow" stripes - but their armed forces did struggle for a
long time against immense odds. I think the green vertical bars
on each end represent the verdant landscape of Vietnam. For me
it represents the "jungle"...
"Presidential Unit Citation" ribbons are just that - a citation
awarded by the President of the United States to a particular
"unit" for actions in a particular battle or time frame. I my
case this blue, gold and red ribbon was awarded to the 3rd
Marine Division for its efforts in preventing the North
Vietnamese Army from invading South Vietnam across the
Demilitarized Zone. Way too many good, young Marines gave
their lives doing that.
The "Combat Action" ribbon is awarded to any Marine or sailor
(usually a corpsman) involved in "ground combat" against an
enemy of the United States. This is basically the Marine
Corps "grunt" award and we are proud of it.
But there is one more ribbon that means more to me in a
nostalgic way than the others. It's not the Purple Heart. I
often wonder why, but I was blessed to come home unscathed and I
thank the Lord for that often. It's not an heroic award. I was
never deserving of an award of that type.
No, it is the "Republic of Vietnam Campaign" ribbon awarded by
the government of South Vietnam to all American military
personnel (and many other nationalities) who served in Vietnam.
Please look at the silver colored banner with the date
"1960 - ". Notice there is no closing date...
At some point in the future, Vietnam veterans were to obtain an
updated ribbon with a closing date - perhaps 1970 or later. But
that didn't happen and never will. Why ? The government of
South Vietnam no longer exists to authorize and issue such an
updated ribbon. That all ended on April 30, 1975 when Saigon
fell. As a result, the original "1960 - " ribbon will always
symbolize, to me at least, an "unfinished campaign".
And I think the ribbon is actually more meaningful this way
because the war never had an appropriate closure for many of us.
Nothing that traumatic - most of us adjusted quite well in life.
Still, those events of so long ago just seem to rest there in
the back of my mind. I experience them occasionally (as I think
most other "grunts" do) on a hike as I walk toward a tree line,
or under the heat of a summer noonday sun, or as I slip between
those cool, clean sheets at night - remembering...
I am always thankful that I did not have to pay the ultimate
price.
Through the story of these ribbons, I honor those who did.
May God bless America and Semper Fi...
James D. Cool
India Co., 3/4 - 1967
Merry Christmas Marine
Grit,
I know that this is a bit late for this year's round of
Christmas stories. But, I figure if it is too late, you can save
it for next year's edition. One of my daughter's friends has
been dating a young Marine for a couple of years (since high
school). He has recently been stationed at Kaneohe (not sure of
the spelling of that), Hawaii. So, she had not been with him for
some time. He was coming home, to Centennial, Colorado (south of
Denver), for about 5 days for Christmas, prior to shipping out
for Iraq. Well, you may have heard that we got a bit of snow for
Christmas this year. That caused a bit of a problem for these
young folks. You see, she is going to college at CSU, in
Boulder. And he was staying with his folks here on the southeast
end of Denver. That put them about 45 miles apart. He made three
attempts to get to Boulder, to pick her up and bring her home.
But, his only vehicle is a small Honda sedan, which could not
get more than a few miles before getting stuck in the snow and
having to turn around and go home.
All of the major roads and highways had been closed, and the
governor had declared a state of emergency, requesting that only
emergency and essential personnel be out on the roads. There
were many people stranded on the roads, and the plows could not
get the highways cleared due to all of the stuck and abandoned
vehicles in the way. Well, as you can imagine, this young lady
was a bit distraught about not being able to get to her Marine.
And, as young girls will do, she called my daughter to "cry on
her shoulder". My daughter, without a second of hesitation, told
her to pack her things and be ready, because we would be there
to get her shortly. She then hung up and came to me and told me
the situation. She told me that she figured this was an
"emergency" and that she had complete confidence that no snow
storm could stop an "old salt, Marine" like me if I decided to
go get the girl.
Well, of course she knew that I could not resist a challenge
like that and would never admit that Marines can't do anything
they decide to. I have always told her that Marines have been
doing so much, with so little, for so long, that the improbable
they do every day. The impossible just takes a bit longer.
To make a long story short, we got into my Dodge Dakota, 4
wheel drive pickup and headed for Boulder. This trip would
normally take about an hour and a half to get there and back.
Due to the roads being closed, and all of the people that we had
to stop to help along the way (as my daughter told these people
"its a Marine thing"), the trip took five and a half hours this
time.
However, it was more than worth it when we knocked on the
door of this young Marine's parent's house at 11:45 pm (we knew
he would still be up). When he answered the door, I said "Merry
Christmas Marine, I brought you a present". Then his girl
stepped out from behind me and flew into his arms. I may no
longer where a uniform, but I still get to be a hero once in a
while!
Sgt Phil "Akabu" Coffman '72 -'82
KIA During Convoy
Sgt. Fernando Padilla, MWSS 371,3MAW. KIA during convoy
operations near Al nasariyah, Iraq, on 20030328 , remains
recovered 20030411. I know the remains were recovered by
members of Fox Co 2Bn 2nd Marine Division, if any of you know
how I can find out more specific information about his death and
recovery please let me know. I took part in that convoy and have
some questions that I feel compelled to get answered, also want
to set up a tribute page to him, please contact me at
MarineCorps5811 @aol .com
Squat Jumps
Howdy Sgt Grit:
In reference to your letter of January 3, 2007 with Mr. Bruce
Otis I can say without a doubt his platoon was a squat jump
crazy *ss platoon..........So was my platoon #229, year 1958.
My Drill Instructors were; SSgt F. W. Lukasiewicz, SSgt L. C.
Brown and SSgt D. E. Kennedy. SSgt Lukasiewicz was the crazy
one. If you couldn't pronounce his name he would strangle you
until you almost passed out from a lack of oxygen. Then he
would have you do squat jumps forever. I did so many squat
jumps for screwing up, my upper thighs were inflamed for half
my 11 weeks of recruit training. Every morning when I climbed
out of my bunk and hit the deck I couldn't feel my legs. The
first thing we did when we were so rudely awaken would do squat
jumps. If you enter the DI's office incorrectly you would be
plastered up on the wall across the hallway and then ordered to
do squat jumps. If you talked, or eyeball some one or
something......you would do squat jumps. Another incident with
SSgt Kennedy when we didn't march right he had the platoon get
into a squat position and duck walk back to the barracks. Talk
about pain.
Yep! I believe the whole 2nd Battalion may have been crazy with
"SQUAT JUMPS"........ You gotta love that pain!
Semper fi Marines.
Don Griffith, USMCRet, 1stSgt
I Remember Being Told
Sgt. Grit,
I've read several comments in various copies of your newsletter
concerning the Marines who are accused of murder in Iraq. Most
of the comments expressed outrage that Marines are being put on
trial. I have not responded earlier because I only recently was
able to get caught up with my reading of your newsletters. (I'm
a high school teacher and had a backlog of about fifteen by the
time Christmas break rolled around.) Most recently, in the
3Jan07 newsletter, Sgt Olson (who served during the Vietnam era)
said, "Why are the innocent civilians allowing the IED's to be
placed where our Marines may get hurt or killed? They should be
telling US where the IED's are and where the insurgents that
planted them are." I remember having the same thoughts about the
innocent civilians who allowed VC to plant mines in roads that
the engineers had to clear every morning before vehicle travel
was allowed, and booby traps around their villages that injured
and killed several of our young men. But the answer in both
Vietnam and in Iraq is that innocent civilians are caught in the
middle. Vietnamese village leaders whose people helped us were
rewarded by being killed by the VC. Until the people feel secure
in helping us and their own government, they're not going to
stick their necks out.
A few years ago I was browsing through t-shirts in a store that
sells military- and police-related items. The slogan on one so-
called Special Forces shirt said, "Kill them all and let God
sort them out!" Does that slogan truly reflect what we expect of
an American soldier or Marine? Are we not a country based on the
rule of law? If they truly are guilty of murder, do we want them
to go unpunished? Sgt. Logan says it's "not good for
recruitment," to prosecute Marines "for doing the job they
were/are trained to do." But we Marines emphasize in boot camp
and OCS the importance of "Duty, Honor, Commitment." Where is
the honor in committing murder?
I remember being told during Operation Desoto near Duc Pho that
the area north of the river was a "free fire zone," but the
company commanders whom I served (one was killed by enemy fire
and one was wounded by "friendly" 20mm fire from one of our own
air strikes) tried to make sure that any target we engaged was,
in fact, hostile. Theirs was the correct attitude, in my
opinion. Indiscriminate killing of people does not encourage
others to help our side.
Sgt. Logan and others who served during the '60s and '70s should
remember that the massacre at My Lai really happened, and the
Army officers who tried to cover it up instead of immediately
prosecuting Lt. Calley did a disservice to every one of us who
served in Vietnam. The actions of Calley and his platoon added
to the anti-military bias that was so prevalent during that
time.
I'm keeping an open mind in the particular incident to which
Sgt. Logan refers. I hope that the accusations are found to be
false, and that no other such claims arise during our War on
Terror. If the accused are found blameless--good. If they are
found to have murdered innocent people, then I say they deserve
to be punished appropriately.
Tom Downey
Once a captain, USMCR; always a Marine
1963-76 (Vietnam 4Dec06-18Dec07, including six months with the
"grunts" as artillery FO for Lima 3/7)
Hand Over The Defense
I did my peace time duty 56-58 went through the San Diego MCRD
next to the Navy Air Field that blotted out the DI's commands
for which he gave us he-- when we did not understand and respond
to. Did my time at Camp Pendleton with the First Service
Battalion at 25 area first then 11 area. Got sent to Yucca
Flats in the summer of 57 for one of those bomb blasts. Had my
share of climbing debarking nets on the water with the Navy. I
feel that as a Marine I was trained and ready for what ever was
asked of me. Am proud of my service in the finest group of
fighting men in the world. Now as the grandfather of a just
sworn in Marine am ready to hand over the defense of our great
country to him God watch over him and all the other young men
and women serving our country.
SEMPER FI all.
Smilin_Bob Young
Listerine
I read about the homemade hooch and had to laugh and tell our
story. We were also over in the desert during Desert
Shield/Storm with Golf 3/11. My gun section got the idea, hey
Listerine is like 26% alcohol, and we get orange juice for
breakfast, so why not make some screwdrivers. Well as you can
imagine it tasted like s@$t, but it is a memory I remember every
Christmas.
Derek Howard 88-92 11th Marines "criminal crew" gun #2
Most Diplomatic Response
The nature of Marine Corps recruit training is such that anyone
who ever stood on the yellow footsteps wondering what the h***
they'd gotten themselves into must have at least one good story
to tell. This is one of my favorites. I think it demonstrates
what a delightful sense of humor our DIs had.
Platoon 2094 (The Texas Raiders), 2d Recruit Training Battalion,
MCRD, San Diego, CA; September to December, 1973. SSgt D A
Forsberg was our Platoon Commander, Sgt M P Valleau was one of
our junior DIs; Sgt Valleau was a grunt; I believe SSgt Forsberg
was air wing; both were Vietnam veterans. We were still in the
Quonset huts at this time, and my presence was requested in the
Duty Hut. SSgt Forsberg and Sgt Valleau were present, along with
a Chicago friend of Sgt. Valleau, who was a DI in one of the
other platoons in our series. After I reported as ordered, this
other DI asked me "Who hits harder, Sgt Valleau or SSgt
Forsberg?" Now, I have always considered myself a reasonably
intelligent person. I could only surmise at this point that
whatever name I gave as the answer to the question, the other
person would take exception and prove me wrong in the only way
possible. My mind quickly settled on what seemed to me a most
diplomatic response. "Sir, SSgt Forsberg and Sgt Valleau hit
equally as hard, Sir!" Alas, my career as a diplomat was
destined for failure. Sgt Valleau hit me sharply, but not hard,
in the solar plexus; I was instantly doubled over and gasping
for breath. "Stand up, a**hole...you're at attention!" Sgt
Valleau commanded me. I struggled back to attention, and Sgt
Valleau's friend, the DI whose innocent sense of curiosity had
started the whole affair, provided me with the correct
response: "Don't you know that Drill Instructors and Platoon
Commanders NEVER strike their recruits?"
Now, to the uninitiated this might seem cruel, even abusive
behavior. However, I did not feel myself mistreated or abused,
even then. After all, these men who had known war were training
us to fight and, hopefully, survive should we ever be called
upon to serve in combat ourselves. They owed it to us and to the
Marines whose lives would depend on us to be tough on us. What
is more, they owed it to the generations of Marines who had come
before us to make sure that we earned the right to call
ourselves Marines; earned the right to wear the Eagle, Globe,
and Anchor. And this story is relevant even today. I read
recently that the US Army has determined that more recruits will
successfully complete Basic Training if it is made to be less
stressful. I guess that means that the soldier of tomorrow will
be treated to a kinder, gentler Basic Training. My question is,
if a soldier is unable to deal with a stressful situation, would
it not be better discovered in Basic Training than on the
battlefield, when success or failure, life or death, might well
hang in the balance? Let us hope that the Marine Corps' time
honored training methods never change.
Semper Fi.
Sgt Robert Shirley
Panic Set In
Just finished reading your 03 Jan 2007 Newsletter and enjoyed
the letters concerning Boot Camp. They brought back great
memories of those long-ago days at MCRD. One of my "fondest"
memories of my three weeks at the Camp Mathews rifle range
occurred one evening after a typical day of live firing. After
cleaning our rifles, our DI's began the usual rifle inspection.
After checking only a few rifles, SDI SSgt J.T. Bridges went
absolutely berserk! He told us to clean those d*#m rifles
properly or there would be h&ll to pay! Well, as Marines all
know, during boot camp when told that there will be h&ll to pay,
there absolutely will be h&ll to pay!
The second inspection was shorter than the first! We were
ordered to grab our buckets and rifles and "FALL IN"! We were
marched to the wash racks, ordered to fill our buckets 3/4 full
of water, fall back in and open ranks. We were then ordered to
each dig a hole 4X1X1, open rifle bolts and bury the rifles.
Then we were ordered to pour the bucket of water over the "rifle
graves". S/Sgt Bridges then told us that we had 15 minutes
before the next and final rifle inspection ---- "and they had
better be clean, a** h***s! Panic set in as each "boot"
pondered how we could possibly accomplish this seemingly
impossible task!
"THE SHOWERS" , someone yelled! And off we went to the showers
where we began this task! The sand and dust came off quickly.
We ran back to our tents, cleaned the rifles at a furious pace
and awaited the inspection that never came, but the laughter
emanating from the DI's tent was a loud and clear exclamation
point to our evening of "rifle burial duty"!
What a great time we all had, right? Our lives have been
forever altered by the work of the DI's! They pushed us to the
brink and forced us to perform! We at times hated their guts!
But they made us into Marines! They pushed us to succeed!
I hope my DI's read this letter so that I can Thank You!, S/Sgt
Bridges, Cpl Stelling and Cpl Wright for pushing me and all of
the "boots" of Platoon 218, MCRD, San Diego, into becoming proud
Marines on 13 May 1964. SEMPER FI, MARINES!
Bob Lonn,
Sgt USMCR, 63-69 / 83-84
Grenade
The Marine Corps is famous for ingraining task within you so
that you respond without even thinking. A good example was one
that I demonstrated while training at Camp LeJuene with the U.S.
Coast Guard in 2001.
I attended boot camp in San Diego, Platoon 2001, Jan-Mar 1969.
After leaving the Corps in 1979, I joined the U. S. Coast Guard
Reserves. While attached to a Port Security Unit attending
training at Camp LeJuene, we had the opportunity to go to the
grenade range.
As the Gunny assigned to be part of our training team showed the
Coasties a hand grenade and how to handle it he dropped one on
the ground and yelled "Grenade". Everyone dove to the ground,
feet pointing toward the grenade and covered their head. That
is everyone but this old Marine. As taught so many years
before, I dove atop the practice grenade and shielded everyone
around me.
I could not believe I did such a thing without even thinking of
the consequences. But then again, it had been ingrained in me
to protect the buddies around me. Thirty-two years later, that
training received during boot camp was still there. I told
everyone of all the times our Drill Instructor would through a
butt or piece of paper on the ground and yell "Grenade". All in
the platoon would fight to be the one to dive on it first and
save the rest of the platoon. Some things just never leave us.
Semper Fi
Collins Hymel
Cpl, USMC 69-75; 77-79
PSCS, USCG 82-
Lights Went Out
Sgt. Grit-
I enjoy reading the boot camp experiences of others so much I
thought I would share one of my own. I was sitting in school
one day in Sept of '51 when two Sheriffs deputies took me from
class and deposited me in an office at the nearest Sheriffs Sub-
Station, where I was greeted by a big, burly Detective and my
mother. My mother? Yikes! (I didn't have a father). The
Detective was cordial enough but quite firm. I was in trouble
and going down hill from there. He suggested that I join the
Military before I ended up in jail. My mother told him I wanted
to join the Marines but she wanted me to graduate from High
School first. The Detective suggested that the Military would,
at this point in my 17 year old life, do me much more good than
High School. Accordingly, mom agreed to sign for me and about a
week later I was on my way to MCRD San Diego. We arrived at the
Recruit Depot at about 1800-1900 aboard a Navy bus. INSTANTLY
two drill Instructors, Sgt. Anderson and Sgt. Funk, jumped on
the bus, started screaming, cussing...well you know what I mean.
We were told to get off the @#&!$ bus, form in ranks, and -don't
talk. "Don't" being the operative word here. Off we went,
formed in ranks, and then, at that instant, I thought of
something terribly funny which I decided to share with the guy
to my right. I had no sooner started to regale him with my
superior wit when -BOOM!- the lights went out. For how long
I'll never know. It might have been days -or weeks even- but
probably not. I do remember that I woke up laying flat on my
back while all those above me were frozen in place. I still
don't know which of our DI's decked me, or where he came from.
What I do know is that I learned -instantly- to keep my mouth
shut. Nothing was ever mentioned by either Sgt. Anderson or
Sgt. Funk. Both of our DI's were veterans of the Iwo Jima
campaign, and others. I owe the Marine Corps a huge debt of
gratitude for instilling in me the virtues that I missed by not
having a father. Sgt. Anderson and Sgt. Funk; if you are still
out there, Thanks and Semper Fi.
Charles C. Westlake 0331
H-3-1 1st Mar Div Korea
Sgt. USMC 1951-1962
The Doc
Sgt Grit:
I've posted messages and replies to your newsletter in the past,
but this one knocked my socks off, and felt I needed to share
it.
I live in Lincolnton NC, about 5 hours from Camp LeJuene. We
have an American Legion Post, a VFW Post, a DAV post, and a
chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America. No Navy League or
Marine Corps League chapter was in our small town.
Earlier this year the local paper had an article about the
Marine Corps League, and a picture of the district Vice-
Commandant for our area. Several months later at our Apple
Festival, the MCL set up a booth to solicit potential members
for a detachment in our County. I saw the notice in the paper
for the Organizational meeting, and as an FMF Corpsman, I
decided to attend and find out more. We all got up and told the
group a bit about ourselves, and our service.
After listening to the State Commandant describe the mission of
the MCL, I decided to join. The State Commandant asked me if I
would be interested in being one of the Officers. I told him
"Sure, but I'm just a Corpsman, I'm sure these Marines will
volunteer to run this thing, but I'll do whatever I'm asked to".
Then I messed up a bit and told him: Hey, I'm not really a
Marine, just a Corpsman who served in the Grunts, I didn't even
think I could join, much less be an officer". And he told me
this: "I'm here today because a Navy Corpsman patched me up
enough to walk out of the Chosin Reservoir. If ANYONE ever
tells you you're not a Marine, send his A** to ME!".
The next meeting I was on a vacation trip with my wife, but when
I checked my e-mail I found out I had been elected Commandant
of the new Detachment! I was flabbergasted that 25-odd Former
Marines decided that "the Doc" packed the gear to do the job! I
am humbled and honored by the action of my fellow Marines, and I
am determined to set the group on a course of service to the
Community and the Corps in which we will all take great pride.
We will be chartered, officers installed and sworn in as a group
next month. I just ordered a CD with music for our ceremony,
and some items to raffle off as door prizes at the Installation.
I'll be making use of many of your items in our monthly raffles,
and will probably be buying small items to give to the Marines
at Camp Lejuene's Wounded Warrior Barracks when we make our trek
there later this year.
One of your T-shirts tells it all---MARINE CORPS---The Change Is
Forever. It sure changed this Sailor, I've never been the same,
and proud to say it.
S/F
Hank Kaczmarek
Commandant 2007-2009
Capt. Jeb F. Seagle Detachment
MCL
China Marines
Marine Vietnam veteran Fred Greguras visited China twice last
year and explored places associated with the Marines in Beijing
(legation quarter and US consulate compound), Tientsin ( Marine
barracks compound) and Shanghai (HQ, billets, etc). He has
written reports on what he found in each place which he will be
glad to email or mail to you. He is also seeking information
from Marines who served in China and plans to update the reports
as more information is learned. Fred can be reached at:
Fred Greguras
801 California St
Mt View, CA 94041
650.335.7241
fgreguras @ fenwick .com
My Uncle
An amusing story from my boot camp days; my uncle retired from
the Corps after 30 odd years as a Master Gunnery Sergeant, many,
many years before I entered the Corps. Most of his time in the
Corps was spent on the "Crash Crew", those brave Marines that
respond to aircraft accidents (among other duties). Anyway,
while I was at MCRD Parris Island, and toward the end of my
basic training, my Uncle was being honored one Sunday in the
town of Buford, which is right outside the gates of Parris
Island, for his service. He decided to stop in and see me while
he was in the neighborhood (he and his family had driven up from
Florida for the ceremony). I can only image the reaction at the
front gate and at headquarters when "Master Gunnery Sergeant
William Kane" requested to see his nephew, a lowly recruit!
Needless to say, my Senior Drill Instructor was a bit taken
aback when he learned of my "legendary" Uncle! It amazed me to
see this Staff Sergeant, who had until then had torn me down and
built me back up and had seemed to me to be the most squared
away and powerful Marine imaginable, snap to attention and show
my Uncle the highest degree of respect possible, even to the
extent of calling him Sir! My Uncle didn't recognize me,
which, from reading your newsletters, is not that uncommon, and
our visit was short lived, as there was still training to be
done. After that surprise visit, my Senior Drill Instructor
treated me (and the rest of the platoon) differently, I won't
say it was because of my Uncle, it was probably because we were
nearing the end of Basic, and were near to earning the "title".
Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Kane
Sgt., USMC
3rd AAV Bn.
1st Mar. Div.
1987-1993
P.S. The apricot rumor/myth is TRUE!
Didn't Mean A Thing
So there I was, starting second phase and not a single DI knew
my name, Not bad, I might survive this yet. That was all about
to change. We got to Edson range and The NCOIC, Msgt John Salas,
gave us his speech and we went to the bleachers. About 10
minutes into the PMI's talk DI SSgt Garabidean stormed over to
the platoon and Demanded to know which one of us was private
Mordal. I stood and indicated that was me. He informed me that
Msgt Salas wanted to see me, right now. You see this particular
Msgt was my cousin and the primary reason I went in the Corps.
John had failed to mention that when he asked for me and I can't
imagine what the DI's thought. I was escorted to John's office
and we had a nice talk.
The DI's knew my name now. Within .5 seconds of leaving his
office I was in the pit and being informed by at least two DI's
that him being my cousin didn't mean a thing. A fact that I had
already been aware of.
Actually, I was hoping to get off the range with no one finding
out. A couple times a week I would get called to his office and
we would have another nice family get together followed by
another session in the pits to remind me that I was worthless
scum. Through some act of fate, after qualification, instead of
mess duty we got a week of maintenance duty, at the range. So I
got a couple of extra visits. His daughters recently asked if he
had been nice to me when I was there. I had to tell them that
yes he was very nice and that was the meanest thing the SOB
could do.
Semper Fi
Jim Mordal
Cpl, 1st Radio Bttn
1983-1987
Marine Who Saved Buddies Gets Medal Of Honor
Only Second Medal Of Honor In Iraq War
WHITE HOUSE -- A Marine who fell on a hand grenade and gave his
life for his buddies in Iraq was recognized Thursday morning at
the White House.
Cpl. Jason Dunham was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor,
the nation's highest military decoration. His parents, Deb and
Dan Dunham, were given the medal at a White House ceremony.
"On a dusty road in western Iraq, Corporal Dunham gave his own
life so that the men under his command might live," President
George W. Bush said. "This morning it's my privilege to
recognize Corporal Dunham's devotion to the Corps and country."
Dunham was a 22-year-old machine gunner from Scio, N.Y. He was
manning a checkpoint near Karabilah, near the Syrian border in
Iraq, on April 14, 2004.
"While leading a patrol of his Marines in Karabilah, Corporal
Dunham received a report that a Marine convoy had been ambushed.
He led his squad to the site of the attack -- where he and his
men stopped a convoy of cars trying to make an escape,"
according to the Corps press release. "As he moved to search one
of the vehicles, an insurgent jumped out and grabbed him by the
throat. The Corporal engaged the insurgent in hand-to-hand
combat."
The Army Times reported that Dunham then shouted to the other
Marines, "No. No. No. Watch his hand."
He threw himself on the live grenade that was dropped by the
insurgent during their struggle. Dunham used his Kevlar helmet
and body to smother the blast.
"By his selflessness, Corporal Dunham saved the lives of two of
his men, and showed the world what it means to be a Marine,"
Bush said.
He survived the blast but died a week later at the National
Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., with his mother and
father at his bedside.
"As a Marine, Jason was taught that leaders put the needs of
their men before their own. He was taught that while America's
founding truths are self-evident, they also need to be defended
by good men and women willing to stand up to determined
enemies," Bush said. "As a leader of a rifle squad in Iraq,
Corporal Dunham lived by the values he had been taught. He was a
guy everybody looked up to. He was a Marine's Marine who led by
example."
In My Dad's Position
Hi Folks, The fire hose burst open after reading the story of
the son returning from Iraq who spoke with his father the air
traffic controller from the pilot's cabin. I ran away from a
pretty rough dad when I was 16. I didn't have any contact with
him until I was on the way to Vietnam. As we approached Kadena
Air Base, Okinawa I suddenly had the urge to ask the crew chief
if the pilot would see if a MSGT ____ was working in the tower.
He was. Out of the over one hundred Marines on the plane only
two of us were "lucky" enough to continue on to Vietnam. I
explained the situation with my dad to our troop handler at Camp
Hansen and, true to form, he granted me a week's "basket" leave
(non-chargeable). I had lived with my dad on Okinawa for four
years ('61-65). I worked summers with the Kadena Air Base Civil
Engineers near the runway and watched B-52s shoot flares prior
to landing indicating wounded were on board. It's been so long
ago I'm wondering if it was really that way! Though my dad and
I never really got along it wasn't until I read that Tucson
controller's letter that I considered how my dad felt when he
heard I was on that plane - and that I had made the effort to
contact him... You see, I'm now sort of in my dad's
position. I'm nowhere near that level of brutality but my sons
moved in with their mother after the divorce. Even living in
the same town I don't see them as much as I want. They are
teenagers and took the path of WAAAY least resistance. I made
sure my kids knew I love them from the time they were born. We
never felt UNcomfortable hugging and kissing each other (well,
the kissing stopped at about six! - they do have their pride!).
There's a song that starts out "Every generation seems to blame
the one before....I wasn't there the day my father died...". I
wasn't either. One of the few things I remember him telling me
before he died was "Son, I stopped worrying about you when you
joined the Marine Corps. I knew you had what it takes to
succeed in life if you wanted to." One more brighter note:
I underwent a surreal experience a few days ago at the office.
I "Google Earth'd" the place I'd been in Vietnam. What a weird
experience! Since I live near Tucson (Sierra Vista) the image
first seems to swoop you up into the satellite and sweeps you
over the Pacific before swooping down to Vietnam! It's really a
physical experience! I looked for the orphanage north of DaNang
on Highway 1 and the huge concrete Buddha beside the highway but
couldn't find them. As the satellite zoomed in it brought back
crystal clear the face of the stewardess on the Pan Am flight I
rode from Okinawa to DaNang. She asked if I was through eating
my styrofoam cup! I didn't realize I was biting pieces of it
off. We had to circle over the East China Sea until the rocket
attack was over. I recommend this Google trip to all the
veterans of any war. It's simply amazing to me that we can do
this. My oldest son just received orders for 1/9. I remember
when they received their nickname in Vietnam..... My best to
all Marines past, present and future and their families.
Marines: hug your family members as often as you can. Tell
them you love them. We're all here for such a short time.
Semper Fi, Mike
When I Told My Mom
In the summer of 1966 I was DEP into the Marines for January
1967. When I told my Mom she was more upset than I had ever seen
her, she wasn't going to let me go. I did go into the Marines
and when my brother, who was in the Navy, was medivac'ed from
RVN with a back injury. I was sent to 'Nam. The U. S. will not
allow two siblings serve in a combat situation at the same time.
I received a shrapnel wound during Operation Allenbrook and
didn't report it because I was afraid it would upset my Mom even
more than she already was. Worrying about how my Mom would
accept this news affected my future more than I'd thought a
Purple Heart ever would. Most Marines at that time simply said,
" A ' Heart and 25 cents will by you a cup of coffee." It turned
out it would've gotten me preferential treatment for government
jobs, promotions, and proof that I had given blood for my
country and Corps.
My Son enlisted in the Corps as soon as he turned 18. I told his
Mom it was important that she be supportive and very proud that
our son was a member of the most elite fighting force in the
world. He was sent to Iraq and was in one of the first units
into Baghdad, we both worried but knew he would return to us. He
has returned and has been discharged as a Sgt of Marines, the
same as me. He is going to college under the GI bill and will
always be a Marine. His Mom and I are so very proud of him and
his accomplishments. He has never been afraid to tell us what
happened in Iraq. Me, I still don't talk too much about my
experiences. Be proud of your sons and supportive. Don't hold
them back, encourage them to be the best. Later in life other
Marines will help them in many different ways, because that is a
Marine thing.
P. A. Morris, Sgt of Marines
My Bunker
I served with the 1stMarDiv during Korea.........I have often
wondered how Marine Vets should be referenced. The Leatherneck
magazine editor several editions ago determined that "Once a
Marine, Always a Marine"......with which I totally agree. I
know that all the ex-Marines are in the graveyard and if the
preceding phrase is true, then there is no such thing as a
Former Marine. We are all Marines. I spent 8 years wearing the
globe and anchor.......but my "bunker", as my wife calls it, is
full of Marine paraphernalia....and will stay that way until I
respond to the last bugle call. My Dad was a Marine with the
5th Regiment during WWI........my younger brother served with
the 3dMarDiv during Viet Nam......so, I think I can still call
myself a Marine.
After my tour with the Corps, I did the college thing and
acquired a Ph.D. Now, this old Marine Sergeant is a BG with the
New Mexico State Guard. Marines never die, they just go to h&ll
and re-group.
Enjoy your web site immensely.
BG Lawrence D. Morrell, Ph.D.
Sergeant USMC Korea
Short Rounds
You won't see this in the media. Outstanding!
http://www.besmayadave.blogspot.com/
When a D.I. speaks it may sound like a foreign language, but it
does not take long to understand him, "Right Sir", No I mean,
"Sir, Right, Sir"
D.W. Meyer, T/SGT
1st Marine Air Wing
44,45,46
Sgt Grit:
I thought you need to know that there are still some old guys
hanging on. Nothing much to say, just SEMPER FI
John Hill, SGT, '43-'46
Note: You have much to say and many fellow Marines would like to
read some of your memories.
Sgt Grit
Smashed Sandwiches
Does any other Marine attached to a MEU remember the "Smashed
Sandwiches" sold outside the port in Toulon, France?
Cpl. Fitzpatrick
1991-1995
Semper Fi
Welcome Home, Job Well Done!
Sgt Grit
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