Old Corps, New Corps, there is only the Marine Corps
Here is my dad, Walter Shown 6/27/23 to 2/2/07 bottom row second
from right, Picture was taken on Parris Island November 1940, I always wonder did they know how bad things were in Europe or
what was looming just 12 months from then. And do we know now?
Some things never change.
Richard Shown USMC 1979-81 Semper Fi dad.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join us for some MARINE QUALITY TIME!
Talk with fellow Marines and enjoy the days activities!
Tattoo Contest - USMC Vehicles - History Displays!
And we have free food!
Gather up the clan and come on down - it's fun for the whole family!
The Sand Flea
Anyone who has ever been to Parris Island knows about the
legendary sand fleas. They are a constant annoyance and their
bites are excruciating painful. And of course you risk the DI's
wrath if you try to swat one so you learn to endure the pain.
Weekly personnel and rifle inspection on a hot, humid, calm
Saturday morning. Not a hint of a breeze to ease the heat.
Sweating profusely in our starched utilities, hoping that no
sweat dropped off onto our rifles.
Standing at attention, eyes front, not moving a muscle, waiting
for the inspection party to get to me. And out of nowhere here
comes a pesky sand flea to ruin my day. First he buzzes around
my ears. Lands a couple of times but doesn't like the location.
Then he finds a spot on my left cheek. And in he bores. I tried
wiggling my cheek muscle to no avail. Tried to blow it away with
my breath. No such luck. Inspection party getting close so gave
it up and just resolved myself to be in misery until the little
flea got his fill and moved on. The Company Commander finally
got to me and I did the best inspection arms on my spotlessly
clean M1, checked the receiver and locked my eyes straight
ahead. He jerked the rifle out of my hands and gave it a good
inspection. The sand flea bores on and I am impassive. The
Captain throws the rifle back at me which I catch and return
briskly and sharply to Order Arms. The sand flea has not budged
and is still boring on, almost bringing tears to my eyes. The
Captain noticed the flea, smiled and moved to the next man.
Now my senior DI is in front of me and I again snap to
inspection arms while looks me over from head to toe. Seeing the
sand flea still getting his fill of my blood he smiles evilly.
As they are preparing to go to the next man he does a completely
unexpected act of kindness and reaches up and squishes the flea
with his finger.
Instant relief from the flea and undying gratitude to the DI!
Jim Bogue
MGySgt - Retired
Plt 241 Parris Island
May 1958
Canadians Came Down
I certainly remember the yellow footprints in 1963.
Also I always felt those Marines in herringbone utilities and
blousing their boots at the ankles, were old Corps.
Serving in Nam in 1965: as a Canadian, I remember near the end
of the year receiving a letter advising if I didn't fill out the
proper forms as an alien, I would be deported. Being a somewhat
wise ^ss grunt. I wrote back, come and get me I'm in Quang Tri
province. Exact location dependant upon the day. Never heard
from them again.
I'm an American now but I believe for every draft dodger that
went north, ten Canadians came down.
D*mn but that was a long time ago
Paul Upthegrove
"Hit The Deck"
Not only was it our first day of basic training at MCRD but it
was our first trip to the chow hall for breakfast in 1975. We
had arrived late and been kept up what felt like all night.
When we finally hit the rack I swear to this day the DI simply
flipped the light switch off, counted to five and flipped it
back on and began screaming and banging a trash can in the most
terrifying manner. After side stepping through the chow line we
stood at our table at attention. The command "sit and eat" was
given next. I had hardly sat down and picked up my fork when
suddenly our DI's began screaming at us to "GET OUT"! With this
our Senior DI jumped onto our table and began to run the length
of it kicking trays of food right and left as the recruits
scrambled to get out of the way. Seeing him charging down the
table towards me my heart stopped in my chest and I dove under
the table completely terrified. To my surprise I found myself
face to face with another black recruit whose eyes, I'm sure
like mine, we're as big as plates, and both of our mouths
hanging open in a silent scream as we listened to our crazed
Senior DI stomping back and forth on the table above us. As if
on cue both of us scrambled on our hands and knees across the
floor, down the length of the table where we made a hasty exit
and joined our fellow recruits as they stumbled and ran out the
chow hall door to get into formation. Every day afterwards when
I sat down for chow I always waited for that to happen again,
which it fortunately didn't.
Nick Russo
Plt. 3047
Summer 1975
Top Rack and Gravity
Sgt Grit,
I entered MCRD San Diego on July 10, 1985 and became a member of
platoon 1079. One interesting note is that we only had one DI,
Sgt J.A. Wallace, make it all the way through boot camp with us.
Thank you Sgt Wallace for making it through with us and for the
training you provided in making us into Marines! Not even our
SDI, SSgt Stanley, a Force Recon Sniper before being a DI, made
it all the way through as he was recalled after the bombing of
the Marine Barracks in Lebanon. However, that is neither here
nor there in regards to the funny stories.
I had originally signed up as an 0311 due to the fact that my
recruiter wasn't the sharpest K-Bar in the inventory. I was told
that I had scored high enough on the entrance exams to be able
to select any MOS. (Having not done exceptionally well in High
School that was a bit of a shock.) Anyway, having to take the
different exams in boot camp, I was told that I scored in the
top 2%, (a very HUGE surprise) and asked if I would be
interested in changing my MOS.
One of the options was that of 2621 Manual Morse Intercept
Operator in the Signal Intelligence field which required a Top
Secret clearance. This also meant that many different forms of
paperwork needed to be completed and I thus missed a few classes
in order to do so.
One of the classes missed was on pugil stick training/fighting.
I did, however, make the next training session which was the
Bridge Over Troubled Waters. The DI called me up, gave me the
football helmet, the pugil stick and told me to go take him out.
I asked the DI how I was to handle and use the pugil stick as I
had missed the first class. To which he replied, "Oh yeah,
you're my spook private." I was given this moniker because of my
going into the Intelligence field. He continued, "Well, hold it
like this, do your best and get ready to get wet!"
I grabbed the pugil stick as instructed, made my way onto the
bridge and successfully blocked two attacks. Yeah for me!
However, I was just a "tad" slow on the third attack by the
opposing platoon member and was not only looking out the left
ear hole of my helmet but was in the water in very short order!
The water felt pretty good on a hot summer day in San Diego.
Getting my bell run wasn't so much fun!
Now on to the 2nd funny story. This takes place in the barracks
and involves the top rack, gravity, two sleeping legs and the
fear of not making it "online" for morning inspection.
Boot camp was far enough along that I had trained my body to not
move much while sleeping at night. My rack didn't get messed up
too much that way and after getting out of the rack, a quick
couple of tugs and tucks and the rack was near perfect.
To this day I don't know why, however this may have happened
after getting my bell rung on the bridge over troubled waters,
but when I woke up lying on my back after wake-up call, I swung
my legs out from the covers, went to hop down and as my feet hit
the floor I realized that both of my legs were completely asleep
and unable to support any weight what so ever.
I slumped to the floor and the fear and adrenaline both started
to run as the DI was yelling for us to get online of course. I
got up into a somewhat sitting position and started beating on
my legs with my fists and perhaps somewhat audibly telling my
legs to "come on, come on, wake up and move!"
It seemed like minutes but was only a few seconds and those
freakin' pins and needles feelings that you get as your sleeping
body part starts to get circulation and feeling again started
going up and down my legs and feet. They also felt like they
weighed one ton each. I continued to beat on my legs and inched
my way towards the head of our rack as the DI was going up and
down the isles yelling as all good DI's do.
I made it to the foot locker and was able to somehow lift myself
up on to my feet and somewhat shakily get online. It was only a
few minutes of further "pins and needles" until all was well. At
least as well as you can be in boot camp! I never let the DI
know of any difficulty and I still wonder exactly what caused
the two sleeping legs to this day.
Semper Fi
Rodney Noll
Cpl 85-89
Dublin City Recon Team
Sgt. Grit,
I recently connected with a buddy I served with in Vietnam 40
years ago. He sent me a photo of one of our recon teams -
"Dublin City".
I thought our comrades might like to take a look.
Picture at Company C, 1st Recon Bn, near Phu Bai RVN.
W.H.
Force Logistics Command (FLC) Reunion
Marines and Corpsmen that served with the Force Logistics
Command (FLC), based out of Red Beach, near DaNang, but
everywhere in I Corps from the DMZ to Chu Lai, RVN.
2007 FLC Annual Reunion
Dates – Thursday, 10-25-07 thru Sunday, 10-28-07.
Holiday Inn Express Suites,
318 W. Durango Blvd,
San Antonio, TX 78204 (210) 354-1333
TOLL FREE Reservations - 888-615-0725.
Ask for the FLC-FLSG-AB to receive the discounted rate
($126.09 per night including hotel tax) for the group.
Sam McManus AmmoWithAMessage@aol.com
FLC-FLSG-A, Truck Co., Phu Bai - DaNang, 68/69
Jack Woynowski jockmo@bellsouth.net
FLC / FLSG-A, FLSG-B, LZ Baldy, Red Beach, 69/70
Vietnam Era Memorial in Canby, Oregon
The Vietnam Era Memorial in Canby, Oregon is taking shape. The
first phase was completed April 18, 2007 and we are now half way
into phase two of the three phase project. For those who don't
know what I am referring to. The Vietnam Era Memorial is being
built to honor those who served and those who died during the
Vietnam War. Our intention is to build an extraordinary place of
healing that honors everyone who served our nation during the
Vietnam War era.
For more information about this project or how you can donate to
the remaining two phases you can visit the website at: http://www.vietnameramemorial.org/
Or contact the Canby Vietnam Era Veterans Memorial President
Mike Breshears at: PO Box 15; Canby, Oregon 97013:
503-263-5066: irenesvideo @ canby .com
Or American Legion Post 122 at: 424 NW 1st Ave; Canby, Oregon:
503-266-9235: alpost122 @ canby .com
10 Years Old
Sgt. Grit
I was 10 years old, when my 20 year US Navy CPO Father told me
about A color film special, I had seen at the Movie, They were
playing football and marching in sharp uniforms. Dad said-their
Properly Marines, you'll get $21. Bucks a month and a horse
blanket if you join that outfit. It took me a lot of years
before I understood what he meant by that.
I was 17 in April 1947 , with my platoon 36 Parris Island rifle
range. On the 1st am 2 rifle coachers come and stood facing us,
one of them, pointing at the other said "He is "OLD Corps" 1935
until now, & I am in the New Corps 1942 until now & "You #@$^%
$#@ people, are in the Boggy woggy Corps"
We had not idea what he was talking about until. Later when we
got to know who the "Old Corps" Marines were, that we were
serving with I never dared call myself Old Corps, until recent
years. I was at Parris Island talking to a guy and he said he
was Old Corps-looking at him, I asked when was that & he said
1967. So I told him that story and ended it by saying that I
still don't call myself old Corps. I think I broke his balloon.
I owe the Marine Corps training and Discipline for my becoming a
Police officer and later my State law Enforcement service Semper
Fi, William D. Furey, Deputy Chief Insp. Retired Massachusetts
Registry Motor Vehicle Police Sgt. of Marines 1947-1950 - 1950-1954
On May 9th a few Marines from Platoon. 30, 31, 35, 36 will meet
at Paris Island for a mine hosed my Col. Ken Seymour – age 14
when he graduated Plt.36.
After serving 3 years in the 4th & 6th Marines he enlisted in
the Army and retired 30 yr later as a bird Col.
Candid Moments of Marines
Sgt. Grit,
Thought you might enjoy some candid moments of the Marines here in the Anbar Province and at the Security Detachment in Baghdad.
I work with the MEF throughout Iraq and will always hold dear
the camraderie of the Corps and how the young Marines take care
of this 'Old Dog'. Can't go into what I do with the Corps nor
where the camps are located but let it suffice for me to say,
though it is a different generation than it was in Vietnam all
Marines here have the same Esprit de Corps and desire to go out
and complete the mission. The old adage of Improvise, adapt, and
overcome still holds true for todays Marines who put themselves
in harms way everyday.
Semper Fi
Bill Hagee 'Gunny'
Discovery Channel, Khe Sanh and Hue
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I would appreciate it if you could put the following paragraph
in your newsletter and bulletin board:
A British documentary company www.brooklapping.com – is
wanting to speak with veterans from the battles of Khe Sanh and
Hue for a new documentary-drama series on the Vietnam War for
the Discovery Channel, working title Grunts. If any veterans of
these battles would like to share their experiences with them
please email James Leigh – jleigh@brooklapping.com . They are
looking for veterans to interview, but also veterans willing to
help them understand and get the experiences of the young men
who fought in Vietnam completely right. They want this to be
your and your buddies' story of Vietnam.
Please do let me know if you think this appropriate and likely
to get response. Otherwise thank you for agreeing to post our
appeal to your readership.
Sincerely
James Leigh
Always Will Be Civilians
Here it is Thursday morning (0615) and I have just finished
reading your outstanding news letter. Once again, the memories
came flooding back and it was as if I were young again and
standing on the "Yellow Foot Prints" at MCRD San Diego. Just
want to say Thank You to SSgt "Stonewall" JACKSON and Sgt
BLANKENSHIP for showing me how and teaching me to be a Marine.
SSgt JACKSON, you were right when you told me that "you have
forgotten more about life than any one of my so-called college
professors would ever know." They were and always will be
civilians while you would always be a Marine. Both of you were
outstanding Marines and you both led by example.
Thank you and may God bless and keep you and your outstanding
staff. God bless and keep our beloved Corps and their families
always safe.
Gary L. COON
MSgt USMC (Ret)
1970-1994
Parrisi Isthmusis Maximus (PIM)
Sgt. Grit;
Just finished the Boot Camp letters and other Marine Corps
stuff. I want to add to Cpl. Bill Hart's (ANGLICO & 6thForRecon)
outstanding story about the breeding season of the parrisi
isthmusis. I was in Plt.117 , MCRD, PISC in 1956 during the
mating season of the parrisi isthmusis maximus (PIM). During
this time the PIM male requires a serious amount of blood to
maintain his activities of mating all the babe PIM's for a
stronger generation of PIM's to train the next generation of
Marines coming through PI.
I was the Guidon for Plt. 117 and Sgt. Bolden (the thumper) had
a particular way of punishing the platoon whenever he was on
watch (seems like he was always on watch). After lights out he
would post me, in my skivvies w/o a skivvie shirt, at the
clothes washing trough where the PIM's chose to do their mating
and of course, in need of lots of blood. I don't know how long I
remained at attention out there each night, but the next day I
looked like I had a bad case of measles. One of those nights I
tried to sneak my left hand up to my ear to get that @#$%^& PIM
out of ear because it felt like he was drilling a hole in my
tympanic membrane. I got him out, but alas Sgt. Bolden was
watching! Did he ever sleep?
The next day we held a search for the PIM I killed so we could
have a proper funeral for him. Sgt. Bolden happened to be the
one to find a PIM (I think he had one in his hand the whole time
we were policing the area) and he called me front and center to
take possession of the PIM for burial services. Pvt. Barron,
Right Guide, was the director so I gave him the PIM to make a
casket for him while I dug the grave, two feet deep and two feet
wide. All this time the rest of the platoon was at attention
and donating blood to the PIM's . Sgt. Bolden acted as the
Chaplin and read the eulogy and history of how instrumental the
PIM was in training and disciplining of Marines. The PIM was
lowered into his grave and covered while the platoon sung the
Marine Corps Hymn. That was our first PIM funeral and one to
remember...not over yet.
Sgt. Bolden called Pvt. Barron front and center to ask him which
way was the PIM's head pointing? Was it on it's back? Was it on
it's stomach? Was it male or female? Of course, Pvt. Barron
could not possibly get away with any answer he gave...so we
exhumed the PIM to inspect the position and determine the s&x.
If we found blood on the PIM it was considered to be a male PIM.
We finally got the next burial correctly and three others that
followed.
Semper Fi,
Levi
1stSgt. of Marines
Jason J.E. Leverette, 1557327
Concentrations Of Salt
Reading the comments of others Marines is always a pleasure;
particularly those "sea stories" with the highest concentrations
of salt.
This week's postings included Mr. Harry Hadin's comments re: his
time at P.I. In his closing he included his Marine Corps.
"Military ID. Number".
Although I understand the practicality of utilizing an
individual's social security number as also his/her military ID,
I have always thought that something unique was lost when those
USMC-specific identifiers went away.
For example, no longer can one Marine instantaneously determine
if another Marine is "saltier" or "boot" to himself/herself with
one simple question: "What's your ID number?" Even more
importantly, in my opinion, is the loss of continuity between
those who have served before us, the current generation of
Marines and those who will follow. The history of the Marines is
the history of Vietnam-era Marines with 7-digits ID's, Korean
and WW II veterans like Mr. Hadin with 6-digits, WW I Devil Dogs
with 5-digits in their ID and so on...
Our current Marines represent all of us well. But it seems to me
they have been deprived of a reminder of their unique and
individual place and role as members of one of the most
successful military organizations in the history of modern
warfare.
Respectfully submitted
WALSH, Michael P. 2214529
11th Engineers Reunion
Dear fellow Marines,
I am seeking all members who
served with the 11th Engineers -
Charlie company - Vietnam for a possible
reunion.
Keep up the great work - Sgt. Grit!
Please contact Gene Spanos at
Watchcmdr1 @ sbcglobal .net
Semper Fi
Gene Spanos
Marine Corps Veteran
708.369.3606
Notice to all AmTrac Vets
If you served in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Marine Division in an
AmTrac Battalion, chapters in each Division Association are
being created. We need members to man these chapters.
Show your pride, get involved and join us. Open to all who
severed as AmGrunts from the days of the LVT P-1 to the AAV
P-7A1's invited. Membership will be in each Division
Association.
For more information please contact us.
For 2nd and 3rd Division please contact Gene Miller at
Gene @ amtrac .org
For 1st Division please contact Luis De La Cruz at
luis @ hrd-aerosystems.com.
YAT YAS
Semper Fi
HM3 Luis De La Cruz
3rd Tracs 76-78
77 Sheep
I arrived in Parris Island in Sept 1958 and graduated in
December. My fondest memory is guard duty when around 5am I
heard a large group coming my way which of course was a platoon
of boots. As instructed, I yelled out "halt who goes there" and
the DI yelled back "Little Bo Peep and 77 sheep" I yelled
advance to be recognized and they did. Bless that DI because he
just marched right on by without humiliating me.
Semper Fi
Jim McCuen Cpl K-3-8 1958-1961 Dublin, Ca
Spot Lights On The Deck
To most all civilians, the term, "Yellow Foot Prints" means no
more than just those 3 words. To Marines, those three words
bring back the same memories, that most people over the age of
50, will remember where exactly they were when JFK was
assassinated. That is, they can picture the time and the place
they first saw those yellow foot prints.
Yamassee, S.C. 2330 hrs, 3 August 1962, but the spot lights on
the deck were as bright as daylight. I remember some Recruit,
being screamed at, for not reporting to the Drill Instructors
Shack, with the group orders. ( Thank God, it wasn't me!). I
turned around, ever so slightly and saw the people on the train,
gawking at the spectacle I was experiencing. That bus ride, in
total silence, through the Main Gate of Parris Island and on to
the processing center.
The rest of the time was memorable, but I'll always remember,
Those Yellow Footprints.
T. Brenkus
MSgt. USMC Retired
Killed His Favorite Dog
One summer evening in the midst of Boot Camp, I decided to write
a quick, short letter to my kid brother back home. As an added
touch of humor I decided to sprinkle a little foot powder in the
folded letter thinking he'd get a good dusting when he'd open
it. A couple weeks later, the Drill Instructor ordered, Platoon
1060 on the road for mail call! We hurriedly fell-out on the
street, a@@ hole to belly-button in two rigid parallel columns
between rows of tin hootches. The House Mice brought out a foot
locker, centering it at the head of our formation. The Drill
Instructor, in a immaculate utility uniform stepped upon it with
a hand full of letters and began to summon recruits by name to
retrieve their correspondence. In short time my name was called.
I made a left step and double-timed, came to a halt and snapped
to attention in front our DI and reported, Sir, Private ****
reporting for mail call SIR! The DI held out my letter and as
was customary, I forcefully clasped the letter between the palms
of my hands. Then to my utter horror, my life seemed to flash
and fizzle away before my very eyes when this white powder shot
out in every direction from every busted seam on that d**mb
****ing letter! The DI looked at me as though I had just puked
on him and had killed his favorite dog. Needless to say my kid
brother had returned the favor with a dose of foot powder and I
became the most miserable and sore human being on earth for the
next few days.
SGM
USMC (Ret)
Should Have Waited
The story from Sgt. A. V. Lilly about Sheltered Kids, reminded
me (how could I forget) about hitch-hiking to Shreveport, LA in
June 1948, to join the Navy. The Navy and Marine Corps shared
recruiting space. The Navy guy was out. While waiting, we
couldn't keep our eyes off the Marine in dress blues. What a
picture of what a Marine is supposed to look like. I asked what
branch of the service he was in and he told us what a vacation
paradise Parris Island was. A few weeks later, at about zero
four hundred I was awakened from sleeping on a bench at the
train depot by a Tech Sgt. using his swagger stick across the
bottoms of my feet. I knew then that we should have waited for
the Navy recruiter to come back from wherever he was. Later on,
during and after Boot Camp, I realized we were where we were
supposed to be. I am still a Marine and will be to the day I
die.
Andy Anderson
Carthage, Texas
Sgt. USMC 1948-52
Name Of The Game
Harry Nadin's "Days of Parris Island brought back some memories
of PI also: Besides the Foot locker drills at 2 am, I recall
some singing "I'm a sh-- bird from Yamashee" with a gallon
bucket over their head, searching for the "sand fleas" in a sand
pile, short-arm inspections at 3 am (for what reason we all
didn't know), holding our M-1's over head in 100+ deg. until
someone dropped, and too numerous other major and minor
happening which all made us tough enough to stand up and prepare
for unusual happenings. Discipline was the name of the game...Do
or Die was the theme we were taught.
Sgt. Jim Mack, 1945 (Guam)-1951.
Reading Off
Sgt Grit;
All of us basically experienced the same routine in boot camp,
regardless of whether it was PI or San Diego. I also suspect
that those of us who spent time in one of the Divisions also had
similar experiences for whatever era we served. Some of the
smaller guard detachments however had customs that were somewhat
unique.
In Oct 62 I transferred from 2nd Battalion 8th Marines to Marine
Barracks Naples Italy. I knew that going from Division to a spit
and polish guard detachment would be different but I was not
prepared for what happened shortly after I reported in. The
barracks at time was located along with 3 or 4 other naval
buildings on a street (Via Caravaugha (sp) ) and was only 2 or
3 miles from the downtown area. Anyway I was still in the
checking in process when an announcement was made for personnel
to fall out on the roof. Before someone questions how this was
possible our barracks had a flat roof which was the only area
level enough for inspections, etc. So technically speaking we
fell up.
The barracks 1st Sgt called us all to attention and then a
chaser marched out a prisoner who was in dress uniform with
barracks cover. The prisoner was commanded to face the command
and then the 1st Sgt read the charge against him and what the
result of the court martial had been. Once this was done the
prisoner was given an about face and the 1stSgt removed the
Marine Corps emblem from his cover and then the chaser would
march him away. The barracks was a small command with probably
no more then 65 watch standers but would generally have 3 or 4
Marines a year who would be convicted of some court martial
offense. Before anyone assumes that we were all F### Ups I
want to stress that was not the case. It was just that it was an
extremely by the book barracks which had what would now be
referred to as a zero tolerance for any violation no matter how
small. Liberty was fantastic which helped to balance out the
disciplinary process. Those guys who did get Brig time were sent
to Port Lyuatey Morocco until 1963 when for some reason we
started using the brig at Rota Spain.
Thank goodness I never had to experience the humiliation of
being the subject of a Reading Off but just standing in
formation while it was happening to someone else made a lasting
impression. I don't know if any other commands ever used this
process but I seriously doubt that it is used anywhere in this
day and age.
John P Vaughn (1942842) Plt 119 Parris Island April to July
1961;ITR, H&S 2/8,Naples Italy and HQ company PI
This Simple Victory
Sgt. Grit,
I don't know what the Statute Of Limitations of killing a Parris
Island Sand Flea is, but since I did this more than 30 years
ago, and there was only one witness, I'll give it a go.
I got away with beheading one of those tiny blood sucking
b*stards...with a pair of nail clippers! It was burrowing a
hole in my arm one night just before 'Lights Out'. The Drill
Instructors on duty were busy chewing out another recruit at the
other end of our 'barn'. I was stashing my things away in my
foot-locker when I noticed the Sand Flea, eating away on my left
forearm. I took my nail clippers and carefully snipped off its
head. The body sort of fluttered off my arm, but the head kept
on sucking. It did so for several seconds with my blood oozing
from its severed head. I finally squashed its head and ended
its feast. My Drill Instructors never caught on, but word of
this small victory did get around the platoon. Seems like my
'bunkie' had been watching. However, the platoon's morale
increased because we finally knew this enemy could be defeated!
I've heard some amazing 'facts' about Parris Island Sand fleas.
One is that this animal, only 1/16th of an inch long, has a 3
inch long burrowing tongue and prefers to eat in one's ear or
nostril. Another is that an average Sand Flea can drink up to
1 1/2 pints of blood at one sitting. Swarms can number in the
bazillions, or roughly cover half the state of South Carolina.
And lastly, several of the recruits reported UA or as deserters
from 'The Island' were actually drained completely dry by a
swarm of hungry Sand Fleas and their dried out carcasses were
blown into the swamps, becoming crab and clam food!
SEMPER FI! OOH-RAH!
Tony Glass
Sgt USMC
1974-78
Gen. A. M. Gray
This past Jan. my wife and I went to Ft. Worth Tx. and on the
way down going through security I had removed my leather coat
revealing my Sgt. Grit t-shirt with a nice bold USMC on the left
breast. The first security guard informed me that he was an
"honorary Marine" and just before I was about to inform him of
his grave error he proceeded to tell me he was army and that
during Desert Storm he had been attached to a Marine unit.
Supposedly they said he could be an "honorary Marine", Marine
Drill Instructors are the only ones who can give that title and
then its not honorary, its for keeps. Anyhow, wisdom has been
trying to creep up on me and as I pondered whether to correct
this poor misguided fool, I realized that whether or not I liked
what he thought, he could still have me stripped searched, so I
let him continue to live in his fantasy world. Some fantasize
what others have. The guy at the other end of the x-ray was
almost as bad, he only wished he had at least done something
like that. Then as my wife and I were heading home from that
trip to Fort Worth. We were going to get our luggage at Port
Columbus, Oh. As we walked up the corridor I saw an elderly man
standing of to the side. Quickly giving him the once over I
noticed he had an Eagle Globe and Anchor on the breast of his
cammie jacket, and on the other side 4 stars and the name A. M.
Gray, to the soldiers that were walking past, yes they had
noticed him also, it meant nothing. However to me it was
something different. General Alfred M. Gray had been the CMC
when I had enlisted and for much of my tour. I had met him one
other time in the Philippines at Lower MEF Camp home of CSSD-35.
I remembered my "twelfth general order" : " to walk my post from
flank to flank and take no crap from any rank". He was on my
turf so I introduced myself and my wife. We spoke for a brief
moment, its funny, even though we were both civilians again, I
found my self waiting for him to speak before I said anything
else. I said elderly because as a young boot I thought he was
old then, I have now been off active duty for 14 years and
realize that I would be considered an old man. This was truly an
honor to have met him. The flight we had just came in on was
piloted by a "wolverine" and being "buckeyes" he really gave
everyone on the plane a hard time, when we were landing he made
comment that it wasn't a bad landing for an old Marine. I had to
forgive him after that.
Semper Fidelis
Cpl. A.D. Wooddell 89-93
I Had My Girlfriend
It was 40 years ago (back in 66) Plt 3004, but I remember it
just as if it was yesterday day Jr. DI was a Cpl Carraway, he
kept saying that his birthday was coming up at the end of the
month and what were we going to give him.
I had my girlfriend send him a birthday card....of course that
was a BIG BIG mistake
When he received it he open it and had everyone line up in front
of our bunks, then he had everyone from Florida take one step
forward, there were about six of us that stepped forward. Then
he said those that know a girl by the name of April to take one
more step forward, of course I was the only one that stepped
forward.
He then came in front of me and screamed, asking if I was the
stupid one that had his girlfriend send him a card.
I said yes sir....He responded with a number of thumps then some
more, he took a break and screamed and thumped some more.
I was a pretty tough little skinny kid with a rock hard stomach
and that p!ssed him off even more
That night after lights out, four or five other recruits come to
my rack to see if I was ok
I was plenty sore but the more we talked about it the funnier it
as was, we laughed but all of us were scared silly of Cpl
Carraway for the rest of our training.
I kept a low profile with all of the DIs after that.
Thanks
R. E. (Buzz) Powers
1st Sgt of Marines
Retired
Globe And Anchor
On a 1949 night that I and a couple buddies (first) made
Corporal we went to J'ville for the proverbial stewed, s...ed
and tattooed routine. This is what a 58 year old globe and
anchor looks like. The EGA is a new phrase. We old farts
called it a globe and anchor. Perhaps I should get it redone
:-) ...
Cap'n Jacq'
Jacques Tucker, Capt., USMC (Ret)
That's What The Top Said
You guys must be from the new Corps. Spaghetti ? MRE's? You
haven't eaten until you have had the good old ham and lima
beans, served with about a pound and a half of salt. You
wouldn't think they could get that much salt in one of those
little can. Another goodie was the round brick of peanut butter
and some kind of liquid. Try to soften that up and put it on 20
year old crackers. The three sheet of t.paper were great too.
One to wipe up, one to wipe down, and one to shine, at least
that's what the Top said. The only goodie in the whole box was
hot dogs and beans. While stationed on board the U.S.S. Essex
CVS-9 62-65 we would go on attack missions in the snows of Rhode
Island and aggress the C.B.'s to teach them how to defend
themselves. We had complained several times about the terrible C
rations to no avail. Well the ship's Captain came out with the
whole landing party to join us for a day after we had been
playing in the field for a week. Of course when it was time to
chow down he got a can of ham and lima beans. The next time we
went to sea he had a crew dump all of the rations which had been
in the hold since 1942. A little salt goes a long way. Anyway
each group has had it harder than the next one. I don't doubt
the guys in Korea probably enjoyed the old rations. Besides we
had a lot of John Wayne can openers. I may have missed something
but I thought I read something about heat. Now I know you guys
didn't get to cook the stuff, Come on. Semper Fi and God Bless
you all.
Paul Trainor 62-68
Rose Garden Poster
Hi Sgt Grit:
This is Buzz Fanion 1st Mar Div Association of Houston. Wanted
to give a little tid bit of information. The recruiting poster
of the 60's "we never promised you a rose garden" in which the
poster is on the Spring 2007 Sgt Grit catalog. Wanted to pass
along that the Drill Instructor that is in the recruits face in
that picture, is today the manager of the Parris Island Museum
Gift Shop Manager.
Thought you would like to know, any one visiting P.I. can meet
this Marine on a daily basis when they visit the gift shop at
the Museum in the War Memorial Building on the Depot.
Thanks and Semper Fi
Buzz Fanion
1/27 1968-69
1st Recon Bn 1969-70
Houston
Lesson About Education
I quit high school in May of 55 and went on active duty,
arriving by train from Wilkes Barre, PA to a out-of-the way,
Yemassee, SC train station. I was a 17 year old "coal cracker"
who had never been away from my home town. I can tell you that
the first week at PI was spent in the casual platoon, waiting
for enough recruits to form a platoon. That is one day I will
never forget. We reported to the drill field with our duffel
bag and stood there for what seemed like hours in the South
Carolina sun. Finally, this sharp looking DI stood in front of
us and yelled. Which of you #^%#$ graduated from high school?
Many raised there hands, I did not, having quit school about 2
weeks earlier. He then said, "You dumb $&%# that didn't will
carry all the bags! That was my first lesson about education.
I was Honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1961, at
which time I joined the Air Force Reserves. In 1962 I was
activated for the Cuban Missile Crisis and served a short tour
in the Air Force. Eventually I switched to the Air National
Guard where I put in an additional 30 years, ending my career as
a Lieutenant Colonel. To this day the only two flags I fly on
my home flag pole is the United States flag and the Marine Corps
flag. For me, it is certainly true, "Once A Marine, Always A
Marine". For me, the lessons learned in the Marine Corps, have
shaped my life and have always assisted me through my adult
life.
I now have seven grandchildren and I am encouraging all of
them to, "Be A Marine".
Sgt C. Dunn 1955-1961 (USMC)
The Bet
Does anyone remember the bet between President Ike and
Commandant Shoup. The bet was that a Marine Regiment could force
march 110 miles in three days and be combat ready at the end of
the 110 miles. It was 1957-58.
SSGT/EGA
In response to SSGT Silva and his brief letter about using the
acronym of EGA instead of spelling out Eagle Globe and Anchor.
Tell me why you didn't spell Staff Sergeant and how you became a
SSGT. in less than a years time. You show that you have served
from 2006 to Present or are you so caught up in the use of
acronyms by Marines and family members that you aren't sure how
long you have worn the EGA? Either way you say it or use it
still means the same to all Former and Present Marines and it
means the same to all family members and that is PRIDE. So get
on with it deal with it and find something more useful to b!tch
about. SF from a proud bearer of the EGA from 1981 till death do
I part.
Robert R. Barnes, 0311, 3533, 8511, 8921
Kilt
I can be very dense sometimes, and that makes me seem even
dumber than I already am (NOBODY could be that dumb), but I
wanted to send my thanks to you folks for my wonderful KILT. It
has been a regular piece of clothing when I go out hiking (very
comfortable), and is also nice enough to wear on more formal
occasions, such as Memorial Day. I have gotten many compliments
on it, and am always sure to tell people where I got it. Rest
assured that you are my go to place when I need anything Marine
related.
One of the gals here took a pic of me wearing it. I will try to
post it to the board.
Thanks again, and Semper Fi!
Mark Lauer (Skivvy Stacker)
Whiney 20 Year Old
Love reading the letters and feel compelled to add my two cents
worth.
Sand Diego or Parris Island? Let the arguments continue but I am
sure the push-ups, squat thrusts, the screaming in your face,
the long runs and the occasional punches to the gut for screwing
up hurt just as much at SD as PI. I knew great kids from both
places - all equally as tough.
The 60's. I was a weenie, weak, rich, spoiled, whiney 20 year
old SOB from Hollywood, CA who could run a little (very little)
and do a few of push-ups (very few) when the draft came up and
bit me on the butt in '66. Frankly, the thought of the Corps
scared the crap out of me and went, with my cousin, to the Air
Force (2 yr waiting list), the Navy (2 yr waiting list). The
Army recruiter told us we could have our choice of any school
they had. After going through the list of great sounding
schools, and being met with "Gee, sorry, that's closed", we sat
there in a stupor when the Army recruiter asked: "How would you
guys like to be in supply?" We looked at each other and walked
out.
Down around the corner, we literally ran smack-dab into a 6'
high, cardboard recruiting poster of a Marine aviator pointing
skyward, and that was all it took. Adventure awaited us! Took
the easier way out, though (if it really was one), and signed up
for 4 years with an aviation guarantee.
Boot camp. In short, we all have our experiences, but for me it
was a transformation into a human being who could now stand some
pain, both physically and emotionally, actually grew up to have
the beginnings of a decent adult from the immature kid described
above.
Best highlights of my career in a nutshell. As a Corporal in
Beaufort, SC, I got a ride in the back seat of an F-4 Phantom
(that is a whole other story for a different time). In Viet Nam,
as a SGT, I flew as a member of a flare crew in a +/- 30 year
old aircraft, a C-117, (H&MS 13 - Chu Lai) that leaked oil out
of the left engine. We hung around the DMZ at night. We'd
light'em and the heroes below would fight'em. Hardly as hairy as
a grunt had it down below, but.....there were moments. Rocket
attacks at the base in the middle of the night were truly
moments in time when everything was surreal. Or standing
perimeter duty sometimes (with no firing discipline at all in my
case), discharging rounds at every twig that snapped and getting
chewed out by the in-charges afterward.
Got out in '70 and jumped into accounting at USC. The thought of
joining a fraternity there was totally absurd to me in that I
had just spent 4 years with the greatest fraternity in the
world.
Pontificating now. Today, when ever I hear some guy say "yes
sir" when in the middle of normal daily dialogue, I always ask:
"Marine Corps?". The answer almost 6 to 7 times out of 10 is
"Yes", regardless of age. (Ask that question yourself sometime
and see what I mean). The rest of the populous has no idea what
manners and respect are any more. (opinion)
This is why I subscribe to the fact that high school graduates
should spend at lease 2 years in military service (USMC the
best!) before going on to their chosen profession/schooling in
life. They will grow up, learn what democracy really is (after
having living through a dictatorship), and will be better humans
all around.
Thanx for listening.
SGT Bob Imm
(Wing Wiper)
Hurry Up Troops
I have just finished reading the latest Sgt. Grit Newsletter,
and I must say, I do thoroughly enjoy reading every letter. I
had thought about jumping into the "tattoo" debate, but The
Commandant beat me to the punch. I never wanted one, but if
that's your thing, and The Corps can live with your decision -
then DECIDE.
I had written some time ago about the Eagle, Globe and Anchor
being thrown about as an "EGA" (think about the possibilities of
the words that can be made from the three initials). I have
heard it said "When I got my EGA". You didn't get anything! You
newer, younger Marines earned your Eagle, Globe and Anchor, and
it took you several weeks longer, including the Crucible, to
earn the right to be called "Marine". In 1943, our "boot camp"
at San Diego was 7 weeks long, as I recall. You see, we were
starting to make some real progress in the Pacific, but every
island re-taken took its toll and the Marine Corps had urgent
need of "riflemen". Nonetheless, those 7 weeks were miserable,
grueling and exhausting. It was not until I received my Eagle,
Globe and Anchor (and dog tags) and heard myself referred to
(for the very first time, ever) as "Marine".
Call it what you will, but for S/Sgt Sliva and me, we will
always refer to it for what it truly is - Eagle, Globe and
Anchor.
Now that I am off my soapbox, does anyone out there have any
recollection of Platoon # 794, about September, 1943? Our D.I.
was a Corps. W.C. Fulton, from Mississippi; Asst. D.I. was PFC
W.J. Sumrall. After graduation, we seemed to have split like a
covey of "flushed" quail; none of us stayed in touch, or so it
seems. Please don't ask why I am just now asking about my boot
platoon; If I am one of those dying off at the rate of 1,000 per
day, I may not even be around to hear from anyone. Hurry up
troops!
Semper Fi to each and everyone.
James D. Broome
495285
Corporal of Marines
1943-1946, Radio Operator, 8th AAA Bn.
Tattoo
Sgt. Koropatnick
step off with your left leg.
Marines 1999-2007
Brought TEARS to my EYES!
Sgt. Grit:
I would like very much to share this with you and Newsletter
readers. About three years ago, I was at a Apple Fest in up
state New York. I was with my wife and some friends. When we
happen to come across a couple of Scotsman playing bagpipes. I
was wearing my 50's Marine utility cover. Well as soon as they
saw me, they started playing the Marine's Hymn! It's really hard
to tell ya, how I felt at that great moment, standing there at
attention, knowing they were playing the Marine Corps Hymn for
me! I felt so proud and honored! My eyes started watering up, as
they always have in the past 50 years since I became a MARINE!
BRUCE OTIS
PLATOON 266
PARRIS ISLAND SC
57 / 60
3/11 Vietnam Reunion
The 2007 Reunion of the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines - Vietnam
Era, will take place September 7 - 9, 2007 at Circus Circus
Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. For details, please
visit www.311Marines.blogspot.com or e-mail us at
Cannoncockers311 @ msn .com. Any and all are welcome to join us in
a weekend that will be sure to be one you will never forget. We
look forward to hearing from you, Marine!
The 2007 3/11 Reunion Committee
Memorial Day
I received the shirt today and I want to say I will wear it
proudly.
It's top quality and the art work is awesome.
John H. Allen
USMC Cannon-Cocker (Sgt) 1964-1974
We Were All Prepared
I recently read an e-mail about Buchanan who served in Vietnam
and I can relate. I served (2) tours All volunteer, 75-78
active-duty/ 85-95 reserve. During "Operation Desert Storm/
Desert Shield" I was w/ B Btry 1/14, Artillery, we got
activated. We had a very emotional going away event, "family/
community supported", bottom line we were all prepared and ready
to "fight for our country". We landed in Camp LeJuene, attached
to 2nd MEF, 2ndMarDiv, went to Norway on a NATO mission, after
that we were told Iraq would probably be our "next stop" soon
after the NATO exercise the war was over . When we came back to
CL, we were treated as less than heroes by some of those who
came back from OPDSDS.
What about all of those MARINES who perhaps served (2) volunteer
tours or a reserve tour and never made it to "the sands of
IRAQ", yet we left our jobs, families & friends behind to answer
the "call to duty"? personally speaking, I don't think it makes
us anymore or any less of "A U.S. Marine" We were just as
motivated and just as qualified yet, we seemed to be "MIA" or
perhaps forgotten....
Please SGT. Grit don't get me wrong, we were all proud to go off
that day in So. CAL and do what the Corps had trained us to do,
"kill the enemy and defend our country" unfortunately our
mission was different.
To those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could live, "God
Bless You" and thank you for serving our Country, to those who
lived and served to fill the duties left behind, "May God Bless
You too" for serving our Country.
Once a Marine always a Marine and I support my Brothers and
Sisters where-ever and whenever duty calls, especially those
currently serving in Iraq.....
Semper Fi
T. Garcia
SGT USMC
75-78/ 85-95 B 1/14/ 2nd MEF/ 2ndMarDiv-FMF
Corpsman Tattoo
Here is my Tatt..
I have been a Corpsman for the last 17 years, and have served
with the Marines since 1999.
I hope you enjoy the ink..
James "Doc" Nadal
HM1 USN
Semper FI
Metal Bowls
Am I the only one or am I just getting senile. I remember being
served drink at MCRD (Diego) in metal bowls. This included
coffee, lemonade and other liquids. I graduated boot in Plt.
#201 in l954. I don't know the reason for this, but I also seem
to recall that some old chiefs in the navy also drank their
coffee out of metal bowls.
Camp Matthews. Camp Matthews is in deed now part of the campus
of one of the institutes of higher learning in Diego. What I
remember most about it is every platoon had its own light bulbs
that were guarded as if they were made of gold and gems...duck
walking up the fire breaks in the rain because it was "duck
weather, sir"...having to dig "cat holes" in the butts because
there wasn't a head...the leaky tents...and, of course, snapping
in with a DI or instructor "helping" you get into the correct
position for firing from the seated position.
Semper Fi All,
Bob Rader 1405534 Sgt 53-56
Short Rounds
I remember when I Went from Sea School to the U.S.S. INTREPID,
New Port News VA. My tour duty was from 1943-1945. The Pacific
campaign, Kamikazed 4 times.
427186 John D. Cresta Sr.
Gathering of Eagles video, very well done.
How about running around the Quonset huts yelling "I'm a Horse's
A$$ from Yemassee" in your skivvies and a bucket over your head
and the D.I. beating it while you ran.
Poppa Gene
I remember On night at Parris Island in 1967 1st. Batt. we were
right on the edge of the swamp, our DI came in drunk on night
and told every one to fall out back, We spent 2 hrs looking for
his Pet Dog! the snakes got to it before we did, But I really
miss that place a lot. Went back 4 yrs ago and was shocked at
how small the parade field is now. SEMPER FI MARINES.
Dave
Plt. 1071 yrs 67-68
SSgt 1967-1975
Outstanding, Silent Drill Team Video
As a former combat Marine, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill
Cpl. Long, the mission of Operation Desert Storm was to Liberate
Kuwait and protect Saudi Arabia from Iraqi aggression. (according
to what I have read) Your mission was accomplished.
Don't beat yourself up because in retrospect enough was not
done.
Dan Buchanan
USMC 1969-71
Nam 1970-71
A favorite restaurant is on the way from the harbor to Pohakaloa
Training Area. On my bi-annual stop for lunch 4 Marines dropped
in. I gave the waitress a note to give their bill to me without
them knowing who got it. Six months later I dropped in for lunch
only to find that my bill was now paid by an unknown. The give-
away was all the grinning waitresses and the cook.
serfer, Cpl 60' to 64'
Forgotten Battalion
When I was with 81's Plt. BLT 1/9 we would combine our Rats into
one helmet and cook it with heat tabs. What a casserole!
-Cpl. Johnson, M. 74-78.
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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