|
Sgt Grit,
One of the best quotes I've seen in awhile:
"You're making the wrong assumption that a Marine by himself is
outnumbered"
Gen Peter Pace, 28Jul06
V/r, Cpl Lenderman
2002-TBD
DRSSBLU
Sgt. Grit, I enjoy receiving your newsletters and have especially
checking out pix of tats and rides. I have enclosed three pix of
my 1987 El Camino, De license DRSSBLU. Semper Fi and Out.
Chris Buck DI BO CHET 1/9 67-68
But What Did He Know
I was in Platoon 214, MCRD-PISC from Feb to Apr of '68. I
remember one story from early in boot camp. Our DI's were Gunny
Cook, Sgt Keech, and S/Sgt Williams. We had just been assembled
as a platoon, when I made the cardinal sin. Gunny Cook asked
the platoon if any recruit had gone to college, and I had gone
for a year before enlisting so I raised my hand like a fool.
Gunny made me the DI's "coffee body". I remember many a night
outside the squad bay by myself doing "bends & thrusts" because
Sgt Keech didn't like his coffee or because I had forgot to bring
milk back from the mess hall for the DI's house. I had been
warned by my father to never volunteer for anything, but what did
he know. Needless to say I never volunteered for anything the
rest of my tour. Chip "Malibu" Beers
The John Basilone Platoon
Subj: Newsletter of 23 Oct 2008, Ltr from Joe Broderick
1. The John Basilone Platoon referenced in Joe Broderick's letter
was in fact Platoon 251, 2nd Bn, RTR, MCRD, Parris Island, SC.
The all New Jersey platoon left for Parris Island (by way of
Charleston and Yemassee) from Newark airport, with full military
honors and began training in July 1962 and graduated in October
1962. 2. The Senior Drill Instructor was GySgt W. Kreiling.
Junior Drill Instructors were Sgt H. R. Johnson and Sgt F. G.
Leone. 3. One of the members of the platoon was the nephew of
GySgt John Basilone and was entrusted with the platoon's orders
en route to Parris Island. 4. I was a member of this platoon from
start to finish after enlisting in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Still have my graduation book, although it's a little worse for
wear after 46 years. 5. FYI - We were issued and qualified with
the M-14.
R. M. Neumann
MGYSGT 5959
RETIRED USMC
1962 - 1984
Get Up Here
Platoon 233 San Diego 1953 one of the worst things happened to me
(Pvt. John Daly) during mail call. Our DI Sgt. R. D. Harrington
called my name with the dreaded words "get up here". I had to
stand on two locker boxes stacked on each other while Sgt.
Harrington read the words on the flap of a letter from my
girlfriend. "Postman, postman, due your duty, rush this letter
to my cutie". From that day on I became Pvt. Cutie at roll call
and every other event where my name was used. I wrote my
girlfriend and told her NEVER put anything on the outside of her
envelopes again. I have scanned a picture of Platoon 233 and
attached it to this e-mail. We are all in our 70s now and I
would like to hear from any members of the platoon.
God Bless the Marine Corps.
John Daly, 1412090 proud to be a MARINE
Ferrari Amtrac
Every day a holiday.
Every meal a feast.
Every paycheck a fortune.
Every formation a parade.
Every ride a...
Gives Chills
Hi Sgt.Grit,
I read you site all the time and am pleased in what I read and am
proud to be called an ex Marine from the old days. I joined the
Corps in 11/55 as a reservist and went active in 6/56. I was part
of a new program that was sponsored by a radio program called
"The Magic Lady", it sounded like a great idea as the whole
platoon was from Philadelphia, PA. We didn't realize how joyous
it was all being from the same city until we arrived at PI. All
of our DI's were from the deep south, oh what joyous times we had.
I have not regretted it even now, it made me a better man because
of the things and times we had together. I remember the SAND FLEA
burials and laugh about it now and realize it was what we needed
to operate as a team, that training was rough but needed.
I have had a decal made up for the back of my truck and hope you
enjoy it. I showed it to our local recruiter and he thinks it is
great and I enjoy going down the road with others giving me the
thumbs up sign or stopping at a light and some one yelling Semper
Fi. It gives chills and makes me proud of being a Marine.
Keep up the good work.
Semper Fi
George Derr
Grandy, NC
Snipers And Monsoon Rains
On Jan 6, 1969 the Song Ba Ren River Bridge was completed by the
9th Engineer Battalion. It was 29 miles south of DaNang and was
722 feet in length. It is believed to be the longest bridge built
in the history of the Marine Corps.
The bridge was completed by 3rd platoon "D" Company, 9th Engineer
Battalion. In all two were killed and four were wounded seriously
during the completion of the bridge. Enemy snipers and monsoon
rains could not stop the bridge. It contained 380,000 two-by-sixes
and 20,000 four-by-eights. The river raised 12 feet higher during
the rains. The Viet Cong and the NVA repeatedly tried to damage
the new bridge and at one point floated 20 sampans of NVA soldiers
in a suicidal attempt to destroy the span. Snipers also shot
repeatedly at the men from a nearby abandoned church. The bridge
was dedicated in the name of Arlon Glen Schaffer Loveland,
Colorado who was killed in action on 24 September 1968.
Semper Fi
Eric Kenney
M60
Sgt. Grit, I joined the Marine Corps in Sept. 1960 on the 6 months
active duty, 4 1/2 years active reserves and 1 year inactive
reserves program. Went elk hunting in Idaho in Oct., then on to
MCRDSD on Thanksgiving day. My Series Gunny was GySgt. Mc Dowell,
Platoon Commander S/Sgt. Plannette, JDIs Larry Day and J.C. Lopez,
Platoon 3006. We had rifle qualification at Camp Matthews and ITR
at San Onofre. When I went through training we had M1 s, B.A.R. s,
and Browning machine guns, also Marine Corps brown shoes and
boots. Does anyone remember when we changed to M60s, and black
shoes and boots? I think it was in the early 60s. The M14s seemed
to be a good rifle but I didn't have much confidence in the M60s.
I was a Cpl. in our reserve unit in Marin Co., Calif. but I was
Weapons Platoon Sgt.. During our 2 week training at Camp Pendleton
when we first got the M60s, I did an amphibious landing exercise
with my platoon. Of the 8 M60s, 6 wouldn't fire, 1 would only fire
semi-auto, and only 1 would fire full auto. I wonder what our
chances would have been under actual combat conditions. I think
they must have made improvements after the first ones. I have an
old Marine friend, Donal Cronin who was in Carlson's Raiders and
trained at Camp Matthews, landed at Makin Island, He's in the
Veterans Hospital in San Francisco and told me a lot of stories
about WW2. Again, I'd like to know if some of my fellow Marines
can fill me in on when they stopped using Camp Matthews rifle
range, brown shoes to black, M1s, B.A.R.s and Browning machine
guns to M14s and M60s? Keep up the good work! Semper Fi Marines!
Cpl. Al Crivelli USMCR- 1901886
Hit You On The Back
Attached while working at bridge 9/11 by enemy artillery:
We as members of the 11th engineers were assigned that day
(winter of 68') to repair the bridge at 9/11 along route nine. It
was while we were working with air tools that we would get hit
from the NVA's artillery. Please keep in mind that while working
as a combat engineer in a combat zone with air tools and being
targeted - you needed the buddy system. This worked OK - so when
the bad guys targeted to at the bridge that day - it took an
Marine to hit you on the back - then you hit the deck for cover.
Keep in mind that this was the main route from dong ha combat
base out to Khe Sanh fire support base that was manned be our
Marines back then. The bridges kept being hit at night so squads
of Marines were assigned to security at each of these bridges.
Gene Spanos Lieut. Ret. RPD 72/95 Fmr
Sgt.USMC 66/71 Chief of Staff - MCL Lake County Marine Det # 801
I Kept Mine
Sorry Gunny Rodriguez. It's been 46 years and with all due
respect, you must have your dates mixed up. I was with Platoon
145 at MCRD San Diego, which started training the first week in
July of 1962 and graduated September 18, 1962. We were issued
M-14s, which we carried all through boot camp. We qualified with
M-14s, at Camp Matthews, on Friday August 17, 1962. The only
time I carried an M-1 was at Camp Pendleton, during ITR. I would
be pleased, upon request, to provide pictures from our platoon
book.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
I Kept Mine
Are You Kidding
Sgt Grit, A little true story that I thought you would get a
kick out of. I served in the U.S.M.C. from 1956 to 1959 which was
of course peace time. Later on in life I settled down, got married
and had two beautiful children, a boy and a girl. When my son
would be bragging to his buddies about his Dad being a Marine he
was often asked what war was your Dad in. His reply was always are
you kidding, no one would mess with us when he was in the Marine
Corps.
Semper Fi, Lance Corporal, Thomas E. Isbell
Pulled Up My Utilities
I was assigned RVN duty in early 1965 with Co.,'C', 7th Eng Bn,
3rd Mar Dive (FWD) and later (July 1965) was reassigned to Supt.
Co., 3rd Eng Bn, 3rd Mar Div (FMF) as a 1345 (Heavy Equip Oper).
Guess about the funniest story I can muster from that time is
when I was assigned to use the bull dozer, w/blade & bucket, to
clear a stream bed at the base of a hill so steel piping could be
laid and the stream covered afterward.
A 'new guy' named Johnson was there with me and was starting to
learn how to operate the dozer for the first time. I told him how
and what to do but I couldn't stay and watch. I have to run to a
bush and take a dump BADLY. Just finishing my business I hear
Johnson scream "help, help". I pulled up my utilities and ran
down to see what was up.
Johnson had the entire dozer face down in the stream, the a$s end
of the dozer was almost in a vertical position with Johnson
having a death grip on the controls, white as ghost, standing
straight up and facing the stream asking "what do I do?"
After I stopped laughing and almost sh!tting myself I told him
what he had done wrong and what he needed to do to get himself
out of the mess he had gotten into. I would bet that to this day
he remembers that one day in the hills outside DaNang.
B. Jones
RVN 4/65 - 11/65
Slammed Three Hard Open Handed
Semper Fi!
One of my fondest memories on duty at Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps
Air Station form 1975-1978, the wing was given a grunt Sgt Major
McGuirk. He was spit and polish, hard as nails and was sent to us
to shape up a lot of the wingers who were parting their hair in
the middle and looked a lot like the slobs from Baa Baa Black
Sheep TV series. Well he hit the ground running and had us PTing
and close order drill like we were back on Parris Island. One
fine hot Hawaiian morn he had the entire Headquarters and
Maintenance Squadron fall out for inspection and he took his
sweet a$s time.
Well myself being a Sergeant with 5 years under my belt made a
rookie mistake of locking my knees while at attention for over an
hour. You guessed it, the next thing I know I am passed out and
headed for the dispensary. When I came too and was fit to leave I
told myself there is no way I am giving Sgt Maj McGuirk (McJerk)
the satisfaction of ever telling me I fell out of his inspection.
I marched my sorry a$s up to his office and slammed three hard
open handed slaps on his door and requested permission to enter.
He said Enter! I did and smartly snapped to attention in front of
his desk and shouted "Sgt Bowden reporting for inspection SGT
Major!" He remembered me and seeing me escorted off the parade
deck. He snapped too and shouted "OUTF&^%ING Standing, Marine." I
cannot believe you came up to my office to be inspected when you
could have just gone about your day." I shouted 'NO Sgt Major, I
am ready for inspection." He then gave me the quick over and
asked what happened and I told him the rookie mistake. Come to
find out we were both from Lynn, Mass. Later that same year while
spending my final weekend on Waikiki Beach getting ready to go to
my next duty station. A young waitress brought me a beer and said
compliments of that gentleman over there. Sure enough Sgt Maj
McGuirk was sipping one too on his way out to his next duty
station. He told me thanks for showing up for inspection even if
I was late. Told him better late than never. He said Semper Fi
and we exchanged half hearted salutes. He whipped us all into the
Marines we should have been all along. Semper Fi Sgt Major
McGuirk!
Sgt Ken Bowden
USMC
1973-1979
Mounted The Massive Machine
Sgt. Grit,
An ENGINEER, and proud of it! Anything needed building, we built;
anything needed destroying, we destroyed. We Improvise, Adapt,
Overcome better than most. I was a Platoon Commander in Bridge
Co./ 8th Engr Bn. Our mission was to breach obstacles so others
could advance. We never stopped until the first tank was across.
BUT, the tankers were not always as confident in our ability as
we were in our selves. I remember well this point being
reinforced one day back in ' 70 when my platoon put a Bailey
bridge over a wide water filled ravine. We busted our butts to
get it across in record time, but never fast enough for the
tankers, and never with much trust. In the early morning after
working all night the first tank approached. The tank commander
was anxious to get his tanks across but questioned if this "old"
bridge would hold the weight. I assured him that we knew what we
were doing and have accomplished our mission ahead of schedule.
To "prove" it I ordered my largest dozer to take the led. My
young operator mounted the massive machine, it roared to life,
and proceeded to show the skittish tankers what we ENGINEERS can
do. About half way across the bridge began to tilt to one side
when the support leg we had installed for "extra" support sunk
into the mud far below. I've never seen a bulldozer back up so
quickly. After some "additional" time, we humble ENGINEERS again
got our dozer across; the bridge held. Needless to say the led
tank commander demanded I ride across with him. Engineers are not
the only bright unit in the Corps.
Capt. Larry Chapman, USMC
Needed Tat
After being out for four years I felt this tattoo was needed
before I rejoin.
Tom Herrington
Seemed Like Years
Sgt Grit. I enjoy reading the stories from Brother Marines young
and old and from all walks of life. When one looks at where they
are after boot camp be it day one or 50+ years later, the
realization is that no matter what or where, those weeks and
months (seemed like years back then) shaped all aspects of your
life from that day on. I still walk proud and am a Marine at 68
years, 51 years after that first day in PI.
Sgt. Grit
Here is my submission.
Bill Moser
Alpha Co. 3-A-1
RVN 1969
My First Birthday
I'll never forget my first birthday. On a night ambush somewhere
on Go Noi island shortly after midnight on Nov. 10 1968, Dale
our radioman crawled over to my position to wish me a Happy 193rd
Birthday.
It was from that point on I knew I was accepted into the
"BROTHERHOOD".
Sometime back in your newsletter, MSgt Wayne 'Mac' McNeir USMC
Ret. wrote a reply to Doc Thompkins article, in which he asked
how the Navy determines which of its medical corps will be
assigned to Marine units.
The answer is: the LUCKY ONES! Although FMF is not for everyone.
It's not hard to tell if they ( the Corpsmen ) are suitable for
Fleet Marine Force duty just by the way they speak...It's as
simple as their reference to either "the" Marines or "MY"
Marines!
Gentlemen, it's been an honor and a privilege to serve with you
and wear your uniform.
And by the way some of us feel more comfortable wearing GREEN
anyway.
Happy Birthday Semper-Fi
"Doc" John Connally
Echo 2/5 68-69
Guess What
I would like to pass on a story of boot camp that was a major
event in my life long after I had received my EGA and was
Honorably Discharged.
My brother whom is 6 years younger due to our Dad having
served 4 years in WW2 shortly after my birth, was drafted in to
the Army. Now I had arrived at PI on May 1,1958 and served 4
years mustering out in 62 at age 21. Brother of course being 15
and thought his older brother was his personal hero. In 66 at age
19 and graduated from High School young brother received his
draft notice and shortly there after arrived in Syracuse NY for
induction into the Army and the inevitable trip to Nam. The next
day after arriving at the center in Syracuse NY he called me with
a joy you could feel over the phone and hear load and clear in
his voice.
"GUESS WHAT" he about yelled. "What the heck is up" I replied.
His reply "I'm in THE MARINE CORPS!" "No way your in the Army
brother, you gone nuts or something?" "No they asked for
volunteers and I enlisted in the Marine Corps right here and
don't have to go into the Army, ain't that great!"
I was stunned at the least and had to compose myself to digest
this info and the consequences he would have because of his
decision. "What in the h&^% were you thinking? You know what this
means!" His reply was "you did it and I want to too". Don't it
make you proud and humble to have one of your own tribe want to
be like you.
Now the boot camp part is that in Platoon 141 my upper rack mate
was J. Lewis from Natural Bride, Virginia and he had a bit of
trouble keeping squared away and when he showed me a picture of
his sister at mail call one day we both had to suffer the wrath
of one p!ssed DI, AKA "PT" no matter what the offence squat jumps
was the assigned retribution to be paid. At final inspection
after 16 weeks (that was the duration at that time) I was told I
had a spot of rust in the chamber of my M1! No f-in way! No
matter I was called front and center immediately after falling
out and arriving back in the barracks. To shorten the story, in
the door way of the DI hut I had to do 100 squat jumps. Yeah the
duty DI was PT his self. 100 done - 100 more - 200 done - 100
more - 300 done. This process until 1000 squat jumps later I
could not walk nor move up and down more than an inch maybe two
if I bit my tongue real hard. Pain can be over come it is a state
of mind.
Bullsh!t this hurts! I never talked about this as having "rust?"
in my rifle was a cardinal sin not to be easily forgiven. If not
for the fact that I graduated first in the platoon and lost the
PFC rank that went with it I probably would have suffered
substantially more.
You can imagine my surprise when 8 years after this my brother
wrote home with the question "did you ever do 1000 squat jumps?"
How the heck did you know that I wrote back!
His Reply; my drill instructor is J.Lewis.
He came home from Nam with a bond as blood brothers and brothers
of the CORPS. I am one proud Marine and brag of my brother the
Marine all the time.
Semper Fi to all my Brothers. God and the Marine Corps has
blessed us all.
Al Hugaboom 58-62
PI Platoon 141
The Lefty
U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M-1, Garand and the Lefty
My first USMC enlistment began in February 1953 at Parris Island
and it was there that I first encountered the M-1 rifle. We were
taught how to care for it, how to disassemble it, how to clean it
and, often, how to sleep with it. Its length, balance and nine
and one-half pound weight made it an excellent weapon for
close-order drill and, in my opinion, there is nothing finer
looking than a platoon of Marines marching with it on the
drill-field while executing the manual-of-arms. There is a
certain 'snap' and 'pop' as the rifles simultaneously slam into
fifty shoulders and that sharp 'crack' as hands slap taut leather
slings. Add to that the magic of a drill instructor's own
individual cadence calling... pure music! There is nothing like
it in any branch of any military - anywhere.
That being said - then there is the rifle range. On our march out
to the range we passed another platoon marching back to mainside.
Our D.I., SSgt. Segura, called us to a halt, gave us 'At Ease'
and pointed out two recruits who were running circles around
their platoon and were wearing their (herring-bone) utility caps,
blouses and trousers backwards. We were told that they had failed
to qualify with the M-1 rifle and that if any of us didn't
qualify our punishment would be much worse.
I'm right-handed but have a dominant left eye and that makes me a
left-handed shooter. The U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M-1, Garand
hates left-handed shooters.
No lefty shooting jackets. Solution: Turn a righty inside out and
fasten with two monster safety pins.
Sling positions. Solution: Reverse or invert all instructor
directions for all shooting positions.
Shooting positions. Solution: Same as for Sling positions.
With a clip and two loose rounds, Lock and Load! Yeah, right...
Solution: Reach left hand across receiver, try to hold back the
operating rod handle with top of thumb while depressing the
follower with middle finger. Repeat the loading operation with a
full 8-round clip. Try doing that at rapid fire, sitting or
kneeling, from 300 yards!
I was lucky to fire 190.
Do this two more times for annual re-qualification (always in the
190's)... and add T.O. weapon, U.S. Pistol, Caliber .45, Model
1911A1.
Bill Hart
Fmr. Cpl.
0311/2531/8652
You Passed
Sgt. Grit:
In 1967 in Camp Schwab, I passed a Wall Locker inspection by our
CO, and he never looked at my display....I was a L/Cpl and he
smelled booze when I opened the wall locker. My aunt had just
sent my Xmas care package with a tin of Rum Balls, I gave the CO
a rum ball...he smiled, I gave him 3 more, he said YOU PASSED,
and he left and both me and my roommate passed inspection.
In 1981 at Ft. Bliss in the Army, I had 2 wall lockers; 1
military, 1 civilian. The civilian wall locker had to be unlocked
in case the CO wanted to take a glance during his inspection,
which he rarely did...this time he did, taped on the inside of
the civilian door, which he opened first, were pics of my
intended...sans clothing...I think someone told him about the
pics...he was transfixed and I had to take the door out of his
hand and close it for him...he never opened my military locker,
he just smiled and said YOU PASSED...New Years eve will make 25
years that Beautiful woman has been married to me.
In Nov of 1980 she visited me in Basic at Ft Knox, and the CO
gave me a special 24hr pass. As we were leaving the company area,
one of the DIs brought his platoon to a halt as we walked by,
gave them an About Face, and commanded them to do a platoon Wolf
Whistle...and the whole Battalion took notice.
Mark Gallant
USMC..66-69...RVN..68
USA..80-82
A Lot Of Slack
I too was in El Toro in 1969 being processed out of the Corps
from Vietnam. Most of my fellow Marines were indeed from the 3rd
Division specifically the 9th Marines. The brass cut us a lot of
slack due to the fact that we were all basically crazy. I will
never forget putting on my dress greens for the last time, in the
middle of the night, (none of us were able to sleep when it was
dark out) and waiting for the sun to rise on what would be my
first day off active duty. 5Nov.69. So long ago, but it seems
like only yesterday. God bless all those who served before, with
and after me. Semper Fi!
T. Rieger USMC 16Mar66 - 5Nov.69.
Bigger Than Chipmunks
I hit Parris Island in the summer of 64' (as in 19 not 18)
assigned to 2nd. RTB along with 80 of my closest friends we
attempted to learn and stay the h&ll out of the way of our DI's.
As always the DI's had names for some of the recruits. One was a
long legged gangly kid (looked like Gomer Pyle) from West
Virginia. He name was Wm. Hill. When he reported to the DI, it
was Sir, Wm. Hill reporting as ordered, SIR! Well that changed
when the DI started calling him.. you guessed it "Hillbilly".
Pvt. Hillbilly get you're a$s front and center he'd bellow and
Pvt. Hill would arrive in a tangle of arms and legs stuttering
Pvt Hill reporting as ordered SIR! This went on for a few days
until Pvt. Hill decided to go along with the program and reported
front and center.. Sir!, Pvt. Hillbilly reporting as ordered SIR!
Didn't matter what the DI said after that The DI couldn't keep a
straight face and neither could the rest of us for about 13
seconds!
PS: Out on the rifle range old Pvt. Hillbilly shot expert. Said
the targets were bigger than chipmunks and squirrels and weren't
near as fast!
Semper Fi
Christian Roberts
Commandant-Greater Atlanta Detachment #647
Marine Corps League
Luckiest VC
Sgt Grit,
While reading a couple of back issues of the newsletter this
weekend, I came across several mentions of the heavier machine
guns. That reminded me of what I like to remember as "The Night
of the Luckiest VC on the Planet."
In early April of '67, after Operation Desoto ended in the Duc
Pho District south of Quang Ngai, 3/7 returned to the Dai Loc
area south of DaNang to essentially the same positions we had
occupied before our little two-month-plus "excursion" down south.
Lima Company went from calling themselves "Lucky Lima" to
"Leaping Lima" (first in on Desoto, last out) to "Limping Lima"
(for the casualties we took there). Shortly after our return,
with me still tagging along as artillery FO, they were sent out
to set up a new company-size position on Hill 52, south of
"Charlie Ridge" between Dai Loc and the Thuong Duc Special Forces
base.
We had a couple of tanks with us, and one night I happened to be
standing near them when they picked up movement down in the rice
paddy north of the hill. They had been searching with infra-red
and suddenly turned on the spotlight. Caught in the beam was a
VC. Immediately, one of the tankers jumped behind the machine gun
mounted on the tank and prepared to fire. Meanwhile, "Charlie"
decided it was time to make his "di-di," and set off running,
followed by the spotlight. I could see rounds kicking up the dirt
behind him. It seemed as if his bad luck was about to get worse
when he ran right into barbed wire and was snagged. He was
frantically trying to free himself, as the rounds got closer.
Just as it seemed he would join his ancestors, the machine gun
jammed. While the gunner cursed the gun and tried to clear it,
"Charles" managed to tear himself loose and got away. I sometimes
wonder if he's still around to tell his story, or if he died of a
heart attack that night.
Tom Downey
Once a captain, USMCR; always a Marine
'63-'76 "for pay purposes": PLC candidate--'63 & '65; The Basic
School & Ft Sill--'66; Vietnam--4Dec66-18Dec67; HQ Bn, HQ FMFLant,
Norfolk, VA--'68-'69; "C" & "D" 4th Recon Bn (combined and
redesignated as "C" 1/23 during my tour) USMCR, Corpus Christi,
TX--'69-'75.
Just Crammed Full
Reading some of these letters I am reminded of my return "back to
the world" April 18, 1968. We landed on Okinawa; I believe there
were three yellow Continental "Proud Bird with the Golden Tail"
MATS airplanes. We were made to stand in one gigantic formation,
while somebody started pulling work details off of one end. Just
about the time I started feeling pretty smug about being in the
rest of the group that was about to be let go on 24-hour pass,
some clown came along and detailed a bunch of us including me to
go down to the wharf and unload a ship alleged to be full of army
sea bags. We were put in several of those "cattle cars" which had
no seats; just crammed full of Marines standing up. We got down
to the wharf, and could see the ship at anchor. I believe my Boot
Camp Buddies Jerry M. "Stretch" Martin and Larry Kuslowski were
with us, but I am not certain. I do know that I spent some time
with them in that time frame. In any event, there we were sitting
on the quay, waiting for the ship to come in so we could unload
it. By about two o'clock we were rebellious at the fact that we
had no lunch and precious little water. The ship was supposed to
have fed us, and the ship was still at anchor. Somebody did
something and we got something to eat but we were still required
to wait on the quay until all hope was gone that the ship might
possibly dock. Long about dark we were trucked back to our
barracks with no hope of liberty. Scuttlebutt has it that the tug
which was supposed to position our ship had been grounded with
hydraulic problems. If anybody else remembers this exercise in
futility I'd be happy to hear from them.
Kevin Coughlin
CAC Hotel 1, IIIMAF
just South of Phu Bai
on the An Nong River
7/10/67 -- 4/16/68
My Black Gloves
I was tasked with a couple of squads for an inspection as we were
to be attached to a BLT. Every Marine under my charge had spent a
good amount of time preparing for this. Our gear was marked and
functional. We wanted to make sure we stepped off on the right
foot with everyone as we would most likely get deployed with them
and didn't want them to think we were a bunch of sh!tbirds.
We had a few minutes before the inspection began so I checked
everyone's gear, gave them some breath freshener, made sure we
were aligned and so forth.
The Colonel finally makes it down to our end and really starts
inspecting these guys being attached to his BLT. Every Marine
passed with flying colors that day, Except me Cpl. Anderson.
While I was doing my one last look around and making sure we were
all squared away somebody had folded all of the fingers of my
black gloves down except the middle fingers. I was oblivious to
this fact until he asked me what was wrong with my gear. I looked
and looked. It took me about 30 seconds to figure it out. I
popped to attention pretty quick. He asked if it was my doing, or
did I have a mutiny on my hands. To this day I don't know who did
it. I think it may have been LCpl Rodriguez from Fresno.
Cpl Shane Anderson 93-98
Golden Opportunity
Sgt Grit:
I am disappointed that you missed a golden opportunity to remind
Dave USMCR 1991-1999 that SGT GRIT has an unlimited supply of
UTILITY COVERS that can be purchased. Buy one Wear it at all
functions that play our NATIONAL ANTHEM. Stand up and snap a
smart and regulation salute. Dave purchase a cover from Sgt Grit
and wear it as proud as the rest of us NO LOAD MARINES do. Sgt
Grit, remind your staff to be alert, business is business. Your
Welcome.
L/Cpl G.D. Vallejos USMC 1960-1966
Important Anniversary
An important anniversary is coming up for all Marines to reflect
on, especially the Marines who served with HMM-263, MAG-16,
1stMAW and the 1st Recon Bn, 1st MarDiv in 1970. It was a tragic
day for all of us. On November 18, 1970, 15 Marines perished in
the single crash of a CH-46D. During an emergency extraction of
the recon team (Rush Act), the helicopter flew into a mountain
after leaving the pick-up site. Take a minute to say a little
prayer for the crew and passengers. They were (CREW) 1stLt
Orville C. Rogers Jr., 1stLt James E. Stolz Jr., Sgt. Robert A.
Donnell II, Cpl Enver Bajin, LCpl Richard R. Buttry, (PASSENGERS)
LtCol William G. Leftwich Jr., 1stLt Cleveland R. Harvey, HM2
Russell G. Daniels, Cpl Randall P. Manela, Cpl John F. Stockman,
Cpl Fernando Villasana, LCpl David V. Delozier, LCpl Gary D.
Hudson, LCpl Charles A, Pope Jr., and LCpl Robert E. Tucker. I
will remember them forever.
R. Silva
Cpl 69-70
HMM-263
Something To Upset Our CO
Sgt. Grit,
As part of the many, many inspections I stood while a Sergeant
with MCTSSA, Camp Pendleton 1975-78, another Marine Sergeant from
Kentucky, T. Beasley, aka 'The Scuzbucket', would share my cube
to display his uniforms and equipment. He was married (a
'brownbagger') and lived with his wife and son off-base in Vista,
CA. He would set up in the empty wall locker and on the vacant
rack next to mine. We both took inspections seriously and spent
numerous hours going over each other's gear. When we thought we
had our own equipment squared away, we'd go check and assist the
other Marines in the barracks.
We did pick up a few tricks along the way. One involved our
'inspection underwear'. Ours was always perfect, and I mean
always! Our four pairs of skivvy drawers and T-shirts on display
(one set on, one set dirty and in the 'laundry bag' and four sets
on the wall locker shelf = six sets total) were neatly folded,
ironed and wrapped in plastic between inspections. Every few
months we would take them out of the plastic, gently wash, iron,
refold and rewrap them to keep them from turning yellow or get
dusty.
Sergeant Beasley and I did outstanding on every inspection we
stood. Most times we had absolutely no discrepancies at all.
However, during one of the last inspections we stood together,
our First Sergeant (First Sgt. Sentenilla) just had to find
something to gig us on. He looked over everything the two of us
Sergeants had and couldn't find a thing wrong or out of place.
That is until he got to my sea bag. He pulled up the shoulder
strap and found a 1/2 inch long 'Irish Pennant' underneath the
upper end of the shoulder strap! Talk about going over my gear!
The First Sergeant then proceeded to inspect Beasley, going over
his equipment and uniforms with the same thoroughness as he had
gone over mine. When the First Sergeant got to Beasley's sea bag
he didn't find any Irish Pennants or loose threads under the
seabag's strap. But when the First Sergeant opened the ID pocket
on his seabag he found one under the flap of that pocket! Those
two gigs were the only ones either of us had ever received during
our many inspections we stood while at MCTSSA.
Well, there was one other one for me. Apparently I had done
something to upset our CO, a LtCol. that was about to retire.
During one inspection I stood in my Class As, he said my right
chevron was out of place by a half inch and needed to be removed
and sewn back on in the correct location at 4 inches down from
the shoulder seam. I had worn this same uniform during countless
previous inspections, including several from him, and had never
been gigged for that chevron.
After the inspection, my chevrons were measured by several other
Marines and all agreed that my chevrons were a perfect 4" down
from the shoulder seam and in correct position. I did not have
the chevron resewn on and wore the same uniform during my next
inspection, also performed by this LtCol.
He d*mn near went ballistic when he inspected me! He went on,
over and over again, about how my right chevron was still at
4 1/2 inches and that I 'had the very urgent need' to have my
right chevron redone or risk loosing them on both sleeves. After
the inspection, several more Marines, including most of the staff
NCOs and a Captain in my unit, remeasured my wayward chevron. All
agreed that my chevron was perfectly in place and sewn on
correctly.
The next thing I did to get the LtColonel off of my back was to
go over to Base Laundry. I told the lady there about my right
chevron and how my CO kept saying it was out of place. That got
her curiosity up. She measured my chevrons and told me that they
were in the correct position. I listened to her and did not have
my right chevron messed with.
Big mistake! The LtColonel inspected me again, this time in his
office. He used his own yardstick to measure my chevron. He
almost exploded when he said my chevron was still out of place!
He wanted to know the SNCO in charge of me and who all had
measured my chevron. He was very insistent (I really thought he
was going to have me shot!) so I told him. After he ordered me
out of his office, he went back to the unit and proceeded to chew
out several Staff and Gunnery Sergeants that had looked at my
blouse. They all began to question this LtColonel's sanity.
I didn't want to risk making the LtColonel any madder so I went
back to base laundry and had the lady there go ahead take the
chevron off my blouse before I left. I told her to have the
chevron sewn back on in its proper position. The people with
base laundry did as instructed. When I went back to pick up my
blouse, she told me they had sewn the chevron back on in the
exact same place it was originally. I decided to chance it.
I stood another inspection before this LtColonel. He once again
broke out his yardstick. This time, after he measured, he said I
was 'an outstanding Marine' and that my uniform was perfect! It
was like I was standing before a totally different officer and
had done no wrong!
The SNCOs the LtColonel had blasted did get even though. During
the 'going away' ceremony for this retiring LtColonel a few weeks
later, he was presented a yardstick. As he looked at it, he
noticed that all of the numbers had been sanded off and all of
them had been replaced with the number 'four'. With this
yardstick, everything he measured would be four inches! He
didn't appreciate the joke and let his feelings be known to all,
but the SNCOs all got quite a laugh from his response.
Concerning hot sauce, it seems that Marines the world over really
appreciate that stuff. I grow my own peppers and make my own hot
sauces. Usually they're 'killer'. One can ask 'Hareball',
'Lurchenstein' and my 'Cousin Squid' about how lethal my hot
sauce concoctions are.
I do list a warning and the side effects on a Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) that I include with each bottle! I also
provide instructions that it is better, and safer, to use a
toothpick or a fork, instead of a spoon, to dispense it. My hot
sauce has made it from California to Iraq, where Marines there
were thinking of using some of my Habanero sauce as a bioweapon!
It's quite bit hotter than the 'Ooh Rah Habanero Hot Sauce' Sgt.
Grit sells and I've seen it make grown men cry. I call the
Habanero sauce 'Esophagial Napalm' and my mixed pepper hot sauce
'Gastrointestinal Suicide'. The names ought to give you an idea
of how hot they are.
I lost track of Sgt. Beasley a long time ago but will never
forget all of the inspections we stood together during our time
at MCTSSA. And I will never forget LtColonel McVey and his
dreaded yardstick!
Semper Fidelis,
Tony Glass
Sgt USMC
I Was Summoned
I was assigned to Plt 153 Parris island 70'. While at the rifle
range I forgot to adjust my sights when changing distance. I was
firing rounds into the sand. The DI came over and asked what the
F*** my problem was. I told him I thought I had running sites.
He sent me over to have my rifle inspected for defects. A spec
of rust was found on my rifle and the senior DI was immediately
notified. He asked me why I didn't clean my rifle the night
before. I stated that I didn't have time. (I was writing letters
home ) .That night I had to spend the entire night in the head
cleaning my rifle , with the fire watch making sure I stayed
awake .When reveille was sounded I was summoned to the head of
the squad bay , and the DI asked, Private did you have enough
time to clean your rifle last night? Semper Fi
VERY VERY VERY Bad Day
I know my grandson will be po'd at me if finds out that I
forwarded this to my friends and relatives, but I feel this is an
interesting letter. Misspellings due to speed to get the message
to his Mom, frustration at another typical day in the Corps - yes!
But this is a typical letter from a grunt in the field, doing his
job, frustrated, but a d*mn good Marine. Proud to be serving his
country - you better believe it. When you go to bed tonight,
thank God that there are a lot of good men, doing their job to
protect our Nation. He is doing what he has been trained to do.
Am I proud of my grandson who just got there last month, and my
grandson-in-law who will be heading back to the real world in a
couple of months? You better believe it! Chris Madsen Red, White
and Blue (Redneck, White Hair, Blue Collar)
20081025
YMD
Okay the day started at 0330. I had to sh!t, shower and shave.
Then I had to prep my truck for the mission. I had everything
done when it started to rain cats and dogs. i went back to my
room to get my rain coat. The door was locked and we had to go
right then so i said f*ck it. I went and got into the gunners
hatch. There i began to spin in the biggest p!ssed off i think i
have ever been in. even though it was raining my boot a$s LT
thought let's get out of the trucks and give a brief in the
f*cking rain. i thought things could not get any worst; I was so
wrong. we start the mission pushing 45 mph. so I'm wet and now
the cold a$s wind is hitting me. at about 0700 we drive past the
storm. THANK GOD. we drive for about 30 mins out side of the rain
and what happens now. WE find a IED. 120mm round and a 2lt bottle
of homemade bomb sh!t. we the call ARMY EOD. they live 45 mins
outside where we have located the IED it takes them 2 hrs to get
there. Thank god for the army. since we were waiting for the army
the storm came back right on top of us. i was dry, not anymore.
so we start to push after the army left 45 mph we head for the
worst city in Iraq right now. KARMA. 24 hrs ago there was a 155mm
round that blew up at the IP Station. and they took heavy fire
from a window. it was some 75 rounds fired. so we were going a
little crazy. we get there and nothing happens. then the f*cking
storm came back. we then pushed 45 mph back to Ramadi. on the way
there we got p!ssed on again. we get there and the chow hall is
closed so no chow then we get back to are rooms and the power is
out and we can't take showers until 2marrow. after all this it
had seemed that my gear went threw a couple of Marines hands then
something came up missing. a $1500 armory gear. so i look for
this sh!t until about 0000 the 26th. i found nothing. so they
said the next day i was going to get njp for it and be a PFC
again! cutting short the story one of the Marines threw it in
there room and did not think about it when i asked him. so am
still a lcpl and am not getting NJP. but this was a VERY VERY
VERY Very Bad Day.
LCpl in Iraq
Our Training Was Harder
Sarge,
I'm not too sure how much of a Marine Corps slogan this one is,
but none the less, it does represent our Corps.
Every meal's a feast.
Every paycheck's a fortune.
Every formation a parade.
Oorah, I love the Corps!
One of my personal favorite...
"Once you're out, you wish were in."
I don't think there is a reader out there who would argue this,
and has not felt this way at some point since their separation.
There is a training question I'd like to pose to my fellow east
coast brothers that I'd like to put to rest. At what point in
boot camp were you all able / allowed to refer to yourselves as
Privates? I had always heard mixed stories that you all got to
use the rank from day one, or earlier in training then us. That
never sat too well with us west coast Marines, and we'd turn it
around, keeping the coastal clash going saying, "Must have been
nice to be able to refer yourself as something. Private is at
least a rank, a Recruit is nothing. Our training was harder. We
had the mountain. Well, we had the sand fleas." etc, etc....
In my platoon, we were Recruits up until the week of our
Battalion Commander's inspection. Then we were told to refer to
ourselves as our respective rank (Pvt or PFC). Brother - that
was a tongue twisting transition. HA!HA!
Hope I have not ruffled too many feathers with my inquiry.
Semper Fi
JJ Chervinko
Cpl USMC
Subject: Passing Of Our 27TH Commandant
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:46:38 +0000
Generals, Admirals, and Senior Executives,
It is with deep regret that I announce the death this afternoon,
30 October 2008, of General Robert H. Barrow, U.S. Marine Corps,
Retired, our 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps and a highly
decorated veteran of three wars.
In a accordance with Article 1288 of Navy Regulations, when a
former Commandant passes, all Marine Corps installations will
half-mast the national ensign from the time of General Barrow's
death through sunset on the day of interment.
Funeral plans are not complete. Once available, this headquarters
will announce details of funeral plans via All-Marine message.
Per MCO 5360.10A, the Officer in Charge of the funeral staff is
Brigadier General Michael Brogan. He is responsible for
planning, coordinating, and ensuring proper execution of the
funeral and burial ceremony.
General Barrow was born on 5 February 1922 in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana. He graduated high school in 1939 and enrolled at
Louisiana State University. In March 1942, he enlisted in the
Platoon Leader's Class Program. He left school in the fall of
1942 and went to boot camp in San Diego, staying on after
graduation as a drill instructor. Selected for Officer Candidate
School, he left San Diego for Quantico in March 1943; and on 19
May 1943, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Marines.
Following officer training, he was assigned to Marine Barracks,
Naval Ammunition Depot, New Orleans. He was reassigned in
February 1944 to the 51st Replacement Battalion in Camp Lejeune,
North Carolina. During the last seven months of World War II, he
led an American team serving with Chinese guerrilla forces in
Japanese occupied Central China. He was awarded the Bronze Star.
After World War II, he served as Aide de Camp to the Commanding
General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. He completed Amphibious
Warfare School, Junior Course in June 1949, and was transferred
to the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. He was given command
of Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Marines. At the beginning of the
Korean War, his company was transferred to Camp Pendleton and
redesignated Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine
Division. He led Able Company ashore at Inchon in September
1950. For his leadership in the fighting on the outskirts of
Seoul, he received the Silver Star. During the Chosin Reservoir
Campaign, he was awarded the Navy Cross for the seizure and
defense of Hill 1081 from 9-10 December 1950.
After the Korean War, he was reassigned as Officer-in-Charge,
Infantry Desk, Enlisted Assignments, Headquarters Marine Corps.
From there he was detailed out and sent on a classified
assignment to the Far East, north of Taiwan. He returned to
Headquarters Marine Corps, this time to the G-3. In February
1956, he returned to Camp Lejeune, where he served first as
operations officer and then executive officer of 2d Battalion,
6th Marines. He joined the NROTC unit at Tulane University in
1957, and served as Marine Officer Instructor for three years.
Returning to Quantico, he completed a tour with the Landing
Force Development Center and attended the Officer's Senior
Course in 1963. He left for another tour in the Pacific, where
he served as G-3, III Marine Expeditionary Force, then G-3 Plans
Officer at Fleet Marine Force Pacific in Hawaii. Attendance at
the National War College followed, and upon graduation in 1968,
he arrived in South Vietnam to take command of 9th Marines, 3d
Marine Division. The regiment conducted a series of highly
successful operations south of the western part of the
Demilitarized Zone and in the Khe Sanh and Ba Long Valley areas.
For his valor during Operation Dewey Canyon from 22 January to
18 March 1969, he received the Distinguished Service Cross.
He was promoted to brigadier general in August 1969 by General
Leonard F. Chapman, 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps. General
Barrow's first tour as a general officer was Commanding General,
Marine Corps Base, Camp Butler, Okinawa, where he served for
three years . He then served as Commanding General, Marine Corps
Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina for 32 months. In
July 1975, he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for
Manpower, Headquarters Marine Corps. The following year, he
became Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Norfolk,
Virginia. He was Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps from
July 1978, until a year later when he assumed the office as
Commandant. Befitting his reputation and stature, when General
Barrow stepped down as 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps on 26
June 1983, President Ronald Reagan presided over the ceremony at
Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. General Barrow returned to
Louisiana, where he lived in retirement.
General Barrow was a three-war Marine with unparalleled
experience in conventional and irregular conflict. He commanded
at every level. His deep sense of purpose and abiding love of
the Corps propelled him from the rank o f private to general and
the Office of the Commandant. He was the first Marine to serve a
regular four-year tour as a full member of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff. He was a leader in personnel reform and was instrumental
in the decision to make the commanding generals of the recruit
depots the two chief regional recruiters. He believed a better
quality of recruit led to an increase in performance and
retention. As such, he advocated an increase in the percentage
of high school graduates and screening programs for recruiters
and drill instructors. As Commandant, he addressed substance
abuse and alcoholism by ending the tolerance of drug abusers and
problem drinkers. Under his steady hand, the Marine Corps
reached a plateau of excellence in attracting and retaining
quality men and women.
General Barrow's medals and decorations include the Navy Cross,
Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Department of the Army Distinguished Service Cross,
Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, three Legions of
Merit, two Bronze Stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
In the essay he wrote for the book, Commandants of the Marine
Corps, BGen Edwin Simmons quoted the personal credo of Gen
Barrow: "In any institution or undertaking, the importance of
people transcends all else." General Barrow maintained throughout
his life, an abiding love and respect for his Marines. We, in
turn, will miss him greatly.
A site for resting in peace
By Raymond M. Lane
October 26, 2008
Special to the Tribune
At the Arch Street Quaker Meeting in Philadelphia, one of the
most unusual veterans ceremonies unfolds at first light every Nov
10 at what has to be one of the most obscure of tourist sites.
A handful of U.S. Marines and Marine Reserve Officers' Training
Corps cadets from the nearby University of Pennsylvania assemble
before an unmarked marble slab rising out of the grass,
according to Navy Lt. Cmdr. Andrew J. McNiven. In silence, as
they have for nearly 20 years, the young Marines place a wreath
before the stone, salute and walk off as quietly as they came.
"Samuel Nicholas is buried here," explained Helen J. File, for 28
years the facilities director at the world's largest Quaker
meeting house. "He was the Quaker who organized the Marines."
Nicholas was a wealthy Quaker when president Alexander Hamilton
of the Continental Congress commissioned him on Nov. 28 in 1775
as the first Marine officer and, by extension, the first
commandant of the Marines, said his great-great-great-great-
granddaughter Diana Spies Pope, a medical researcher at a
Veterans Hospital in Washington state.
The problem then was that his desire to support independence from
England conflicted with the Quaker "peace testimony" against all
wars, File said. "They threw Nicholas out when he went to lead
the Marines," she said. And when the college ROTC Marines in 1991
asked for permission to hold public ceremonies on Nov. 10, which
the Corps regards as its founding day, the Quakers refused
because there "were strong feelings" against soldiers on the
grounds, File said.
"So I told [the Marines] to come early and do it quietly," she
said, acknowledging that her husband, John, was a 20-year Marine,
and both were concerned that there is no recognition of Nicholas
in Philadelphia, no statue or guided tours of his home site just
around the corner from Independence Hall.
"What's the harm in letting the youngsters come, as long as
they're quiet and don't bring guns?" she asked. "When Nicholas
died, the Quakers took him back and buried him here. So the truth
is that he built the Marines, even if that makes people
uncomfortable."
For more on Arch Street Meeting, see www.archstreetfriends.org.
The Samuel Nicholas "stone" lies unmarked in the grass near the
far northeastern gate across from the Betsy Ross House.
Midnight And Dawn
Well, I finally put up my new flag pole with the new USA flag
that I ordered from you and my son-in-law and my grandsons helped
me put it up. As you can see, they did a great job raising Old
glory. I have a lot of pictures of the Iwo Jima flag raising and
they wanted to do the same. So today after church we all took
part in the flag raising ceremony.
Also you can see my new vehicle with the emblems that I ordered
from you too. Everywhere I go and park my vehicle, I get a lot
of compliments and ask where I got the emblems and I refer them
to order on line from SGT GRIT.
My youngest grandson, Max, wanted his picture taken by "his
grandpa's" car and he wants to be a Marine too when he grows up.
I served in Vietnam between April '66 thru August '67. I served
with 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, Headquarters company. I was
stationed on Hill 55 , south of DaNang the first year and then
my last 6 months I was stationed at Khe Sanh, where it was h&ll.
We were hit by artillery at midnight and dawn without missing
for the last six months we were there. We lost a lot of my
comrades and a lot were injured. I will never forget those
friends that gave their lives.
Well, I hope you can use some of my pictures. I always look
forward to reading the letters from former Marines on your web
page of Grunt.com.
Take care and God bless!
Semper Fi
SSGT Mario Moreno
Back To The Shower
Every time I receive your newsletter Sgt. I read stores that
bring back many memories of my time in the Corps! One I remember
quite well while at ITR, Camp Geiger. Was January 58. We were in
the field all week. But always came in late Friday to get ready
for inspection Saturday morning. If we don't pass, no weekend
liberty. We would be up half the night trying to get all that
sand out of our M-1's. Then my buddy told me a easy way to clean
all the sand out of my M-1. We said "take the barrel and receiver
group in the shower with ya"! I said "your crazy! It will rust!"
He said, "not if you get the water real hot"! He was right! The
hold Head was like a steam bath! So it dried right away! And
every bit of sand was gone! What a relieve! But one inspection
did not go well. You might say, I clean it too good. I had used a
lot of bore cleaner, cleaning the barrel after firing all those
blanks. Then I used a lots of patches to clean out the barrel. I
sure did a good job cleaning that barrel! The one thing I did not
do, was check the bore one more time before we fell out for
inspection. When it came my turn for inspection arms, the
Lieutenant looked down the bore, and said to me, "what the h&ll
is this $h!t?" I looked. Couldn't believe what I saw! Right
around the gas port in the barrel was a ring of bore cleaner!
When I was cleaning the bore, some of the cleaning got in the
gas chamber. And when I drove the bolt home, all that fluid came
out of the gas port and into the barrel. I should of checked it
one more time before falling out. Then the Lieutenant took my M-1
and drove it about 6 inches into the sand! So no liberty that
weekend, like I had somewhere to go. And so back to the shower
with my M-1!
The Old Jarhead 57 / 60 PT.
John Ripley, Who Led 600 in Battle Against 20,000 North
Vietnamese, Dies at 69
Where Did The Time Go
Where did the time go? Only yesterday I was a snot nosed kid,
deciding to join the Marines after watching the new TV show Gomer
Pyle USMC. Well I did boot in San Diego. Platoon 1065 (honor
platoon) 1st btn. Then Pendleton for ITR. Memphis (millington,
tn) for electronics. Back to Pendleton, then Da Nang at Mag 11
vmo 2 then back here to the world. Anyway to treat myself I rode
my scoot all the way to Camp Pendleton and San Diego, about
1300miles (one way). I had a good time overall, brought back a
lot of memories, but as usual things had changed. My old squadron
HML 267 was still there. Toured the facility. attended the EGA
ceremony at Edson Range (didn't have that when I was in). Then
headed south to Diego for a graduation ceremony. Probably best
thing was, the D I's were calling me SIR! Donated a graduation
yearbook to the base museum, and some photos. Anyway here's a
picture of me under the REAL NCIS sign at Pendleton and HMLA 267
Didn't see anything on the walls from my era though.
Semper Fi
Sgt of Marines 68-74 nam 70-71
Marine Are You Lost
I was in county, Feb1968. After Hue, Alpha 1/1, went to Hill861,
Around khe Sanh. I had just come back around May, and was
choppered to this hill(861). My unit had suppose to be, right
behind that tree line, as was told to me, by the driver of that
6X6, who drove me there. What he didn't know, is that my unit had
move during the night, to Hill881. So here I am, by myself, no
one around, but my M-16. I walk to that tree line, but no unit. I
started to walk, when a little Vietnamese boy, came up to me, and
said "MARINE, Are You Lost". What could i say. He replied, he
know where my unit was. I felt like, here i am, being led my a
little boy, who could have walked me in the wrong direction, but
i guess, the man upstairs wasn't ready for me. So i follow this
boy, through villages, rice patties, and some jungle. At one
point a old man selling flavored kool aid ice, came up to me, and
ask if i wanted any. I said no, but that little boy said to me.
Marine, i will taste it first, for which he did. That was when i
was reassured. We made it to the Hill881, and he left. When i
reported in, they said to me, How the H&ll, did you get here. The
enemy is all around us. I guess, I was one of the lucky ones,
even tho i was wounded later on, in a place called Dodge City
Semper Fi Roger Alexandre Alpha 1/1, Echo Co 2/7 BLT Pray for
peace in this time of trouble and despair.
We Paid But Nobody Saw
It's mess and maintenance week at 2nd blt. chow hall for plt.
1033 bravo co, and pvt. barsto, barlo, whatever your ol name is.
Is the pie private and pumpkin pie is the dessert of the day, like
senior D.I. S/SGT. Pitts would say outstanding in his Mass accent,
so the guys in the scullery are catching H#$L fine summer day at
P.I., and the Priv. comes up with a wonderful idea, "stand by for
some pie" pass it on! Two beautiful pumkin pies, uniformed
covered and aligned 16 slices per, no way Drill Instructor Sgt
Cliffton is gonna catch this everything is going so fast I am
slinging pies, so here we go! A priv has dropped a utensil and
off I go wheeling to the scullery petal to the metal, STAAANDBY!
ATTAAAACK! quick about face to retrieve the other pie safe,
Copperfield couldn't have made those pies disappear any faster
and Houdini couldn't have shown up any quicker than D.I. SGT.
Cliffton, You OWE me SONNY BOY! Where's them pies? Sir Private
Ain't Seen No Pies SIR! but ohhhh we paid! The scullery and the
pie private report to the quarterdeck SCULLERY and the Pie
Private Report to the Quarter Deck, AYE, AYE SIR! We Paid but
nobody saw any pies and later I heard SGT. Cliffton tell S/SGT.
PITTS, Boss I know they had some pies d*mn if I know where they
went,?ol 'private barsto, barlo ,whatever your ol name is knows,
felt kinda bad not getting a piece but felt better after that,
triumph in the face of certain death in the form of Drill
Instructor SGT. "YOU OWE ME Sonny Boy" Cliffton", SEMPER FI"
senior drill instructor S/SGT Pitts, drill instructor SGT.s
Cliffton, Acree and Gibbs, and plt 1033 bravo co. aug.6, 1981
CPL. Bartos, Arthur 2512/and not bad with 60's and ma-dueces hq
bttry. 10 Marines, hq co. 9 mar regt/9th rlt,LPD 10 ,H and S blt
MCRD P.I.
Marine Warriors
The United States Marine Corps is over 230 years of rompin'
stompin', h*ll, death and destruction; The finest fighting force
the world has ever known! I am a United States Marine and there
is nothing on the face of the earth that I would rather be. Sheer
terror and motivation, I was born in a bomb creater; My mother was
an Amazon warrior princess and my father was Ares, the God of War
himself. Everyday that I live is an additional threat upon the
lives of my enemies all around the globe wherever they may
slither and they know it. I am a rogish-looking, roving soldier
of the sea; A cocky, swaggering, determined son of a b!tch and I
know not the meaning of the word fear for I am fear itself. I am
a green amphibious monster made of blood, muscle and guts who
arose one dark and stormy night from the deep, dark swamps of a
place called Parris Island, SC. My sole purpose in life is to
perpetrate death and destruction on those festering
anti-Americans all around the globe who would see my country and
my way of life perish. rest assured that on that day when
America's enemies invade, trying to force their way in our gates,
the last one standing guard will be a United States Marine. They
shall not pass! When I die I will die a glorious death on the
field of battle, giving my life for baseball, hot dogs, mom's
apple pie, God, Country, Corps, and the American Flag. Ooh-rah! We
are the Marines! A bunch of real life mud-rollin',
sea-story-tellin', Semper Fidelis, swashbuckling sons of b!tches
that can kill with one hand and make love with the other at the
same time. Modern day American Spartans, we walk like soldiers,
talk like sailors, we are fighters by day, lovers by night and
Marines by the grace of God Almighty!
Semper Fi
Major General John A. Lejeune
On 10 November, 1775, a Few Good Men got together at a bar called
Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pa and formed what was to become the
greatest fighting force the world has ever known. Every year, no
matter where Marines are stationed all around the globe, Major
General John A. Lejeune's birthday message below is read in
celebration of the birthday of our beloved Corps . . .
Major General John A. Lejeune's Birthday Message
On November 1st, 1921, John A. LeJeune, 13th Commandant of the
Marine Corps, directed that a reminder of the honorable service
of the Corps be published by every command, to all Marines
throughout the globe, on the birthday of the Corps. Since that
day, Marines have continued to distinguish themselves on many
battlefields and foreign shores, in war and peace. On this
birthday of the Corps, therefore, in compliance with the will of
the 13th Commandant is republished as follows:
On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a
resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many
thousand men have borne the name, "Marine." In memory of them it
is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the
Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long
and illustrious history.
The record of our Corps is one, which will bear comparison with
that of the most famous military organizations in the world's
history. During 90 of the 146 years of it's existence, the
Marine Corps has been in action against the nation's foes. From
the battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost
honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home
generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in
both hemispheres, and in every corner of the seven seas, that
our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps,
Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction,
winning new honors on each occasion, until the term, "Marine" has
come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and
soldierly virtue.
This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are
Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the
Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit,
which has animated our Corps from generation to generation, and
has been the distinguishing mark to the Marines in every age. So
long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found
equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the
past, and the men of our nation will regard us as worthy
successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as
"Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.
The inspiring message of our 13th Commandant has left its mark in
the hearts and minds of all Marines. By deed and act from
Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima, from Inchon to the Korean Armistice, in
interventions from Lebanon to the Dominican Republic, and from
the opening battles in Vietnam to the Mayaguez rescue, to today's
battlefield success in the current Long War On Terror Marines
have continued to epitomize those qualities which are our legacy.
The successes which they have achieved in combat and the faith
they have hearty praise and congratulations on this, our
birthday.
Happy Birthday Marines, Semper Fidelis, and Keep Attacking!
Short Rounds
A couple of years ago I sent in: "Pacifism is a luxury paid for
by warriors." You honored me with making it a bumper sticker and
I have bought a few. Here is another saying, that I hope goes as
well:
"I am blunt because I am a well used spearhead."
Mark Lurtsema
USMC Rifleman 1980-RIP
The "other" USMC credo:
When you signed up
You couldn't wait to get in
When you were in
You couldn't wait to get out
When you got out
You wished you were in
Ron Morse, Former Sgt of Marines 69-75
Gunny, I don't think you were the rifle instructor that took the
loading block, placed it on my trigger finger and stood on it to
keep me from "jerking my f---ing finger, Maggot!" I made sure he
was watching on qual day on the 500 yard line when I shot 235.
You guys did a great job!
Semper Fi Gunny!
Joe, USMC July 63-October 66
My older brother and I were in the Corps at the same time, 50's,
and on the same GCA crew, for just 9 months. About 10 years ago,
Mom and I were in her kitchen having morning coffee and she said,
"Why did you two join the Marine Corps?" She asked that question
after we had been out 40 years! Why she held that in for so long
I'll never know!
Olson 57-59
Reply to David re: Hand salute in civies.
I personally always salute under cover (usually a veterans cap)
because I was trained to render the smartest hand salute in the
world in P.I. '64. When I look around a vet's group-salute it's
funny how you can tell the Marines from others.
Semper Fi
Steve
1st Recon/1st Engineers
RVN '67-'68
Good day Sgt Grit and others:
When I have a chance to pay honor to our Flag, I render the hand
salute, even if I'm not covered. I think (opinion ahead!) that
Veterans have earned the right to render this honor to our Flag.
Even the POTUS agrees. I might not agree with everything he says
and does, but this is right on.
HM3 Chuck Hancock
K/3/5 and B/1/1 1971 RVN
With our birthday coming up, I wanted to take this opportunity to
say Happy Birthday to SSgt "Stonewall" Jackson, Sgt Blankenship,
SSgt Gandy (San Diego, 1971,) Marines of VMFA 531, VMA 211, VMFA
314, VMFA (AW) 242, Marine Barracks Long Beach, CA, OSO Duty
Kansas City, MO, and all the others that I had the privilege and
honor to serve with from 1970-1994. It was an honor and
privilege to serve with all of you. May God bless and keep you
all safe and your families with you. SEMPER FI
Gary L. COON
MSgt USMC (Ret)
Dec 70 - July 94
To the Grandmother of Cpl. Matthew Wyatt.
Your grandson did not die, he was reassigned to guard duty at
Heaven's Gate.
Semper Fi Mac
Richard Hill
Sgt of Marines, 77-82
In response to Peter J Berg, I was at MCRD in May 1973, graduated
August, 1973. We had the M-14 Rifle. It is a gas operated, air
cooled, shoulder firing weapon. I was with platoon 1050, Drill
Instructor Avennedi, Drill Instructor Quakinbush, and Drill
Instructor Kinslow. Three of the meanest Marines I have ever
known. Glad to have received my, "You are now Marines, Semper Fi"
from them. Thanks Drill Sergeants, and Semper Fi to you.
R. Alvarez
0311
1973/1983
John Chalk Death Valley Statue
Create Your Own - Custom Rank and Ribbons Bumper Sticker
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
|
Be sure to add info@sgtgritnews.com to your address book or trusted senders list.
Sgt Grit Newsletter VS AmericanCourage Newsletter:
You receive both (alternating weeks)...so what's the difference?
In short...The AmericanCourage Newsletter has MORE family member
stories, "support the Corps" stories from Marines, and patriotic
quotes. It started after the events of Sept. 11, 2001 to give
supporters of the Marine Corps and American patriots a voice.
The Sgt Grit Newsletter is HARD CORPS Marine! If you are
interested in topics that delve into Marine Corps history, Corps
Stories, Boot Camp and other things that "only a Marine might
understand" - then be sure to read the Sgt Grit Newsletter
(every other week) - More about the newsletter |
