Sarge
A wise old Marine, my father-in-law, once passed a poem on to
me after finding out about my enlistment.
"Once you enlist, you can't wait to get in.
Once you're in, you can't wait to get out.
Once you're out, you wish you were in."
Those three lines tell it the best, and is the God's honest
truth!
Semper Fi
JJ Chervinko
Cpl USMC
Never, Never, Never Forget 9-11
USMC flag amidst rubble at the Pentagon
C.F.NAGER Sgt.
USMC circa '50s
Semper Fi Dad
I have been reading all the great letters that people have sent
in about the times they had in the Corps and other Marines that
they served with. This is not exactly the same thing but close.
In January of this year my dad, Jack Mahan, passed away
peacefully in his sleep. He was living in a nursing home and was
in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. But surprisingly
the one thing he did not forget was the fact that he had been a
Marine. He had joined the Corps in January of 1944 and served in
supply with the 1st Marine Air Wing. He mustered out in August
of 1946. He had been to New Guinea, the Philippines and served
in China. He was most proud of his China service and the fact
that he had been a China Marine.
As most Fathers and Sons we had good and bad times in our
relationship. In my senior year in high school I told my mother
and dad that I wanted to join the Corps, they were upset. It was
1975 and Anti-Military sentiment was running high. They wanted
me to go to college and then go in. They figured after four
years of College I would forget about the Military. Well, I had
wanted to be a Marine since I was six years old and I saw the
Sands of Iwo Jima with John Wayne. I knew that is what I wanted
to be. We argued on this until the finally relented and signed
my early enlistment papers. The day I left for boot camp my Dad
took me to the recruiting station and gave me a piece of advice,
"Enjoy the next few years, because before you know it you will
be 50". How right he was! I graduated from Parris Island as a
PFC and the family came to see the graduation. My dad didn't
treat me like a kid anymore. I served my time and traveled to
different parts of the world. Before I knew it my enlistment was
up and I was getting out. The Corps had trained me as a
communicator and to work with computers, so I was employed
within a week. Dad always bragged to people that the Marine
Corps had trained me well.
My dad and I did not always see eye to eye but there was one
thing we had in common, The Corps. On November 10th every year,
one of us would call and the greeting would always be "Semper
Fi". I will miss that this year as I did last year; dad had lost
the ability to speak and could not call. So I made an effort to
get over to the nursing home and wished him a Happy 232nd. He
gripped my hand and smiled. I made sure he got his honor guard
and his flag. Some members of my family did not want this, but I
was not going to let down a fellow Marine. I have dad's flag
that was presented to me by a Sergeant of H&S 1/25 and it is
displayed proudly.
He is gone now and I remember the good times and bad. But I know
my dad will always be a Marine, as will I.
Semper Fi Dad
Jack Mahan
Sgt 2542/USMC
1976-1980
How Much Easier
L/CPL Michael Smith, 3531, USMC 1968 -70 - asked when the M16
was the BOOT CAMP rifle.
I went to San Diego in Nov of 1973 and the only rifle that we
worked with was the M16. I was in PLT 2116.
We where told that we were the first series to only use the M16
both on the grinder and the range. The M14 was not in our life.
While in boot camp the one Drill Instructor had to go to the
range, it would be the first time that he ever had to qualify
with the M16. He came back to report that "he could not believe
how much easier the M16 was over the M14".
But, I have always wanted to purchase a M14 for my Man Room,
below decks (in the basement).
Peter J Berg
1973 to 1978
3523 a wrecker driver, and yes I do have some Motor T stories.
The Little Korean Girl and The Apple
I took three photos late April 1953, which developed into quite a story. I was with Dog Company 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. While we boarded old Japanese built rail cars coupled up to a steam engine, I named the old ‘Honey bucket Express’ while we were boarding the rail cars old Korean men worked up and down the tracks, oiling all of the moving parts of the engine. Then opening the packing lids on the rail car wheels, and adding oil, letting them close with a loud clang. A tank filled to provide water for the boilers and the coal hopper was shoved full. When that was over one of them swung a signal lantern and we left on a 4 to 6 hour 55-mile ride to the port of Inchon Korea. Where a convoy of ships laid waiting to take us on a MarLEX = Marine Landing EXersizes. She never attained a top speed of over 40-m.p.h. Shortly after we were underway, we ate rations for chow, previously loaded by the service battalion, along with fruit, and treated potable water in five-gallon cans used to refilled canteens.
Read the rest of Howard Frasier's story...
Cpl Chuck Lindberg Memorial
Dear SGT. GRIT,
Over a period of time I have read many stories regarding the
last surviving marine from the first flag raising on iwo jima,
Cpl. Chuck Lindberg in your newsletter. For those who are not
aware, the Richfield American Legion, Richfield, Minnesota have
erected a memorial in his honor on the grounds of the legion in
Richfield. It has not been completed as of yet, however I have
attached 3 photos of what has been done to date. I have heard
that it should be completed sometime next year. Thank you for
some very interesting reading each week.
Semper Fi, CPL. Itchmo
You Couldn't Carry
Billy was a WWII veteran of landings on Saipan and Okinawa,
where he carried a 30 cal. machine gun. He was awarded numerous
medals along with the purple heart. After Japan surrendered
Billy was a China Marine until he was discharged early in 1946.
Billy was my golfing partner until he passed away two weeks ago
at age 83. As an avid golfer Billy shot his age one week before
he died. Billy always liked to give me the business about the
Old Corps. Billy liked to remind me " Banks, you couldn't carry
his ammunition can". I will miss my friend,
SEMPER FI Billy!
Sgt.Stephen G. Banks 1582653 1956/59
Platoon 371
Sgt. Grit,
Thank you for your very Marine merchandise. Semper Fi.
SGT. DR. George
CAG/CAP
Sid Gerling was asking about a room for life for a retired
Marine at MCRD San Diego. During my time as a Drill Instructor
at San Diego from 1971-1974, there was an old guy called "Yaz"
(I believe, probably short for his real name) who had a room
between the depot chapel and depot headquarters. I was married
in the chapel in 1973 and took a number of guests to see Yaz's
room which was unbelievably squared away - skivvies folded,
socks rolled and coats neatly lined up in an old metal locker
and the blankets on his iron bunk pulled tighter than a bull's
a$$ at fly time! There was a picture of him and a buddy taken
circa WWI although I don't recall if he was in that war or not,
and I'm pretty sure that he was not a retiree. But he was as
proud as a new Marine on graduation day when showing off his
room. I don't know what his job was but believe he did some
kind of maintenance around the depot, and I would occasionally
see him jogging (very slowly!) wearing old boxing trunks and
shadow boxing while running! I had heard that some Commandant
told him that he would always have a place to stay but that some
Depot CG in later years kicked him out, although I can't verify
that.
In response to Tex Lyles comments about the CAC Program, it was
changed to CAG (Combined Action Group) and CAP (Combined Action
Platoon) because cac was some kind of profanity that was
insulting to the Vietnamese. 1st CAG was headquartered at Chu
Lai, 2nd CAG at DaNang, one was at Phu Bai and not sure about
the last. The squad and company designations were also changed.
For example, CAP 1-1-2 (my CAP north of Chu Lai near Tam Ky
69-70) was 1st CAG, 1st Company (formerly A company), 2nd
platoon. All CAPs eventually went mobile instead of being in a
small, mostly indefensible compound. We would pack up after
dark and move to a new location, set up a perimeter and then
send out night patrols and ambushes. It was a dangerous game
(wasn't it all?) and we suffered many casualties. I still have
a statistics sheet from 1969 showing the casualties from all
four CAGs: 1952 bad guys KIA and 391 POWs. 111 USMC and 6 USN
KIA, 810 USMC and 41 USN WIA. 185 PF KIA and 692 WIA. There
were also 82,163 patrols and 66,998 ambushes during that year.
Check out the website at capmarine.com. And thanks for your
service, Tex, it was a tough and terrifying job.
F. Devaney
SgtMaj (Ret)
Hey, Sgt. Grit,
In response to Tex Lyles' question of why they changed the CACs
(combined action companies) to CAPs (combined action platoons),
I've heard the reason. I was at Khe Sanh in 1967, had the Radio
Relay Team with CAC-O in the ville for most of August and the
first week of September. ( I rotated home in September, 67, Giap
heard I was gone and launched Tet. That's my story.)
I was surprised to read of it being called a CAP later. I was
told that they found out, after calling them CACs for a couple
of years, that "cac" is Vietnamese slang for your gun. (This is
my rifle, this is my gun...). Don't know if it's true, but nary
a mention of CACs anywhere. Our PF & RF allies must have had
many a laugh, if it's true.
Robert A. Hall
tartanmarine@comcast.net
Former SSgt
Outstanding Bike
Pictures of my 2003 Suzuki 650s. I just finished it in a Marine
Corps theme. I was in the 2nd Marine Air wing 1961 - 1965 Bud
Sanborn
Guard Duty 1st Battalion 1965
While walking Guard duty midnight to 2am around the Mess Hall I
heard a racket coming from the rear of the mess hall which
raised my heart rate considerably I preceded to investigate the
commotion thinking it was some puke after some left over chow.
Around the rear of the building near the loading dock (I believe
the Corps sold the eatable refuse to a pig farmer nearby)
someone had knocked over a metal garbage can. What a mess, I'm
thinking is this covered by my general orders and am about to
call the corporal of the guard when out of the can comes the
biggest raccoon I have ever seen in my life with his family.
Feet don't fail me now as I proceed to the guard shack and
inform the duty. He politely tells me I was lucky it wasn't the
gator that knocked over the can, he's bigger. I preformed guard
duty in numerous places from Memphis to Chu Lai and I have never
been unprepared for the unexpected as I was in PI. Carry on
Marines
Bill Carey Cpl of Marines 65-69
Wouldn't Have Changed Anything
Sgt Grit,
On this date 24 years ago I left the comfort of my parents house
to go to MCRD San Diego. I can't believe that it has been that
long. I can distinctly remember leaving my mother crying in the
door way as my dad and I drove off towards my future.
I can remember sitting in the MEPS station thinking about if
this was pretty cool, right up until the time the Doc did his
little look. I can remember getting on the first plane that I
had ever been on and how cool it was. I remember the old man who
sat next to me and told me stories of WWII and his job as a
Marine in the pacific. I also remember him getting me drinks on
the plane ride to San Diego. I can remember the nice Drill
Instructor who meet us at the airport and how nice he was, right
up until the time the bus door closed. I remember his Dr Jekyll
/ Mr Hyde transformation as soon as the bus rolled off towards
the recruit depot. I remember the initial yelling from the DI's
at the depot and the crush of bodies trying to get off the bus
to the yellow footprints. I remember the whole USMC boot camp
experience and how it changed me from a skinny kid to a lean
mean fighting machine.
Though now I'm more of a big ball of a fighting machine I
wouldn't have changed anything in my Marine time. Couldn't have
met more interesting people and the bonds that I have made.
Now 15 years after my separation from the Corps I prepare to
send my son off to the same future. I took my son down to see a
USMC graduation ceremony a few weeks ago and all the things that
I went through came back to me. I can't wait to fly out to see
my son on his graduation.
Semper Fi to all my Marine brothers and sisters.
Tom Tarr
Sgt of Marines
1984-1993
Temporarily Disoriented
Marines never get Lost, just Temporarily Disoriented. I say
this because it is so true, and I have a story to share to
validate this theory. While it was not funny at the time, it is
now years later. I was so fortunate to serve with STA 3/7 from
about December of 1987 to 1989 then went to 5th Marine
Regimental Scouts for the rest of my enlistment right before
3/7 was moved to 29 Palms. We were in Okinawa in May of '88,
if my memory is correct, and from there went to several other
places, one in particular was Camp Fugi Japan, which is a big
Live Fire base and training area on the Mainland right at the
base of Mt. Fugiyama. Me and two other Marines [I'm not going
to use their names without getting in touch with them but you
know who you are.], got a warning order to patrol a certain
area stealthfully then link up with the main body 4 days later.
We wrote a patrol order, drew chow, PRC-77, batteries for the
radio, ammo[blank's],the KY for the radio, ACAX sheets and got
Air Request's in all on time. Our S-2 officer at the time
really loved us, and I'll never forget his favorite word for
describing us as Scout Snipers or Spotters, which was SELF
RELIANT, and how so true. It came time to get on a 46 and get
dropped off to our insert after a couple of false one's, and
the Lt. decided he wanted to go, then he decided he wanted to
sit in the jump seat and take over the insert with the pilot
and co-pilot, and tell them by looking at map and terrain
features where to dump us out at. Well, long story short, we
ended up 10 klicks south of our true insert point, tactically
left the aircraft, and as I watched the bird leave us in the
growing darkness immediately noticed something was wrong and so
did my team mates, we were not in the training area any more
but didn't know how bad. In order to leave the insert area like
the well trained Marines' we crossed a highway then a tall
fence then another tall fence, and by this time it was dark and
we were in the middle of a parking lot in some vegetation.
While we were getting our bearings a Japanese security guard of
some sort walked by us unknowingly of our presence, then I
heard the roar of a Lion or Tiger or something , then all these
other sounds of animals could be heard after our ears cleared
from the helo ride. Needless to say, we were very nervous at
that point and decided to leave the area quickly, passing a
security shack, another two fences and main road all after the
open parking lot and security personnel, all without being
detected. We were definitely sweating BB's. Finally we got to a
wooded area set up a poncho to get under to check our map with
compass. Keep in mind this is a few years before the GPS. When
we made a decision on about where we were, and beside the fact
we had no radio contact with any one to give them a SITREP on
our behalf, we were a little nervous on what to do. Over the
course of the next two days we skirted by homes, a school,
gardens that people were tending without being detected. Then
we ran out of water. Being cautious not to drink from any run
off streams or creeks in the area, it became apparent we had to
do something quickly. We had passed what looked to be a gas
station from behind and turned back, volunteering to do it, I
dropped my gear, Mountain Ruck, Weapon, etc... and gathered all
canteens and I wrote H2O on the palm of my hand in ink, walked
out of the brush with a green face and field utilities, and
asked the gas station attendant for water. To my surprise he
didn't even flinch when he saw me, and just pointed to a water
hydrant to fill up canteens. I thanked him properly in Japanese
and while I was engaged in refilling a Caucasian man was
getting gas for his van. He looked over at me and said how are
you doing in English and I responded with, can you show me were
we are at on this map? He said, I'll try to. We looked at it
and found we were ten to eleven Klicks south from we were
supposed to link up with the main body that night. Again ,
Adapt and Overcome, Self-Reliance all played a big part in the
decision we made as a team to ask this guy, a contractor from
Canada, a ride up the road and he said sure no problem. So I
got him to back up a dirt road close by so we could get all our
gear in his van, so no one could see us, and off we went. Come
to find out he was a custom house builder from Canada working
in the area and was at the right place at the right time. We
got to a point where we could get off the van close to some big
drainage ditches which were on the map and use them to guide us
to a link up site. We thanked the Canadian guy and off we go
again watered up and saved a lot of time and energy. We made
radio contact when we started and the Lt. got on the horn and
took us to an alternate Freq. and then started asking
questions, calmly and keeping his bearing, like, What, Where,
How, and that type of thing. We just responded with you don't
want to know Sir. When we linked up later, and on time I might
add, we got the Lt. to sit down and talk with us privately and
we told him and showed him on a map where we were inserted, out
of the training area and next to a public zoo. He just told us
to keep it to ourselves and an job well done, on keeping our
cool and using the resources available under these conditions
on completing the mission successfully. I looked at my
Teammates and the Lt. said, You weren't detected until you
wanted to be, Right? We said, Yes Sir. Later we got a regular
debrief from him. All a true story.
Former CPL. John Sims '86-'90
[Bravo Co. 1098 MCRD S.D. Ca., KILO 3/7 2nd Plt. Super Squad
team member runner-up, 1st Mar. Div.1987, STA
3/7, 5th Marine Regt. Scouts]
Camp Reasoner
Hi Don,
Here are a few photos of Camp Reasoner in Da Nang as it looks
today, or at least a few months ago.
When I get back to Da Nang and can spend another few hours I'll
get some more and better. The area is still VN military even
though the Marine Corps signage is still obvious.
The Freedom Hill area is a gravel pit.
SF
db
Not Sure
I tried earlier to send a message but it appears this grunt is
too computer ignorant to make it work. Maybe I can do it this
way. I really wanted to share with you guys what happened to me
one night while I was on Embassy duty in Chile. And like to call
it the Night the Lights Went Out in Chile. Back in 1970 I had
about a month out of MSG school when President-elect Salvador
Allende took over as President of Chile. That night I was on
Post 1 and only, 8-12. Around 1900 people began gathering in the
Plaza de Armas in front of the Presidential Palace. The Embassy
was kinda katty cornered to the Palace, but from the 7th floor I
could see everything that was happening. Some canvas covered
trucks started rolling in so I naturally became curious. Well,
they pulled back the canvas and they were full of wine. They
passed out wine for about an hour and a half. At first everyone
seemed to be happy and then they became ornery. I later found
out that there were Cubans in that crowd that had been allegedly
trained by the KGB to instigate riots and disorder. Whether
that's the truth or not, I don't know, but I do know that Sgt Ed
Cannel and I watched Fidel ride around in that same Plaza
shortly thereafter. When that crowd got primed up real good ,
they lit some torches and came to the embassy. I had called the
Marine House hoping someone could help since everyone had gone
home. Well, the streets were on fire and the Marines could not
make it. Marines nowadays have weapons that I would have trouble
finding the safety, but that night I had a 38 cal. pistol that I
was not sure whether it would fire or not because the bullets
were older than the one issued to Barney Fife. Thank God, we had
some sawed off Remington1100s with 00 buck. Mommas oldest boy
went for the shotguns, and dug in behind the main desk in the
lobby. I ran the elevators up to the 10th floor. We had some CS
but didn't get to use it because the Chilean Carabineros used
theirs and came to the rescue. Later I seen an article in Time
magazine that said the embassy had been gallantly defended by
the Marine Security Guard Detachment. You and I now know the
truth. Our memories are what make us ALWAYS A MARINE. D. Womack
Ducks Doing Pushups
August of 1948 I was assigned to H & S Co MCRD San Diego. As you
pointed, there was a small room in the Administration building,
directly across from the then Base Chapel. A retired Marine
lived there along with two ducks. This retired Marine had a long
and glorious career to be proud of and on occasion would share
sea stories to us inexperienced Marines regarding Haiti, China
and WW-2. He spent many of those years as a Boxer representing
the Corps against any and all. He had a copy of a old
"Leatherneck" which had a spread regarding his career as a boxer
in the Corps. As you remember his quarters were "donated" to him
by the then Commanding general of MCRD. The Sgt had trained his
two "Duck" friends to March, About Face and many other commands
as well as Push Up. The Sgt was responsible for maintenance of
the Generals office on the second deck. And believe me it was as
squared away as you describe his own quarters. The
attached
picture was taken in the Administration building, Christmas
1949.
W B POLK
Sgt of Marines
1948-1956
M-1 Thumb
HI SGT GRIT-
While in Parris Island 1946-platoon 226 --D.I. Sgt Case-how
could anyone not recall their D.I.--while on the rifle range
doing dry rapid firing I got my thumb caught in the chamber-
needless to say that was something to remember--my friends told
me to tell the D.I.because my thumb was really looking like it
was about to fall off-but I remembered what another recruit had
to do when he had lost his locker key and that was to stand on a
wash rack and yell out --I am a s h-t from yemassee I just lost
my locker key--while everyone was going to chow -so I was not
about to have to show my m1 thumb to everyone in the chow line-
PFC Mark Ricaud
MARINE LEGENDS
The United States Marine Corps is full of legends. We are taught
about them in boot camp and in the Fleet. Ask any Marine and
they will know the names Chesty Puller, Dan Daily, Carlos
Hathcock, Smedly Butler, Oliver North, Hashmark Johnson, Gen.
Grey, R. Lee Ermey, and many others. They are Marines that
through their actions became examples the Marine Corps felt
worthy to teach about. They were examples of leadership,
commitment, honor, courage, and sacrifice. These are Marines
that will be taught about as long as there are Marines to tell
there stories. Then there are Marine Corps legends know only by
the men they were in contact with. The Corps is full of these
men. I want to talk about my Marine legend, Master Sergeant H.
T. Huchi. He recently retired from the Corps on September 5Th
2008 after serving 24 honorable years. I laugh when I think back
on the first time I came in contact with this Marine. I had just
finished my second deployment with the 24Th MEU. I had just
reenlisted on my second tour and I wanted a little break from
the demanding life style of an infantry Marine. I was given
orders to report to Camp Johnson as an instructor for the Field
Med School. I was to teach Navy Corpsman basic infantry skills.
Long story short, I was a Sergeant, and the Sgt Maj of the base
decided that only E-6 and above will teach at the Field Med
School. I was given two choices of duty. First choice was to be
the Sgt of the guard for base security. Second choice was to be
the S-3 ( training NCO) for the H&S co. I thought that I would
go check out the security duty first. I walk in I report to the
security chief, and that's when I had my first contact with
GySgt Huchi. From the first words out his mouth I immediately
knew that there is no way I want to spend my next year working
under such and intense boss. Mind you I came here for a break. I
told the GySgt that I was going to report to the Captain of the
H&S co for the S-3 job, and I knew that he knew why I was
leaving his office. As I took the short walk to the company
office I couldn't help but be thankful that I had another job to
go to. I just left the hard pace and demanding lifestyle of the
Infantry and I didn't want this guy looking over my shoulder at
every turn. Call it bad luck or call it fate, but not two months
later guess who just replaced the company Gunny position. None
other than GySgt Huchi. I remember thinking " I hope this guy
doesn't remember me wanting to leave his office". He did!
Now before he came, the office was set up with the company
Gunny's desk, my desk and a clerks desk in the main entrance.
GySgt Huchi was not going to have that. He took the conference
room and made it the 1stSgt office, and took the 1stSgt office
for himself. The clerk, a young LCpl and I just looked at each
other not saying anything. It takes a certain type of man to
rearrange the situation to fit what he wants. Over the next
couple of months I had the privilege, but at the time seamed
like the punishment, to work directly for the Gunny. The thing I
most respect about him is that he never let you be anything less
than what a Marine was supposed be. He held himself to a high
standard, and it made everyone around him tighten there own
screws. He is not the kindest person when he talks to you but
you know he really cares. He taught me so many times by his
example of what responsibility to your self and others meant.
There are personality traits that I have carried out with me
into my business life that I owe to the Gunny. Not just what he
told me, but from what I seen from him. I am not a professional
writer, so I hope my intent is coming through. Marines protect
America by taking care of each other. Men like MSgt Huchi are
through out the Corps. That's why the Corps has lasted 233 years
and counting. These are the legend you don't here about in the
history books, but they are a legend to someone.
Randy Tappen
United States Marine Corps 1996-2004
His Last As President
This was the last evening parade at 8th and I for 2008 and
President Bush was the guest of honor......his last as
President. This took place 2 weeks after our USMC Popasmoke
reunion in DC and was part of 3rd BN 1st marines reunion
(vietnam) at 8th and I. This was sent to me from my good friend
Mark OReilly who put together the reunion for 3/1. Mark was with
3/1 in vietnam 67-68 and is infamous for missing his plane home
and blames it on me.......go figure!
OOORAAH!
BOB
Another Tale
For Sid Gerling.......yup, there was an old Marine who lived in
the Depot Headquarters Bldg at San Diego back in the
60's......had a room on the north side of the north car passage
(tunnel, if you like).......walked by there one day, saw that
the door was open, noted the rack made up tight, and the
footlocker open with the tray propped up, everything ready for
inspection. Rumor was that he had been a champion boxer for the
Corps, had taken one too many to the head, but fully capable of
keeping at least part of the head shed squared away......odd
thing about this was that I learned about his place from my main
squeeze at the time, the switchboard operator at the main
PX......had heard it before, and had dismissed it as a BS story.
Another tale of the time was that there was one old-time civil
servant at Depot Maintenance who didn't do much, and they
couldn't fire him, as he was the only one who knew where all the
steam line tunnels were and wouldn't draw them a map... (depot
had a central steam plant at the time...) The switchboard
operator and I celebrated our 45th anniversary this year
(chaplain married us in the base chapel).......have told her she
was the best thing I ever got out of the PX, but money-wise, not
a bargain........she gets the credit cards or the car keys now,
but never both at the same time.........
Suggest you contact the guys at the Command Museum for more on
the Marine who lived in the head shed.......would bet that Lou
C. can tell you more... (we were DI's in L Co in the last
century....)
Semper Fi.....Dick Dickerson, MCRD SD '62-'66..........
MCAB Barstow And Galoshes
I served long after Sgt Gerling but I heard similar stories to
his referencing a retired SNCO living on a USMC facility in the
1990's.
Several Motor T friends related a story that all swore was true.
Unfortunately I never got to verify it. The claim was that
there was an older Marine who had retired and was called
(d*mn...can't remember exactly) Sir John or something like
that...living on MCAB Barstow, CA. The jist of the story was he
had served in the Korean War, gotten knighted or highly awarded
by the British for some action there, served for decades more,
and then when he retired he stayed at Barstow and lived in a
trailer in the motor pool. When a new motor pool was built he
was given a "suite" in it or something like that. Apparently he
was prone to walking around in galoshes and boxer shorts and had
enough pull to get a base commander he didn't like in trouble.
Never was able to verify this story but I heard it enough times
from Motor T and HE guys to wonder if it was true or not.
Cpl Mathias
97-01
A Native Of The Country
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I read all the stories of people thanking other Marines and it
reminds me of a few stories that happened in my life that stand
out greatly. When I first graduated from Parris Island and came
home on boot leave I was out visiting friends and family in my
service alphas, standing tall and looking good. At one point
while out and about I stopped at a small convenience store in
town that happened to be ran by an Iraqi refugee who fled the
country at the beginning of the war in 2003. His words to me I
will never forget he looked at me and said "You a Marine? Fvck
yes! Get that scum out of my country! I thank you every day for
what you American warriors are doing to clean up my homeland.
Thank you!" I was moved...and the main reason I remember this
is because when I got out of the store a lady (probably well
into her late 40s) came up to me and said "Fvck you, you war
monger!" That still strikes me, a native of the country we
invaded has more appreciation than some of the American
citizens.
Another time a lady who wasn't against the military but was
against guns, kept trying to drill into my head by saying over
and over again "I'm against guns, guns kill people" I told her
"people kill people" the classic line but she wouldn't have
anything of it. Finally I said "Listen lady, a gun saved my
life." She instantly responded with "What your gun saved you
from another gun?" "No.....my gun saved me from a vehicle
borne IED, had I not fired on the vehicle he would have slammed
into our checkpoint and not only killed me but other Marines as
well." She thought she would be a smart a$s and said "Well I'm
against bombs too!" and merely made her think when I responded
"Ma'am....I'm merely against people who are against me and what
I stand for."
Now fast forward 2 years I came home for a little leave and I
was traveling through Columbus, Ohio my jeep has a few Marine
Corps stickers on it. I stopped at a KFC to get something to eat
and this little old lady comes up to me and says "Are you in the
military" I kinda smiled because I had just gotten a fresh
horseshoe high and tight the day before and when I told her I
was a Marine she gave me a big hug and said "Thank you...I am so
proud of you!" I was taken back, a person I didn't even know
was so proud of me?
I read stories of all the anti military people in this country
but from my experiences for every 1 anti military person I have
met there are 10 supporters.....I hope they realize....there's
more for the military than against them.
Hope you didn't mind my rambling stories....I'll hop off my
soapbox now.
Cpl. Gordon Kirby
Sum Of Our Experiences
I went through Parris Island in 1940, Served ashore for a short
period, then went to Guantanamo, in the Engineers, "C" Company
First Engineer battalion. After many months we were dispatched
to the States on our way to Iceland as part of the 5th Marine
Brigade Provisional. Our job was to do some Engineering jobs,
but primarily we were to hold Iceland from any "take-over"
events by the Germans, since we had no weather station that far
north. We were there during the Jap bombing of Pearl Harbor.
In Iceland our Company was re-designated as "C" Company First
Aviation- Engineer Battalion, 1st MarDiv., becoming the fore-
runners of the Sea Bees. During the Spring of '41 we were
assigned back home to "Tent City" which was later named Camp
Lejeune.
From Lejeune "C" Company, among others, was ordered to Sea and
left for the primary advance on Guadalcanal. I was Detached to
HQ Company, Lejeune "awaiting Orders." I had applied for Flight
Training and graduated, with my Pilot Wings, from Pensacola in
1942, checked out in the F4U Corsair and sent, aboard the USS
Hornet, to the Pacific. I accomplished 89 Combat Missions and
was given two DFC's and five Air Medals, plus several others...
But enough about me:
My oldest son, now a doctor, went through P.I. in 1964, his
three sons went through P.I. in 2000, in 3 different Platoons.
My daughter married a Marine who went through P.I. in 1962.
Oldest son is marrying a lady with 4 children, 2 beautiful
daughters, and two sons, both Marines. We have shirts and Caps
which identify all eight of us as "Magill's Marauders."
Why do deserve this honor? I don't know, but each of us
recognizes the worth of Marines, and, since all of us are the
sum of our experiences, all Marines have shared experience which
have caused us to be who we are.
God Bless the USA and the USMC
Semper Fidelis
Wm. H. "Bill" Magill, Phd.
Sh!t Sandwich
Sgt. Grit,
I watched the entire mini-series only to see if this depiction
of our Corps would be in any way realistic compared to that
classic piece of sh!t "Jarhead". Once again, how sadly I was
disappointed. A Corpsman openly questioning the competency of
his C.O.? Another officer openly ridiculed and threatened by
his subordinate? 1st Recon was depicted as a dysfunctional band
of traveling clowns rather than the hard-chargers I knew them to
be when I served. I'm fairly certain I speak for most Marines
when I say never, and I mean NEVER would any of that be
tolerated in any unit I ever served in. What really p!sses me
off is having to answer the "Is that what the Marines were
really like?" questions. Sadly, we have once again been served
up yet another sh!t sandwich masquerading as reality. If you
haven't seen it, count your blessings that you did something
more productive with your time.
Semper Fidelis,
Craig W. Anderson
Lance Corporal of Marines 0311/8151
88-90 "A" Co. Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Philippines
90-92 "Lightning Lima" Co. 3/9 1st MARDIV
Okay Girls
Hey Sgt. I would like to share a story about one of Platoon 266
worst days in Boot Camp! It all started one morning about two
weeks into our training, at the PT field. There was one other
platoon there with more weeks of training then us. You could
tell by their tan. Not all pal like our platoon. I notice our
SDI was talking with the DI in charge of the other platoon.
After PT and running the course. We got back in formation and
ready to jog back to our barracks. That is when our DI gave us
the order " Fall out in a single line!" Then he told us that
the DI of the other platoon bet him a stake dinner that his
platoon could whip ours in a tug of war! We got all fired up and
shouted "SIR! No way SIR!. Well, I guess you know what happen.
That platoon with more weeks of training and more muscle whipped
our butts! They dragged us half way across that field! I can't
use the words our Senior Drill Instructor called us as he throw
his Campaign cover on the deck.
"Okay girls lets get back in formation and get back to the
barrack.'' We knew we were gonna catch h&ll when we got back! We
got one of our worst chewing outs! Now the fun starts! We were
ordered to hit the showers, and the urinals were off limits! And
when we came out of the showers, we were ordered to keep our
towels around us ! With just a towel and shower shoes, we were
marched to the squad bay of the platoon that win the tug a war.
Lucky for us, their squad bay was in the same barracks. We then
were ordered to shout in a high voice, wee wee wee we are girls
wee wee wee we are girls! Well, that platoon got a big kick out
of it! So we marched around their squad bay two or three times
then back to our squad bay. We were then ordered to get into our
utility's. And the urinals were off limits till further notice!
You can bet! We never lost another field meet!
B.OTIS
Platoon 266 / 2nd. Battalion
C Company / Parris Island SC
Junk On The Bunk
I recently replied to Leatherneck Magazine's ,"Leatherneck
Lingo" page which is a glossary of Marine terms and invites
additions to the list. I noticed that Junk on The Bunk
inspections was not in included on the list. I described the
purpose and elements of this inspection. They responded stating
consideration would be given to include this in the glossary,
however only a few Marines would remember Junk on The Bunk
inspections.?? If you ever stood one especially during an IG
inspection you would remember. Any one got JOB stories?
I feel readers of Sgt. Grit "get it" when it comes to the real
essence of being a MARINE. Keep up the good work!
SEMPER FI
Bob Lake LCPL 1957-1960
First M-16
As stated before in a letter to Sgt. Grit, I was stationed at
Parris Island from Sept. '73 to Jan. '76 in the Depot Armory. I
was a small arms repairman, (MOS 2111). As armorers, we were
responsible for the maintenance and the issue of weapons to
recruits and being the armorer on the rifle and pistol ranges
during range fire. In regards to Mike Riley's letter stating he
was told by his D.I.'s that his was the first series to train
with the M-16 exclusively. I believe he is correct in his
recollection. I remember the transition from the M-14 to the
M-16 and the time frame seems right. But I just can't get the
time frame down of where he would have been issued his weapon,
on Main side, near 2nd Battalion, or out at Weapons Battalion,
where the armory was underneath the Weapons Battalion Chow Hall.
The move of the Armory from Main side to Weapons Battalion was
around that time also. Anyways, thank you for your newsletter.
May " God Bless " all of our brothers and sisters still in harms
way and "Thank You" to all of them, past and present, for their
service.
Rick Wilson
Sgt. 2111
1973-1976
H & S Battalion
Service Company
Short Rounds
Sgt.Grit' is there anyone out there that were schooled for
printing at the Pentagon Bldg ? i was there in May- Nov. 1952.
Also did anyone go to S.F. CA depot of supplies @ 100 Harrison
St.? When was it closed down? I would really like to hear about
your tour there.
Many thanks to PFC Schottmiller, Thomas A, CLR-37 3rdMLG LS Co.
for his prose titled "What I Am". Your words put me right back
into 1967 and '68 in Chu Lai. We Marine brothers have all felt
the things of which you spoke. Well said my friend.
Semper Fi!
Sgt. Turner VMFA-314 Black Knights
Re Sid C Cerlings question about a retired Marine living on base
at MCRD San Diego.
Yes, that is not scuttlebutt. I don't know the Marine's name
but he lived in a room below the main building at the end of the
grinder. The story you heard is the same one told to me. I saw
him once or twice but never spoke to him.
Sgt. G. M. Blair
Drill Instructor MCRD San Diego
1956-1957
Sgt Grit,
I enjoy your letter and look forward to hearing from
all Marines. I am honored to have been accepted and to have
served in the finest fighting organization the world has ever
known. God Bless all Marines where ever they are. I am proud to
be one of you.
Sgt. Ray Hartmayer
1955-1963
Had a tripod that one could SIT behind and fire. The ONLY
tripods seen in Korea had the tripods at ground level. Don't
know when and where the, 'sit-behind' was used.
Norm Callahan
C-1-1, Korea, 51-52
Machine gunner
Chesty's last regimental command
Sgt. Grit:
If you could please pass this on to J.D. Centofanti who wrote
about cruises on the Boxer and Cambria Both ships were still
doing well in the late 1960s. I did a Caribbean Cruise on the
USS Boxer with BLT 3/6 in 1968 and a Mediterranean Cruise on the
USS Cambria with BLT 3/6 in 1969. The Cambria was involved in a
ship to ship collision on the Med cruise but was repaired nicely
while we enjoyed 1 month extra liberty on Malta.
Semper Fi
MARK HITE
Man In The Doorway! (Youtube Video)
I was proud to have served in the Corps and did a tour in nam.
my son served in the Corps and was in desert storm. he also
served in operation Iraqi freedom with our local national guard
unit. im proud of his service and to all who have/are serving
our great nation. God bless all.
Semper FI. Sgt. E.M. Hovious, 66-68
I enjoy your News Letters. I am a Marine Vet. I served in the
battles at the following Islands, Roi Namour, Siapan, Tinian,
and bloody Iwo Jima with the 4th Marine Division. I pray for all
the military that are in the war zone to have a safe return home
as I had many years ago. My heart felt thanks to all of them.
GOD BLESS,
old Marine vet,
Gene Moats
A few years ago, I put this up (website) and just thought I'd mention it.
Took me quite awhile to copy it from the original, which I still
have...
(Retired) Professional Firefighter and amateur everything else
I try to do...
This is Charles Struble and I approve this email...
Alexander Joesph Marchese, PFC. C-1-1
Guarding the gates for us!
57 years, June 9, 1951, KIA
and
We Remember, ALWAYS
Semper Fidelis
Norm Callahan
Gene Gustad - Poppa Gene
Men like Pappa Gene is why there is a Marine Corps.
Pappa Gene is now guarding the pearly gates with every other
Marine. Pappa Gene was a friend and mentor to many on the Sgt
Grit Bulletin Board for many, many years. Several years ago he
returned to Iwo Jima and got a flag raised there. The rest of
the story about Pappa Gene and the flag can be seen below. As
well as other adventures he had.
Photo of Pappa Gene
Flag Raising
Flag Raising and Lowering Ceremonies
God Bless Pappa Gene
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
Got Freedom? Compliment of the United States Marine Corps
Stop Global Whining
Welcome Home Marine!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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