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I was visiting with an old uncle, named Owen Cain. He was an 18
year old PFC, assigned to guard the recently captured air strip,
on Iwo Jima. While standing his assigned post, he began swatting
at what he thought was Bees.
His Captain yelled at him, "Private, what the h&ll are you doing", He replied "Swatting at Bees or Wasps, Sir !" ....The CO yelled "There are no insects
buzzing you, those are Japanese rifle bullets"..
That seemed to be his favorite story..
James Cain
The Sgt Grit Blog
Check for frequent updates - Get the inside scoop on Sgt Grit....
http://sgtgrit.blogspot.com/
Eight Man Squad Drill
Yes, it was discontinued about 1960-61. I believe it was under
Gen. Shoup that the drill was removed. He made many changes,
such as eliminating Swagger Sticks for Officers and SNCOs. That
was the drill used up to World War 2 when the 13-man squad was
developed. It had been re-introduced in 1954 but not as a
replacement for the 13-member squad drill. It was meant to be
used in Boot Camp and Non-FMF units. Gen. Shepherd was CMC when
it was re-introduced. It was very complicated, but when properly
executed by large units, it was beautiful. For example, 2 or
more battalions on parade. I still have the instruction manual I
received at Quantico in 1955.
Paul Santiago
GySgt (Ret)
6th Annual GriTogether
When: May 16, 2009 - 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Where: Sgt Grit - Oklahoma City
What: Some Good Ole' Marine Corps Fun
- Karaoke
- Free Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips & drinks
- Door Prizes
- Military Vehicles
- Silent Auction
- Youngest/Oldest Marine Contest
- Fun for the entire family
Get more info on the 2009 GriTogether
Photos From Last Year (top to bottom):
Robertson Pipers / Native American Marine Association Dancer / Bravo 1/11 (Vietnam) Reunion
Deer Hunting
Sgt. Grit, I was reading your news letter about deer hunting
around Camlo. I was with Kilo 3/3 at the fish bowl in 1967.
while one of our snipers was working the perimeter with a
starlight scope he shot a deer, the next morning a team went
outside the wire to retrieve the carcass. The cooks prepared him
for lunch that day. Your letters bring back a lot of memories.
Cpl. Dave Hunter 1965-1969 Vietnam 1967-1968
Warden Was Not Happy
Hello Sgt. Grit!
I served in The Corps from '87 to '91 as a corrections
specialist or brig guard. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and
spent my last year working at the Joint Forces Brig on Camp
Hanson, Okinawa. One morning at Camp Lejeune during our
briefing, our Gunny informed us that the warden was not happy.
Top had told Gunny that one shift was too hard on the prisoners
and another shift was to soft, then another shift was sometimes
too hard and sometimes too soft. That shift was us. I spoke up
and said, " Come on Gunny, you know how it is.....sometimes ya
feel like a nut.....sometimes ya don't!" Gunny did not find it
as amusing as everybody else.....I got tower duty! People
always ask me if I liked my time in....I tell them sometimes you
woke up and loved it, sometimes ya didn't. I would do it again
and will never forget the friends and memories I have of my
active service!
Jon Slayton Cpl '87 - '91
Capt Alan "AMERICA" Jones
Maj Dick Dickerson, Ret, you have a pretty good memory. The
individual that swam the Mississippi was Capt Alan "AMERICA"
Jones, who at the time was stationed at MCB Quantico, Va. I met
the man while I was a Recruiter in Dubuque, Iowa from late 74 to
Jul 77 and still have his business card. According to the
newspaper clipping that I still have he also did 27,003 sit-ups
non-stop, swam 100 miles down the Columbia River in Oregon,
pressed a 70 pound weight 1,602 time nonstop, and once swam
three miles with his hands bound and feet shackled while pulling
a 3,200 pound barge.
Ralph G. Schwartz
SSgt of Marines, 67-77
Dirty Tricks Dept
Senior SNCO dirty tricks dept: 2/1 was the second of the
'transplacment battalions'...filled to TO at Camp Pendleton (San
Mateo was the home of 1st Marines in those days, 1959), 'locked
on' (no transfers, no nuttin','just training from then on for 13
months). The Bn displaced to Camp Sukeran (as she was spelled
at the time) on Okinawa to become 2/1/9, 3rdMarDiv.
H&S Company had a pair of salts as the 1st Sgt ('Frenchy'
DuCharme), and the Co Gunny (Walter...I think....Sleazak) The
gunny was fond of referring to some of the company as
fornicating Bolsheviks.(well, close to that, anyway....the
Bolshevik part is verbatim). H&S was split between two
barracks.....most of the Company lived/ate in a three-story
building, while 106's, Flames, and Comm Plts . along with BAS,
were a couple blocks away in building 520, (had to march over
to the three-story for chow, and the mess arrangements had
something to do with the Gunny's assessment of some of us
resembling landless Russian peasants....story for another
time...)
I had been appointed "Police Sgt" for building 520, was usually
left behind with a couple of troops to maintain the building
when the rest were off afield. Not bad duty for a Cpl (E-3),
especially since there was a civilian laundry pickup/delivery
office in the main passageway (If memory serves, the clerk's
name was Yoshiko.....a demure miss of about 19, but I digress).
Was about my business as usual one morning when the Gunny hove
into sight, blood stains on his protruding fangs and knuckles
barely clearing the deck. He told me "Get in your khakis and get
over to the Company office.......now!". I wasn't about to ask
what for, nor why, but complied with extreme alacrity....Hit the
front of the 1stSgt's desk, who immediately inquired if I was
aware of my rights under Article 31? and, was simultaneously
practicing his stare used to penetrate 1/4" armor plate at 30
paces. The 1stSgt then instructed me to march in and report to
the Company Commander. I did, while racking my brain for what I
might have done, or not done, to merit office hours.
The Skipper asked me if I knew why I was there, and in my best
basso-profundo squeak, managed a quavering 'No, Sir'. At this
point, he rose, picked up a piece of paper from his desk, and
proceed to read off a Meritorious Mast involving the condition
of Building 520. The Gunny and the 1stSgt were about to wet
themselves over this, and even though there was no promotion
involved, they decided that my chevrons needed nailing on again.
Will confess to pulling similar stunts on young Marines in years
to come. The Company Commander at the time was 1stLt Lee
Preble, (of the VA. Prebles....at least one destroyer named the
Preble), and the Bn Commander was Lt.Col Ike Fenton......classic
photo of Capt Fenton in Korea in David Douglas Duncan's photo
essay, "This Is War". We who have earned the emblem have
frequently walked unawares among giants of our kind...I count
it a real privilege!
DDick
First They Were Dragging
Sgt. Grit,
After graduating from Parris Island (platoon 247) with the rank
of PFC, I headed for San Diego and radio school. From there to
the 5th Marines and then to Camp Sukiran, Okinawa.
I read the recent comments from PFC Ray H. Phipps and it
reminded me that I too was part of the 9th Marines. I was
assigned to the 2nd battalion, H&S company. My MOS was 2533,
radio telegraph operator. Our company commander was Ernest E.
Evans, or triple E as we called him.
Although I don't remember the desert to sea hike, I sent the
Phipps article to several of my fellow Marines one of whom said
the following: he can remember standing in formation on a road,
welcoming them home as they came up the hill. First they were
dragging a__, then began route step and then you could see them
straighten up and pretty soon they were marching tall and proud.
I remember wishing that I was part of that desert to the sea
hike.
Also, I remember that guy getting drummed out of the Corps. Was
very sobering. Great story, and as Bob Hope used to say "thanks
for the memory". S/F, Ken
While at Sukiran, one of our guys, swiped the guide on flag from
one of the Army units attending a class in a building near our
barracks. He hung it out over our third floor balcony until our
leaders decided we needed to return it to the Army.
I thoroughly enjoy reading your newsletter. It brings back
memories as well being able to impart stories to fellow veteran
Marines or comment on whatever subject is hot at the time.
Semper Fi,
Dan Suter 1960-1964
Then Execute RIGHT ABOUT
L/Cpl Joseph's recall of COD really brought back memories. Plt
197 at San Diego in the summer of '56 used "Squads Drill", which
for a short while replaced the LPM (Landing Party Manual) used
during the war era. Each squad of 8 Marines formed in 2 ranks
would complete a completely different set of steps in 6 counts.
It was incredibly difficult to master. For example, I was
usually the first man on the right in the second rank. On the
command "Squads Right" I would take two paces LEFT OBLIQUE, then
execute RIGHT ABOUT, and then march in place through the count
of six. Then for squads left I had a completely different set
of steps to execute.
However, when mastered, Joseph was exactly right.
It was a thing of beauty! In our twelfth week on the grinder,
we all believed we were the sharpest F@%*@*s on the planet.
It only lasted a short time. They dropped it for the same
reason they did before WWII, the pressures of war. The LPM was
quicker and easier to learn, freeing up time for more pressing
training. But I wish to God I could see it one more time.
Semper Fi!~
Mumford, Kenneth J., USMCR 1955/1963
Iwo Medal Of Honor
I enjoyed SGT J. Cooke's article on WWII Marine Al Cialfi in the
29 Jan e-issue of the Sgt Grit Newsletter.
The author may be interested to know that there is a USMC Medal
of Honor still living (and quite robust) in Barboursville WV
named Herchel "Woody" Williams. Mr. Williams, a flame thrower
operator, won his Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima.
I don't know how many other...if any...Iwo Jima Medal of Honor
winners are still living.
Semper Fi,
Sam Hood
USMC 1971-1973
Huntington WV
H. John Idema, Age 88
This was in a local newspaper. H. John Idema age 88 of the town
of Poughkeepsie New York died November 24, 2008. He enlisted in
USMC shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He saw combat
action in the Pacific and participated in the assaults on Iwo
Jima, Okinawa, Tarawa, and Guam where they saw fierce fighting
between US Marines and the Imperial Japanese Army. He was among
the first Marine contingent to land in Japan after their
surrender. At the age of 23, he became one of, if not the,
youngest Marine to attain the ranks of Master Sergeant, Master
Gunnery Sergeant, then First Sergeant, and finally Marine
Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted pay grades in the USMC
during WWII. He was on Iwo Jima as the Marines raised the flag
on Mount Suribachi on Feb 23, 1945.
Thank you,
Tim Roff
Marine Dad
Reenlisted
I recently reenlisted back into the Marine Corps! I wanted to
get a moto tattoo that was different from others I have seen.
So I found this design of the EGA & I loved it! I also decided
to include hanging dogtags with my kids names & birthdays. This
is to show my love for the Corps & to my kids!
Semper Fi,
Cpl Mound
090127
Middle Linebacker
I was assigned to MP Company, Security Battalion, MCB Camp
Pendleton and I played offensive center and Middle Linebacker
for H&S Battalion at Camp Pendleton
James Wolfe
We Are All Marines
I, too, am a Marine who served during Vietnam, but saw no
combat. I do not consider myself less of a Marine, as I have
lived my entire life by the standards the Corps instilled in me.
I enlisted in early 1970 and served until 1973 and then did
some time in the Reserves. At that time, the Marine Corps was
changing all administration and payroll records from manual to
computer. For some reason, I was destined to be an
Admin/Disbursing clerk and nothing was going to change that. I
spent my entire tour assigned to the 2nd MAW at MCAS(H) New
River. I asked to be reassigned to another duty station, go on a
float, go anywhere, but no deal. It was not that bad, as I
made E-4 in 1 year and E-5 in 2 years. I was only doing the
job they asked me to, to the best of my ability.
I went through boot camp with a guy, from Tennessee, Jones, D.
A., who wanted no part of Disbursing at Lejeune and said one
way or another he was going to Vietnam. After 2 years of
numerous UA's, it was decided he could go to Vietnam IF he went
through boot camp again! The last time I heard from him many
years ago, he was on his way to Vietnam!
The 3 years I spent on active duty molded my entire life. I was
a successful businessman, I was a reserve Deputy Sheriff. I
have had many achievements over the years, but the most valuable
was being a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. I have a
great deal of respect for my many Marine Corps buddies who
served in Vietnam, and thank them all for their service, but I
feel doing the job the Marine Corps asks and expects you to do,
whatever it is, is just as important. We are all Marines.
Sgt. R.B.Jennings 2637356
Boynton Beach, Fl
Beirut 1958
How many grunts out there were in Beirut in 1958, that are still
alive & kicking, from the 1st Bn., 8th Marines, 50+ years
later? This was originally, a common, "Med Cruise", that
actually lasted from January to October! When we landed on the
beach, dozens of civilians were waiting for us & cheering us on,
like at a football game! Most of us were encamped above
Antellyas in a terraced peach orchard with water tower at top.
How many remember the following; Flares at night, (one burned up
a Hdq. co., tent & that squashed any more flares!. The song,
"Volare", which we brought back to the U.S., & it became a hit;
the Army coming down from Turkey with more gear than any brigade
should have & we stole them blind & put our white diamond & 1/8
on everything-we went home with more gear than we came with!
Maj. Chappitti, Capt. Anderson, Lts. Smith & Moran; The two
helicopters that went down-one with an Army Genl., who had to
walk ashore; Dysentery everywhere, the "Basta"; Our 3 ships,
Olmsted, Fremont & Spiegel Grove; Chief Lentz; Gunny Holzinger,
SSgt. Ortega. Prior to this-our 3 times in Gibralter, Camp
Darby, Italy; Olmsted blowing a boiler & going to Majorca &
everyone else to France; audience with the Pope, the Almeria
fiasco with Genl. Franco watching us go down the nets & his
candy-a$s Marines refusing to go; the 23 mile hike after the
hurricane; , etc. The booklet that USMC put out in the 60's on
the Beirut landing/occupation is about 75%, correct-I know, I
was there!
Tom Mac Donald, ex-HM3, B-1-8, FMF.
Reunion
Today, January 29, fifty years ago, "K" Company, 2nd Bn.,
platoons 206, 207, 208 and 209 was formed and our Marine Corps
experienced started at Parris Island known as the "Rock".
This April, we as a company will again meet for our reunion as
we did on our 45th. Those who read this and were among the Few,
the Proud of "K" Company, please contact:
Grandle Starling
Marine1 @ stardevil .com
I Volunteered
This is a response to Andy De Cusati' letter on being a Cold War
Marine. I too am a Non-Combat Cold War Marine, having served
from '76 to '80. This was a tough time to be a Marine. On
reflection it seems as if some of the stuffing had been knocked
out of the Marine Corps. I carry the same feelings of being a
little bit "less than".
I earned the title the same as any other Marine. I was trained
by some of the finest. All were Vietnam veterans that knew that
at any moment we could be placed in harm's way and they took
that responsibility very seriously. My Senior Drill Instructor,
Staff Sergeant Colasanti, had 5 purple hearts and could outrun
any one of us 17-18 year olds. I will never forget the pride I
felt the last night in boot camp, after we got in out rack (at
attention, of course), when his final words to us were "Good
Night, Marines".
My MOS was 2531, I was a radio operator. I served with the
grunts at 2/7 at Camp San Mateo on Camp Pendleton for 1 1/2 years
and humped all over Pendleton with the 81 mm Mortar weapons team
and also followed around a 106 recoilless rifle (Remember
them?). I volunteered for and served 71 days at sea on the USS
Tarawa during her sea trials and was part of her first
amphibious landing. I volunteered to go to Okinawa and served
with Artillery on an 8" gun with 3/12 at Camp Zukeran. We spent
a large part of our time in Korea because we could not fire the
gun on Okinawa.
One evening we were taking a mamasan back to her village after
curfew (It's a whole other story) and got held at Gunpoint by
some ROK Marines at a checkpoint. I finished my tour at Camp
Lejeune with a Multi-channel Radio platoon at 2nd FSSG. It was
the closest I came to combat. We were sent to Turkey to hold an
exercise that I believe was a diversion in case Marines had to
go get the Shah out of Iran. Later when we were returning from
the Med, the hostages were taken in Tehran. I thought (hoped,
wished, prayed) that we would be sent back to get them out. When
I got out in '80, my Marine Corps was in a dark place.
I proudly served. I had a great tour that did not include
combat. Frankly, I blame my Commander in Chief, Jimmy Carter.
In fact, I blame him as being the starting point for the
terrorist attacks on our country, because by not responding in
Iran, we were perceived as weak, but that is also another story.
The million dollar question is, was I fortunate or unfortunate
to not see combat? I would venture to say that there are a few
Marines who would say that it was fortunate that I did not. But
in my heart there are many more that would say I missed out.
I am proud to be a Marine. My truck carries the emblems
proudly, but when I am asked if I saw combat, I am embarrassed
and sad to say no. It is as if I missed out on the final Stamp
that makes me a real Marine. I believe that my Marine Corps
experience has made me successful in business. The leadership
that I was taught and witnessed has served me well and is sorely
lacking in our world today. But even today, when I hear of
these young Marines doing their 2nd and 3rd tours in Iraq, I
literally ache with envy.
I feel your pain, Cusati. Would I have performed well under
fire? I'll never know. It almost feels like I am carrying a
weight, that I cannot shed. Luckily I have my Eagle, Globe and
Anchor, which I earned, to support me.
Bruce M. Taylor
Corporal
2/7, 3/12, 2nd FSSG
'76-'80
The Way Chesty Would
I have been proud to call myself a Marine now for almost 16
years. After my first enlistment I left active duty for family
reasons and moved back to my home state. I soon missed the
Corps so I joined a local reserve unit. The reserves just
wasn't the same so after almost 4 years with that I put more
into my law enforcement career and left the reserves. After
9/11 I always mentioned going back to active duty to do my part
and get into the action but never followed through. Early last
year I did just that and after a 10 year break in active service
I swore back in as an active duty Marine. Once more my heart
swelled with Marine Corps Pride. Shortly thereafter I was sent
out West and was kind of upset that I did not end up with a
deployable unit as I had requested, defeating my purpose of
coming back in.
I don't know what happened to my Corps but what I have
experienced this past year of being back has made me ashamed.
No longer do Marines take care of each other, No longer do the
NCO's look after their junior Marines. They are more worried
about making themselves look good then setting a good example
and instilling leadership qualities in the younger Marines. The
morale is extremely low and all my Marines can't wait until that
infamous EAS date to come. With a nation at war and the Corps
trying to up the numbers I would think that the goal would be to
retain good Marines. But more and more I see good Marines
leaving because of bad leadership. I myself have questioned my
intentions for returning and wondered if it was a mistake.
During my break in service I have always had T-shirts
representing the Marine Corps that I have purchased from Sgt
Grit. Now I don't even take them out of the closet.
I guess the Marine moto is no longer Semper FI and has now been
replaced with Semper I. Please tell me this is not how it is
with the rest of my beloved Corps. Marines, please look out for
each other. Hold onto the Marine Corps values and lead your
Marines the way Chesty would, with honor.
-HeartBroken Marine
Things May Have Changed
In reference to the young and trusting Marine who cashed what
turned out to be an NSF ("Non-sufficient Funds") check as a
favor to a wolf*:
The offense committed by the wolf is (at minimum) "Uttering and
Publishing" and can be, depending upon the amount of the check,
a Felony offense.
It would seem to me that the young and trusting Grunt could have
gone to the Post Military Police and filed a formal complaint,
which would have (should have?) been pursued by the Military
Police, likely ending up with charges being filed against the
wolf.
That likely would not have gotten back the money stolen from the
young and trusting Marine, but would have prevented the wolf
from pulling there same stunt again, since he would have
(likely) been given Brig Time and a BCD.
Only those strong enough to pursue legal means can help prevent
crime.
Of course, what do I know: (A.) I wasn't there, and (B.) things
may have changed since the days I humped rice paddies on behalf
of Our Beloved Marine Corps.
*"wolf:" one who preys on sheep
CONNELY/R
Sgt/USMC/RVN - '66 - '68
Feel The Same Way
Good afternoon,
I just finished reading the 22 January issue of your wonderful
newsletter. I may not read it on the day I get it in my email
box but I do read it every week and I thank you very much for
your site and newsletter.
Anyway, a Cpl David Gaytan had mentioned about his being a Viet
Nam Era Marine. He mentioned that at a Christmas ceremony at his
church, they had asked for veterans from Korean War, Viet Nam
War, Desert Storm, and currently serving in Iraqi Freedom to
stand up. He did not stand up to be recognized as he had not
served in Viet Nam. He felt that it wasn't the same thing to
have served stateside and not in Nam. I too feel the same way. I
served stateside between June 1968 and April 1975 and did not go
to Nam. I have noticed over the years that there is very little
gear that I could wear to show my pride of having served my
country in the Marine Corps. I like Cpl Gaytan received an
Honorable Discharge and would love to see more recognition with
items saying something like, "Viet Nam Era Marine" or "Viet Nam
Era Veteran".
Many times over the years I have been told by other Marines,
Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen that I am still their brother. This
I appreciate very much indeed.
Thank you again for your wonderful site and for the weekly
newsletter. Long may it continue in the years to come.
Semper Fi
Carl Conkling
Sgt of Marines
1968 - 1975
Teague, TX
Big Red
A couple of recent newsletters have remembered 1st Sgt Red Ebert
of the 10th Marines. I served in his outfit from '57 to '59 and
boy did he set the bar high for the rest of us jarheads. We
called him Big Red but not to his face (one newcomer did greet
him with "good morning Big Red" and many of us heard the chewing
out). Sgt Ebert walked with a limp which seemed to enhance his
swagger.
One morning after my radio mid watch I decided to sleep under
the stars instead of my tent. When I awoke I was airborne. Big
Red had hold of the foot of my sleeping bag and was swinging me
around like a bag of spuds. When he let go I landed like bag of
something else. A good laugh was had by all.
I never knew his service record but just the way he carried
himself commanded the utmost respect. Great fond memories of a
Marine's Marine.
Phil Johnson-Cpl
And Went Home
Sgt. Grit, You asked for Cold War stories. How about this...
When we landed in Gitmo Oct 62 during the missile crisis we were
handed Flak Jackets and Ammo as we exited the plane. It was then
that Khrushchev packed up his Missiles and his Russian troops
and went home!
Cpl Patrick Scannell 1923064
I Say All Of This
Dear Sgt Grit,
From time to time, I peruse the different classmate-type sites
looking for old friends. Recently, I was searching ALMARs on
USMC.mil and I ran across a familiar name, Douglas E Berry.
I served from 1991-1995, all of it state-side and all of my
Fleet time at Camp Lejeune. For almost a year an a half, I
served in the 2d FSSG Commanding General's Office where I worked
in the Headquarters Building on the computers, network and
software that ran the Group. I also had the honor of driving
the General and acted as the personal 'Scribe' and driver of the
Group Sergeant Major, Douglas E Berry. He was a man of LARGE
stature and epitomized the word Marine. He was hard as nails
and gentle as a lamb.
During the time that I served with him, I was meritoriously
promoted to Corporal. SgtMaj Berry pinned on my chevrons. As
painful as it was, that moment is something that I hold very
dear in my heart.
Well, when I came across the name again while searching ALMARs,
I looked deeper to track this man down. Knowing that he retired
just before I ended my active duty and that he had a son that
was a Sgt when I served, I tried to contact the Junior Berry.
Now a 1stSgt, the Junior Berry was deployed and wasn't able to
respond to me immediately. About a week later, I got an e-mail
from the SgtMaj. This was shocking as the SgtMaj that I knew
hated computers and I could have never imagined that he would
willingly be sending e-mails.
We shot a few e-mails back and forth, catching up. He mentioned
that he was coming to Illinois in June. Although three hours
away from my home, we're going to meet up for a cup-o-joe.
I say all of this for a reason. I've had lots of friends and
close colleagues in my career since the Corps. Few of them, if
any I hold in such high regard as those with whom I have served,
that serve NOW and that have given their ALL. What a Band of
Brothers!
God Bless old friends, God Bless the Marines, God Bless the
United States of America
Brad Motter
Corporal, USMC
1991-1995
It Sure Felt Good
HEY SGT. I would like to respond to L/Cpl. Joseph's about other
Marines having close order drill while in Boot Camp. I was at PI
From September 57 till December Friday the 13th. A lucky day
for me! And yes we did close order drill .and lot of it!
Morning, afternoon, and night! As soon as we stop having to
march with our right hand on the shoulder of the guy in front of
us. We started close order drill. It wasn't easy! Guys were
stumbling over each other .walking on each other. I know cause I
was one of them. We were doing it in our sleep! I was a number 2
man. I can remember the steps like it was yesterday! After
evening chow, our DI would march us in back of the barracks
where there was enough lighting. And he would stand on the top
deck of the fire escape looking down so he could watch every
ones mistakes. We drill until just before Mail Call and Taps.
They were playing Taps as we were running up and down the squad
bay trying to slap your mail out of the DI's hands. Then lights
out and lay at attention in our racks. I was one of the lucky
ones, I Had a top rack next to a window with light coming in, so
I was able to read my mail. And as for the close order drill,
our Platoon took 1st. In company and Battalion! It sure felt
good after all those hours wetting and drilling!
B. OTIS
PLATOON 266
PARRIS ISLAND
I Am A Firm Believer
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I joined the Corps in Nov. 1957, sent to Yemassee, SC until we
had enough recruits [not the word the Sgt used} to form a
platoon, then over to Parris Island, of which he informed us,
there are two ways to leave this Island, one is to graduate, the
other is in a pine box, I chose the first choice!
Some of my memories from over 50 years ago, My Platoon # was
303, two of my DI's that I remember were SSgt. Kahle and Sgt
McFarlane, there were no yellow footprints as I remember, but,
there were Women Marines that we could see drill and the DI
reminded us, there is miles and miles of that stuff and we
weren't going to get an inch of it. We did get to see what was
claimed to be the first ever snow fall in SC, but it didn't get
rid of the sandfleas, I still remember my serial # 1682617 and
after I graduated, the older Marines wanted to know if that was
the national debt. haha, I am a firm believer of the motto "Once
a Marine, Always A Marine", the Corps teaches you principles and
values, that you will never forget!
I was in the Corps for 4 years active, and 2 years inactive. My
closest encounter with being in a war, was, while stationed at
Marine Barracks, Newport, RI, we all had to pack our seabags and
go on stand-by to board a ship, but that didn't happen, One
other highlight was, in making a Mediterranean cruise in 1960
aboard the USS Vermillion AKA 107 with the 1st Bn. 8th Marines, I
loved this cruise, even though we did landings on every island
we came to. the liberty made up for this!
I want to commend you and your newsletter for bringing these
memories to life, although, some of the articles bring a tear to
my eyes occasionally.
Thanks to each and every Marine, for keeping and maintaining our
Freedom, they sure have my respect and admiration!
Semper Fi and God Bless
L/Cpl. Stanley A. Shepherd 1682617
1957-1963 USMC
The Vietcong Fired
Dear Sgt Grit,
So many stories that these Marines write about and cause some
reflection on some events of one's own like with the Marine
Corps. The USMC is a band of brothers and as such is smaller
than one can imagine. I was serving as a corpsman with 1st
Platoon, Hotel Company, 2nd Bn 5th Marines on the early morning
of 6 February 1967 near Phu Loc 6 (Liberty Bridge) op area. My
platoon was on My Loc 2 and the other two platoons were about 5
miles away at Phu Loc 6. A squad from Hotel had set up a
blocking force about 7 miles away beside the Son Thu Bon River
and were trying to ambush some local Vietcong who were coming up
the river in sampans near a village and getting rice and other
supplies. About 2 AM, several boat loads of Vietcong were moving
into the area on the river where the squad was set up.
The Vietcong fired into the squad and threw some grenades toward
the Marines. One of the grenades blew up near LCpl Larry Cross
and he was severely wounded. There was no corpsman with this
squad and Cross needed medical help. Luther Hamilton ran all the
way back to Phu Loc 6 for help and the Vietcong chasing him
while firing and trying to capture him. He made it. In the
meantime, one of the wounded Marines got to a radio and called
back to Hotel and my platoon from My Loc 2 was scrambled to go
help since we were closer than the rest of the company. We sent
a reinforced squad to the area. By the time we got there, Cross
had died. I wrapped him up in a poncho and stayed with him all
night. The next morning we carried him out and eventually a helo
came and picked him up.
About four years ago, I got in touch with Larry Cross's sister,
Melinda Bell who wrote an email on the 2nd Bn 5th Mar website
asking if anyone know her brother. I wrote back and we had
several emails to share. She sent a picture of him with another
Marine from RTC days on the internet and another Marine friend
of mine, Sgt Charlie Eddy, who served with Hotel in Vietnam
happened to come to my house the day the picture came across. He
had served a tour with Hotel and arrived in country in late
February 67 and was the Platoon Sgt for Weapons Platoon in
Hotel. He was wounded on April 22, 1967 in Vietnam and was
searching for me to document his wound so he could get his
Purple Heart and VA benefits. He had looked for 35 years and
finally found me via the internet.
We started getting together since he lived about 120 miles from
my home in WV. He never knew my name as I was just called "Doc"
in Vietnam. When that picture of Larry Cross came on the net, I
asked him to come and look at it. He said, "Hey, that's Larry
Cross". I said how do you know him. He said that Larry used to
baby sit his son while they were both stationed at Marine
Barracks, Norfolk, Va. He did not know Larry was killed in
Vietnam. This is just a little story of how Marines connect and
our lives inter-twine in many ways. February 6 is a couple days
away and Larry will always be remembered by me and so many other
Marines. Sad thing about him is that he only had a short time to
go in Vietnam and he would have rotated home. He is with God,
protecting the Gates of Heaven, where all Marines will
eventually serve.
Roger "Doc" Ware
Hotel 2/5 66/67 Vietnam
HAL (3) Mekong Delta 71/72
Overpaid
Sgt. Grit,
I have wondered for a number of years now if other Marines had
been through the same situation I did when mustering out from
active duty. At disbursing, we received any monies owed to us
before we were released. It seemed to take forever, as there
were a lot of Marines getting out Dec. 10, 1971. After waiting
at least two eternities, we were paid. THEN, we were all
notified that someone (ONE PERSON) was overpaid. We were duly
notified that no one would leave the area until the overly rich
peon coughed up the extra dinero. B!tching and moaning, we tried
to wait out the shakedown but to no avail. With no recourse, we
all pitched in a couple of bucks until the ransom (over payment)
was reached. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but it
seems to me if someone was indeed overpaid, the disbursing crew
should have known whom it was, after all the overpayment was
recognized. I'm thinking that we all contributed to the Xmas
fund that day. Anyone else have a thought?
L/Cpl Dan Buchanan
1969-71
Honor Run
America's heroes need your help. Today's technology mercifully
moves an injured soldier from battlefield to fully-equipped
hospital in less than an hour.
What's this mean? It means the number of amputees we bring home
from war has skyrocketed over previous conflicts. It means 1 in
4 injured soldiers now come home with a traumatic injury of some
kind.
And the hospitals they come home to, while better equipped to
handle them, are often ill-equipped to provide for their
families.
What can we do? Here's what we can do.
There's this thing called the Honor Run, Saturday, September
5th. A coast-to-coast ride that ends right here in Southern
California.
The donations we raise will help a number of organizations take
care of the men and women who took care of us. As well as their
families.
Dave Barr, a double-amputee, will take off from the Vietnam
Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28th. As he and his
buddies pick up steam and riders crossing the country, they'll
roll through a bunch of states. Ending up at Oakley headquarters
in Orange County, California for a monumental celebration.
Word is, this thing could be up to 10,000 strong as it thunders
on home.
Law Enforcement's onboard. So's the 1st Marine Division
Association. So's the Vietnam Veterans of America. So's CSI New
York's Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band, scheduled to get it on
at the giant celebration at Oakley on the 5th.
All we need are you and your brothers to ride with this very
simple message.
America, the time has come to pay back our heroes.
With pennies. Dollars. Jobs. Education. Care. Whatever we've
got.
There are no politics in these efforts. No Republicans. No
Democrats.
Only Americans.
We need your help out there on the road. To ride. To support the
ride. To spread the word on the ride. We need all of America,
but the message starts with you.
These are our heroes. They fought for all of us. Now's our
chance to fight for them
For more information see www.thehonorrun.org and sponsor a flag
at www.firstgiving.org/gratefulpatriot1
Sgt Grit you can use part of all of this statement anything you
can do would be greatly appreciated.
Semper Fi,
The Grateful Patriot
Executive Director
The Honor Run
1st Marine Division Association
949-633-0459
4 B's
Grit,
This is in response to Andy De Cusat's ltr about felling "less
than a Veteran."
Warrior Brother,
Not all are called to front line or support Combat positions.
That does not make you less of a Marine.
Remember that there are the four (4) B's, being;
Beans, Bullets, Bandages and Bad Guys.
If you have never had a round coming or going, count your
blessings.
There is no "I" in "Team" and always know that your service,
especially in our beloved Corps was an important part of any
given mission.
Fly your colors proud, and know that you are one of "The Few,
The Proud, The Marines."
Semper Fi,
Maddog
GySgt "Ranger" McCain
This is just to let you know, the first combat Marines in
Vietnam was April 1963 it was a 47 3rd Recon Bn "C" Co.
GySgt "Ranger" McCain trained this 47 Marine recon unit, he was
out of 1st recon, 2nd force recon, and 3rd recon he passed in
1981.
We took over security of the DaNang Air Base and did some
special job's for the Corps out in the bush. Worked with MABS-16
Shufly Sub Unit 2
John Gariano USMC 1962/66
3rd Recon Bn
Vietnam 1963
Neil Grissom and Wade Hudson
3rd Recon Marines 1963
One Of The Best
Just a short note to Doc Higgins who served with Golf 2/5 at
Hue. I have the honor of knowing the greatest Corpsman who ever
served with Marines. Chief Warren "Lou" LeGarie served with the
Marines of 2/5 while they made the City of Hue free of the NVA
and Viet Cong. Lou has told me many stories of the brave Marines
and Corpsman who fought with distinction and honor. Lou served
for 30 years as a Corpsman of Marines, first in WWII, China,
Korea and then in Vietnam with that same distinction and Honor.
In his 30 years of service to out Country and Corps he never
wore the uniform of a sailor. He was a Marine first and
foremost. Nothing was to good for his Marines and he did his
best to insure that they got the best treatment that could be
given at his Medical Station. At An Hoa he was known to put his
Corpsmen on their butts when they did not produce the quality of
medical care that Lou thought they should. So Doc if you were
with Lou at Hue you are one of the best. Thank you for your
service.
Semper Fi!
Ray Westphal
Gunnery Sergeant (Ret)
From SHANGHAI To CORREGIDOR:
Marines in the Defense of the Philippines
by J. Michael Miller
S/Sgt. Marshall's Ordeal
Gentlemen (and Marines):
Here is a true story of a prank I and another Sgt. pulled on a
hard-nosed lifer who constantly busted our balls despite the
hardship of being constantly in combat situations. He really
deserved this one. It is true and accurate and has been
verified by the other participant in the story. Also, an
abridged account has been published in the fantastic book
Battlelines by Lt. Col. Dave Brown who was the company commander
at the time of this incident. I highly recommend that book to
your readers; it is the history of the seven years' deployment
of Fox Co. 2/5 in Viet Nam and expertly combines the historical
record with continual use of first hand accounts.
Sgt. Marc (Sandbag Ski) Waszkiewicz USMC Ret.
Viet Nam 1967-68-69
Artillery Forward Observer
S/Sgt. Marshall's Ordeal
It was early into Operation Mead River; early into December
1968, and much later than S/Sgt Marshall realized. Now I am not
saying anything against Marshall. Not at all. No way. To the
contrary, I was right beside him when second platoon cleared out
dead NVA from over-run bunkers on September 29th less than three
months before. I remember him going head first, alone, into a
freshly taken bunker, only to come right back out after emptying
his M-16 only to ask for a .45 so he could go back in! There
were eight enemy soldiers inside, and one of them turned his
head to look at Marshall as he came around the corner! I
remember him as a leader in battle; a hero. I also remember him
as a lifer and as a prick. Of course, those are admirable
qualities to older Marines.... But to us kids, it was reason to
be placed on the radar screen of our "payback machine"... and
that is exactly what was about to happen to Marshall.
Fox Company was set up along some serpentine riverbank as a
blocking force. The noose was tightening around a large bunch
of VC and NVA and they were worried. And trapped. And moving
our way. We were the blocking force while other Marine units
drove the enemy right towards us, just as our ancestors must
have driven cattle to the railhead.
The only difference was we were in the jungle. Those on watch
along the river bank manned a trench line that no one quite
fully could account for. Some said it was a former NVA trench,
proving the enemy was thick here! Others said maybe the ARVN
had dug it at some point along the way....or even Americans from
recent operations. The more romantic among us suggested it had
to be the French, long ago... echoing the sound of some distant
trumpet of universal brotherhood among warriors and heroes
throughout the passage of time.... (Yeah, pretty juvenile eh?
But true none the less....)
During my first night there, among the Company CP, I was
repeatedly awakened during that half-sleep/ half-awake time
lying in my two man hooch of plastic ponchos to the ever-so-
gentle finger-prodding sensation to the portion of my torso that
was in contact with the ground. With sleep being a rare
commodity, I repeatedly tried to ignore the nearly imperceptible
"finger-poking" which I half-dreamt that I felt.... Finally, in
a thrashing, spinning, muttering motion I rose up, rolled back
the ground-cover poncho to reveal the earth beneath, and shone
my red lens-covered flashlight. It looked like an asparagus
farm! Huge earthworms, having feasted for years on the corpses
below us, (did I mention we were sleeping in a cemetery?), were
sensing our... MY body heat and seeking entry to the warmth they
knew lay only micro-inches away! I was disgusted, yet fatigued.
So, I slept. Don't ask what I dreamt!
In the morning, it was sunny, pleasant, and we were "set in."
Nothing to do but "wait and watch." Resupply was unusually
bountiful and spirits were high. H&ll, we only took an
occasional sniper round and infrequent AK-47 bursts from the
opposite river bank, so we played cards, wrote letters, visited,
and... had time to think! Ha! The very bane of every lifer!
NEVER let the troops have time to think! Well, maybe they were
weary too. We all were. After all, Fox Company never was one
to play backseat to anyone, anywhere, anytime!
As the day, and the card games, and the visiting wore on so did
the boredom. Ha! Bane number two to all lifers! NEVER EVER
under ANY Circumstances do you let the troops become bored! Too
late....
Sgt. Donny Serowik (second platoon) and I were hanging out,
having finished a card game, and we were getting goofy, silly,
and worst of all... creative! (Don't worry, the "bane thing"
stops here....) Don and I noticed S/Sgt. Marshall sleeping in
his hammock about 20 feet away. He, like many of us, had
acquired an NVA hammock and used it for sleeping in, to keep off
the ground. (Refer to the worm story if you don't get this
part.) Anyway, he was sound asleep in his olive green canvas
hammock, strung between two small, tipping banana trees. He
almost looked like a fellow banana in his hammock... How
peaceful.... How vulnerable... How tempting... How
irresistible!
There are two items I should mention here. First, S/Sgt.
Marshall was totally obsessed with a phobic fear of creepy-
crawly things, especially slithery snake-like ones. (Refer to
the worm story if you don't see this one coming.) Second, S/Sgt
Marshall had ingeniously created the means of his own demise by
stringing a sort of clothesline directly over his head and to
his feet, from which was stretched (A-Frame style) a second
poncho, pegged down at the spread out corners, to make a shade
covering over his hammock.
Don and I "got it" at the same moment. We burst (nearly) out
loud with impish laugher. Donny dug up a bunch of foot-long
worms, thick as your index finger, while I carefully and quietly
untied the pegged-down ends of the overhead shade poncho above
S/Sgt. Marshall. Then, with the same nylon rope that once had
tied the corners of the outstretched A-Frame poncho to the pegs
in the ground, I tied the grommet eyes of that poncho together,
underneath Marshall's hammock. He looked like a sausage! Or a
tamale, wrapped in corn husks! Or a hot dog in a bun, in the
wrapper! ....Or a lifer, right where we wanted him!
Ha! It was great! Donny and I poured literally dozens of the
hideous, flesh-seeking giant earth worm body hunters into both
of the tiny, restricted openings at the head and foot of
Marshall's hammock taco! Then, Donny and I walked back to our
"area" about 20 feet away and pretended to be busy doing
"nothing in particular, Sir" after motioning to all the
surrounding troops to "hush" and say nothing.
Time passed. Occasional chuckles from numerous Marines
threatened to blow the surprise, but no, Marshall slept on.
Quietly. Peacefully. Until...
Then, through the plastic over covering and canvass hammock, we
observed what must have been an elbow poking... prodding....
Moving. Then more quiet. But we all knew what was about to
happen! Rustling.... Tossing..... slowly at first, building a
momentum and intensity that shortly gave way to screams and
curses! Wailing! Flailing! Ripping apart the entire banana
taco tamale hot dog in a final heroic thrash! Like a mix
between Homer Simpson and the "Married With Children" guy, amid
the torn remnants of his hammock and poncho, S/Sgt. Marshall
drew himself up to full height and "command rank" stature and
screamed, "Who the fck did this!"
Everyone was "busy doing nothing, Sir" and ignored his rage. It
was beautiful. It was nearly epic in payback proportion. The
occasional chortlings and choking sounds of stifled laughter
only heightened Marshall's commitment to delivering justice...
but it isn't until now that he can know ......
...... the rest of the story!
Sgt. Marc (Ski) Waszkiewicz, Arty Forward Observer
A Little Reminder
I was on a convoy outside of Hue City we were supplying Bravo
1/11 Artillery base along side a tributary of the Perfume River.
A Wall of an emperors tomb from a past dynasty was used for a
perimeter of the base. A Captain Ron Brown was the CO in charge
of the mission. We joked earlier when I told him I attended
Memphis State University. He laughed and said he played on the
Quantico football team that beat our Tigers in the mid 60's.
That was a big upset! A small Quantico Team facing a mid major
University. On the way back to our home base at Phu Bai, on our
approach to HWY 1 from Route 547 h&ll broke out. The Convoy was
ambushed by a Regimental force of NVA. We were only 50 Marines
trying to fight off a force of 400 plus NVA Regulars. Capt. Ron
Brown, his driver and our only Senior NCO were killed in the
initial onslaught. That was the 1st time I met Capt. Brown. He
was a very jovial and friendly that day...
I wish we could have done more; but it was not to be. We were
hit by our own artillery and staffed by a South Vietnamese
Skyraider. We were saved after 8 hours of close end fighting. I
was firing at NVA on one side of a vehicle while they were on
the other side. I hit them in their feet and ankles. Don't
believe I killed anyone; but I bet they had a long painful walk
back to North Vietnam. A quick reaction force both from Phu Bai
and 1/1 Marines from the Bravo Battery 1/11 was sent out to get
us out of this mess. Of the 50 Marines 19 were KIA and over 20
were wounded, some died later of their wounds. The Phu Bai
Marines had commandeered an Army Quad Fifty that saved the day.
I was hit by some concrete that was shattered by the 50 cal.
rounds...I have a little reminder across my forehead of the
friendly fire...I was also wounded by an NVA hand grenade to my
legs. I go to sleep each night with the memory of that day and
wake up with the thoughts of Capt. Brown and the brave Marines
of the lost convoy of Hue. That area was so infiltrated by NVA
that the wrecked vehicles with 2 destroyed Ontos were left until
the end of TET before being retrieved for salvage.
God Bless the Marines that fought at Hue, 41 years ago today.
They will be forever part of Marine Corps History.
Joe Tiscia Cpl. of Marines, 2/5 Hue Vietnam
Two A Days Practice
Well the most unique story is that they always talk about Texas
A&M's "Junction Boys", Bear Bryant and the two weeks of two a
days practice they went through out in the middle of nowhere!
Well 256 Marines and Corpsman drew gear and after 6 Weeks of
two-a-days there was only 29 of us left....we practiced from 8
to ll and 2 to 5 six days a week for six weeks Aug 2 to Sept
15th 1961...humidity was always 100 percent (AFRS radio said so)
and the temperature would hit 100! They didn't make a movie
about us and I guess those of us that were left were just too
dumb or hard headed to quit!
I thought maybe some teammates might read this....I played for
the Marine Royals on Okinawa in 1961 and the San Diego Marines
in 1962....there are a few of us who managed to stay in touch
all these years...Sgt Maj Mel Bray, Martin Johnson, Phil
Whitlow, Coach Sadler and Jerry Sheeran from the Royals....Lt.
Col. King Dixon, Col. John Arms and Mike Montler from the San
Diego Marines...Jack Davis from San Diego Marines and Pendleton
Marines (early 50's) and John Wyffels from the San Diego Marines
(63-64 or so). Would like to hear from any teammates from those
years....also Gy Sgt Jimmie Howard before his passing and Coach
(Maj) Harris from San Diego 1962....Once a Marine Always a
Marine...Semper Fi to all Marines past and present....
Don E. Nelson (L/Cpl 1921952 1960-63)
Hit The Yellow Footprints
Sgt Grit
Received your newsletter Thursday 5 Feb 2009. As I was reading
the newsletter it came across my mind that I was celebrating my
40th anniversary of becoming a Marine. That on 5 February 1969 I
hit the yellow foot prints at San Diego. That is night that I
will never forget. I did not graduate with my original platoon.
I spent a month at Balboa Naval Hospital with Spinal Meningitis.
I did return to boot camp and graduated with Platoon 1088. I am
very proud and honored to have been in Marine Corp and to know
that I will always have brothers and a family with the Marine
Corp. Reading your newsletter brings back some good memories and
also some bad. Sgt Grit keep up the good work. God Bless our
Marine Corp.
Mike Parkhurst 69-71
General Barrow
Dear Sgt Grit,
A late post concerning the passing of General Barrow: I was
serving at the Enlisted Assignment Branch at HQMC as an
assistant Aviation Monitor for Occupational Fields 63 & 64 when
I first met the General. Soon after General Wilson retired,
General Barrow came through the branch and personally met each
monitor asking us what our staffing and retention problems were.
He was accompanied by Sergeant Major Leland Crawford, Sergeant
Major of the Marine Corps (he has passed also). The SgtMaj
began a new custom of debriefing all of the SNCO's stationed at
HQMC after each CMC visit to USMC commands. The debriefings
took place at the mess hall at Henderson Hall.
I had the honor of making two of those trips with CMC and SgtMaj
at Marine Corps Bases West Coast and Parris Island/Beaufort.
The first trip General Barrow made as CMC was to WestPac. As
SgtMaj Crawford began his debrief he looked at all the SNCO's
and made the statement: "I really like this Commandant and I'll
tell you why". He explained that when CMC's aircraft landed at
Kadena AFB in Okinawa, every General Officer from the Air Force
and other commands along with the Marine Generals and local
civilian dignitaries had formed a reception line to greet
General Barrow. As SgtMaj Crawford deplaned behind the
Commandant, he said that General Barrow looked toward the
reception line and began that way when he spotted a Marine
Sergeant who was dutifully standing at attention by his jeep.
He was obviously one of the General Officer's drivers. Without
breaking stride the SgtMaj said that General Barrow headed
directly for the Marine Sergeant and had a conversation with him
asking the usual questions about his MOS, whether the chow hall
and his quarters were satisfactory and so on. When CMC finished
he went through the reception line. SgtMaj Crawford said "This
CMC is a Marine's Marine". There are many other stories I could
tell about these two Marines but I'll conclude by saying that
both were more proud of the title "Marine" than their ranks or
job descriptions and they truly cared about us all. Semper
Fidelis General Barrow and Sergeant Major Crawford.
R.E. (Gene) Hays, MSgt
USMC Retired
MMEA-84A, HQMC 1978-1981
Major General John Kelly
All Hands:
Major General John Kelly sends this Iraq election notice
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
I don't suppose this will get much coverage in the States as the
news is so good. No, the news is unbelievable.
Something didn't happen in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, today. Once
the most violent and most dangerous places on earth, no suicide
vest bomber detonated killing dozens of voters. No suicide
truck bomber drove into a polling place collapsing the building
and killing and injuring over 100. No Marine was in a firefight
engaging an Al Qaida terrorist trying to disrupt democracy.
What did happen was Anbar Sunnis came out in their tens of
thousands to vote in the first free election of their lives.
With the expectation of all of the above (suicide bombers) they
walked miles (we shut down all vehicle traffic with the
exception of some shuttle busses for the elderly and infirm) to
the polling places. I slept under the stars with some Grunts at
Combat Outpost Iba on the far side of Karma, and started driving
the 200 miles up the Euphrates River Valley through Karma,
Fallujah, Habbiniyah, Ramadi, Hit, Baghdad and back here to Al
Asad. I stopped here and there to speak with cops, soldiers,
Marines, and most importantly, regular Iraqi men and women along
the way. It was the same everywhere. A tension with every
finger on a trigger that broke at perhaps 3PM when we all began
to think what was almost unthinkable a year ago. We might just
pull this off without a bombing. No way. By 4PM it seemed like
we'd make it to 5PM when the polls closed. At 4:30 t he
unbelievable happened: the election was extended an hour to 6PM
because of the large crowds! What are they kidding? Tempting
fate like that is not nice. Six PM and the polls close without
a single act of violence or a single accusation of fraud, and
nearly by early reports pretty close to 100% voted. Priceless.
Every Anbari walking towards the polling place had these
determined and, frankly, concerned looks on their faces. No
children with them (here mothers and grandmothers are NEVER
without their children or grandchildren) because of the
expectation of death. Husbands voted separately from wives, and
mothers separately from fathers for the same reason. In and out
quickly to be less of a target for the expected suicide
murderer. When they came out after voting they also wore the
same expression on their faces, but now one of smiling amazement
as they held up and stared at ink stained index fingers.
Norman Rockwell could not have captured this wonderment. Even
the ladies voted in large numbers and their husbands didn't
insist on going into the booths to tell them who to vote for.
One of the things I've always said was that we came here to
"give" them democracy. Even in the dark days my only
consolation was that it was about freedom and democracy. After
what I saw today, and having forgotten our own history and
revolution, this was arrogance. People are not given freedom
and democracy - they take it for themselves. The Anbaris
deserve this credit.
Today I step down as the dictator, albeit benevolent, of Anbar
Province. Today the Anbaris took it from me. I am ecstatic.
It was a privilege to be part of it, to have somehow in a small
way to have helped make it happen.
Semper Fi.
Kelly
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Short Rounds
I would just like to say how much I enjoy reading all the
stories and comments on your website. I still keep in touch with
many of the men I served with while being with 2nd.Force Recon
at Camp Geiger outside of Lejeune and 1st.Force Recon in Nam in
67-68.We were at Phu Bai when the Tet offensive began and know
what the 5th.Marines went through in Hue. God Bless all Marines
everywhere for your service and dedication. Semper Fi
Sgt.John R. McManus
That was an interesting read to me, my Uncle William Horn Jr.
died in Guam from wounds received at Iwo Jima, he was in the Co
A 3rd Pioneer Battalion, 3rd MarDiv.
(Cpl) Doug Scrivner
USMC 1967-1970 Semper Fi RVN 68-69
BLT 2/7 B & C Co. 1st Tanks (Zippo) 1st Mar.Div.
"Boot Camp molds the boy into a young man...Combat removes the
youth and the memory of it, Forever"...
Joe, I think of those guys many of whom I knew and did duty with
and what was endured. There is no way anyone can share with
those experiences, they can listen, but not share. That little
container of sand from Iwo must have been hard to give
up...harder to get.
Thanks for the story.
Jim
hi sgt in reply to p santiago i was stationed at portsmith
Marine barrick late 1954 to 1956 and transferred to Okinawa
until 1957. we had a front gate and a rear gate which was in
kittery Maine, we ran the gates and took care of out going
traffic, we to road the armored cars into portsmith to pickup
the payroll, maybe there is someone else out there that was
stationed there.
ron dougherty semper fi
I was browsing your website and came across your tattoo page. It
reminded me that when I enlisted I promised my sainted Mother
that I'd not get a tattoo while she was alive. I will be 68 in
February and we just celebrated her 93rd birthday and she's
going STRONG. I may never get my tat.
Semper Fi,
H.N.Young
Sgt Grit Tattoo Pages
In regards to Ray Phipps' letter on DI's Bellis, Lovett and
Lewis, they were fellow DI's in Charly Company, 1st Recruit
Training Bn at MCRD San Diego. I last ran into Jim Lovett on
Okinawa in 1970 and he was a First Sergeant. Thanks for
reminding me of those Marines.
H. B. Jones, Capt, USMC Ret
Sgt, I enjoy the comments and keep up your good work, your
efforts help to keep our (Marine traditions and cohesiveness in
tact, for all ages.)
Semper Fi!
McGuirk 55-85 Active duty
SgtMajor Ret. Kailua, Hawaii
I was in HMA 169 in 1981. I see they were redesignated. I took
the WestPac Flightline out and my people flew 1000 more Cobra
flight hours than any other previous float. I was a Sergeant at
the time.
"I'm a little wounded but I am not slain; I will lay me down
for to bleed a while, Then I'll rise and fight with you again."
Paraphrased From: Johnnie Armstrong's Last Goodnight.
Alfred Dutton
I also was a member of Platoon 258, Aug-Nov, 1962. I knew of
Sgt. John J. Mc Ginty. It was sad to read that Cpl. Karl Taylor
was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. I am honored to
have had these two Marines as Drill Instructors. I served in
Vietnam from July to Nov. 65. I served in the same platoon with
Paul Devers, also a member of Platoon 258. Sadly he was killed
by mortar fire on August 10. Anyone else who served in Platoon
258, it would be nice to hear from you.
Semper Fi
Sgt. Giuseppe (joe) Mastrangelo 62-66
YouTube Video -
WW II : Rare Color Film : Okinawa : Japan's Last Stand
Sgt Grit,
Re; the question from LCpl Wm. Joseph about the eight man squad
drill in '60. I was at P.I. from Oct. '60 through Jan. '61. When
I arrived we marched and drilled in eight man squad formation.
Just about the time we had figured it out, we changed to landing
party manual. It was a lot simpler but not as sharp. I have no
recollection of being told why it was scrapped. As always we
simply followed orders and marched.
P.L. Parker, Corporal E4 '60-'65
As an NCO, with a 0141 mos, attached to HqCo., HqBn, FMFPAC at
'the palms' it came to pass that Don & Phil Everly (both in the
USMCR) came aboard for two weeks of summer training duty. At
the end of their training, a base theater show and reception
followed. In a nutshell, I got to meet them and was invited to
be an escort for one of the girls from Hollywood a GoGo.
Needless to say, a great time was had by all and I still have a
paper placemat signed by Don, Phil and many of the GoGo girls.
That was one evening when 29 Palms was the place to be.
Sgt. James (Dutch) Naberhuis
1964 -1967
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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