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A Marine Recruit, during the War to end all Wars, World War I,
wrote home and made this comment; "The first day I was at Boot
Camp, I was afraid I was going to Die! The next two weeks, my
sole fear was that I wasn't going to die! After that I knew I'd
never die because I'd become so hard that nothing could kill
me".
F.L. Rousseau, GySgt USMC Ret. WWII, Korea, Vietnam.
Marine Corps History buff.
Marines of World War II
Sgt Grit WWII Photo Video Montage (You Tube)
So Glorious
Does anyone else out there get tired of hearing about how bad
assed the boots from P.I. were/are? What's so glorious about
getting you're azs bit off by a bunch of sand fleas?
James M. Henry
Hammered One Marine
Dear Sgt Grit,
Had read your last 2 issues with the ASP 1 stories and figured I
would add my 2 cents. I was stationed on Hill 34 with Hq Co -
7th Comm when
the dump blew up. It was the d*mndest show I ever
saw and went on for two days and nites. We were in the bunkers
and manning the trench lines 24 hrs a day for about 5 days if I
remember right. Everyone was warned NOT to waste ammo because
what we had on hand was all there was if we got hit by Charlie.
A piece of the chow hall roof came off during an explosion and
hammered one Marine in the chow line, hurt him pretty badly as I
recall. The thing I remember most about the explosions was being
able to watch the shock wave rings coming thru the sky before
the noise reached you ! Some of these must have been entire
bunkers of bombs or arty shells going up all at once. I swear
the ground under your feet moved some times. These are the only
pictures I've got from that time, hope you enjoy them !
Jim Herbst Sgt 7th Comm Bn/A Co 1st AT's 1st Tank Bn--COP Three
Fingers/5th Comm Bn -- 9-68--4-70
Ready For Duty Sir
Being eaten alive by deck recruits (didn't know Drill
Instructors wore white. HA!HA!)
Morning Count - "Sir! The count on deck is, 69 highly
motivated. Truly dedicated. Rompn. Stompn. United States
Marine Corps recruits ready for duty sir!"
Hygiene Inspection - "Sir! This recruit has no personal or
medical problems to report at this time." Flip!
Fans in the squad bay - What purpose did they serve? Those
things never worked, and the few times that they did they made
more noise than anything and never moved any AIR. Most of the
time they were congregated in front of some hatch or passageway
waiting for some unsuspecting recruit to tump over.
Boom! Were all dead!
Squad bay east - Squad bay west - Drill in the squad bay (mostly
conducted Sunday evenings). These instructional sessions were
always heavily seasoned with a lot of rifle pumping. I must say
that all that hard work paid off as 1055 took first phase drill
for entire series. Oorah!
MRP - What to say....I became invisible to function of the
platoon. Was told by Drill Instructor Sgt Jones that I could do
pretty much what I wanted, without having to ask permission,
just as long as my crutching did not get in the way. This
lasted about a day and a half before the van picked me up and
took me back down south.
While in MRP, I would have to crutch my azs upstairs to PCP for
firewatch. This never sat too well with me.
The canteen games the DI's would play with us always made me
mad, as my rack was on the far end of the squad bay. No sooner
then hitting that rack, then I was up, crutching my azs as fast
as I could to the head. This process was repeated four to five
times an evening within a thirty minute timeframe.
Mr. Charlie Horse - This jackazz would visit me nightly during
first phase. I would lie as still as I could in my rack, trying
not to move. But good ole chuck would never let me alone...he'd
either started out in my calf and work his way up my thigh, or
vise versa. No sooner would I get him under control with one
leg, then he'd jump to the other.
Hitting the rack - The Marine Corps hymn was sung every evening.
"From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of
Tripoli......Oorah!"
Semper Fi
JJ Chervinko
Cpl USMC
Third Generation Marine
I was a third generation Marine. My Grandfather in WWI, my Dad
in WWII Cpl (1943-1947) and me SSgt (1968-1978)
I have no info where my Grandfather served.
Dad served in the South Pacific (43-45) 3rd MarDiv Saipan and
Guam and Tenstin, China (45-47) A/1/11 1st MarDiv.
I served in Vietnam A/1/11 1st MarDiv (69-70)...An Hoa and just
south of Hill55, where you were at Sgt Grit.
PMI Edson Range Camp Pendleton (70-71)
Marine Security Detachment (Marine Barracks San Diego) at NAS
Miramar (71-73)
L/4/12 Camp Butler and North Camp Fuji Japan (73-74)
3rd 175mm Gun Btry 1st FSSG Twenty-nine Palms (74-76)
Hq 4th MarDiv (G-4 Section Prepositioned War Reserves Chief),
Camp Pendleton (76)
Hq 4th MarDiv New Orleans, La (76-78)
As you can see I served in the same battery that my Dad served
with in China (how scary is that?) A couple of things that
happened to Dad also happened to me (quite scary why I think
about it).
As you can see I still proudly fly our flag, even though I am
surrounded Army doggies here in Lacey, Washington. It lets them
know not to "Mess with the Best".
My heart goes out to all who served and currently serves in our
beloved Corps.
Semper Fi
Doug Barron SSgt 68-78
Tarawa
Inside the pillbox there are four dead japs and two dead
Marines. Enough of those men in the first wave got ashore,
jumped in with the japs and killed them. Thus they knocked out
enough machine guns so that others in later waves might live and
win. Looking down on these two Marines, I can say, These Men
gave their lives for me. I can understand it, because this
machine gun covered the part of the water I had to wade through.
They also gave their lives for one hundred and thirty million
other Americans who realize it, I fear, only dimly.
Robert Sherrod
The United States Marine Corps in World War ll (Vol. Two)
Compiled and edited by S.E. Smith My how things change, Marines
still bleed and die and other Americans only dimly care.
Bill Carey
Cpl 65-69
T48 57 mm
Enclosed is a picture of 1 of 6 vehicles I restored in USMC. The
one pictured is a version of the T48 with a licensed 57 m/m A.T.
gun. The day we shoot this will be a 1st since WWII in the U.S.
Thanks,
Jack
My Greatest Marine
My Greatest Marine; SSgt. R.J. Spencer.
Without SSgt. R.J. Spencer, the list of people that returned
from VietNam would be a lot fewer. I met SSgt Spencer, - 10
November 1969. Camp Pendleton. The day we commenced Training and
every day and night after that until Graduation, 8 January 1970.
From day One SSgt Spencer was up and working. He started early
and worked late. The harder he worked, the harder we worked. We
knew early that he expected the best and only the best. The
challenges kept getting harder and more challenging. Win one
and head for more PT. Win the second test and it all doubled
more PT. Never relaxing, he pushed harder and harder with every
test. "If you think its hard now". How can you be ready for the
unknown? How can you be strong enough for the next test? Can you
reach deep down inside your gut to make it happen? Can you do
it? Can we you count on you to do it? You are our only chance.
If you don't think you can do it, tell me now.
We only get one chance. Can you do it? Can you do it?
Sir, Yes Sir. The private will complete the mission!
And though it all, he was the one man that sixty four new
Marines would have followed to "H&LL and BACK".
His results - Honor Platoon 2200 -Leather Neck Magazine - First
place winners on every event.
After Graduation I shook his hand and thanked him for teaching
me how strong I needed, to be a MARINE, and the challenges that
lay ahead.
After completing my training and heading for Viet Nam I joined a
small group of men that said, Third Marine Amphibious Force.
Better known as C.A,P.Marines - Combined Action Platoons.
A Mobile unit of thirteen Marines and a Navy Corpsman .
From September 13 -1970 to May first 1971 We had more than five
hundred and fifty, Patrols and Ambushes.
We helped build one school and ten Civilian homes.
....and none of this could have been done without the help and
guidance of .....SSgt. R.J. SPENCER
Thank you SSgt R.J. Spencer, where ever you are!
Semper Fi
CAP Platoons
me in Vietnam, I was with CAP Platoons-2-7-6 & 2-7-8.wounded and
retired out of the Corps. 1 sept.1971.
L/Cpl guy melton(ret)
norman,ok.
Greetings Sgt Grit
Somehow my wife became involved, and my Sgt Grit Book got
thrown in the leaf burn barrel. I go to check on my fire, and
there is Sgt Grit blazin' away. I had to dive in to save him,
burned all the hair off my arms.
I thought to myself I get mixed up with the Marines again and
look at me.
I found out about you from a Marine I met and complimented him.
He asked me where I lived. The next day he brought me one
of your books and I am in business now. I give them to my
friends and they thank me much.
When I was a boot I didn't believe in Once Always, but I see it
every day now. Keep it up. OOHRAH
RS
John Porter
James Brown
Dear Sgt. Grit,
Seeing pictures and reading about the DaNang Ammo Dump, really
brought back memories.
I was serving as a forklift driver at an ammo dump near DaNang
in 1969. A fire broke out during a slow afternoon and we were
instructed to leave the dump site.
Well, in no time at all the fireworks started and lasted most
the afternoon, evening and that night. We three forklift
drivers spent the night on a hill with an artillery battery. We
watched and heard many explosions. I swear I saw a truck raise
into the air.
I admit I cannot remember the date, but it had to be mid to late
1969, because I was still a day driver where later switched to
night mechanic. I do remember being upset about losing a James
Brown album.
Semper Fi,
Sgt. Ronniebrown
Camp Books, DaNang, Vietnam
Feb.69-Oct.70
Starry-Starry Night
Dear Sgt. Grit,
What I'm about to tell you is an unusual but a true tale. When
I received your catalog and turned to page 135, I was shocked
beyond belief!
I did not know of the star symbol for the Chosin Few. I had
never heard of it. I've been in Aerospace Business in
California and Florida since 61.
I joined the Corps on 18 April 48 and got out in 21 Jan 61. I
served two tours in Korea, landed at Inchon, and went through
the first tour including the Reservoir with Recon Co., HQBN, 1st
MarDiv (I was the only non-volunteer).
What shocked me on page 135 was the star symbol and I'll
explain: Recon Co. was the last to leave Kotori (except 5 or so
tanks) at the top of the Funchilin Pass going down past the
Threadway Bridge in the pass. That night I was ordered to drive
a jeep and trailer with 5 or 6 wounded guys, with two in the
jeep (in sleeping bags). None spoke the whole night. After
midnight the bridge was blown or damaged so our column was
halted.
- Here's the Kicker-
I sat in the running jeep @ -40�F, fearing to turn it off. I
watched to the east, above me, the face of a tall cliff, knowing
the Chinese liked to throw down charges or grenades. But they
didn't. Maybe they froze. I looked at the clear beautiful
quiet peaceful sky, filled with beautiful stars. I never before
or since saw such a beautiful starry-starry night. Then all of
a sudden I realized I wasn't cold anymore and it was so
beautiful, so beautiful. D*mn, I'm freezing to death! I jumped
out of the jeep and stumbled and ran around the jeep and trailer
until I was cold and miserable again. J
We made it down the pass that night and I met up with Recon Co.
next morning. They tried to tell me I was a hero that night
because I was clubbing 4 or 5 Chinese with my empty gun. It
took me all morning to convince them that I was driving a jeep
load of wounded and I wasn't the hero they were so proud of.
Besides, I carried a bar and plenty of ammo.
I was a guy sitting in a freezing jeep while my angels were
showing me the beautiful starry-starry� night.
Thanks,
God Bless You and Thank You God.
Sgt. Herbert Hoover White
SN 667502 USMC
Recon Co. HQBN, 1st MarDiv.
Rockpile
Sarge, In you last letter Paul Tackes wrote "Remember the
Rockpile"? He then wrote about the NVA holding up in the caves
of the Razorback and having B-52's drive them out into the open.
Yes Paul, I remember the Rockpile, and I have to tell you that I
had a little better view of the B-52 raid than you did. Not only
a better view, but a much safer view, (As long as the B-52's
stayed on Target) and I have it all on film.
There were two teams on top of the Rockpile in those days
totaling 8-12 men on any given day. One from 1st Radio BN and
one from Recon with an occasional Artillery Observer or an Army
"A" Team coming in or out pulling recon missions on the
Razorback and the surrounding hills. No one told us that the
B-52's were coming and as you know we were right next to the
Razorback keeping an eye on the "Little People" with the ships
binoculars we had up there on the LZ.
There were two passes by the B-52's and when watched on film you
can see the initial blast and then the concussion waves raising
up in circles of dirt and rock, (And I'm sure body parts)
especially on the second run. I had the 8mm film put on DVD a
few years back, and the quality of the film had deteriorated
over the years, but it is still a sight to behold. For those of
us who were there and had "Front Row Seats", it will always be
in our memories. I'm sure you would like to see it again from a
higher vantage point. I'm going to look into pulling just that
part of the DVD and having it available to those Marines I have
heard from over the years who remember it. Sgt. Grit can give
you my e-mail and I will look into making it available for you.
S/Sgt T.B. Dudley
Pvt Pronoun
Sgt Grit,
I have been reading and enjoying the Boot Camp stories, so I
thought I would include one. We all know Marines are smart and
that some are smarter than others. Well we had a guy in our
platoon at P. I. that was really smart. I think he had said we
had been the valedictorian of his high school graduating class.
Anyway we are drilling on the grinder one day and this kid has
two left feet, doesn't know his right from his left, a real
Gomer Pyle.
One of the Drill Instructors has him doing push up's and is
offering "encouragement", well the kid goes down and can not
return to the ready position and D. I. is really giving it to
him and the kid say "I can't do anymore, don't YOU understand"
You can guess the Drill Instructors reaction to that, He tells
the kid, do you love me! do know what a EWE is? The kid replied
"A PRONOUN SIR! The platoon looses it, the Drill Instructor is
speechless, he looks at us, he looks at the kid and realizes
he's losing control, finally he just tells the kid to get back
in formation. But from then on we had a new member of the
platoon, Pvt. Pronoun.
Met My Beautiful Wife
Sgt Grit,
I graduated High School in June of 1975, then reported to MCRD
San Diego on 30 June 1975 for basic, platoon 2076. Too late for
Vietnam. From there went to cook school at MCAS El Toro. After
two years there, reenlisted for promotion to sergeant and choice
of duty station. I spent the next four years at Marine Barracks
Rota, Spain. The time I spent in the Corps were the best years
of my life! Many times I have thought about where I would be
now if I would have stayed in.
I met my beautiful wife while stationed in Rota, and we got
married in Gibraltar; it'll be 30 years this coming August!
Thank you for the newsletters. Reading them really brings back
the memories of people that I've served with.
Ken Miller, Staff Sergeant of Marines 1975 - 1981
Big Agony
Was in 1962 at Camp Matthews. Big agony and Little Agony.
Doing a duck walk with your seabag on your shoulders.
Down the hill "to the rear march" back up the hill. On and on it
went.
Add also "lick'um and stick'um taste'um and paste'um"
"Get a hold of 'um (targets) palms up. STAND BY TARGETS."
My senior DI was Sgt. Robert Cleary he later became the 10th
SgtMaj of the Marine Corps.
If He reads your news letter Thank You for what you did for me.
I don't know what I would have turned out to be if it wasn't for
you
Semper Fi
SgtMaj Jim Ploger
Mar. Det. U.S.S. Oklahoma City CLG-5
M-3-6 Camp Lejeune 62-66
Don't Like
To the WM who asked if there were any others out there, yes we
are. I'm Anna (Ramirez) Grabill 86-93, and I'm still in touch
with old friends from the Corps, Melissa (Whitney) Busby, Kim
Supik, and Robin Lacombe. I know that female Marines don't like
to be called WM's anymore, but I earned that title, and we Lady
Leathernecks were fewer, prouder and considered ourselves
special. Anyway it doesn't matter what we call ourselves, male
Marines still refer to us as WM's. And it stuck.
Semper Fi,
Anna
Do or Do Not,
There is NO Try.
Colonel Schlossberg
Behind the photos and motion picture of Marines in the Pacific
and Iwo Jima, it is with sadness to report the passing of
Colonel Herbert Schlossberg.
Colonel Schlossberg was the photo officer of the 4th Marine
Division in the landing on Iwo Jima. The colonel was a key co-
founder of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Assn.,
Los Angeles Chapter and founder of the Toys for Tots Celebrity
Golf Tournament with celebrity host Kelsey Grammar.
The colonel and Joe Rosenthal (Iwo Jima flag raising) were close
personal friends for many years following WWII.
Frank Lee (RVN, '67)
Vice President & Editor
U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Assn.
Los Angeles Chapter
To learn more about or to join the Marine Corps Combat
Correspondents Assn, please contact Frank Lee @
fl1946 @earthlink .net. or go to USMCCC.org.
DI Got Finished
GySgt Eastmade said he heard a story about a sailor going over
the fence into MCRD.
Two years ago at a 3/4 reunion in GA I was talking to a Marine
who was in the platoon that found the sailor. The sailor hid
under some wash racks after going over the fence, and my friends
platoon went over and were using them. Someone looked under the
wash rack and found this poor misguided, misdirected boot
hiding.
My friend said by the time their DI got finished with him his
pants were wet without using the wash racks. My friend thought
the sailor just went the WRONG way.
SEMPER FI
Monty Edson Cpl. '61-'64
I Salute All
I served from Jan 61 to Jan 69 and the WM'S were called BAM'S.
Their barracks were referred to as The Bam Barracks. I know most
of the older Marines know what that meant. Is the phrase still
in use? It's been 40 years since I got outta the Corps and a lot
of things have changed, but a BAM is probably is probably still
a B---d A-- M----e. No disrespect intended. I salute all our
women Marines. Old Corps and the Newbies. Hand Salute!
Doyle Clark
Sgt USMC
RVN 67-68
61-69
Bond. James Bond
I was a young PFC studying basic electronics and later
telephonics ( that is, the principles of sound as it applies to
telephone, teletype and switchboards) at MCRD, in San Diego,
California.
Since leaving boot camp, my assignment had been to become a
TTRS, Telephone, teletype and switchboard repairman, and I
struggled with a bunch of other guys from all areas of America
to serve God, Country and Corps ...
AND put up with the nickname 'Clark' !
Well, one sunny afternoon, I was off-duty and downtown at the
bus depot that like the USO was kind of an active hive for us
when Charlie Weir's burlesque theater wasn't open. Well lo, and
behold, but what should I feast my eyes on but a real live
Superman T shirt! And apparently, it wasn't selling, because it
was cheap. Now, I took a big chance, cause the Marine Corps is
very specific about uniform priorities, but I went in the
bathroom and put it on.
Upon return to the barracks, I strutted into the 'coagulation'
area where all the wannabees hung out and true to form about
half of them began with 'Hey Clark!' KNOWING they were
immediately under my skin.
Well, I put on my war face. I flipped my cover (hat) onto the
nearest rack and pulled off my tie and many of them began
backing off to watch the fight, but when I ripped open my shirt
and that bright red and blue 'S' on the famous symbol popped
out. EVERYONE in the barracks lost it. I lost it and in the end,
I yelled "My NAME is KENT !"
I would like to be able to tell you that this brought and end to
my problem with the guys calling me 'Clark' but it really
didn't. It ended when I got to Japan, but then another problem
began. It was 1964 and James Bond mvies were all the rage, and
someone in the office let it out that the last three digits in
my SocSec no. are 007. "Bond. James Bond."
NO.
Kent. Kent Yates.
Sgt. United States Marine Corps
Weather Forecast
I have been reading the newsletter for some months now, and have
not heard very much regarding Camp Matthews.
That was the rifle range we went to in late 63, we lived in
tents, and were told by the DI's that this was where they got
the most work done, cuz there were no reporters allowed in and
the camp area was surrounded by big trees.
As I recall, at night when we were ready to turn in the DI would
give the weather forecast for the night, and would inform us
whether to roll the tent flaps up or down.
As scuttlebutt had it, there was a DI who would go out drinking,
and come in in the wee hours of the morning, and yell for
everyone to get up and roll the flaps down, cuz it looked like
rain. Then after the flaps were down, and everyone was back in
the rack. He would yell better get the flaps rolled up ain't no
rain coming.
This would usually go on for three or four times, and then he
would let us get back to sleep.
Ah, that too brings back another memory.
I remember one DI who would put us in bed, and then have us do
facing movements while in the prone position.
And would not let us go to sleep until everyone was in sync.
"Get it together!"
That's right, the other thing I wanted to mention had to do with
completing squad drill as a requirement for promotion to
Corporal.
Your left, your left, your other left s/head!
Semper Fi
most skosh green side out!
The Other Runner
Sgt. Grit:
I love reading the "Sea Stories" that my fellow Marines send in.
I have a few myself, but thought I would mention this one. I
was in Platoon 366 at MCRD San Diego and we were at Camp
Matthews Rifle Range. Each day some of us were assigned duty at
the Company Office as "Runners". I don't know why they
specifically called us "Runners", because all recruits ran
everywhere unless you were marching in formation.
I and another fellow from one of the other Platoons in our
Series were sitting on the Runners Bench outside the Company
office waiting for a message to deliver and just passing the
time of day. I was glad to get a break from the harassment at
the Range. The other Runner began griping about the Corps. I
just sat there and listened as he vehemently dumped on the Corps
in general and his Platoon and Drill Instructors specifically.
This went on for about five minutes. Suddenly the screen door
or the office flew open and the company Commander, a Captain,
stood there glaring at the hapless private. He ordered him to
go back to the company area, pack up his Seabag and return in 5
minutes. The Captain went back inside and five minutes later
the private returned. The Captain ordered me to hoist the
Seabag up on my shoulder and he marched us over to the fence
along the highway back to San Diego. He ordered me to throw the
Seabag over the fence, and then he ordered the private to follow
it. He said that he didn't want that ****bird in his Marine
Corps. The Captain used a lot more colorful language to
describe what he thought about the now AWOL Recruit. The last I
saw of him he was walking over to the highway to hitch a ride back
to San Diego. I was wondering what his chances were of getting
there with so many current and retired Marines and other Service
members driving along that stretch of road.
Needless to say I was a very impressed young Marine, and if I
had any negative thoughts at all about the Marine Corps...I kept
them to myself!
Ron Hoak Sgt. Air Detachment, V-1 Division, USS Princeton,
1961-63, HMM 770, "A" Co., Tank Bn. Camp Elliot
OooRah In The '60s
I just read an observation posted in the last Grit Newsletter in
which two Marines had discussed the use or non-use - of OohRah,
specifically in the '60s. I guess it depended on the unit you
were in.
When I and three other Marines, Payne, Shleman, and Foy, went to
Airborne training at Bennington before joining 3rd Recon in CA
in October of '67, we used it frequently. As a matter of fact,
the day we received our "blood wings", the ranking Army Officer
at the drop of our final jump mentioned that we were the least
vocal of any team he had had the pleasure of awarding wings to.
Most had "oohrahed" so loudly no one could hear him as he
addressed the graduates of the class.
While on base at Pendleton, many non-recon's would sound of an
OohRah when meeting me. That all units weren't accustomed to the
term and its sentiments is understandable. I am a bit saddened
that today use of that term as well as Semper Fi are being
discouraged by young officers and senior nco staff, as told to
me by a member of 1st Recon just returning from his second tour
in Iraq.
That display of esprit de Corps is just one more thing that sets
the Marine apart from other service members. To me those
expressions were and yet still are an outward show of our
closeness and pride in who we are and for what we stand as an
ongoing family of like-minded warriors, elite, selective, and
few who will forever stand in front of the flag and those who
stand behind it.
I will always greet other Marines with an OohRah or Semper Fi!
Semper FI!
Mike Reber
1967 - 1968
ONTOS
The 12 March newsletter I saw the heading ONTOS from Capt.
Robert Bailey, Ret '67 that caught my eye. When I was on I&I
staff of 1st Depot Supply Bn., USMCR in Norfolk, VA. The CO
LtCol. John R Fields had me and another member go the Naval Base
where a flatbed trailer truck and a driver met us at the rail
yard to transport a vehicle to our MT garage.
When we found the rail car, which was parked next to a
warehouse, inside the car was an ONTOS we had never heard of
this vehicle. The only way to unload it was through the side
door of the boxcar, the car was loaded through the end that had
a door also.
The naval rail yard could not move the car so we had to unload
from the side and drive through the warehouse to the flatbed.
The two of us looked over the manual for about an hour then
after much; much maneuvering we got it out and on the flatbed.
First time I ever operated anything like that.
We used it one day for recruiting display at a football game at
Norfolk State University. A few days later it disappeared I
think Headquarters FMF Atlantic in Norfolk used it to evaluate
its use for the Marine Corps. This was in 1954 - 55 or 56 not
sure when.
D.E.Wilson, SSgt.
1950 to 1959
The Spot On The Wall
Oh boy do I remember. They say that the Marine before you had it
rougher than you and that's way we respect each other and our
Officer's. They too went to Boot Camp just like all Marines .
I joined the Marine Corps January of 1953 in Fresno California
And at that time we were promised one Day in San Francisco. We
were put up in a hotel. The night before we left to San
Francisco we went by train up the coast 180 miles first class
sleeper and all we spent just like they promised us one whole
day in San Francisco stuffing recruiting envelopes at the
recruiting office one hour lunch. All we ever saw of San
Francisco was around the block from the recruiting office. Those
San Francisco blocks are long. Seems like it takes an hour to go
around them. That evening we were put on the train gain first
class sleeper and all and down the coast about 500 miles we
arrived in San Diego about 8.00.
Then these funny looking Bus's came to pick us up they were
included semi trailers with seats inside hooked up to a semi
truck later I learn they were called "Cattle Trucks" we were
treated real nice by the drivers we enjoyed the view the Bay and
all the big Ships in the Harbor for some of us it was the first
time we ever seen the ocean. We were only 17 and 18 years olds
They took us pass the gate and up to the front of this building,
told us to get the h&ll of their bus's and inside this Building.
AND ALL h&ll broke loose and MY WHOLE WORLD came apart. Inside
there where drill instructors, one at each door, made us line up
and look at the spot on the wall. And you guessed it, some one
behind me asked "what spot?" and all I heard was some one being
bang from wall to wall and some slapping. And guess what, all of
sudden I started to see that spot on the wall.
Then it happen again about the spot on the wall. A drill
instructor walked up to a recruit and asked him was he looking
right at spot on the wall...Then the drill instructor said What
spot? I don't see a spot. Are you lying to me? He said no sir.
Then I start to hear someone being bang from wall to wall and
being punch around. Then some one takes his eyes of that spot on
the wall and looks to see what's happing and I start to hear
some one being bang from wall to wall. Again some slapping and
being punched after all the cussing nd being told about your
mother not being your mother and about your new mother. They
told us to fall out the back door and they were right there
kicking everybody in the azs trying to find the back door.
We didn't know which was the back door We came in the front door
and there were four doors and up to today I still will not tell
any body that I did not see a spot on the Wall.
ERNIE GARCIA (Barnie Bare)
U.S.M.C. 1368933
My View Point
I think I've got a good idea about Boot Camp. I went to San
Diego (Hollywood) in the late summer of 67, platoon 1053. Three
of the toughest DI's in the world, S/Sgt. Avillanoza, S/Sgt.
Garcia and Sgt. Short. They were always tough and pushed us to
the limit. I don't think I've ever been hit as hard as S/Sgt.
Garcia hit me one day. He was shorter than me and I looked down
at him, never did that again.
Did my 19 months in country and was looking forward to getting
out. Our beloved Corps had a different idea though, DI school
Parris Island. Graduated and spent from April of 70 to July of
71 with 3rd Recruit Battalion.
Now from my view point PI is where real Marines are made. San
Diego has wonderful weather, very little sand and NO Sand Fleas.
There is no nice weather, it's all sand and the island is
covered with the fleas. I don't think there is a place on the
island, except the grinder, that there is no fleas.
But a Marine is a Marine, the finest fighting machine the world
has ever seen and it all starts at boot camp, either San Diego
or Parris Island.
Semper Fi
Dale Wells
Sgt.67 to 71
1st Anti-Tank Battalion (Ontos)
1st Marine Division
I Pulled One
Korea dec 50 to dec 51 while on patrol, I think mar or April 51.
we came upon an army unit that had been hit with napalm or ?
friendly or enemy ? it was a convoy of about 1/2 doz trucks
with guys still on the trucks and still burning a small creek
maybe 25 ft away was full of bodies.(army us) I pulled one of
the guys out of the stream bed, and as I did his dog tag came
into my view, I don't remember the name but he was from Ogden,
Utah me being from salt lake city Utah really got to me I have
always wondered about what happened and unit it was never told
anything.
Would like to hear from anyone knowing or being there at the
time.
Bob Langford s/sgt USMC 50 to 54 semper fi
Re-modeling
There were 2 different chow halls at mcrd,sand diego, one where
all the recruits ate, and a separate one on east side of grinder
where regular active duties ate. The naval training center is
also located there, and while I was there in '78 the were re-
modeling our primary chow hall, so mon-saturday we got hauled to
chow in cattle cars, Sundays, we spent half our day just
marching to and from the navy chow-hall, and you could get a
western omelet there. But oh the fun we had sounding off on
Sundays, usually a whole series at once, as we marched right
thru the navy training barracks while they were all out enjoying
their "day off". So maybe right picture, wrong mess hall. Thanks
to the men today who keep our tradition alive. God Bless the
United States and her Marine Corps.
Keith S.
DaNang 69
Over the years I've often wondered if I dreamt ASP 1 going up.
To read about it from other hands confirms I still have a few
marbles left. I was with 1st MAW MWHG1 MWCS1 next to the fleet
post office working out of the comm center. I had the day off
when the sound of what I thought was small arms. I was
wondering why we hadn't gone into condition 2 when either a
thousand or 2 thousand pounder went off. It ripped my netting
and a small fan away from my rack, dust was every where, I was
scrambling to get dressed. Everyone was scrambling it looked
like organized chaos everywhere.
In the comm center equipment was bouncing off shelves, the
ceiling was falling down and everyone had on flak jackets and
helmets. I watched a spotter plane above the fray circling over
the explosions until another large bomb went off completely
enveloping it in a cloud, it finally emerged climbing for all
the altitude it could get. The shock waves would hit buildings
the Seabees built causing the leading side to blow in and the
far side to blow out. I watched a jeep bounce off the ground,
later when I measured what I thought was a landmark that
indicated how high the jeep went it measured 22 inches.
Pat Corrie, SGT, 67-71
FSSG
In response to Cpl. Hlava question about the FSSG.
I was with the 1st FSSG from 1984-1985 and then with BSSG from
85 to 87.
Also did some reserve time with the Wing. The FSSG (Force
Service Support Group) And BSSG (Brigade Service Support Group)
are just that, support for the grunts. 1st FSSG is not part of
the 1st Mar Div, but it supports it.
Anyway, every Marine has a job, but every Marine is a rifleman
first. I hope this clarifies your question. Semper Fi,
Sgt. Ed DeVoe
1st Landing Support Battalion
Brigade Service Support Group-1
VMGR-452
Rudely Awakened
Sgt. Grit.
As most former Marines who grew to love the Corps after Boot
Camp I was very interested in the message from MSgt. Herbert L.
Shaw in the newsletter dated 3/11/2009.
Our group from Chicago arrived at Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego,
31 Oct. 1958 Halloween Night, (trick or treat) and from
Receiving Barracks were formed into Plt.1108. We were picked up
by three Drill Instructors, one of which I will NEVER forget,
His name was SSgt. Pope, and before the night was over, I would
owe him 1OOO pushups, with the promise that I would never
graduate if he did not get them.
This all began when after falling asleep on an empty bunk in the
middle of the night, I was rudely awakened, rushed out to the
street, and found my platoon members filling out tags to send
home their Civilian Clothes. I approached D.I. Pope stating
"Sir, I didn't get a tag for my bag Sir." This was immediately
followed by a palm to my right eye with the repeated question if
this was the eye to which I was referring.
Then in a nose to nose conversation at octave level 20 The
Private was informed that the proper way to speak to the Drill
Instructor was to first ask permission to speak the following
phrase."Sir, Private whatever your name is requests permission
to speak""NOW SAY IT". well, Private Streske responded, "Sir
Private Whatever your name is requests permission to speak Sir"
Ergo the 1OOO pushups. With the promise that I had better
remember the count, because he would.
As it turned out, SSgt.Pope was not our regular Drill Instructor
but was assigned to another platoon in our series, and every
time we met, the Private had to drop and crank out those pushups
all the while remembering the count.
On shining those brown boots and boondockers, we found that the
small bottle of "EmNew", used to color the Marine Corps Emblems,
had flat edges on the bottle bottom which worked very nicely.
In closing, the MSgt. must have had an amazing 12 weeks at MCRD
in 1958 if he never witnessed any encouragement because it was
due to the fact that I knew that having been raised without a
Father Figure it was the Discipline and rigorous Training that
made me the Marine and ultimately the Police Officer that I
became.
Semper Fi
Sgt. Marvin S. Streske 1839403
(Sgt.Ske)
Oct.1958-Jan.1965
Russian Bear Bombers
Dear Sgt Grit
In 1983 I was TAD'd from H&MS16 Avionics to HMM-163 for
deployment on the USS Peleliu. We conducted the first
amphibious operation in the Aleutian Islands since WWII at
Amchitku Island . While we were up there, Russian Bear bombers
came over and circled us for awhile. We had no way of escorting
them away, so they just kept circling, We were taking pictures
of them, and we could see the crews of the Bear's taking
pictures of us.
Finally, we started to get p!ssed about it. Next thing you
know, there's several hundred Marines and sailors standing on
the flight deck of the Peleliu giving the Russians the finger
and hollering expletives at them.
They finally flew away, I guess they got the message.
Cpl 1980-1984
Larry Mullins
Never Be Totally Erased
I've been a long time reader of this "outstanding" newsletter.
Normally I just read and can only remember once where I replied
but there are several letters in the 12 Mar 2009 edition that
caused me to send my second email.
To R.J. Boyle: I don't know exactly how or what you meant by
your statement, "but would never put up with their sh-t again"
in reference to your DI's but it didn't sit well with me. If
you choose to reply let us know how long you served and your
rank when you left. My thought is you didn't particularly like
your tour in our Corps.
To Gary L. White: You said that there was a "dumpster near the
latrine". In September 1965 I was at PI and we didn't have a
"latrine" and I'm sure if anyone in my platoon (290) called the
'head' a "latrine", SSGT Lanthier, SGT Starrett or SGT Kehoe
would have immediately and strongly instructed the recruit as to
its correct name.
To Earl McDowell: I did two tours at Camp Elmore, Norfolk, VA,
1971-72 and again 1981-85 where I retired. I don't know if it
qualifies as the "smallest base" but I do remember that the
front and back gates faced each other and if you stood half way
in-between you could hit each 'guard shack' with a baseball. My
2 tours at Elmore rank right at the top of my favorite duty
stations, just behind FMFPAC Camp Smith, HI and MCB Quantico,
VA. In 1995 while traveling I stopped to see what Camp Elmore
looked like. Sadly to my surprise I found only the Marine Corps
PX. FMFLANT had moved to Camp Lejeune and all of the buildings,
Supply, MT, Mess Hall and my old section, FMFLANT Repro, had
been leveled. I did find the asphalt parking spaces in from of
what used to be FMFLANT Repro building and could faintly read
the faded yellow letters, "OIC Repro". Something's can never be
totally erased!
That's all I have to say and for some it's probably too much!
Semper FI
Rick Leach
CWO-3 USMC - Retired
And Don't Plan On
Sgt. Grit,
A posting on your last newsletter titled "old ralphie" brought
back a memory from 1961. Our battalion boarded the APA
"Pickaway" in San Diego and headed for Okinawa. My MOS was
2533, radio telegraph operator. So on the way to Okinawa, we
Marines were assigned to sit in the ship's radio room and listen
to and write down morse code messages. There were two sailors
in the room with me. Well, the radio room was extremely
confined and hot from all the radio equipment. This was bad
enough, but the ship was rolling and I met old ralphie. The
sailors laughed as I filled the waste baskets with whatever I
had eaten at chow. Have never been on a civilian cruise ship
and don't plan on being on one anytime soon.
Dan Suter
Go Down To The Butts
There's an anecdotal story back in the mid-50s that the then
Commandant of the Marine Corps made a 'state visit' to MCRD
Parris Island and wanted to go down to the butts to observe
recruits pulling targets. During a reasonably quiet period of
slow fire he supposedly asked a recruit "How are you doing son,
licking and sticking?" "No sir," the recruit immediately
replied, "tasting and pasting."
A companion story of the time
was that the son of a 'famous' network newscaster while at the
range and pulling targets, got too curious about what it looked
like back on the firing line. He sorta did a chin-up to peek
over the berm and took a round between the running lights.
They say the sh1t really did hit the rotating blades!
Joe Featherston
'56 to '78 (which I hear that current day Marines now believe to
be the old Corps)
Last Thing Standing
Sgt. Grit,
In two short years from 1968 through 1970, I had the privilege
of serving with every U.S. Marine Division except the 4th
Division (which I understood at that time was reserved for
Reservists). I was a field radio operator with the 10th Marines
at Camp Lejeune (2nd Division); then the 11th Engineer Battalion
in Vietnam (3rd Division Reinforced); then Delta 1/26 detached
from Alpha Battery 1/13 (5th Division); then Mike 3/7 detached
from Golf Battery 3/11 (1st Division). After Vietnam I was
assigned to 2nd Recon Battalion back at Camp Lejeune where I was
honorably discharged as an E-4 in 1970.
I believe my AN/PRC-25 radio & long-range antenna was the last
thing standing at Camp Carroll near the Rockpile in September -
October, 1969 when the 11th Engineers destroyed LZ Stud and
Charlie Med and other icons of USMC presence in Northern I
Corps.
Grunts from Golf 2/3 provided security for us as we blew up and
dismantled our former bases and pulled back along Route 9 to
Dong Ha. This was the beginning of the "Vietnamization" process
initiated by President Nixon (which as we now know did not work
out so well).
I hope to go back some day and re-visit the area with other
former Marines.
I had some close calls but returned unscathed for which I am
most grateful.
I will always be proud of my service with the US Marines - both
Stateside and in the 'Nam. I believe we all served with honor
and the best intentions.
Ken Ulrich #2464584
Range Lingo, Again
Sgt Grit:
In response to Cpl Peter Stein's inquiry about range lingo, one
that comes to mind is "Keep bolts open behind the firing line".
And, God help the recruit that violated this order! Another
was, "hold 'em and squeeze 'em!"
I went through boot camp at P.I., October 22, 1954-January 18,
1955. Platoon 437. We had 2 section leaders. I haven't heard any
mention of section leaders in anybody recollections of boot
camp. The DI's chose two recruits for section leader. And, we
asked our DI's if we bought dress blues, could we graduate in
them.
They were impressed by this and allowed us to graduate in them.
General E.A. Pollock was the CG at P.I. then and he came out and
congratulated us and told us he was glad we had wanted dress
blues as our graduation uniform.
We were a "gungy" bunch!
When we qualified with the M-1, we shot 200 yards, off hand, 300
yard, sitting and kneeling, 300 yards, rapid fire, prone and 500
yards, slow fire, prone. Is this correct? I wish somebody would
tell me. Anybody out there remember?
I had a range coach, a corporal whose name I can't remember, who
called me "Rebel". When we were firing prior to qualification,
he walk up and down the line when we started firing "sitting and
kneeling at 300 yards" and say, "I got $5 on the Rebel" Anybody
want some? I always won for him.
Our DI's were S/Sgt. Plevyak, SDI, S/Sgt. Conklin, JDI, S/Sgt.
Kaczynski, JDI, and Sgt. Chism, JDI.
I sure would like to get in contact with any of my old platoon
members and my Drill Instructors.
David E. Tyre...Jesup, GA...Sgt of Marines...Semper Fi!
Sgt Grit,
In your 12 Mar 2009 Newsletter Cpl. Peter Stein asks if anyone
can remember any words or phrases to add to his list about Range
Lingo.
How about these:
bore brush
chamber brush
cleaning rod
and, what I believe was my introduction to military acronyms:
BASS- Breathe, Aim, Slack, Squeeze
Cpl. Kirk James, Plt 317, Mar-Jun '59 PISC MOS 0341, 2/8 & 1/22,
81MM Mortars, 2dMARDIV, Camp Lejeune, NC
As The Ship
I enjoyed a one day cruise on a carrier out of Long Beach in
about 1960, as a member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers).
As the ship came into port a young Marine marched out, took down
the crew flag and hoisted the US flag. When it unfurled, it was
upside down! There were about a hundred of us civilians on the
flight deck watching as the youngster stood there, frozen. Soon,
from the Island, came marching a sergeant. Years later, I still
feel sorry for that kid.
John Hill, Sgt. 1942-1946
P.S. why don't we hear more from WWII guys? We are not all gone.
Another Day
December 1966 I was a replacement for a recruit that had broke
his leg. I arrived at P.I. around 2 a.m. and got off the bus at
the front gate. Yhe MP's put me in a pickup truck and
transported me to receiving. There I am sitting in the back of
the truck, when I hear, "Get you're azs out of there NOW and on
these footprints!" I looked around and saw the Receiving D.I.
standing there, hands on hips, smoky on head. I jumped down and
ran to the footprints. The D.I. said to no one in particular,
something about "They got me up for this piece of sh-t?" The
D.I. then had me enter the building and go to box ???(can't
remember the number). The box is where we emptied our pockets.
I was running up and down the rows, looking for the correct box.
I couldn't find it and the D.I. was standing next to it. And in
his "special" way, he directed me to him. It seemed like hours
before he finally put me in a squad bay and told me to lay down,
keep my mouth shut and go to sleep (which I did.) It felt like
my eyes has just closed, when the lights came on, and another
day in the Corps began.
Sgt. Chuck Spencer
RVN 1968 -1970
It Was Mayhem
I was on PI in July 18th of 1958. I can assure you there were
no yellow footprints. But we sat in Recruit Receiving and our
Senior DI Technical Sergeant Laymance, came and signed for us.
Then he came in to where we were sitting and eyeballed every one
of us individually. Scary. Then he said, When I give the word,
I want you out the door behind me on the double and then he said
move out. Well, 72 scared a...holes stormed out the door only
to be met by a buck sergeant, Sgt Roberts, saying "where the
h&ll do you think you're going" and then he made us move to the
street where Laymance had materialized and they got us in
formation. It was mayhem. And then we marched off to the
barber and showers, uniforms, etc. A h&ll of a day!
At first we had just two DI's and then we picked up Staff Sgt.
DeAngelo. He was a OK, but could be heavy handed. I may have
seen him smack a certain Pvt around when we were waiting to go
to the PX at the range. Of course, I could be wrong, but seem
to recall that the Pvt got the s... kicked out of him and never
a mark on his body. He (Sgt D) was with us for most of our tour
there, but then he got his own platoon. Later some Pvt told
the chaplain that Sgt D. had hit him. An officer came to our
barracks and asked if Sgt D had ever hit us. One by one he
asked us. Our Sr. D.I said to tell the truth before the officer
asked us. No one including a certain private said that we had
ever been struck by Sgt D. It must have been a dream!
It was summer of 1958 and only regulars got battle jackets. I
was a reservist and didn't get one. I always wished I had one.
They were great.
And finally, I could be wrong, but I think you had to shoot 226
to be considered Expert. 210 - 225 was Sharpshooter.
Semper Fi,
Sgt Philip Drugge
1609479
A Co. 1St Bn, 25 Marines
Dipsy Dumpster
.
Hey Y'all, I saw a story in the Mar 12 issue titled 'Trash
Dumpster' and THAT brought back a long lost memory!
While at MCRD (Plt 366), probably in the 8th or 9th week as we
were wearing starched utilities, we failed to please our D.I.
with our marching ability on the Grinder, go figure! He then
marched us over to the nearest large Dipsy Dumpster, ordered the
entire platoon into the dumpster and then proceeded to jump up
and down on the lid screaming "This lid better close, girls!"
and other colorful things. This was in late July or early August
and between the outside temperature, our starched utilities, and
the rather close quarters (we were in there for half a lifetime,
about 10 - 15 min real time) I'm surprised no one got heat
stroke. I have to laugh now that I've remembered this particular
story ...
just imagine the picture our D. I. must have made to anyone in
the vicinity!
Former Sgt. Stephen Gifford
1964 - 68
RVN '65 - '66 & '66 - '67
Enjoy Them Now
I too arrived at Yemassee, SC by train in the middle of the
night in February 1963, I had turned 18 on Feb 6.
A Sergeant had the duty, he threw me a blanket and I was told to
use my trousers for a pillow and to hit the rack! During the
night another train arrived with more recruits. We were up at
0530 and herded in the rain to a greasy spoon across the street
for chow...
On the bus ride to Parris Island the driver told us if you have
any candy bars, chewing gum or sodas to enjoy them now. We never
saw a candy bar, chewing gum or a soft drink for the next three
months.
It was a very sobering experience.
Tony Yates
2037871
Sgt USMC
1963 - 1969
Good Old Memories
Sgt. Grit,
Thanks for those letters (25 Feb) of Marines of the '60s, sure
does bring back some good old memories. I join the Marine Corps
6 May 1960, and went to boot camp in San Diego, Ca. I was in
Plt. 138. And yes we had to learn the 8 man squad drill. I guess
we did well enough to take the Drill Competition, also the
Range, and Inspection. We were the Honor Plt.
However, after boot I never saw the 8 man squad drill again? My
1st duty station (after boot camp) was Marine Barracks
Brementon, Washington. And any Marine that has ever done Marine
Barracks duty, knows that you have very little time for drill.
We worked 24 on 24 off, weekend on weekend off. And in between
we had classes, Pt and sometimes a formation run. Of course the
quarterly PRT, which was done in full combat gear. At 19 I could
do the 3 mile run in under 19 minutes. But our off time was
consume with cleaning, washing, polishing our gear for the next
duty formation. The only time I remember doing drill, was when I
was going up for LCpl.
Which is a whole other story, because the Marine Corps (DOD)
were revamping the whole ranking system by the time enlisted.
But the bottom line, I stayed in the Marine Corps till I retired
on 13 May 1980. There is a lot more that happen in between, I
was in Nam in 1965-1966 & 1968-1969.
Semper Fi
GySgt. C. Rodriguez USMC (Ret)
Mushroom Cloud
Sgt Grit,
As I read the email from the Marine who saw the mushroom cloud
and felt the wind from the explosion some miles away when the Da
Nang ammo dump blew up, it brought back memories. I was at the
air strip in Da Nang that afternoon, waiting to catch a ride in
a KC 123 or KC 130 to Dong Ha. I had just returned from my R & R
and was on my way back to my outfit when all h&ll broke loose.
I remember that I was sitting on a bench near the flight line
when the ammo started cooking off - small arms rounds, mortar
rounds, then artillery shells. It was mostly small stuff in the
beginning, then the heavy ordnance started exploding. After a
few waves of concussion swept through, and one wave actually
knocked a handful of us off the benches and onto the deck, that
the air strip was evacuated.
No planes flew in or out of Da Nang for the remainder of the
day. I found a place to spend the night, sleeping on the floor
of an Air Force building (with air conditioning no less). I
remember listening to the ammo cook off all night long. The next
morning, I caught a flight to Dong Ha. During my training at
The Basic School in 1968, I remember witnessing a display of
fire power one night - small arms, mortars, and artillery all
concentrated on a single target for a short period of time. I
believe it was called a "Mad Moment" It was impressive - but it
didn't hold a candle to the fireworks I saw when the
ammo dump blew in Da Nang.
SR Van Tyle
RVN 68 - 69
I Can Only Imagine
Hi Sgt Grit,
In reading all of the funny stories people have submitted, it
finally helped my brain recall something worth telling.
I left for basic training in February of 1991 and was at Parris
Island from February to May as part of Platoon 4012. While we
were at BWT we'd been told to do a non-formation run - get the
miles done at your own pace. I was heading into the home
stretch, running on the opposite side of the road as instructed,
when a bus comes down the road towards me. Inside the bus is
what turned out to be a fellow recruit who'd previously been
placed in the medical platoon. She saw her old platoon mates
running by the side of the road and stood up in the bus and
waved and smiled as it drove by. Me, in full civvy style,
returned the wave as if it was another day back home.
Unbeknownst to me, running about fifty feet behind me were: our
senior drill instructor, our heavy, our series commander and I
forget who else.
I'm sure they had a good laugh about it, and probably used the
remainder of the run to discuss the best possible way to punish
me for my foolish misdeed, because they didn't say a word until
after we'd all returned, showered, and eaten. I can only
imagine the expression they saw on my face, and I have no idea
how they kept a straight face, when they finally confronted me
in full drill instructor style and informed me of the audience I
had when I waved at my buddy earlier in the day. Needless to
say, every recruit that had to "dig" for any reason after that
was joined by me, the now famous waving recruit.
Love the newsletter and the website, you guys are doing a great
job.
Melissa Myers, Corporal
Aviation Ordnance 1991 - 1995
What Happened?
In 1960 we were sent TDY to Taiwan, because the Communist
Chinese, on the mainland, were threatening (again) to invade the
island.
There were three or four squadrons there, along with the support
outfits and all the troops were living in tents. We had an
extended stay of several months as I recall. The engineers had
erected heads in several places, one of which was a "super
deluxe six seater". This one was central to the shower area and
about mid tent city. I had some heavy use.
Shortly, a working party was organized to burn the heads.
One guy in our outfit was one card short of a full deck.
Naturally, he volunteered to be responsible for the six holer.
As I recall it was a nice day, bright sun, everyone hard at
work. Suddenly there was a loud WHOOOFF, followed by an
enormous explosion. Of course everyone dropped what they were
doing and ran over to see what happened.
The fire is coming out of the hole where the six seater was
supposed to be, big clouds of oily black smoke.
Everyone is asking what happened.
Standing next to the hole is our guy. As he turns we are greeted
by an image much like Wiley Coyote in the Road Runner cartoons.
He is completely black, and covered with the contents of the
hole, no eyebrows, scant hair on the top of his head, clothing
scorched and torn, white T shirt now black. A look of complete
amazement on his face. All you could see were the whites of his
eyes and his teeth. A complete mess.
What happened?
"Well I dumped the JP-4 in the hole, but it wouldn't light. So,
I got some gas, poured that in on top, and threw another torch
in and watched to make sure it caught fire." DUH....!
One guy was laughing so hard he wet his pants. The Corpsman came
over and threw him a rope, then led him to sick bay to get
cleaned up.
Jack Cooke
Driving Blind
The photos of the Dong Ha ammo going up in June, 1968 were
remarkable. Any way I can get a set? I'd pay for developing new
prints and shipping. The only thing more remarkable was that as
I was driving through the dump as it was going off I didn't get
my a$$ blown up.
I was a 3531, Truck Driver with 2/9 (which was up at Camp
Carroll) and was assigned to 2/9 Supply in Dong Ha. One of the
jobs was to go over to 3rd Med Bn in a PC (like a pick up truck)
and pick up the 782 gear from wounded and KIA Marines. To get to
3rd Med from 2/9 supply was to sort of drive around the
perimeter of the base, or, naturally, take a short cut through
the ammo dump. In the middle of the dump myself and Lee Pulley
hear what sounded like muffled explosion off to our right and
when we look we see a Willy Peter round go off.
I'm thinking to myself why would a WP round be going off over
there? Then everything started going up and as we exited the
ammo dump I didn't even think about stopping at 3rd Med since it
was situated right next to the dump. I continued south on Route
1 for Quang Tri. I can't say for certain as there were a number
of "mushrooms", but the big mushroom in the pictures looks just
like the one that almost flipped the truck from its concussion.
Just like a nuke, the concussion lifts all the dust from the
road and I was driving blind as fast as that truck would go. Got
to Quang Tri safe, got out of the truck and spotted a couple of
shrapnel holes that weren't there before. Scared sTTTless but
great fun.
C. J. "Skip" Seyer
Corporal, USMC RVN 68-69
Semper Fi
2 Theories
Jun-Sep 1968 Plt 398 MCRDPI - our DI's were fanatics about
getting ribbons on the Guidon flag. On qualifying day, � the
platoon would fire [M14s] while the other half pulled butts.
The DI's sent 5 FU's to the butts; I fired 6 times. Would you
believe the results: 5 Expert and 1 Sharpshooter [me]! Class A
target, 500 yds [not meters then], prone - 9 bulls eyes and 1
Maggies Drawers!
There were 2 theories - bad round, or "lazy" butt pasting [eg,
didn't paste over] with 2 rounds through one puncture. The DI's
suspected the latter, knowing the FU involved. Our DI's
requested a recheck, but it was our own personnel in the butts;
the range officer wouldn't approve a protest [or a redo].
Hence, my jacket shows "Sharpshooter".
The story gets stranger - my left arm was swollen due to
infection from snapping in [something to do with 200 yrs of
horse manure in the dirt]. I fired all day through the pain
[hey, I'm a Marine!], they then sent me to first aid, who
promptly put me in a sling [white, not green!], and returned me
to my platoon. We marched off the Range with me carrying the
high-shooter flag, my platoon took the high shooting ribbon,
plus I received the Leatherneck Magazine high shooter "medal"
for the Company.
Someone snapped a picture, with the white sling prominent.
Would love to get a copy.
Went into the hospital for the rest of the week, and missed mess
duty [audience groans].
ps - Camp Hansen 69 re-qualifying: barely re-qualified with some
new fangled toy called an "M-16" and "dog" targets. I tended to
group just above the head shot!
Ray Burrington, Cpl 68-70 2506945
"Remington Raider" MOS 4001-4034 [computers] PDS's - MCRDSD &
Camp Foster-Okinawa MCL-HCD #781, Wake & Funeral Detail
Sarge, thanx for all you do ... many do not know how much
support you give to the Marine Corps League. We do!
Proud owner of more SgtGrit stuff than my wife allows!
All My Buttons
To the Marine who felt that P.I. was the real boot camp. I have
been to both, but was trained in Diego. I have heard all the
stories about being a Hollywood Marine. If there was one, he
kept himself hidden. Getting that bus at 0-dark-thirty was
pure h&ll. One man stumbled at the door and there such a pile
up with DIs screaming and pushing people off. Other DIs
screaming to get on the yellow footprints; utter chaos.
Squatting for the bucket issue and only getting up if you were
missing an item. Finally allowed to go to bed somewhere between
some ungodly hour.
Only to hear bunks being over turned because we had slept too
long. I am thankful I slept on a bottom bunk. More DIs
screaming we had 5 minutes to sh-t, shower and shave and to get
into the head; which none us even had a clue what a head was.
I could go on but believe me there was no call for movies and
after our senior drill instructor choked my bunkie because he
had not button the top button of his utility jacket until he
almost passed out, I stood shaking because I couldn't remember
if I had all my buttons buttoned. When he walked pass me and
not say a word to me, I started breathing again.
As for not seeing any DI hit anyone, I was smacked in the
stomach with a rifle butt, because I was too slow releasing my
rifle during inspections. I was knocked out because I laughed
in ranks. I was kicked in the azs because I was out of step
when marching.
So I don't know where the Marine got the idea that San Diego was
some country club. Any Marine who when through San Diego was as
well trained as any other Marine elsewhere.
Semper Fi
Albert Dixon
GySgt, USMC, Ret.
Ten Platoons
.
Sgt. Grit, first of all thank you for doing what you do. I read
every story published on a weekly basis and enjoy the memories
that they bring back. Having served as a Drill Instructor H Co.
3rd Bn between '78 and '81 I can certainly appreciate all of the
"DI" stories out there. To be a part of the forming of the
Marines during that era is a true honor in my mind. I trained
ten platoons over the three year period and then spent some
"down time" teaching at ICT. I salute you Sgt. Grit for
bringing us all together here, and I salute each and every
Marine who had what it takes to earn the Title.
Semper Fi, Marines
John ONESHOT Fitzgerald
How Close Can You Get?
How close can you get? On June 20 1968 I was in the 3/3
Battalion rear at Dong Ha. I had been medevaced back to Dong Ha
to get a badly infected tooth extracted just the day before and
was crashed on a cot in the Med tent when we heard the rounds
coming in. The ammo dump was about 300 yards west of 3/3 Bn rear
and right next to the Seabee Compound. When we heard incoming
everybody ran to the trench line adjacent to the Seabee fence
and took cover.
After several minutes of incoming there was a huge explosion and
that was the beginning of continuous non stop explosions that
seemed to go on for days. In our little trench we felt every
single explosion and soon realized we were in deep doodoo
because the unexploded ordnance was falling all around us. It
was get up and find overhead cover or take one h&ll of a chance
and not get a hot 155 round in our laps. We made a mad dash to
the Bn Bunker and it was jammed full but we didn't give much
thought to that at the time, we had some good company.
After a few hours, the all clear was sounded and we made our way
to daylight. Looked like Hiroshima! Everywhere you looked was
rubble. Hooches on fire, trucks on fire, rounds laying
everywhere. You barely could walk without having to step over
some kind of ordinance. The Seabees took a h&ll of a pounding
and there area was even worse. Never forget that day and
grateful as a Marine could be when I finally got a lift via
convoy back out to A-3 and the Battalion.
Danny L. Medders
First Sgt. Retired
"I" 3/3 67-68
Brown Bar
As a platoon commander, "Brown Bar" with Golf 2/5 in 1969, I was
assigned as pay officer. While in DaNang to pay some of my
wounded Marines on the Repose I got some great pictures of the
ammo dump going up. It burned for days and was quite a
spectacle. The scuttlebutt was that a Vietnamese worker was
burning trash and the fire got away from him. We all joked that
the VC probably awarded him a medal for the fire.
PS: I went through boot camp at PI before being selected for the
officer program. I remember the yellow footprints well and the
no-see-ums and deer flies. My buddies from San Diego did not get
that pleasure until they got to Vietnam. I now am living back in
Beaufort, SC and love it, no deer flies now, but the no-see-ums
are as mean as ever.
Semper Fi
John Thomas, 1st Lt.
1967-1971
Natural Ability
Dear Sgt Grit,
A Marine grunt company in Vietnam doesn't get much slack, but
somehow our company "Humping Hogs of Hotel 2/5" lucked out and
got a 3 day R&R to China Beach in 1967.Needless to say, not a
single Marine missed muster on this mission. While at China
Beach, we had cold beer, plenty of hot-dogs, hamburgers and
fries. Outdoor movies and plenty of sunshine and the beach.
Oh I almost forgot those round eyed red cross ladies. Eye ball
liberty couldn't get much better. One can imagine the suaveness
and natural ability of the world's greatest fighting force...a
Marine trying to hit on these ladies and convince them that he
was the answer to all their prayers. Well no one got their
dreams answered and we all had to body surf, suck down the suds,
and lament about our time out of the bush.
Some unfortunate AF guy brought his wife to the beach also and
she was wearing a hardly anything string bikini. Since Marines
are famous for their instinctive ability to protect those in
need, many of us wandered over to where the couple were lying on
the hot sand trying to get a tan, and circled the couple
providing instant shade. Free eyeball liberty in Vietnam is hard
to come by so you take it wherever you can. There was at least
50 Marines offering sun screen protection for the lovely lady.
Her husband just did not appreciate the good will gesture the
Marines offered and told them to quit bothering them or he would
report us to the MP's for harassment. One Marine spokesman for
the group commented...." What do you think they will do....send
us to Vietnam."
Funny, how those AF people place goodies on the beach and fail
to recognize the potential sun damage. Marines do not miss a
beat. Semper Fi to all those who hit the beach in Vietnam.
Roger Ware
Hotel 2/5 Vietnam 66-67
Hull Bottom Escape Hatches
I saw the mention of the ASP-1 ammo dump fire and the huge
explosions and thought maybe I could add a little more to the
story. I was at the First Tank Battalion compound (and weeks
away from rotation) and we were all very interested that Sunday
(I think) morning because we were just over a click away and had
front row seats to the most expensive fireworks show ever
witnessed. What most people that saw that unbelievable event
don't know is that there were men who worked the dump who ran to
their bunkers at the first few explosions and who now couldn't
leave because the fire and heat were so intense. We got the
word for two certain tanks and all tank crewmen to report to the
Battalion ammo bunker. They were sending them in to rescue the
trapped men.
We emptied all the 90mm ammo (more room) from the two tanks and
each took only driver and TC (tank commander) and headed out to
get them out. The hull bottom escape hatches had been dropped
and the turrets turned backwards and the guns put into travel
lock. This allowed them to nose up to a bunker and allow the
men to one by one crawl up into the tank through the escape
hatch. I don't remember how many total were rescued, but I seem
recall one tank coming out of there with 13 men inside the
turret. I think the tankers who went in received some kind of
medal as they well should have. The fire eventually consumed
almost everything and died out, but not before spreading to the
POL (oil) dump next door and starting the smokiest fire
imaginable.
There were fires in the artillery powder storage bunkers that
were so hot we could feel the heat at over a thousand yards. I
remember some huge explosions and of seeing the shock wave from
one radiating out at a stunning speed that only allowed us time
enough to turn away before it actually knocked those in the open
to the ground (really), and broke roof trusses in our hardback
hooches. I also seem to remember the windows in the new Air
Conditioned Staff and Officers Club being blown out!
After that one those of us assigned to tanks were told to
"saddle up" and head out to our night guard positions on
surrounding hills. This didn't come any too soon for me as
there had already been shrapnel falling on the area from some of
the bigger explosions and we all wanted to move out. It now
seems amazing that a thousand yards wasn't far enough. I will
try to get some photos of the bigger explosions scanned and send
them in so the actual mushroom shaped clouds can be seen.
Again, all this is only one old Marine's recollection and forty
years is a long time. Corrections and additions are welcome.
If anyone knows where I could find a report of this event I
would appreciate them passing it on. It would be very
interesting to see what the "official" version explains.
And to all Marines that read this, if you haven't been to the
new Marine Corps Museum in Quantico you absolutely MUST go. It
is beautiful and amazing and must be experienced to be believed.
Pictures you may see can't do it justice. I saw it with two of
my old tanker buddies and we were moved. Plan on seeing the Air
and Space Museum at Dulles Airport at the same time.
Tim Hanks, Cpl. 67-70
First Tanks, Phu Bai and Da Nang 68-69
Proud Second Generation Marine
Mental Tree
Sgt Grit,
During the time frame 1966 to 1967, Recruit Training Regiment
(RTR) facilities were in transition at PISC. 1st and 2nd RT Bn's
had the original two story wooden barracks with 85 man squad
bays. However, 3rd RT Bn had new barracks (concrete/stucco) and
had 110 man squad bays. Folks belonging to 1st RT Bn referred
to 2nd RT Bn as the "Twilight Zone" and to the 3rd RT Bn as
"Disneyland". During that same period, the Draft was on and the
Recruit Training Cycle was reduced from 13 weeks to 8 weeks. We
had to make Marines fast for RVN. Recruits were coming so fast
that DI's scheduled to pick-up there new Platoon from Recruit
Receiving in many cases couldn't.
You see, they were still in their final week before graduation
with their old platoon. Unfortunately, DI's who were supposed
to be getting a break during "Mess and Police Week" were used to
pick-up the new recruits pouring out of Receiving and try to do
what they could with an undermanned DI Team until the scheduled
DI Team could replace them. If there was anything that drove a
DI up his "mental tree", it was somebody else screwing with his
"Prives" during the Initial Week. All DI's don't care for
anyone else's prints on their recruits. DI's went on and stayed
on and I'm sure their families suffered greatly from the
workload. It was a real test for overworked DI's to perform
within in the Recruit Training Rules, maintain their
professionalism and sanity.
Semper Fi,
Bob Turley
(Former Series Cmdr and Co. Cmdr. 1st RT Bn, PISC)
Riot On Sunset Strip
While reading the story about the Da Nang ammo dump explosion of
'69 I was reminded of my first week in country in August of '67.
While at Camp Pendleton prior to shipping out we were following
all the news we could get about the goings on in I Corps, and
learned that the Dong Ha ammo dump had been hit. Upon landing
in Okinawa I remember hearing that the Phu Bai ammo dump had
also been hit and I can remember thinking that the Da Nang dump
was next. Imagine my surprise upon landing at the Da Nang
airfield to go to receiving barracks and be ordered immediately
on a six-by and taken to the guard shack for the Da Nang ammo
dump. There I was shown a cot to stow my gear and issued 782
gear and a M-14 and told that I along with a handful of equally
confused FNGs were to be the last line of defense for the ammo
dump as they expected to be hit soon. There was time for chow
at a mess hall and believe it or not a movie, Riot on Sunset
Strip, then it was off to do our watch. Most of my fellow FNGs
were placed in Bunkers for perimeter guard while the lucky ones,
me included, were ordered to walk the interior roads and be
alert for infiltrators. I think that there were four of us so
designated and the road network we were to walk was in a "T"
configuration.
Anyways back and forth and back and forth all night long I
walked every step of the way looking for a place to hide if the
rockets started to come in.
The best strategy I could figure out was to dive in a ditch
crawl inside my helmet and hide when the explosions started, As
if there would be any protection if the place went up. It was
like walking through a warehouse district, there were crates of
various ammo piled up over my head and me on a raised roadbed.
Whenever two of us came together at the "T" we would trade
routes to relieve the monotony of our routes. But walk our
routes we did, like the good Marines we were and are. I did
that for a week or so, dump security at night and work parties
during the day with catnaps whenever we could catch one. I was
plenty nervous in the dump, never scared though, cause I figured
that if it was hit I was a goner anyway, I had seen photos of
the other dump fireballs and thought that there would be no
surviving in the middle of that place if it blew. I heard later
that some Marine unit west of DaNang had intercepted a VC sapper
unit bound for the dump and that probably saved my life. Thank
You to whoever that was. The only infiltrator all week was a
Python that one of the other interior guards had shot as it
crossed the road in front of him, all I remember of it was its
head was in one ditch and its tail was in the opposite ditch and
it its body crossed over the road. Biggest snake I have ever
seen. And the OD came out and rightfully so gave him h&ll for
firing a round in the dump
Finally while on that tour we used to recite a short ditty to
one another, I don't remember how it started but it ended with
the lines, does anyone remember it?
Another beautiful day in the Corps.
and all the birds are dead,
Where every day is a holiday,
And every meal a feast.
Semper Fidelis.
We used to recite it sarcastically, like young men do, but ever
since my time in country I have lived like every day is a
holiday and every meal is a feast.
Semper Fidelis
Corporal Burton
2261712
60's Marines
I read that you would like some pictures of 60's Marines. I
just received this boot camp picture from my sister didn't even
know it existed. I didn't recognize myself at first.
Mike O'Beirne Semper Fi
Snake (Green)
SNCO Qtrs fragged with a smoke grenade - next to my hooch: (
fall 68') One evening - late that is we all awoke and jumped up
to see what was going on to find out that someone had "fragged"
the staff NCO's hooch which was just across from mine. All of us
were then assigned in pairs until the dumb azs that was tired of
Vietnam came forward - which he did.
We all waved good bye as they lead this guy away.
Truck hits a landmine in the roadway - several Marines wounded:
We were assigned to road sweeps that month and that particular
day my platoon was assigned as the sweep detail. Keep in mind
that once the (Fall 68') landmine detector found a suspicious
object in the road - then the prob-er came up to probe and
uncover the possible mine. We did just that - that day and
cleared it. We all then piled into the truck at the final turn
around when the driver of the flat bead decided to drive off the
roadway and then it happened a huge blast! We all scrambled out
of the bed and those on the right side caught some of the blast.
I took up a fighting posit on thinking that we were going to get
attacked. When things finally calmed down - we medivacd out the
wounded Marines and headed for the barn.
Snake ( green) almost got me while pulling apart mine boxes: (
Mar 68') We were pulling apart the wooden boxes while up at Gio
Linh fire support base in getting ready for the next day's
installation of the landmines ( m-14's and m-16's) when all of
sudden this lime green snake appears from between the boxes.
At that point I jumped up and out of the hole where we had the
crates stored for safety. We had to capture to snake and cut the
head off - then buried it. Per the doc - you must bury the head
because if you happen to come in contact with it - you can still
get in trouble with the venom.
Took small arms fire while outside Khe Sanh combat base:
We were assigned as support for the big push up around Khe Sanh
that month. year and in doing so we were given the rear guard.
After arriving in and around the base - we took some small arms
fire while seating in the April rain. It didn't turn out to be
much of anything - so we went onto to further assist with the
operation that day - Pegasus ( Apr 68')
In closing here - we performed our duties as Marine engineers
whether it was assigned to a grunt unit, build a bridge, install
a minefield, build bunkers etc.
Our unit patch reads the following:
11Th Engineer Bn
3rd Marine Division
Construction - Demolition
It should also be noted that I along with a six man Marine team
went back to Vietnam on a humanitarian aid - landmine removal
project" 11Th Engineers - Vietnam revisited 89; ,Ltd. We also
achieved our goal which was two fold:
1. Long Term: See that the landmines a removed from the fmr DMZ
area.
2. Short Term: Send medicines/medical supplied to the
children's hospitals.
Note: Today, our wartime map hangs in the US Embassy - De-mining
Offices
located in Hanoi, Vietnam and the fruits from our efforts -
still are paying off.
Gene Spanos
Lieut. Ret. RPD 72/95
Fmr Sgt.USMC 66/71
Chief of Staff - MCL
Lake County Marine Det # 801
Short Rounds
Sgt. Grit,
I would just like to send my thanks that you have set this
website up to motivate Marines. I have been out of the Corps
for a year or two and your website has motivated me to remember
my core values and to never forget the title I still carry.
Semper Fidelis Sergeant.
Corporal Kriger, Charles M.
Marine Air Group 16
MCAB Miramar
San Diego California
I remember that I was in the Az and it seemed to go on forever.
Impressive Mushroom
Vince Egan
I was in Platoon 360 (Regimental Honor Platoon) in 1965. Does
anyone out there know what year the yellow footprints were
instituted at MCRD San Diego? I have a Marine buddy who went to
boot camp in August of 1958 and swears they weren't there when
he arrived for his glorious training. I have another Marine
buddy who said they were there in 1951 when he arrived there.
I've checked the internet and am unable to pin down the
inception date.
HELP! Thanks and SEMPER FI.
John H. Allen, Sgt. E-5 (1965-1974)
MSgt Larry Shaw was not at Camp Elliot for his rifle qual, but
Camp Mathews.
Elliot was a navy facility, and yes, the Marines did train there
during WW II. I Was at Mathews in 1951, long before Shaw, so I
know. Later, Mathews was closed down when the Edson Range
complex was built at Camp Pendleton.
James Murphy
Hi Sgt. I recall the day that the ammo dump went up. I was with
2/26 foxtrot and I just came off guard duty and setting down to
chow when kick out of my and dust came down into my eggs etc. I
said some Joyce words. I thought the Viet Cong or the NVA was
hitting the compound. We went on code red. When it was over we
check out the shop's at freedom hill the only thing standing was
the drive-in screen. Won't forget that day.
Semper fi. Dave D
I went to MCRD San Diego in 1984. Platoon 1017. I never had a
western omelet. We did have duck one day though! We sat done to
chow, the DI said duck left, duck right, now get out! We never
got to eat anything and ended up in the sand pit!
Booker DC,
Former Marine/ 1833
Earl,
Camp Elmore was still there in the early 80's. We used to go to
Norfolk, VA for duty at the CINLANTFLT compound, and would go to
Camp Elmore to get our travel squared away. They had a small
Marine Corps PX where I used to get souvenirs for my little
daughter. Don't know if it's still there. Been a few years
since I've been to the 'Tidewater' area.
Angelo Lema
MSgt, USMCR, ret.
1969-1994
It is said the Old Corps is any time before YOUR time. Maybe
so. I have no sea stories but I know, without any doubt, that
the Corps had and has a tremendous effect on my life. I was in
1955-58, went through Boot in SDiego,,,,and survived. Now, I
have been in the Insurance business for over 50 years.
Had it not been for the stuff ingrained in me by the Corps, I
don't know what would have happened to this old Marine.....one
each.
Don Calvin....St. Louis
I would bet that if every retired Marine was given a chance to
releave someone in that sandbox that 100% would go, and I would
carry the Guidon!
H&ll, I have done everything I have wanted, including meeting
Chesty and Pappy and I am ready to be with them again.
James Ree
GySgt (Ret) Vietnam 65-66,69-70.
Its one of those nights when I miss my brothers. Sitting here
wishing I could go back in time and hug each and everyone of you
Green Machine Bast*rds! From LZ baldy to Hill 55 to Liberty
Bridge to An Hoa. My life has never been the same since those
days and nights I spent in the NAM! But I wouldn't have missed
for the world!
Semper Fi
Cpl Glenn Zak 11th Motor Transport Battalion 1ST MAR DIV
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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