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Sgt. Grit, and fellow Marines,
I served proudly in the USMC from Oct '79 until Jul '83. I spent
my entire tour of duty in San Diego as a true "Hollywood Marine".
Though promised fortune and fame serving in exotic ports by my
recruiter, like most Marines, I did exactly what I was told.
Aptitude scores, a good education, and the ability to type, and
talk bounced me from one side of the grinder to the other after
graduation. Initially, I worked as a liaison with Naval Security
Group executing background investigations on new Marines
qualified for OCS. Though I never ducked a bullet during my
career as a Marine, I did spend four years in the "spit and
polish" of the boot environment. We trained daily with Drill
Instructor School, NCO school, as well as other training programs
attached to the base. Though I only handled a weapon to qualify,
I never once fell below a perfect 300 on the PFT.
A training base post, though at times dull, is never idle.
Along with being the NCOIC of the ceremonial detail on board the
base for a period, modeling for recruiting posters, and bar
tending at the OC, my last year I also sat behind the CO of the
base in the bleachers as the MC announcing the weekly
graduations. I was meritoriously promoted twice in rank in order
to fill a billet, not because of anything special I did (other
than passing a meritorious board), but more because the Corps
needed the rank to fit the ticket at the time. I ended my career
as the Discharge NCO for 2ndRTB papering training failures out of
the Corps. While not a glamorous stint by any means, I could
tell some heart breaking "stories" of those who should, and
should not, have graduated.
I left the Corps in '83 a bit disappointed by the dog and pony
show a peace time tour had become. This however, is my point: I
learned more in that four year period about the discipline of
being a man of reputation, honor, and integrity, no matter the
circumstances, than any combined experience I've had since. It
makes no difference what "job" we have, being a Marine is all
about doing the very best that we can with the responsibility
we're given. "Beans, bullets, and bad guys" means a lot of
different hats are worn. I handed my life to my country on open
palm, they did with it as they chose, I do not regret it. I'm
thankful I survived the experience, and salute those who haven't.
God bless every single American citizen who has ever served in
the Armed Forces, but especially my Marines. Semper Fi
K. Markham,
Sergeant of Marines, '79-'83
USMCRD San Diego, CA
In The Air
The words '..in the Air, on Land and Sea' were added in 1942. Not
surprising that many are not aware. It took a long time for
people to use it. It still is not commonly used. I was taught
the Hymn in 1946 with the old verse.
P. Santiago
GySgt. (Ret). 1946-1968
 3/11
Sgt. Grit
This is a picture of myself, LCpl Grover Hunt in I Battery 3/11 in
1967 in Viet Nam.
Grover Hunt
God's Own Lunatics
A very moving tribute sent to me by my friend who flew 46's out
of DaNang...
God's Own Lunatics (YouTube video)
-Mike H
To Sgt. Hendrickson,
Having been a "Winger" for the 11 yrs.('56- '67) I was in the
Corps, the only thing I can figure about the E-9 that more or
less snubbed you - is, he never had to have his azs saved by a
chopper or needed some close air support. You have nothing to be
ashamed of for being in the Air Wing of the Corps.
Just ask Sgt. Grit, he'll tell you.
OK I will!
Anyone who has been picked-up, resupplied, or seen the air wing
in action understands. To not respect, understand, appreciate
what all MOS's do...well...well, you're just a dumb azs.
I got to see F-4 Phantoms do their thing a couple of times. That
and 8" artillery were about the most awesome thing I saw in
Vietnam.
On one occasion after their run the two pilots buzzed our hill
very close a couple of times at eye level and waved. Something
they are not supposed to do, but they knew how boring duty on the
remote OP's could be.
Sgt Grit
USMC Straight Razors
The first USMC straight razors came out at the Spanish American War and had USMC
stamped on the blade.
The second issue was during World War 1 and had USMC stamped on
the reverse side on the tang.
These are worth between $60.00 and $100.00. The Spanish American
War razors are fewer and father between and sell for between
$225.00 and $250.00
They're a vanishing part of Marine Corps history!
Russell
Birthday Ball Photo Winner
I am in receipt of the Sgt Grit gift certificate. I am going to
give it to the Wounded Marine Affairs team at Brooke Army Medical
Center (BAMC) as the photo of the Ball is of those wounded there for treatment.
Bob Otto
Closet Shelf
I was in the EM club on a Friday night and doing my thing at a
Urinal in the head. Some Marine was complaining about the Marine
Corps and I smarted off. I woke up on a linen closet shelf in
the wrong barracks the next morning and had the duty! By the
time I got to work I was about an hour late! Knowing that I
would probably get Office Hours I asked where the Staff Sergeant
in charge was? They said he was not coming in and that I was in
charge! I learned two things. Never smart off when your back is
turned and you are holding the wrong gun and that the Lord
protects some of the dumbest.
Semper Fi
Darrell "Gene" Cordes
1580585
Snake Man
Edson range 1969. In Platoon 3088 MCRD there were 5 of us from
Arkansas. I was raised on Fourche Creek about 15 miles from the
stomping grounds of the late Carlos Hathcock. He grew up in Geyer
Springs. At the time I had never heard of Gunny Hathcock. But
when we got to the rifle range, obviously our Sr. DI had heard of
him and was very insistent that our platoon had a genuine snake
man hillbilly from Arkansas. He then asked all 5 of us just
exactly where we were from. When he heard that I was from one of
the most snake infested lairs on the planet I was given the honor
of shaking bushes and saying shoo-snake for the remainder of our
stay at Edson Range.
When we got back to San Diego I thought my snake hunting days
were over. One evening, just before taps I heard someone calling
pvt. hillbilly. I bailed out of the top rack, raced to the duty
hut, banged on the duty hut and announced the arrival of the
snake man. After receiving permission to enter on hallow ground
the Jr. DI asked me how I could be so stupid. Well he was
certainly right about that because I didn't have a clue to what
he was talking about. Then he said your name is no longer snake
man your name is draft dodger. He said I was so stupid that
instead of going north when the selective service sent me
greetings that I had gone west. I had no idea that I had been
drafted and those nice people only wanted to remind me.
Our memories are what make us ALWAYS MARINES
D. Womack
Island Hopping
It was September 4, 1942. I wanted to be a sea-going Marine but
never made it. I did see a lot of time at sea, but it was to get
through the WW2 Pacific campaigns island hopping my way across
the Pacific. Saw Tahiti, Bora Bora, American Samoa, Funafuti,
Pearl Harbor, Big Island Hawaii, Saipan, Okinawa and North China.
Some of the times I saw pleasant sights, but other times it was
not so pleasant. When I finally got home February 7, 1946 I had
been overseas for 35 months. Guess I didn't have enough so re-
enlisted for 3 more years. Finally got out and used the GI Bill
for engineering college.
Just met a young Marine this morning while I was doing my Mall
walking routine for exercise. He's had two deployments to Iraq
and Afghanistan and must go for a 3rd deployment. He tried to
tell me how much he appreciated me for my service, but I told him
that I had it easy compared to what he is doing and has to do.
I'm just another old WW2 phart who had it easy going. I commend
all these new breed Marines for what they are doing for their
Corps and country.
Sgt. Marion B. Stults, USMC SN 450010
Snake And Nape
I missed the story where someone chose to talk about the Wing. I
joined the Corps in 1967 and did good enough on the tests to get
my shot at the Wing. After ITR at Camp Gieger I went to NAS
Millington Tennessee for jet engine school. I was in country from
11/Oct/69 to 15/Nov/1970 with VMF223 & VMF225 at Chu Lai and
DaNang. We flew A4 Skyhawk's and one of our primary duties was
close air support. We kept two birds loaded with "snake and
nape", 250 lb anti-personnel bombs and two to four tanks of
napalm. When our brothers in the bush needed help we could have
both birds launched and going on station in 7 minutes. We took it
very seriously. As Marines we all had keeping our brothers alive
and well foremost in our minds.
Sgt. Gary A. Williams
USMC 1967-1971
Ed Had Me Drop
Sgt. Grit,
In May of last year, my wife Cheri, son Todd and I had the
pleasure of visiting "Sgt" Ed Villanueva at his home in San
Antonio, TX. Sgt. Villanueva was our Senior Drill Instructor for
Plt. 354, MCRD San Diego in July, 1965.
We had a short visit at his home where he showed us pictures of
his large and wonderful family. His grandson-in-law stopped by
to return some things and he is currently in the San Antonio
Police Academy. Good grief, my only granddaughter just turned 1
on May 4th.
We all knew that Ed was a very proud man and proud of the Marine
Corps. As our senior DI, we had the best. Nothing has changed.
He will never be lonely with the size of his family. Both his
son and daughter have been in the Marine Corps.
Ed entertained us with some great stories of his Marine career
and what he had been doing after he retired. What none of us
knew at the time was that he was also with CID. (Criminal
Investigation Division.)
As you can see by the attached pictures, not much has changed.
Ha, Ha.
Ed had me drop and do 25 but I had enough just being there for
the picture. I can still do 25 but that's it. I think my arms
are just as strong, there is just a lot more weight for some
reason.
Semper Fi,
Glen Griswold, Sgt 2168507 / 2532 '65 - '69
Iraq Marine
Here are some pictures from Traci Ross of her Marine from the
Facebook:
Cpl Kirkwood saluting the flag in Iraq 2005! My very own personal
Hero! I love him...we will soon be married and I too will soon be
part of the Marine Family...can't wait!
Semper Fi!
Iraq 2005
.....
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Short Rounds
"What would life be like without the Marine Corps?"
It was 28 years ago that I graduated from boot camp. Plt.2085
Parris Island, SC. The one thing that I can remember, and I
don't why, is my foot locker combo.... 10-12-22. I also have my
original razor that was issued to me. I don't know why I've kept
that either.
Kelly R. Morgan
SEMPER FI
S.O.S. Gourmets: During my tour in "The Corps" '53-'56 I had
S.O.S. both with ground beef and chipped beef, guess it depended
on the particular base chefs. Has anyone had it made with pork
sausage?? If you would like to try some "creamed chipped beef"
see if your local supermarket carries Stouffer's Frozen Foods.
Look for S.O.S.in their frozen food section under creamed
chipped beef. Caution, taste before salting. Some things never
change. Alan R. McCarthy Sgt. 1415896 "Semper Fi"
Three of us enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on 16 Feb 1948. Our
serial no's were consecutive, one was 656574, mine was 656575,
the other was 656576. We all went to MCRD Parris Island, Plt. 32,
2nd Battalion. Our entire platoon was promoted to PFC upon
graduation from boot camp!
WILLARD F. ELLIS, JR.
hill 327 DaNang 1966 1967 ASP #1, any Marines that were there i
would like to hear about ammo our german shepherd that our c.o.
said we couldn't keep and what about the rat races at the
dynamite bunkers? and the mad hatter.
Thomas McGinnis
Happy New Year Sgt Grit. While reading the latest, I came across
a mistake L/Cpl. A Carson made in his WWII anecdote. In his
statement about the green Fourragere or the "Pogey ropes", it was
the 5th Marines that earned the Fourragere not the 6th Marines.
The 5th Marines also earned the title of "Devil Dogs" from the
Germans in the battle of Belleau Wood, WW1. Having served with
the "Fighting 5th Marines" in Nam I just wanted to clear that up.
Paul A McNally Cpl. of Marines, Delta 1/5,1st Marine Div.,
10-66 -6-67
Do believe that there is a typo in Cliff Jobes story of his
qualification day rapid fire experience. The M1, I had back in
1962, held 8 rounds of 30 caliber, after I was issued the M14,
every time I had rapid fire it was always 5 rounds. I think the
10 rounds he refers to should have been at the most 8.
Sgt P. Baptiste
USMCR 1962-1970
Sgt Grit. Enjoyed reading about all those low serial no's. How
about
369396 MCRD 1942. Platoon 177 Year 1942
Sgt. A.F . Dreves 1942---1946 1st Mar. Div.
Sgt. Grit:
Read your latest this morning. Noted some of those serial
numbers, nice to see that the Youngster's are keeping in touch.
M/Sgt. Howard Fuller, USMCR, 273744
Looking forward to my 89th. birthday.
March 1940 to 1946 Regular
1946 to 1960 Reserve
Can't believe any MARINE would insult another unit of the CORPS.
We ALL went to PI or SD. WE jest: wing wipers, office poog's,
weekend warriors 30 day wonder's BUT to insult another unit is
wrong and UN-MARINE CORPS. my personal apology for the illiterate
few / SARGE USMC VNVET 71-72 ED ANTHONY RAMONA CA
Rifle inspection in Field Medical Service School. A Mustang 1st
Lt. eyed my M-14 gave it back and said "Clean Weapon", but dirty
fingernails!
Doc Jones
Lima 3/5 69
I was in DaNang 67/68. In 67 there were Marine units that worked
with ARVNs called CAC. Combined Action Companies. They had to
change the name to CAP, Combined Action Platoons. The reason
being is because the Vietnamese word cac means, nicely put means
penis. Wish I learned to speak Vietnamese well enough to
understand the jokes that must have went around about CAC units.
Thought I would share this because In newsletter someone asked
about it.
Paul Carr 66/69
Funny how we never forget...after reading the newsletter it just
popped into my head...2091611 April 16, 1964, PI, SC. Semper Fi
GySgt. Charles J. Glynn, USMC, (Ret)
it is with great honor that i report the reassignment of philip
d. siscoe gysgt. ret.
he is now serving on heavens shores
nephew bill bohall l/cpl. 73-77
Thank you Sgt Grit for your "news letter", it does help an old
retired Marine look back on the Corps. Semper-Fi to you, your
family and all the old and present Marines, SgtMajor Brewster,
Waco, Texas Retired 30 yrs 1Mar77.
I got all hung up in this stuff about old Corps and new Corps. I
asked my neighbor what his service number was, knowing that I was
a 241. I was sure I was old Corps. He rattled off a 13 number. I
felt stupid
SSgt. DJ Huntsinger
I gotta tell ya that the Dogpatch picture in your recent issue
was really a blast from the past. I was stationed by the MAG 16
strip in '68-'69. Thanks for keeping it real.
Thomas G.
In boot camp early 1961, our DI'S told us that there was the Old
Corps, New Corps and now this Sh-t , so like me if you joined
after Feb 1st 1961 you are neither Old Corps or New Corps. You
are part of This Sh!t. Has to be true cause Drill Instructors
don't lie.
Semper Fi
Sgt Doyle Clark
1930706, B-1-1 &2nd Cag, 67-68 rvn
Hey Sarge, As usual can get enough of the great newsletter you
put together....many thanks for those memories too! Semper
Fidelis
john velar
Chesty
I graduated from Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA in
December 1962 and Officers Basic School in June 1963. Commanding
the first platoon off the USS Guadalcanal during the Panama riots
in February 1964 and a tour as an advisor in Vietnam in 1965 and
1966 were all memorable experiences, but perhaps not any more
memorable than meeting General Puller during my invite to Bosses'
Night at the Staff NCO Club at Camp Lejeune in 1963. The
following is an subchapter of A Jarhead's Journal in final
editing that I wrote for my children and their families:
Meeting a Legend
The last Friday night of the month was 'Bosses' Night' at the
Staff NCO Club at Hadnot Point at Camp Lejeune. Sgt. Mac invited
Sandy and me to join him for dinner. Since Sandy had accepted a
babysitting job (this she did as often as possible to help pay
for a few extra little things) she suggested we make it just a
guy's night out thing.
I really didn't feel too comfortable about going to a place full
of Marine Corps sergeants. After all, less than a year earlier,
two of their colleagues were intimidating the daylights out of
me, and threatening my professional career and lifestyle. Sandy
said I should go, that I owed that to Sgt. Mac.
The uniform of the day was a civilian suit or sport jacket with
tie, the appropriate attire required in the dining room after
6:00 PM and our meeting time was 1900 hours. I showed up in my
dark sharkskin suit with a dark tie. I was nervous.
As I walked into the lobby I searched feverishly for Sgt. Mac and
didn't see him anywhere in a maze of tough looking, weather
beaten gentlemen who looked more like prizefighters than
businessmen, although that was their attire for the evening.
As I stood half frozen in my tracks, searching for Sgt. Mac, a
squat, wrinkled elderly gentleman reached out and shook my hand.
It was like I was looking at a ghost. I had only seen that face
on a movie screen and pictures on book covers.
"Good evening Lieutenant how are you?" asked retired General
"Chesty" Puller. "I am on my way to the head to take a leak,
would you care to join me?"
Fortunately I came out of my shock and my mouth started working.
"I think that's an excellent idea, General, before I resume my
search for Staff Sergeant Mac."
Thank goodness, as we walked out of the head, there stood Sgt.
Mac, hard to recognize in civilian clothes. He seemed just as at
ease in the company of General Puller as he was around the
troops. He smiled and extended his hand to the General and said,
"I served under your command when I drove an Ontos (an armored
self-propelled carrier of six 106 recoilless rifle anti-tank
weapons, Ontos being Greek for 'the thing') back in the 3rd
Division before you returned to the states, Sir."
General Puller remembered Sgt. Mac and the strange new vehicle
the Corps also used as an offensive enemy bunker buster as well
as a defensive anti-tank weapon. He asked if we were with the
group that had invited him to speak that evening.
"No, Sir," replied Sgt. Mac. "Lt. Lowe has been so instrumental
in getting our company and battalion through training before
deployment, I just wanted to take him out to dinner."
"Excellent, why don't you join our group, Lt. Lowe and Sgt. Mac."
So we did. We sat just off the end of the guest of honor table.
It was a great dinner. Some funny war stories were told to the
entire group. Some interesting stories about Sgt. Mac were
related to me personally. It seemed like everybody knew Sgt. Mac
and remembered how somewhere, some way he extricated them or one
of their troops from some kind of trouble or problem.
Then General "Chesty" Puller was introduced as the speaker for
the evening and delivered his famous "NCOs are the backbone of
the Marine Corps" speech. The talk made local and national
papers. It would be a summary chapter in that warrior's (in a
class with George Patton and perhaps they had few other peers
until you go back to Lee, Grant and John Paul Jones) biography.
I was there, he winked at me when he said the Marine Corps had
good officers, but the NCOs were the backbone of the Corps. He
saw Sgt. Mac and me interact. He knew that I knew what he knew
and that some of my peers never would.
It was a great experience. I told Sandy all about it, but Sandy
just thought I had a nice night out with the boys. Names like
Puller, Patton, Macarthur, and Eisenhower ("Oh, he was President
before Kennedy") didn't really impress Sandy that much. She was
earning money by babysitting to buy herself a 'Grey Lady' uniform
in order to do volunteer work at the base hospital. Even back
then, Sandy had her head on much straighter than I.
Semper Fi,
Jim Lowe (086352 USMC)
From The Side Of The UH-1N
Hey Sarge, Tell Hendrickson and any other grunt on the ground who
ever questioned whether or not us "wingers" were real Marines to
go back to Parris Island. We are all basic riflemen, Marine
riflemen. I had to qualify with the M-16 every year and I thought
to myself "What a puny weapon". H&ll it was nothing like the M-60
I fired from the side of the UH-1N. Ignorance is all I can think
of for his remarks. He never would have obtained his rank in
today's Marine Corps 1973-1979
Too Many Colors Going On
For a time some years ago, I belonged to the Marine Corps League
in Livonia, Michigan. In our detachment there were several WWII,
Korean, and Viet Nam Marines. However, one of the members served
in Nicaragua in 1926. That nearly blew my mind to think that
he'd been in and out of Marine Corps many years before WWII
started. I wish I would have talked to him more about how the
Marines of that era lived, their uniforms, and the stateside
bases. There was no Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton prior to
WWII.
Fortunately, I never had to be a Lance Corporal since I was
already a Corporal when they expanded the pay grades from seven
to nine in 1959. I wish they would have consulted with me before
they determined a name for that E-3 pay grade. I've always
thought Lance Corporal soundly rather wimpy. My suggestion would
be to reinstall the name Corporal to pay grade E-3 and make pay
grade E-4 Master Corporal. I've noted the Canadian use that
designation within their ranks.
Another one of my pet peeves is the number of colors in the dress
blue uniform. I never was issued or owned a set of blues, and I
know a lot of Marines are proud of them. I just think there are
too many colors going on in that uniform to be taken seriously.
There is navy blue, a light blue, red, yellow, and white. Maybe
it is the yellow or gold hash marks that make the blouse gaudy,
or it could be the white belt and hat. I don't know, but I think
a slick sleeved private looks better in his blues than a senior
master sergeant over twenty.
When I enlisted in January 1957, we were issued one green blouse,
one green "Ike" jacket, and two pair of green trousers. I was
also issued a green wool great coat which I never wore. Some of
the guys in my platoon were issued rain coats. We were also
issued on pair of combat boots and a pair of boon dockers, a
just-above-the ankle boot. The Ike jacket was a convenient item
of apparel when you had to wear your greens on base. Only
Marines assigned to sea duty or embassy duty were issued blues.
I hope I haven't insulted any Lance Corporals or Dress Blues
aficionados out there.
Semper Fi
James V. Merl
1655980
1967
Dear Sgt. Grit.
Attached is the platoon picture of Honor Platoon 141, MCRD, San
Diego, March/June 1967. So far, eighteen of us, including our
Junior DI have found each other. We would like to find more of
for a possible platoon reunion in June/11. Please help us.
Semper Fi!
Jay F. Grams (jgrams1 @ aol .com)
Corporal of Marines
My Only Claim To Fame
Commandant U.S.M.C. 1971-1975 General Robert E. Cushman at A.F.S.C. in Norfolk Va... I'm the guy with the 1911.
I'm looking for anyone who may have pics or video of the Armed
Forces Staff Collage in Norfolk Va. between 1973-1976.
Semper Fi
Sgt R.T. Smith
A Photo Of A Photo
Marines,
I make Plaques for fellow Marines, Past, present , and for
families of those gone before us.
"Guarding the streets of Heaven"
Recently I made SGT GRIT, a Plaque, and he in turn sent me a
photo of it on his wall, I in turn took a photo of the photo and
added a few SGT Grit things to it and it now Hangs on my Wall in
my War Room, A photo, of a Photo, of a Photo
It gives me Pleasure to do these for my Brother Marines.
Honor Courage Commitment
Semper Fi
Frank
oldcorps52
Early Out
My Serial Number is 1622999, did Boot (plt 1003) at MCRD San
Diego, June 1956, it was my birthday present for turning 17.
Came out of the Hills and timber of Kansas. DI at Boot was a Sgt
Herbertson, could really hear the eyeballs click. Was a real
Marines Marine. I credit a lot of my success in life to him.
After ITR at Pendleton I was assigned to the DelMar section of
Pendleton and the 1st Shore Party Bn, 1st MarDiv. Is there
anyone out there that remembers that outfit and First Sgt Brown?
We wore small red patches on our utilities to mark our outfit.
It was disbanded in about late 57 or early 58 and replaced with
the First Force Service Regiment. I was then transferred to the
11th Marines up near Mainside of Camp Pendleton. I received an
early out when President Eisenhower determined that we had too
many men in the military and decided that everyone who had a end
of enlistment within 6 mos would be immediately discharged. It
cut my tour short by 2 mos.
Art (Andy or Bud)Anderson
Ozawkie, KS
Her Sweet Soul
Graduation from MCRD boot camp my platoon 201 took every streamer
in the div. and was awarded Honor platoon the best in the whole
division and my sweet mother came out from Indiana and pinned my
emblems on my collars. My best buddy Ivory Roberts had no one,
but my mom knew him from my letters. Rest her sweet soul went to
Ivory and pinned him too she hugged him and Tough old Marines
couldn't hold back the tears...I won't go any farther. I will
just tell you Ivory only made 2 weeks. Sarge that is all I can
say about it.
Semper Fi until I die.
Sgt W.L Early
eh Colonel?
Sgt. Grit,
The current newsletter mentions "The Old Corps." I am reminded of
a comment I once heard from a retired Lt. Colonel named Bill
Corson whose Marine Corps service began in WWII, continued in
Korea, and ended in Vietnam, where he commanded the CAP Program.
A group of us had gathered for lunch in 1980 in D.C. Someone at
the table said, "Not like the Old Corps, eh Colonel?" to which
Corson replied, "There's no old Corps and there's no new Corps.
There's just the Corps we've got right now." Makes sense when you
consider what's happening in the world at the moment.
Sgt. Gary Harlan 0311
Overwhelmed Me
Sgt. Ruttenberg,
I graduated ITS training September 1982. I am a Grunt. I wanted
to say thank you for the tribute. As I am aware that several of
my friends had the misfortune of not coming home. I was lucky,
after school I went to Barracks Duty.
I remember that day, on duty, awoken by an alarm, but we never
fully responded to that alarm. It was some ones way of waking us
to let us know what happened. The feeling of not fully responding
sticks with me to this day. I think of that day often.
Your tattoo overwhelmed me a bit. It is good to know other
Marines remember that day. Someday I will find the courage to go
to the memorial.
I know my friends await me at final roll call. But it would have
been good to have fully responded to that alarm.
LCpl Perez
0311...
ITS, Camp Geiger
22 September 1982
A Co. 3rd Squad 2nd Platoon
Semper Fi 'til I Die
Reunion Platoon 145
A reunion for Platoon 145 (1962 MCRD San Diego) is in the
planning stages. Location is San Diego, CA, on September 15-19,
2010. If you are one of the 26 members of Platoon 145 who is UA,
please contact Jerry Downen at jerryd6818 @ yahoo .com or by
regular mail at 803 14th Street - Rockford, IL 61104.
Hoping to see everyone there.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
My Twin Brother
Sgt. Grit,
So very glad to hear from you. A little information of where I'm
coming from. MY twin brother and I joined the CORPS, on the buddy
plan. we graduated from hi school on JUNE 5th 1967 and were in
BOOT CAMP at 7:00 pm the 6th of JUNE 1967. After BOOT CAMP we
both went to BITS & AIT. We both received orders for NAM, and I
volunteered to go first.
I went to SNIPER SCHOOL & my twin BROTHER WENT to RECON. I
arrived in DANANG on the 27th of November & Extended to keep my
brother from going over there. I was assigned to HQ Co 7th
Marines SCOUT SNIPER PLATOON,
SSGT CARLOS HATCHOCH took over the platoon about the middle of
MARCH 1969 I came back to the world (states) the 8th of august
1969. I don't want to boor you. HAVE a great day...
SGT. REYMUNDO GONZALES,
U.S.M.C.
CORPUS CHRISTI,TEXAS.
Strange Stuff
Hi Sarge, I just now noticed that you seem to have been at the
same place at almost the same time. I saw the pic of Dog Patch
and what appears to be the camp at Red Beach. I got there in
April, '68 and left in May, '69. 11 Marines... you were the guys
makin' all the noise with the 155's weren't you? I drove those
big-azs Pettibone forklift monsters you may have seen loading
materiel on various modes of transport. I was all over they had
me at the Marine Transit area @ DaNang Airstrip. An ammo dump
somewhere I can't recall where or what it was called.
I saw a lot of strange stuff too although it could have been much
worse! I witnessed a nearby USS New Jersey 16 inch gun salvo ,
the bomb dump blowing up. The DaNang flare dump and jet fuel
bladders blow up right in front of me the result of a 122MM
rocket attack. They seemed to always start those shellings where
I was. I hate to when it does that! Take care and God Bless
now!
Semper Fi! Pete Costanzo in Vegas Service No. 2254580
Get Out Of Here
Hi Sgt Grit,
I went to San Diego as a young 17 year old in July 1980. I was
one pound above the minimum weight of 118 pounds. Arriving at
San Diego airport late at night, getting on the bus and the quick
trip over to MCRD. Getting the sh*t scared out of us as we
scrambled to get off the bus and get on the yellow footprints.
Going through processing that night turning in our civilian
clothes, getting our 6 second haircuts, and getting to sleep
around 2am in the morning. We had a Gunny Sgt initially who took
us around to all the processing stations for the first two weeks.
Then all h&ll breaks loose as we are introduced to our DI's.
That night you could hear the muffled cries of scared young men
away from home wondering what the heck they got themselves into.
I had the mixed blessing of having the DI's taking a liking to
me. Every time I turned around it seemed I was having to do
pushups, side straddle hops, mountain climbers. After about the
second day of this, I was standing at attention with a DI yelling
in each ear. All of a sudden, I looked at one and then the other
and said I have to get out of here. We were on the second floor
of the "H" barracks. Out the double doors I went, down the
stairs and was almost grabbed at the doors going outside. Keep
in mind that I am in boots, camo trousers, white t-shirt and a
white bald head. The DI's were in dress Charlies.
Down the street we run. I dart into what I think is an area
between buildings and it is actually the opening to the next "H"
barracks. I am almost grabbed again by the DI. I dart back out
and we are running down the street past the confidence course. I
hit the chain link/barbed wire fence and am up and over it
without thinking. The DI is left there yelling and shouting. I
am so out of breath as I am jogging past some small airplanes
when I hear this yell. Some guy in a golf cart picks up the
pursuit. Here he is chasing me and I am flat out running again
when I go over another chain link/barbed wire fence.
I continue to jog not knowing where the h&ll I am going, just
knowing I need to get my head straight. Somehow I cross over the
freeway and am in Old Town. I see a gas station and am heading
over to it to get a drink of water when I hear these brakes on a
car lock up. I said to myself "now what?".
It is a DI on his day off yelling COME HERE RECRUIT. So off we
run again, circled around a house, up over an embankment wall and
am running up a hill when he tackles me. He hauls me back to
MCRD and turns me over to the MP's. Total time gone...45
minutes. After 4 hours being locked up the MP's send me back to
my platoon. I end up having to go Captain's Mast and get charged
with going AWOL, $100 fine and a one week trip to the
Correctional Custody Platoon.
Joining me for the walk over to the CCP is another recruit from
my platoon that punched a DI who had spit in his face. Walking
into the squadbay the other recruit put his seabag down, big
mistake. After a thrashing for that, we are assigned the old
olive drab uniforms and a metal helmet. All I can say is that we
ran our arses off that week.
Going through the chow lines, we had to keep our eyes on the
floor and could not look up. I come to realize that boot camp is
not that bad, heck I had outrun a couple of the DI's. At the end
of the week, we are assigned to a different platoon and series.
It all worked out as this platoon ended up taking all the rewards
in our series except for drill.
Other things that I remember. A recruit going AWOL from Camp
Edison during rifle qual week because he was craving a pizza. A
guy in our platoon that would always get the rest of us thrashed.
One day in the squad bay after a series of punishments, this guy
acts up again. One of the other recruits throws a Bic pin that
ends up sticking in the guy's temple. The recruit goes to
screaming. The DI came out yelling what the h&ll is going on.
Takes one look at the guy bleeding and says "Blood, I love blood,
now get down and give me 20 pushups."
The nice stroll up Mount MF'er. A recruit losing his rifle
during the march because the sling was not attached properly. I
lucked up during our week of Maint/KP and got assigned to the
office answering the phone and taking temperature readings for
the heat index while others in our platoon did KP. I remember
when the MOS assignments were posted for those of us who signed
up open contract. Everyone got assigned 0311 except for two of
us. I was assigned as a Field Radio Operator. The other guy got
assigned as a cook...his name was Baker. So someone had a sense
of humor somewhere.
After a bit of time at home, I went to 29 Palms for Field Radio
school checking in on the Marine Corps Birthday. Again I lucked
up. While waiting for the class to fill up, we were asked if
anyone could type. I raised my hand. I was sent to a British
Warrant Officer to type his lesson plans while the rest of the
platoon painted rocks for the week.
From the Stumps, I went to Okinawa in March 1981 to Camp Hansen
with 9th Comm. In Oct 1981, I went to the Philippines for a week
on my 19th birthday with the Colonel's driver. In Dec 1981, we
went on the USS Frederick to Inchon, Korea. From there we drove
to a ROK Marine base north of Seoul for a live fire exercise.
Me and three other guys are flown to a remote area on the
mountain where we are suppose to block a roadway for the live
fire exercise. We are told to stay out of the nearby village.
After a couple of days of C-rats, we make a trip over to the
village for a meal. Later that night, one of the guys gets very
sick from what I assume to be food poisoning. Unable to get
anyone to answer the radio (broken wire in the connector), I
ended up walking down the mountain in the middle of the night to
where the base camp was. This was when there was still a curfew
from midnight to 4am. It was a bit tense when I went past a
Korean military checkpoint and I could hear the bolts go home on
their rifles. I finally make it to the base camp and am able to
get someone to drive up and take the guy to sickbay. The Gunny
was not too pleased with us for going into the village so when we
got back to the base camp, me and the Marine who got sick had to
pitch our shelter halves and sleep in it for the remainder of our
time there instead of the warm 14 man GP tents. It was freezing
cold and had snowed so it was not too pleasant.
We jokingly put up a sign outside the shelter halves that read
Thomas and Akers Reality Company...choice two and fourteen man
tents to choose from. I remember one night at 2am, the entire
platoon having to gather around and give a p!ss sample for drug
tests.
The night before we were suppose to drive back to Inchon, it was
put out that the drivers were not to stand firewatch that night.
Of course I was assigned firewatch. On that long slow drive back
driving a jeep with a trailer without having a spare driver, I
dozed off. My buddy said I passed him on the right side. He
looked over wondering what the h&ll I was doing and saw that my
head was on my shoulder. He blew the horn which woke me up but
not before I went off the road and through a farmer's field.
Luckily no damage to anything. I remember as we were fixing to
leave the locks at Inchon, we picked up two sailors from the
Belleau Woods who missed their ship. They took them straight to
the brig.
In Jan 1982, we got to go to Diego Garcia for ten days. That was
a nice but long plane ride. In March 1982, I am assigned to Comm
Plt, HQ CO, 1st Mar Div at Camp Pendleton. In May, 1982 I am
assigned to 1st SCAMP (Seimic Control and Management Platoon). I
get to go to Fort Huachuca, AZ for Seismic Intrusion Specialist
school. Pretty neat as we get to fly on helicopters to drop
sensors out of them. In early 1983, I go back to Okinawa for the
4th maintenance cycle for the Near Term Pre-positioning ships at
Naha port. All the RO/RO ships from Diego Garcia are brought in
and unloaded. We go through all the equipment and do preventive
maintenance on it, then we marry it up to the proper vehicles and
reload the ships. Because it was done in record time, the 3rd
FSSG group ended up getting a Navy Unit Commendation.
In July 1983, I finally end my active career. I did 4 months
active Reserve but didn't like the way things were run at the
local unit and asked to be put back on inactive status. In March
1984, I was asked if I wanted to go to Team Spirit 84. H&ll yes,
a shopping trip at govt expense. I got to do it again in March
1986 for Team Spirit 86. My contract finally ends in July 1986.
Typical Marine Corps, one week after I am discharged, I receive
my promotion to Sgt.
David Thomas
I Wonder If
I was on Hill 327 in 66. we got hold of a German shepherd pup.
the c.o. wanted us to get rid of it. That's the last I remember
of the dog. Years later I heard from a Marine that was there a
couple years later that there was a few more dogs on 327. I
wonder if they are offspring of our dog (ammo was his name). I
also remember catching rats and igniting them with lighter fluid
and watching them run towards the dynamite bunker for fun. Also
watching puff straff monkey mountain prior to us going in.
pfc waskiewicz
Note:
Several times in my 18 months in country my Comm platoon tried to
adopt a stray pup. Each attempt was vetoed. I didn't understand
it at the time. But most likely health reasons for us and the dog
were the CO's reason. We even tried not asking one time and took
the pup in. Easier said than done, to keep a frisky pup a secret.
Sgt Grit
Born Again
I was in Wal-Mart last week, and observed one very squared away
Soldier, a staff Sergeant... I asked him if he was a prior svc
Marine, and he replied "How did you know?" You would have to be
blind not to see the Marine Corps shining thru his Army work
uniform....He informed me he was in the USAR and 30 percent of
his unit were prior service Marines.
Also in the same store I met a Iwo Jima Marine named Bell. He
said he was on Iwo for 17 days when they sent him home to go to
OCS @ Camp Lejeune, the only class of OCS to be held there...We
talked for a long time, but I forgot to ask if he was an Officer
or Grunt...He said that he thought he was born again when they
pulled him out of Iwo, I am sure this Marine was in his 80s, but
he moved like he just got out of Boot Camp...
A Marine from the 50s
M-60
I got theses 2 a few months ago. I always the M-60 somewhere but
wanted it where it would be seen. It took me 39 years but it's
there now. The artist came up with the combat action ribbon in
the sling. I get lots of complements about the 60.
Dan Striplin
Sgt USMC
1965 -1970
1913-1954
Just wanted to share my family's story.
My Father enlisted in the Corps in 1913 he was at Belleau Woods.
Served on the USS TEXAS. Was TAD as a lieut. in the Haitian
Gendarme in the late 20" early 30's. In 1941 he, my mother and 2
sisters went to Peaking. He was the Sgt. Maj. of the embassy
guard there.
ON 12/7/1941 China time they loaded all their weapons on board
ship to go home. At 0700 on 12/8 China time (12/7 Pearl time) a
j*p regiment showed up and demanded surrender. Col. Brown decided
that 4, 45's wouldn't be enough and surrendered the Marines in
Peking and Tientsin. In violation of the rules of war (since as
embassy personnel they had immunity they were interred in POW
camps in North China for all but the last 6 months of the war
when they were sent to work in Japan.
My dad was the ranking NCO for this period. He came home in 1945
and I was born into the Corps in 1946 when he was 53.(this part
of Corps history has just now begun to be recognized, they were
required to waive any rights to sue or pursue the Japanese Govt.
for this illegal internment. They now have a plaque in the
Embassy Guard School in Quantico with their names. They also now
have a display in the new Corps Museum.
I enlisted in 1965 and left active duty in 1968 as a Cpl. Spent
some time attending the USNA as well. I also have an Uncle and
Brother in law who are inactive Marines.
He was forced to retire in Jan 1954. But not after imparting his
wisdom to me and many Marines including a young Korean war vet
who had fought a 2 year battle with his wounds. My father was his
company adj. in Lejeune . this young man went on to become the
creator of the Marine Corps "Band of Brothers" creed. as well as
CO of 8th and I CG of MCRD San Diego, and USMC CINCPAC were he
retired with his 3 stars. He always credited my father with being
the biggest influence on him. I mentioned this because the
general sent a Platoon to attend at my fathers' funeral in 1981,
providing the Honor of a Military funeral.
rich dietz Cpl USMC son of CWO3 C.M. Dietz USMC Ret.
SEMPER FI
Brig. General Walks In
In Jan. of 1967 I was in Staging at Camp Pendleton Ca. I'd
joined the Corps. after high school and was on my way to Nam as
an 0331. I'd just turned 18, was a PFC, and was fat, dumb, and
happy. One morning at 0 dark thirty I strolled down to the mess
hall for some SOS. Being young I liked my coffee with lots of
sugar.
No sooner had I sat down with my grub when a Brig. General walks
in, says "At Ease" and sits down at my table. Just what I
needed. He says the usual general talk; " How you doing son,
where you from, go ahead and eat." I'd just poured a generous
helping of sugar into my coffee and took a big swig. All of a
sudden I jumped up and spit the coffee across the mess hall,
fortunately not on the General. I yelled "Son of a B!tch !"
The General looked at me like I'd just lost my mind. Seeing his
confusion I said "some asshole put salt in the sugar
container...Sir." He turned and looked at the mess hall crew who
had pulled the prank and couldn't help from laughing. The
General headed for the clowns and I headed for the door. I've
never ate breakfast with a General since then.
I served in L Co. 3/26 from Feb. 67 till Feb. 68 when I was
wounded at Khe Sanh. I would love to hear from any old buddies
that read this. I'd especially like to hear about Lt. McCarthy
our platoon commander and the finest combat Marine I ever served
with.
Semper Fie
Gary Neely / Sgt. USMC ret.
Why He Had Joined
Sgt Grit,
I reported to Parris Island the first week in July 1970 and
graduated with Platoon 381 (Drill Instructors SSgt Brewer, Sgt
Simons, and Sgt Hindsberger) at the end of September 1970. One
Sunday toward the end of Boot camp, the platoon is on-line with
our eyes in our red notebooks, when one of our Drill Instructors
decided to have a little fun with the Platoon ... so he begins
working his way down the squad bay asking some personal questions
of each recruit.
We were at the position of attention and it was very difficult to
not laugh or smile as the Drill Instructor made humorous remarks
to each of the recruits. Finally, he came to Pvt. Bushyhead. I
was expecting that the Drill Instructor would make a remark about
Pvt. Bushyhead's Native American heritage, but instead, he asked
Pvt. Bushyhead "Why he had joined my Marine Corps?" To which,
Pvt. Bushyhead replied, "Sir, Pvt. Bushyhead's brother is a MIA
Marine in Viet Nam and I am going to Viet Nam to find him and
bring him home, Sir!"
Suddenly, the Platoon realized that Pvt. Bushyhead didn't just
join the Corps on a lark... he was on a mission. Pvt. Bushyhead
got orders for ITR then WESTPAC ... and I always wondered what
happened to him and his MIA brother. I was pleased to discover
that there is no "Bushyhead" on "The Wall".
CWO-4 Steve Thompson
2691157
USMCR (Ret)
Avionics
West Coast Vietnam Wall
Sgt. Grit
1/13/10
This wall is for all Veterans who served during the Vietnam
Conflict not only the Fallen. It also honors the Veterans who
supported the troops in Nam from other overseas and stateside
locations. This is an entirely a different approach. Check out
the flyer. Semper Fi---Sgt. Michael James Smith USMC (Ret.)
Twins, Camp Carroll, Rockets
Sgt. Grit,
The following is dedicated to two of the finest Marines I knew.
Identical twins, Charles "Denny" Capps and Merle "Ronnie" Capps.
Here goes with the best of my recollection. Some things I
remember like yesterday and others not at all. Those of you who
knew the Capps brothers, feel free to comment.
In boot camp, looking out at the company street from inside, my
rack was by the hatch on the left side. Top bunk. The other
side of the door is where Denny and Ronnie were. This probably
is how we started our relationship plus we were both from
California. They were from the Bay area, Richmond, and I was
from Pasadena so we had something in common. As you will
remember, they were big boys but kind hearted and fun loving.
They also didn't mind hard work but they were a little on the
slow side. I say that in a kind way because they made up for
that in many other ways. I was forever being asked how to spell
words when we had time for letter writing as well as other basic
info we needed to know at the time. This continued for the next
4 years.
It's kind of funny how we all stayed on the same track. My guess
is that when we took our final academic test, Sgt. Villanueva or
Sgt. Jones or both, I don't fully remember, went into the class
room and counted rows of seats. We were standing in Plt.
formation, 4 columns, and we were re-arranged. It was nicely
done so that when we filed into the class room, there was a Capps
brother seated on each side of me. I was instructed to be sure
that my answer sheet was in clear view for both Capps. Now, was
it a surprise that both Capps ended up with the same MOS as I
did.
That being the case, after boot camp and ITR, all three of us
were assigned to schools Bn. for Micro Wave Radio Relay training.
Now the sh!t really hit the fan. The Capps didn't know a thing
about electronics. Again, they sat on each side of me in class.
The good thing about those classes is that they wrote everything
down on the black board and reviewed, reviewed, reviewed. I have
to say that the Capps actually got a basic grasp on the whole
thing. It was fun to see them get pumped up on some real
technology as at that time, this was state of the art
communications.
So after a short leave, we were assigned to a staging Bn. We all
had orders for Comm Ptl. HQ Co. 3rd Mar Regt. 3rd Mar Div. We
flew over together, reported and were assigned to the same tent.
At that time this was about 10 miles west of Da Nang at the base
of hill 354. On hill 354 we had a Radio Relay site that
connected the Regt. command with a unit at the airport in Da
Nang. This was kind of boring duty. While in the CP we had work
details during the day and guard duty at night. There were about
8 or 10 of us with the same MOS. We rotated 2 weeks at a time, 2
operators on duty on top of hill 354. The job was to keep comm
up 24/7. This met keeping generators running constantly. The
bad thing was, we could never hear anyone climbing up the hill.
We put barbed wire traps all over the place. We did ketch our
Comm. Sgt. one afternoon coming up to check on us. Man did he
cuss. He tore up his new jungle utilities. As there were only 2
man teams at a time up there, I didn't see the Capps much as they
were up there together or they were in the CP and I was up there.
On the hill was good and bad. No one messed with you as long as
everything was running however, C rats for food and water out of
5 gal GI cans was it. It was common to not shave until you were
rotated.
So after about 8 or 9 months, we were given orders to pack up and
move to the DMZ. The Army would take over where we were. Now
this seemed more like what we were there for. We moved the whole
Regt. up the coast on LSTs. My first "float". This was all part
of operation "Double Eagle". After a day and night we entered
the Cam Low river. We landed in Cam Low and I remember seeing
the Col. and company Capt. looking at a map and not really sure
where we were going next. We had a convoy lead by 4, M-60 tanks.
At least twice, the whole convoy had to make a U-turn because we
missed a turn off. Man, I have pictures of Tanks and 6X6s
passing each other on a one lane dirt road as we turned around.
We ended up turning off this dirt road and heading up the side of
a hill in knee deep grass, no road. The lead M-60 hit a mine.
All it did was blow the right side track off. (have pictures)
We stopped for about 30 minutes and as it was getting late in the
afternoon, The brass decided to leave the tank there with a rifle
squad and continue on up to the top of the hill with the rest of
the convoy. The top of the hill had a large mesa that must have
been about 6 - 10 acres. All covered with grass. This became
"Camp Carroll". By the way, the grass lasted about 1 week and
then became mud.
First order of business was setting up comm with Dong Ha. While
"Hotel" and "Indian" Co.s started setting up a perimeter, we were
setting up our antennas. This always got the attention of the
grunts that called our antennas "Aiming Stakes". Does a lot of
good digging in and using concealment and having a micro wave
dish on top of a 30 foot pole on the skyline behind of you. Oh
well, at least it was painted green.
Ronnie and Denny had a written contract when they enlisted that
they would always be stationed together. They also signed a
waiver that they could both serve in a combat zone together. Our
Radio Relay site on Camp Carroll had several out posts such as
the "Rock pile", "Razor Back", "D5" and Khe Sanh. Again, we
would rotate from the out posts and back to Camp Carroll. It was
common not to see each other for months. The only time that I
remember the brothers being split up was when Ronnie humped a
PRC-25 with a sniper team on "Double Eagle II".
As we neared our 13th month, they came out with this deal that if
you signed up to extend for another tour, you could have 30 days
free leave anywhere. Because we were all signed up for 4 years,
we knew we were going to see a second tour no matter what. A
bunch of us signed up including the Capps brothers. One day
walking in the mud and the next standing on the flight deck at El
Toro MCAS. The leave went by real fast and we were right back in
the same tent on Camp Carroll. Now things were getting hotter up
there because we had several Army 175mm Arty Bns. that could fire
into North Viet Nam.
On 10SEP66 we were hit with the longest sustained rocket and
motor attach for any place in Viet Nam. It started just after
dark and lasted until 0400 the next morning. Our CO said that we
took 506 incoming rounds, mostly 100 mm rockets. You could have
read a news paper with the flashes from incoming rounds. They
walked them back and forth, from one edge of the CP to the other.
There wasn't a Marine that wasn't praying to someone that night.
Two things I really remember is that we had just replaced our 12
man tent with a new one without any holes. It now looked like
cheese cloth. (pictures) Also, our fighting holes were the bare
minimum as up to that point there was not a lot of motivation for
anything special. We started digging like gophers for weeks
straight. I have pictures of the finest bunker / fighting hole
ever constructed. I will forward a separate email written to the
brothers nephew from my buddy Cpl. T. C. Brown with some
pictures. Tom is copied on this email.
Time passed and the Capps and I rotated back state side. Again,
they were assigned to Comm Plt. HQ Co. 28th Mar Regt, 5th Mar.
Div. Cam Pen, CA. Now, one thing about the Capps, they could
spin a sea story like no other. Any chance to corner a boot, he
got it in stereo. It makes me laugh just remembering how they
would amplify each other as a story would unfold. I know when I
was discharged, Ronnie was talking about re-enlisting but Denny
wasn't going to. I think I talked to Denny one time after that
and he was working in the family bar up in Richmond.
After years of trying to find them, I ran across an email sent
into "Vietnam Vets" www.vwam.com asking if anyone knew my
uncles the Capps brothers. I responded and had a few emails with
the nephew. He informed me that Ronnie had passed away in 2006
and sent me the following email:
"Hi Glen,- I am sorry but my uncle Denny has passed he was found in his
apartment in May 2007 while I was working at the Vallero Refinery
in Benicia. I was contacted by my brother CJ when the sheriff
dept contacted him. He is again reunited with my uncle Ronnie
again he wanted that more than life itself. I am sorry but this
is the way that was expected by me to find him again and because
I am on the road working so much it was not the way that I wanted
to tell you where he was."
This saddened me greatly getting this email. What I will never
forget is their contagious laughter and good humor. They always
took on any job without complaints and did it well. I don't
think there will ever be another set of twins like the Capps.
All the more reason for all of us brothers to keep in touch.
Sorry this is a little long but they are worth it.
Semper Fi,
Glen Griswold, Sgt. 2168507 / 2532 '65 - '69
Pranks
From the Sgt Grit Facebook:
Alright best one so far we did it in Iraq, my section and the
section next door to us (same platoon) we have a sort of war
going on so far we are winning, we took a couple bottles of the
foam spray insulation and completely sealed their office door
shut(i have pictures will put them up asap) they eventually gave
up trying to cut away the insulation as it had been sitting for
12 hours and had become completely hard and had to break down
their door. Now they have a single piece of ply wood for a door.
Raymond
When I was in Cherry point MWCS-28 I had a roommate as I'm sure
we all did. Well one day doing laundry I found this bright neon
green sock. I thought it was his, so I tossed it in his dresser.
Well this sock started going back and forth between us. Every
time finding its way into odd places and usually just before some
kind of inspection. Well my roommate had just pressed, starched
and rolled the sleeves up on his camouflage utilities blouse.
when he wasn't around I pressed and starched the bright neon
green sock and skillfully placed the sock into his rolled up
sleeve. He didn't catch it before he threw it on and went to
stand for inspection. Needless to say his platoon leader saw this
bright green sock and slowly pulled it out of his sleeve. He got
a good ration of sh!t but they figured it out that he got pranked
considering he was always AJ squared away. But my roommate got
the last laugh, he somehow packed that bright neon sock in my
boxes as I was departing the Beloved Corps. Found it back home
when I was unpacking.
Eric
Combat squad Leader's course, Late '82, Camp Lejeune. We got
B!+ched out after a hump for being "slovenly", and sent out in
the cold & rain (supposed to be a "rest" night on the sched) on
"Body snatch" (downed pilot) patrols.
MISSION: Avoid contact; rescue pilot; RTB - within time limit.
Op-For/aggressors were given our patrol routes, and told to
hammer us at multiple ambushes (we SUPPOSEDLY didn't know, but
figured it out)
We started the patrol, quickly figured out that Op-For was all
along route, and, we skipped outa the area, ran to the final RP,
sent 2 over to the "abandoned tank" where our pilot was supposed
to be - took THEIR (OpFor) M-60 from them while they slept; Hosed
down the final ambush when they ran over to investigate; stole
the 6x6 that was supposed to pick them up; gassed and MG'd the
REST of the OPFOR ambushers that the truck was supposed to pick
up (waiting along the road) - and reported back in early (leaving
out the part about sliding out of the patrol area).
"adapt and overcome"
On ship - walking through the noisy, hot, smelly, oily berthing
area of an LST (flat-bottomed slop-bucket) being thrown around in
N. Atlantic storm late one night ... everyone feeling sick as
dogs ... LOUDLY describing the look, taste, and SMELL of Domino's
"Price destroyer special" (The "Everything / Garbage Bucket")
Pizza. That usually led to someone not making it to the hatch to
the head, which of course, led to a chain reaction of projectile
vomitting.
Bob
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"Puller's Runner"
To all Marines! I must tell ya about this book I purchased from
Sgt. Grit's catalog! It's title:
"PULLER'S RUNNER".
I read " CHESTY'S" life story. But this one
gives more insight as told by his Runner who was by his side at,
GUADALCANAL, NEW BRITAIN, and PELPLIU. Also the taking of Inchon,
Seoul, and of course the "FROZEN CHOSIN". And I'm sure you will
,as I did, chuckle at some of the statements and chewing outs
Puller gave. If you love to read the CORPS history like I do. You
will love this one!
One more thing. This book also tells the whole story how close
the MARINE CORPS came to be done away way with!
B.OTIS 57/60
PLATOON 266
Attitude is Everything Bumper Sticker
Don't You Quit On Me Bumper Sticker
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done.
Semper Fi!
Sgt Grit
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