Skip to content
1st Anglico, Camp Catlin, NGF Platoon
April 16, 2018 Grunt.com Admin

1st Anglico, Camp Catlin, NGF Platoon

Sgt Grit,

The Marine Raiders were in old Camp Catlin, TH, during WW2. They practiced going ashore from submarines in heavy rubber boats. They mocked the sound of the sub’s Klaxon shouting, “Arroogah”, but it was the Force Recon Marines who heard this and started saying, “Oohrah”. Now it became serious.

In March 1952 Quonset Huts were put in at the old supply depot next to old Camp Catlin, and the new Camp Catlin was born, home to 1st ANGLICO (First Air and Naval Gunfire LIaison Company) formerly from Camp Pendleton, CA. Barracks #42 was for the Air Platoon (spotting for aircraft close support), and Barracks #43 & #44 were for the Naval Gunfire Platoon (spotting for Naval Gunfire & Artillery).

We had long hikes with field marching packs, or went out of Pearl Harbor on a destroyer to make rubber boat landings on the island of Kahoolawe and firing 5″-38 shells at targets on the island (usually old junk cars to get rid of). We participated in 1st Marine maneuvers at Camp Pendleton, CA in May 1952, and a huge amphibious landing on the island of Maui, TH in December of 1952 after which I was headed to North Korea.

Sgt. Max Sarazin, 1194xxx
Cape Cod, 508-240-4658

Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
Previous article Finally

Comments

John Kelly - December 3, 2022

What man-pack radios did ANGLICO use in 1970? I’m thinking there was a heavy Collins HF radio but I cannot find it anywhere in the writing.

Peter McDonald Sgt. USMCR - May 12, 2020

I would like to know about a friend of my father’s. His name was Ramon Villadonga. He was reputed to be a “Para Marine” and in the Marine Raiders under Col. Edison or Col. Carson. Since all of those very good men have gone on to a higher duty station, I just wondered if there is a source that could be used to check this out. One of the situations that, to his ever lasting glory, that the “Sgt. Major” left as a legacy is the Marine Reserve’s Toy for Tots. Ramon might not have “invented” the concept but he was one of the people that implemented it in the Tampa Bay Area. He was killed in it’s cause. After all that man and boy went through, to be killed in the service of those who are in need….there is no doubt where he is serving now.

Cpl Trigila 3rd LAR - May 12, 2020

so, you mean to tell me that ” oorah ” is from making fun of a kalxon? wow.

David Nicholson - May 12, 2020

SSgt Mel Guthrie was my platoon Sgt when I EOD at 2nd ANGLICO in 1961. I was in one of the Radar Beacon teams. Later I went to a Naval Gunfire Spot team and then to an FAC team. I also belong to the ANGLICO Assn.

Donald McKeon - May 12, 2020

A friend of mine – Don Lumsden served with ANGLICO about the same time As Sgt Sarazin. Name sound familiar Sgt?

artymgysgt - May 12, 2020

Sgt. Sarazin I also thank you for your service. I served with 1st ANGLICO from 1963 to 1965 at Camp H.M. Smith and learned my stuff during many trips to Kahoolawe. My SFCP and one from another platoon deployed to Vietnam from Barbers Point on 3 May,1965. We still had heavy man packed radio equipment and radio jeeps that we set up and used during our time in country. The only aircraft I ever jumped out of were on the ground. Never remember hearing “Oohrah” until sometime in the 1970’s. I only remember one Marine who served at Camp Catlin his name was Melvin Guthrie. Have you ever joined the ANGLICO Association or looked at their websites? I’m sure you could tell some interesting stories. Semper Fi

Tom Schwarz - May 12, 2020

1956, 3rd Marines NGF Teams Rubber Boat Training still performed in Japan off submarine USS Bream.

The Deuce - May 12, 2020

Thank you for your service, Sir.

Leave a comment

* Required fields