Do Your Duty

I was in the fourth or fifth week of boot camp at MCRD in August 1953 when our senior DI called out “private Daly — front and center.” He stacked one locker box on top of the other and had me climb up on them. He then read the following words written on the flap of a letter from my girlfriend Margaret. “Postman, postman do your duty. Rush this letter to my Cutie.” From that day on I was known as Private Cutie at roll call, mail call and any other time the DI addressed me. That name stuck with me until I was transferred to the 3rd MarDiv 12th Marines, in 1954. In my next letter to Margaret, I told her NEVER to write ANYTHING on the outside of the envelope again. She never did ! 

 Another Marine recruit was caught signing his letter to his girlfriend with his nickname, “Bubbles”. So we had a “Private Cutie” and a “Private Bubbles” until graduation. 

 God bless all Marines. Semper Fi! 

 John B. Daly, 1412090 (0844)

1953-1955

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