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I Informed the Commandant
April 6, 2018 Grunt.com Admin

I Informed the Commandant

“A Marine is a Marine… There’s no such thing as a former Marine.”
–General James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps

Iraq, 2004

Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Hagee, visited his Marines in Iraq for some photo ops at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad. Marines stood in line to have their picture taken with the Commandant. At the end of the line stood an Army CW04 (me). I informed the Commandant that I served in the Marine Corps in Viet Nam with 2/5 at An Hoa in 1967. I then asked if a former Marine could have his picture taken with the Marine Commandant.

He replied, “Stand next to me, there are no former Marines!”

Mark Smith
CW05 US Army, Retired

Cpl., USMC
2230XXX
1966-68

Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
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Comments

Jesse Griffin VSM CAR CIB - May 12, 2020

YAAAY! Another DOUBLE JEOPARDY VETERAN in the ranks. Methinks we’re few and far between, though. Are there any other double jeopardy vets out there? Any two or more branches of the armed services you served with, give a shout out, especially if you were in combat.

Fred Seth - May 12, 2020

Semper Fi, CWO5 Smith. All of us vets need to pull together. I am also a RVN vet and was primarily at Chu Lai during ’67 – ’68. Former Commandant James Amos is an old friend and a great Marine. Fred D. Seth, Jr. USMC, Lt Col (ret)

Vst101010 - May 12, 2020

THank you!

Sgt.W.J.Vaughn - May 12, 2020

I am a United States Marine who dedicated my training to the enemy of my country so they may have the op to die for theirs. 2nd Marines 2nd Marine Division. 1971- 1975

Charles Bryson - May 12, 2020

I too was at An Hoa in ’68, for my 2nd tour.

Cpl John Hughes - May 12, 2020

Semper FI. Marines!?

James Kanavy, Cpl 0311/0231 - May 12, 2020

Semper Fi Marine! I too was in An Hoa summer and early fall of 67 during Union 1 and 2. I notice your sevice number is close to mine 2244XXX

Robert H Bliss, 0341 - May 12, 2020

I served with Golf 2/5 out of AnHoa just three years later. Why didn’t you guys build better heads with running water and maybe a pond with fish and air conditioners in the tents? I understand, when would you have a chance to make the place more like home. Three days in AnHoa was never enough time to do anything—right? Anyways, the E.M. club was nice.

George A. Craig Jr. Cpl. 79-84 - May 12, 2020

I always say there are only two types of Marines, active and inactive. Once a Marine always a Marine.

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