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January 13, 2017 Grunt.com Admin

Only Difference

I was an early Vietnam Marine (’65-’65). I was a Combat Engineer and worked out of Carmon Bay. To this day I have disagreements with people about Navy Corpsman.

Here is the way I explain it and when they hear this they say no more. The only difference between a Corpsman and a Marine is they wore Navy Rank on a Marine uniform. As far as Marines went they were part of us. They deserve all the honor that goes to the Marines. They fought alongside of Marines, they died with Marines. They are, as far as I am concerned, Marines.

Cpl. E. Morris
11th Engineers TAD

Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
Previous article Lineage of the USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor

Comments

james blakeman jr - March 30, 2020

In reply to Al Karg, SSgt 67-71.
l/cpl james blakeman 1/3 REG 3rd MAR DIV Viet Nam nov 65-sep 66 I agree 100%, do not mess with our Corpmen or else!!!

G H Sonny Hollub Jr - March 30, 2020

The Corpsman was the Marines MARINE!! Indeed created by God so we would have something to look up to. I was with 2/26 Marines, Echo, Guns, Dec 68 – 69. Our Corpsman were the best. Doc Charlie Klotz is a long time member of our association, the 26th Marines Association, see http://www.26thMarines.com (recently diagnosed with Lou Gherrigs Disease – prayers please). If you are a Marine, regardless of what unit you served with, you can attend our annual reunions. Contact me via the website for info. This years annual reunion will be in Las Vegas, August 11-13, 2017. Semper Fi!!

Cpl Gary Chandler 1/3/3 69 - March 30, 2020

In reply to 1st Lt Edward Dodd.
AMEN! I always said “Doc” with the upmost respect!

Cpl Gary Chandler 1/3/3 VN69 - March 30, 2020

n reply to John Clay.
We don’t salute enlisted men but dam if the Doc’s don’t deserve to be saluted!! Marines all the way!!

Cpl. Walter - March 30, 2020

Amen!! Morris

Cpl Mordie Ferguson - March 30, 2020

The doc was always there for the Marines. I saw them go from carry the unit 1 on their shoulder along with a 45 to sewing pockets inside their flack jackets to carry the items from the unit 1 and carrying a m14 with ammo They are our brother Marines! God bless them all

Adam “Wally” Mackow - March 30, 2020

I was with K3/9 in 1968-69. When I got back to the bush after a minor leg wound I got on Dewey Canyon, I got kicked up to the CP. At that point I had the honor of [ stupid machine won’t let me print “hooch”] bunk with our Sr. Corpsman. Doc Wilde was a little guy that was a big man and carried one hell of a load. He told me he was in D.C. yelling “hell no we won’t go” . He joined the Navy to avoid going to “The Nam”. I think his name was Micheal Wilde. I never met a Corpsmen I didn’t respect. Semper Fi.

Cpl Rodger F. Childs USMC ’70-’73 - March 30, 2020

The Medics have my greatest respect, glad they were with us. After my tour as a field radio operator in the Corp, I later became a nurse and worked at the VA Hospital in Kerrville TX. There I had the honor to take care of a ‘Nam Corpsman during the final year of his life. I was honored to give back to him a small portion of what he gave to us. Corpsmen are true Marines, through and through.

Bob Beckwith - March 30, 2020

In reply to G H Sonny Hollub Jr.
Yup. Our One Nine Doc’s are still looking after us…

Kenneth west, SSgt. 1958-1968 - March 30, 2020

made the landing at Chu Lai with the 4 Mar. Reg. With LtCol ( bull) Fisher. The very first major operation for Marines operation,was ( operation starlight ) AS FOR SQUID CORMAN, BEING MARINES, Hell yes, corpsmen, some times they were more marine than Marines them selves. CORMAN!!! ANYTIME, WHERE ,ANY PLACE, I got your back. Semper Fi

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