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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
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Comments

Bob Beckwith - March 30, 2020

In reply to G H Sonny Hollub Jr.
One is West of MCRD. Never heard of the other… Beck 2/9 65 1/9 66.

Bob Beckwith - March 30, 2020

In reply to Freddy L Bell.
Hi Freddy. Beck, Rockets. E/2/9 65. A/1/9 in 66. Our Docs in the associations are still looking after us.

Bob Beckwith - March 30, 2020

Corpsman no question are Marines. The confusion is because they wear funny uniforms and hats sometimes.

Sgt Ted K. Shimono (1959-1968) - March 30, 2020

My best friend in the Marines was a Corpsman. Him and I would sit and discuss all of the medical needs that my platoon would need in any combat situation. If he was hit, our cross training would let me treat my men. I received a comment from someone that said a ” Corpsman” was a Navy person. I responded that a Corpsman was a “Marine” for life. Corpsman are the ones that run toward the sound of battle and bullets no matter the danger. This makes them MARINES.

CWO-5 Noble Callaway USMC Retired - March 30, 2020

I have always said I only respect three types of sailors. Number one are our Corpsmen, Two are the Seals and three are the Seabees. I served with I Co 3/5 in 1970 in Vietnam as a Sergeant.

J. Brown, India 3/1 1966-1967 - March 30, 2020

I fully agree with Cpl. Morris. Our Doc’s in India 3/1 were very brave men. They always went beyond the call of duty to take care of our wounded, including me. I have the utmost respect for Navy Corpmen.

Doc MacIntyre - March 30, 2020

I was a Medevac corpsman in 1969 with MAG 16 at Marble Mountain. On Nov.10th we were alerted that Charlie was going to hit us. I was on the MABS line checking the guard posts with the Sgt. of the Guard. We returned to the CP and found the LT handing out C Rat pound cake to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday. When a piece of cake was passed to me I declined telling the LT I wasn’t a Marine. He Told me “Doc I’ve flown a lot of Medevac missions with you and you are just as good of Marine as any man here. I had to leave the bunker so they wouldn’t see me tear up. Acknowledgment that I was a Marine was the greatest honor I have ever received.

Joe Brown, 3rd Engineer Bn VN 66-67 - March 30, 2020

Anyone who argues that the Corpsman weren’t Marines probably wasn’t out in the bush to see them in action. They earned the right to be considered Marines.

L/cpl Dan Miller, Okinawa 1975-76 - March 30, 2020

I was stationed on Okinawa, “I” Co. 3/4 back in ’75. I wrote this story once before but all the talk about Corpsmen brought it all back. It was a hot day and very humid (as always) and we were doing some sort of demo practice when I noticed that I wasn’t sweating anymore. I was just a dumb kid and had no clue what was happening. They finally gave us a break and told us to sit down and cool off. Before I knew it, I was having trouble breathing and one of my buddies noticed and went and got Doc Blackmon. The next thing I know I was waking up in the hospital with a bad case of heat stroke. Wish I could find him and buy him a big steak dinner! Thanks Doc, where ever you are.

Cpl J. W. Hornsey Mike 3/1 CUPP RVN 1970 - March 30, 2020

Amen Brother!!!! Any Marine that says our Corpsman “aren’t” never served with a combat unit. Our Corpsman HM3 Doc Brown was a saint!!!! God’s gift to the U.S. Navy and more importantly to the USMC. Wish I could locate him to say thank you. Semper Fi Doc Brown.

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