Though it’s been thirty years that I retired as a Marine I found my Platoon 3331 year book, secondly it’s been fifty years come September that I as you and counts of thousands after us arrived to challenge our body, mind and spirit and to having it broken down so that we could be taught courage, poise, self-confidence and pride of belonging to the worlds finest by earning the title Marine that no one can take from us. These words written at the side entrance to the Receiving Barracks do represent our fighting spirit as a Team and Our Marine Brotherhood.
Semper Fidelis
RamTwo
44 comments
67 years since I went to receiving Barracks in 1949 PLT 36 MCRD San Dioego. Web were in wooden BKS Down by the Back Gate.
Wow ! What memories. July 2nd, 1953. San Diego. Still as proud now as I was on graduation. Scared to death, but I would do it again in a heart beat. A snot nosed kid who thought he knew everything and thought he could whip the world. Semper Fi, Marines.
There are two “Semper Fi” bumper stickers in the pockets of our car doors. Each time we pass a vehicle displaying a Marine sticker or license plate, we hold up the Semper Fi sticker and honk. We have never failed to receive a return honk, a smile, and/or a thumbs up. Once a Marine, always a Marine! Proud Jarhead
I put my feet on the yellow footprints at Parris Island in August 1968 and left a Marine in October 1968. Semper Fi – Forever and a day. Jim
It’s been 47 years, Jan through March 1969 since I became a Marine, mcrd San Diego platoon 1008, most challenging experience of my life, but I wouldn’t change a thing, God Bless to all you Devil Dogs, Semper Fi
Marine Brothers, I am applaud at the comments, feelings posted by all of you. A picture is worth a thousand words for the Pride of being a Marine is in our heart and mind forever. Remember it doesn’t matter if you were an “era” or “veteran” during conflicts, but that you were trained and ready to execute as ordered for you are a Marine. Semper Fi!
It will be 51 years ago this coming September 8th. that I “earned” the title of a United States Marine. I was in “Honor Platoon” 244. Would love to to know any of my fellow Marines that earned that tiltle along with me as well as the whereabouts of my Drill Instructors…Sgt. K. V. Davis, Platoon Commander, Sgt. R.B. Goedert, Drill Insructor and Sgt. J.W. Brasher, Drill Instructor. Any former “hats” out their know of there whereabouts?
BEEN 50YRS FOR ME! BEST THING BESIDES MARRYING MY WIFE:)
Great comments by all. Would love to hear from any who served with me in Platoon 47, 2nd Recruit Training Bn., Parris Island, SC, April – June 1947. In addition to our Platoon picture I have (that I’m unable to post here), I also have individual pictures of some of fellow recruit Platoon 47 Marines that I’d be glad to share. Here are their names (by their “position” in the Platoon Picture), last name in Capital Letters:
Top Row: NASH; BLAND, Robert L.; KING, Ivan R.; MC DAID, R.; MC CALLISTER, Paul L.; REDMAN; LIPSYNSKI; SHOTTS; BARNHARDT; HALE; SCHILLING, Felix; JONES, George T. Jr.; HOWARD, Edward J.; MARLIN; EDWARDS J. E.;
2nd From Top: CHAPMAN, Bill; SHOMAKE, David R.; VAN CLEEF, Donald M.; SAUER; CARLSON; BAGLEY; RAY, Walter E.; WOOD, Arthur W. Jr.; COUSINS, James R.; PURNELL; BASSO; ALLISON, Robert L.; O’BRIEN, Jerry T.; MERNA, Gerald F.; BINGHAM, George P.;
Middle Row: PETERS, Joseph R.; GARDNER, Howard H.; SCOTT; BEATTY, Richard J.; GILBERT, S.L.; JECHENTAAL; MAC LEOD, Edgar B.; HOFFMAN, Gene; YEOMAN; MC ALLISTER, Paul L.; BALLINGER, Bob; LEWIS; LACINA, J.J.; WARD, Charles R.; MORAN, James;
2nd From Bottom: PERRY; ROUSH; MEECE; ENGLE, Ed; MC PEEK; WILLIAMS; WEIGLE; LANDRY; PARKER, H. A.; ANGERSTEIN, Otto C.; IPPOLITO, George; MEADOWS, David W. Jr.; BARNHILL, Earnest H.; WEST, Samuel J.; AMMERMAN, Blair T.;
Bottom Row: LUTTRELL, Thomas H.; EASTIN, Albert C.; RICKABAUGH, William H.; BROWN, J. K.; PETRONZIO, Paul A. (He also has a Nephew who was Colonel Paul A. Petronzio); SGT SCHMID, Paul (DI); SSGT ALBRING, J. (Sr. DI–he was killed at the Chosen Reservoir while serving as a Gunnery Sgt); PVT JENSEN (Jr. DI); WINGROVE, Robert C.; KEENAN, Jim; KYLE, B. H.; OVERY, Robert; THOMPSON, Frederick L.
Above names provided by Gerald F. Merna, 1stLt USMC Ret., (Mustang-MGySgt; Retired 2Oct68).
Dave MCRD 1957 Pl 274
Sorry. Somehow I misspelled SEMPER Fi. It was not intentional.
Don’t recall my Platoon #. Went through PI almost 66 years ago. Can’t remember the names of all I served with but all the other good and bad memories stay with me. SWMPER FI. And bless them all.
MCRD 2/1957 I believe My Platoon # was 191-not sure thu .Lost my Platoon book in a fire . would give any thing to have it back. Those 13 weeks change n\m e and my out look on live big time Semper Fi
It has been 58 years since I went in the Marine Corps at the tender age of 17. Started boot camp at San Diego 1 July 1958. Platoon 255. Quonset hut days then. After graduation, went across the grinder to Radio Telegraph Operators school. Our barracks was on the 2nd floor over the arches and off to the left of the flag pole. Spent almost six months there before transfer to 1st Composite Radio Co. at Kaneohe MCAS, Hawaii. Discharged June 1962. Wouldn’t exchange those four years for anything.. Semper fi.
Dwayne 29August 1956! PI Plt 295!
Mike! Someone has to be the Corporal of the Guard or else who do they call in case of fire or disorder!