Sgt. Schultz and his Glass Eye

This story took place at MCSC Albany, Ga. in 1964. Sgt. Schultz was a decorated Korean War Vet. Being wounded in Korea, He had lost his left eye and he was given a glass replacement. He was a little guy, about 5′ 5″ and weighed about 140 lbs. He was a Marine with a sense of humor beyond compare. He was sarcastic and outright funny and could make anyone laugh with the antics he could pull off. On an overseas tour, he had a spare glass eye made up in Japan but the exception was that this eye had a tinny, gold Marine Corps emblem in the center. He called it “His inspection eye”.So, any time there was to be any major inspection like a C.G., a junk on the bunk, or whatever, he would wear his eye with the emblem. Schultz favorite move was to walk up to a group of new Marines who had never seen his inspection eye and shock the hell out of them. Every one would react the same way. Their head would jerk back, Their eyes would pop wide open and their jaw would drop. He would then laugh and say “knocked off their skivvies”.or one thing or another. On this Morning we where geared up for a Commanding Generals inspection. Schultz took his place as 1st squad leader of our platoon. I was 2nd squad leader and stood directly behind him with a perfect view of the reactions he would get. I knew off the special glass eye but had never seen it put into action at an inspection before. As we where about to be called to attention, Schultz said “every one ready for some fun”!!. The first officer to inspect (as I recall) was a Lt. Colonel. Schultz raised his rifle to inspection arms, looking down to inspect for a clear chamber then raised his head. With that the Colonel reacted the same way everyone did then spoke. Ah Ah Ah AND JUST WHAT IS THAT THING!!!?? Sir, that is my glass eye, Semper Fi and Gung Ho sir. The Colonel stuttered saying he had never seen anything like it before. Schultz answered that not many had either Sir, had it made up in Japan a few years ago. Well said the Colonel when this inspection is over, you are to proceed to sickbay and have that thing surveyed ASAP. From behind, I stood there tight-lipped trying not to burst out laughing. Schultz mumbled ” wonder if his bowels moved”. I mumbled back “I believed they may have”. In the Corps there was always one Marine or another who could bring down the house with humor and Sgt. Schultz was one of them.