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The Rock and Racks by Norm Spilleth

Left to right, PFC Phil Liguori, PFC Norm Spilleth, PFC Bill Jones, in the second deck squad bay of the VMA-212 barracks wearing our 782 gear after returning from our physical readiness test, sometime in 1963. photo from Norm Spilleth

Left to right, PFC Phil Liguori, PFC Norm Spilleth, PFC Bill Jones, in the second deck squad bay of the VMA-212 barracks wearing our 782 gear after returning from our physical readiness test, sometime in 1963. photo from Norm Spilleth

We called it “The Rock” and counted the days when we would rotate back to the land of the big PX. Hawaii wasn’t exactly the paradise we expected. The Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe is on a peninsula that forms Kaneohe Bay, with the Pali Mountains as a backdrop. The Air Wing enlisted barracks were a group of two story flat roofed, stucco buildings with open squad bays that were connected by breezeways. The VMA-212 barracks had the MPs on one side and the helo boys from HMM161 on the other. Next to the HMM-161 barracks was the mess hall. The front of the buildings faced a grassy drill field ringed with banyan trees. On the other side was the MAG-13 headquarters and to the right was Kansas Tower on top of a hill. The barracks had an upper and lower open squad bays divided into six bunks (or racks) that formed cubicles by standard green wall lockers and a central corridor.

Mosquitoes were picky eaters

Each rack in the barracks had a mosquito net which was a necessity on the “Windward Side” side of the Island. The mosquito nets were needed because of the mosquitoes that were bred in the swamps between the base and the mainland. Those bugs were huge. One night, I forgot to put my net down. About 0300, I felt a thump on my chest. Looking down, I saw a Kaneohe mosquito turning over my dog tag to check my blood type. Not only were they huge, they were picky eaters.

VMA-212 barracks in the background and three of our guys out tanning, photo from Norm Spilleth

VMA-212 barracks in the background and three of our guys out tanning, photo from Norm Spilleth

Pebble beach

Our barracks were two stories tall with open squad bays and roll open windows all around. There was also a wide ledge outside between the first and second stories. On the first floor (deck) there was the duty NCO office and a recreation room with TV and stereo. The roof was accessible by ladder from inside and the surface was covered with crushed rock which we called pebble beach and used for sunbathing. The problem was that it was off limits. Nobody was allowed up there. We would get warned by the duty NCO from time to time that we were observed on the roof by guards in Kansas tower who scanned the base with binoculars looking for trouble. Then we would move to the walkway above the breezeway that connected the barracks. Getting a deep Hawaiian suntan was a major preoccupation. We came up with our own mixture of baby oil and coconut oil that gave a really dark tan. After two years, we were all bronze Gods waiting to wow the ladies when we got back to the land of the big PX.

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Comments

Joe Webb - June 21, 2020

Arrived K-Bay summer ’61 , assigned to D 1-4. I remember those ledges well, used to crawl out there and play my guitar. Transferred to Waikele NAD the following summer until rotating back to the mainland in summer ’63. Good memories.

Mike VonTungeln - June 21, 2020

I was with 1/12 when Desert Storm went down. We had been training on the Big Island. Three days later we were on Hawaii Air National Guard C-130s doing an emergency redeployment back to K-Bay. About a week after that we were on our way to the Gulf. The MPF concept worked pretty. We were supposed to be in country and ready to fight in 10 days. I think we were ready to go in about nine. We weren’t “real ready”, but we were in the field with ammo on the deck ready to put steel on target if we needed to.

Tom Amey - June 21, 2020

Was with Mag 24 Security those same years. Went there from Amtracs for TAD, and reenlisted/extended there .

J. T. Marvel - June 21, 2020

I agree with Rusty. I was at K-bay from 78-82. At that time we were home of the wast pac. I was with 2/3 and did 3 deployment, we were a tight hung ho unti, battalion wide. As in anything leadership is the key. My battalion commander was a then Lt. Col. Walter Boomer, he later led all marines in the first gulf war, retired as asst.comadant with four stars. The XO and my co. Commander for a short time when we created weapons co out of H & S, was the toughest marines I ever knew, Bill Steed. We trained long and hard, and were gung ho and ready to go. By the grace of God the bell never rang, but we were proud to be Hawaii Marines. And I am proud to say I will see all these guys including General Boomer and Col. Steed next week at our 4th reunion. J.T. Marvel Weapons Co. 2/3 78-82

Bill Allen - June 21, 2020

The first MOH for WW11 were awarded to 17 people from the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Bill Allen - June 21, 2020

Arrived @ K-bay about June 65 w/1stbn5thmar. Came over on APA Montrose from San Fran. Took over former Barracks of 1stMarBrig who deployed to Vietnam. I was in Comm Plt & went TAD to Base Communications for 6 mos. That was undoubtably the best duty I had. Great beach @ Bellows AFB. BLT 1/5 Left Pearl Harbor on the USS Princeton LPH-5, USS Pickaway & USS Alamo & hooked up with HMM-133. Three mos aboard as an aerial assault battalion from as far south as Rung Sat Province IV Corps (Operation Jackstay) to Phu Loc I Corps (Operation Osage) between Danang & Hue. Last 1&1/2 years @ Area 16 Camp Pendleton with HqCo Cadre 4thMarDiv, definetly no K-Bay.

Jeff Howards - June 21, 2020

K-Bay 74-77 with Station Operations and Maintenance Squadron working GCA radar maintenance center of the runway. Married enroute right out of school so missed the Hotel Street night life.

bruce bender - June 21, 2020

at Headquarters Marine Corps met 2 Marines who were stationed at Hawaii One was a guy named La Gere and a woman Marine nicknamed Scotty she had red hair and could drink most male Marines under the table at the NCO Club- while La Gere told witty humorous remarks and we all drank and laughed- so I wasn’t in Hawaii- but these 2 bring back pleasant memories as one night one Marine wanted to punch out another Marine- and La Gere got between these two and had them laughing and buying each other drinks – defusing a tense moment. Because the Sgt. who ran the club was from Cleveland- and as big as Jimmy Brown the football player and had the same name as well. Haven’t though of this incident since 1965 – wow- I am glad to share and thanks for the memory jogger.

Tom Morgan - June 21, 2020

Me too! Was on Okinawa 61-62 and it is a big coral ROCK! Been to Hawaii many times (my dime, not my rich Uncle Sam) and have never viewed Hawaii as a ‘rock’. Go to Kauai, the Garden Isle, for a true appreciation of Hawaii. Boot Camp at San Diego, then 3rd MarDiv (HQ) on Okinawa and ended active duty at FMFLANT at Camp Lejeune (8th Engineers), Grew up in the Corps and proud to serve! I was followed by 1 brother (USNA ’67 and Capt. USMC), two brothers-in-law (one a Capt. and the other a Sgt) and one nephew (also a Sgt). All are/were proud Marines. Semper Fi, Do or Die! Tom Morgan, Sgt E-5.

Ed Bahr - June 21, 2020

I was at K-Bay for 2 years 1961 to 1963. It was the best duty station that I served at. I was in HHS and was assigned to the pistol range as an instructor. We didn’t have enough time to do things we wonted to. Hawaii is a true paradise. I have been back 3 times in the last 5 years and plan to go back again. Things are mutch better now as for as recreation on and off base. Although there will always be barracks rats who will say their is nothing to do.

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