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Unfortunate Jarheads

Unfortunate Jarheads

I was in the locker room of my health club the other day reminiscing with another Marine. Our memories took us back to Korea. He said he got out of PI in early summer of ’50 and joined the columns of Marines swarming to Camp Pendleton where the various drafts were being assembled for reinforcing the troops around Pusan. He said the brigade had already left. For some reason, lack of housing may be, he was billeted at Del Mar. One day a WO with more than 30 years in came through the area looking for volunteers. He also had several .45s, holsters and pistol belts. The gunner also had requisitioned several vehicles. He took his “volunteers” south of the border to TJ to roundup unfortunate jarheads in the Mexican brig. He can back with 12. Said, “I’ll be damned if I would let them stay down there when there is a job to be done.”

BTW. He was quickly sent to Kobe to be “out of the way” and to handle things there when the draft arrived there on the way to the fight.

Semper Fi,

Bob Rader
Sgt ’53-’56, 1405534

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Comments

Don Taylor - May 11, 2020

Still think about it from time to time. A very bad experience.Five of us were tossed in after a hassle at a bar in TJ. Shore patrol came and got us out after we were UA. Huge room with dirt floors and bars for a roof. We were the only Americans in a crowd of about fifty Mexicans but were never hassled. Misery loves company I guess.Didn’t loose a stripe over it though.Lotta’ good Marine Corps memories but this wasn’t one of them !!

Johnny Reyes Jr, CMSgt USAF Ret. USMC 58-63 USAF 72-00 - May 11, 2020

When I was at 2nd ITR in ’58, I fell in with some very knowledgeable Marines from El Paso, TX. These guys had spent their teenage years visiting the dens of inequity across the river in Juarez, Mexico. Needless to say, on our weekend forays into TJ in a 1953 Olds they usually kept themselves and me from getting caught while indulging in the bars and honey traps in TJ. Helluva learning experience !!

Cpl Bob Korea Era - May 11, 2020

We were told by our DI’s at San Diego when we graduated in 1950 to stay the hell away from TJ. They were famous for tossing Marines in Jail. And it might not be possible to get you out. And, you might develop a rash in addition to your jail time!!! A great move on the WO’s part. That’s the way to do it Sir

Paul Annetts - May 11, 2020

Outstanding Marine!

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