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Yellow Foot Prints -San Diego MCRD

By: Sgt Darrel B Whiting

I was in Boot Camp in August of 1953, and could not remember if there were yellow foot prints there at my arrival…others during the same area couldn’t remember if they were there either. I called MCRD and talked to a nice young lady in the Museum there. She confirmed that the first they could establish that the Yellow Foot Prints were there was in 1963, in fact JFK visited the base and stood in the foot prints. Also she told me that in 1953 the first recruit graduation books came out. Thought others would be interested …. guess we are now ready to report to the museum at 84 years old….

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Comments

Cpl Bob Korea - March 29, 2020

I went thru Boot Camp in 1950 at San Diego and don’t remember any foot print’s. But, I am 89 years old, and still walking, talking and breathing. All I remember is we had to hold our arms out to touch the guy next to us for spacing and alignment. So, I could be wrong. I can’t even remember my Platoon number. WHAT!! “I CAN’T HEAR YOU MAGGOT”
Went for DI Training at Parris Island late 1952 after my south pacific cruise to Korea, and I don’t remember yellow foot prints at that location either. Was a Junior DI for awhile. Some day’s I don’t even know what day it is lately?? It was a great experience. It helped me get to the age I am without too much trouble except for marriage. Never could get the hang of that??

Sgt Doug Walker ’62 – ’66 - March 29, 2020

MCRDSD in July ’62. Spent what seemed like half the night on those yellow footprints. I’ll never forget that night. Was back at MCRD for electronics classes in June ’63 when President Kennedy paid a visit. Still there in November when he was assassinated. Both good and bad memories of MCRDSD.

Harold W. Weist - March 29, 2020

Is there a way we can phone in an order without getting the free bee con job? You get something free but it costs you around $4800 a year to use it? I do not want to have to go to Medals of America, They are not user friendly in my estimation.

Harold W. Weist - March 29, 2020

I was at Paris Island, August 1953, Platoon 311, 4th Recruit Training Battalion. We arrived in the middle of the night and I seem to remember the footprints. It’s been a long time and my memories could be wrong. I do remember we were herded to I believe squad tents and give a blanket. We were roused at 0 Dark hours, moved to the mess-hall for hard-boiled eggs and hash. Our first gourmet breakfast in the Corps.

stanley wolf - March 29, 2020

In May of 1975 San Diego had the yellow footprints. I saw them but never stood in them. My
flight to San Diego had been held up in Phoenix. By the time I landed in San Diego I had to call MCRD and they sent a van to collect me. Yeah, I got my own personal ride to boot camp and my own personal Drill Instructor to walk me through in processing. Pretty sure I would have preferred to have been part of a group. SSgt Stan Wolf. May 1975-Dec 1983

Darrel B Whiting. - March 29, 2020

Wow If they were there in 1952 they must have been there August 1953, however I don’t remember them being there, but again was pretty much overwhelmed
once off the bus… However the Lady at the MCRD museum gave me the information above that they didn’t see any record of them until 1963. They must not have good records?

Cal Hebert - March 29, 2020

Was there early in 1953. Don’t remember the yellow footprints. I think it was platoon 302, not sure. A D.I. Named Aestrick (?)? Got discharged in 1955. Cal Hebert

Bill Stivers - March 29, 2020

I was at MCRD San Diego in 1952, and the yellow prints were there then!

Charles T Walker - March 29, 2020

MCRD San Diego, I was there in 1971 the yellow footprints were there. Heaven forbid if you didn’t have you feet right ( I did lots of push-ups) lol. I was in a special platoon of recruits that were made of overweight recruits. In all there was 65 of us and during boot-camp our platoon lost over 3000 lbs. Our platoon was called ” The Hustling Hogs ” , We made the Marine Corp proud we started with 65, completed boot-camp with 63 ( the 2 that didn’t make it had medical issues.) I made it as a Marine, and proud of it, 71 – 77. Semper Fi !

John Voss Msgt. Ret. - March 29, 2020

Sorry also, I was there in platoon 343, 1961 and the footprints where there…

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