I fondly recall like Bruce Otis PI 57-60, doing close order drills with an M-1 or my footlocker. The DI would think nothing of enforcing his commands with a swat with a hand wearing a black leather glove. The number of repetitions required was always "Many, many, many of them. begin". Not much changer from 57 to 66.

Jim Kanavy
Platoon 321, PI, RSV 1966-68

Veteran's Day Special

Show your thanks for our veterans with these one of a kind, Sgt. Grit exclusive Veteran's Day shirts. These great shirts are available only until September 30th.

Guess You Learned Something

Sgt Grit:
Just read yet, ANOTHER article about "abused" recruits. In reading it I was some what dismayed. Not dismayed by what the Drill Instructors did, more so that the "recruits" were weenie enough to say something about their training. I went through recruit training in 1969, was it easy..no, were my Drill Instructors tough, you bet you a*s they were. Did I appreciate what they put us through, at the time, no, but later I realized what it was for, to save my life and to take me from a momma's boy to a man, and to teach me that I was capable of doing ANYTHING I put my mind to. Years later, I saw one of my Drill Instructors, He was a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant, I was a retied Gunny. When I told him that I had retired, he looked at me shook his head and said something that made me laugh "GUESS YOU LEARNED SOMETHING". He now guards Heavens Gate I recently learned, to the toughest man I ever met, thanks Master Gunny, thanks for taking this green behind the ears BOY and making him a man, and giving him a send of values that have continued through his life. Thanks for the a*s whoopin's, thanks for the thump call, but more importantly thanks for being an example to me and the other 71 "turd merchants" you made US Marines.

GySgt Carter
69-89

Moved Me

Chief Warrant White
Salty Marine, Your words moved me. Your farewell is eloquent and true to the spirit of the Corps. You did your duty the Marine way. You covered for us until we got to the wall to take over for you. You honored all the Marines that came before you, they put their trust in you and now you prepare to join their ranks. Our DI s must stop feeding hamburgers to the new recruits if the are to take over where you then the rest of us left of. I am 61 years old and served My Corps and My Country in Nam 1965 to 1967 active duty. Gunny White was our Motor pool Chief with 11th Marines 1st Marine Div. just below Hill 35 West of Highway 1, Chu Lai area, any relation? I see how much you love the Corps and how proud you are.
John Basilone and Chesty Puller are waiting for all Marines.

Semper Fidelis,
Michael Valencia
Cpl of Marines
2198329 /0848
11th Marines 1st Marine Div.
Vietnam 66-67

Old Corps

Parking was the least of problems.

Troops couldn't afford cars.

You weren't married unless you could afford it.

Courts-martial orders were read in battalion formation.

A bum didn't have a BC more than once or twice before he actually got it.

We had "Rocks and Shoals".

Courts-martial were a rarity.

Marines receiving BC D's were drummed out the gate.

NCO's and officers were not required to be psychologists.

NC

Glistened

Read each and every newsletter. The Iwo Jima Sand I recently won was repackaged and given to two of my Food Pantry volunteers; one, and 82 year old Iwo Vet himself (his eyes glistened), and the other to a fourth generation Marine NCO (speechless). You do fine work. Keep it up. God Bless the United States Marine Corps and the USA.

Lt. Colonel Don 'MADDog' Belsey (Ret.) 1964-1996

Lasted About 3 Minutes

Yo Sgt Grit:

Really enjoy your website and you got it all!!

Noticed GySgt Gerald R. Miller 1864806 USMC reciting his chain of command...thought he might be interested in learning that his CoCmdr at MCRD SDiego became a LtCol and was my Battalion Commander (1stBn 9thMar) in 72-73. A fine gentleman and an outstanding Marine.

On another note...I wore the battle jacket while going through ITR in San Onfre in 1952...but I did hear some individuals refer to it as an "Ike" jacket. Some of you out there also remember that our dress shoes were brown and not black..also khakis were starched then and the crease lasted about 3 minutes! Neck scarves blew in the breeze cause there were no tie clasps at the time

Semper Fi and keep up the great work!

Don Rousseau
1952-1974
Korea 52-53
Vietnam 67-68
Pvt through SSgt E-6
WO through Capt

The End Result

To the Corporal who stated that everyone is not meant to be a Marine, I agree. I do take exception that just because a boot cried the Corporal would not trust him to cover his back. Boot Camp is where we make men out of boys. The transition is rough and it is meant to be. Those that cry and continue to cry will be weeded out. Those that cry and push on find that they have capabilities and resources that they never knew they had and become all the better for it. Each challenge that is put before them and met makes them stronger. The end result is a man worthy of the name "Marine." Col. D. R. "Duke" Stanton, USMC (Ret.)

Only Speak For Myself

There are as many opinions and thoughts of what it means to be a United States Marine. I of course, can only speak for myself and will make an attempt to define what it means to me.

Being a Marine means being born on 10 November and having the feeling that it was my destiny to serve in America’s best military unit. Being a Marine means enduring Boot Camp and having a Drill Instructor who makes SSgt. Hartman look like a Sunday school teacher. Being a Marine is also having this molder of men find out that your mother gave birth to me on this Holy Day. Being a Marine is having the same SSgt. on graduation day look you in the eye while shaking my hand and saying “congratulations Marine.” Being a Marine is enduring ITR, going to Viet Nam (3 times) and coming home to angry people who instead of comforting or welcoming me home, chose to throw tomatoes, eggs, spit on me and call me things like “baby killer,” “war monger,” and many curse words. Being a Marine is seeing the names of your closest friends etched on a black wall and feeling the guilt that my name isn’t on the wall and for some reason God in his wisdom chose to let me live. Being a Marine is being so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve my Country and stand in harms way in order that the ungrateful and lethargic civilians can enjoy the freedoms so plentiful in our Country. Being a Marine is feeling the tears stream down my cheeks when the Star Spangled Banner is played. Being a Marine is being so proud when I wear my uniform to Parades, July 4th Ceremonies, speaking engagements, and the Marine Corps Ball and having people genuinely tell you “thank you for all you did for me.” Being a Marine is standing at attention at the Marine Corps Ball and swelling with pride when the Marine’s Hymn is played and seeing the cake coming into the ball room. Being a Marine is at times crying when I hear “God Bless the USA,” “America the beautiful,” and of course our “National Anthem.” Being a Marine is something that very few people can ever know or understand. Being a United States Marine goes much deeper than wearing the sharpest uniform in the world, and having more honor, tradition and glory than any organization in our history, it’s being a small part of family that has stood the test of time and no doubt will be thriving long after I have passed from the face of this earth. Being a Marine is something the other branches will never understand or feel. Being a Marine is never meeting another Marine and not have a brotherhood regardless of when you served or how old or young you are. Being a Marine is something a person can’t understand until you become a Marine. Regardless of what life of destiny chooses to put in my path I will always know that “There are no obstacles to a United States Marine, there only opportunities to succeed.” Being a Marine is…………well

BEING A MARINE. What else can you say?

I thought I would share this with you Sgt. Grit. I’ve had this bouncing inside my head for quite a while and felt I had to write it down.

SEMPER-FI
Paul Hout

Fox 1/10

My son recently got this tattoo before he deploys. The design was a team effort of the MP's from Belle Chase, La they are now part of Fox company 1st bat. 10th Marine 2nd Marine Division which will deploys soon.

Terry M. Lobell

Troop And Stomp

Recent comments from folks like GySgt Gerald R Miller (1959-79) regarding uniforms etc. cause me to wonder about a few things. In 1952 at MCRD San Diego our drill instructors wore what we called pith helmets. I have since purchased one from the Sgt. Grit catalog. Does anyone know when they switched to the "campaign" hat or "smokey bear" hat? And, better yet, why?

Someone else commented on the field uniforms (dungarees?) with the grenade pockets. In July of 1952 when we were getting our boot issue some of us got those old uniforms, both jackets and / or trousers, depending upon ones size. They obviously were using up the old supply. Memory seems to tell me it was the bigger guys who got the old stuff. Us smaller feather merchants got the newer(?) style dungarees. A similar thing was going on with field boots. Some of us got the shorter rough suede leather boondockers while others got the higher boots with the smooth finish.

In 1952 we also got a mix of dress uniforms. Most of us got issued six sets of the old gunny sack khaki summer uniforms while a few got issued four sets and one set of the new and fancy gabardines. Again, it seemed to be based on ones size. We all got issued a green blouse and a green "Ike" jacket as well as two green wool shirts. We were told we could not wear the green shirts off of the base. In fact the only place I recall ever being allowed to wear them was while going to Navy electronics school at Treasure Island. We pulled a lot over on those Bosin's Mates when it came to the wearing of uniforms.

Most folks didn't like to wear the green blouse as it fit like a corset and even restricted ones arm movement when reaching above your head. When we packed up to leave Korea we were told to keep out one set of greens if we wanted to go on liberty promptly after arriving at Treasure Island. Most held out a set of greens with an Ike jacket. When we got to Treasure Island we were told a recent order out of Headquarters Marine Corps forbid the wearing of the Ike jacket off the base. The Colonel in charge quickly stated that an exception would be made for us for 48 hours to allow us to get our sea bags and our green blouses. I guess the order forbidding the wearing of the Ike jacket was issued about the same time as the one which said we had to polish our suede boondockers to a spit shine. They must have been dreamt up by the same brain surgeon.

What are Dress Blues? In three years I never got close to a set of Dress Blues, either my own or anyone I knew. The only ones who had them seemed to be the guys who went to sea school. I couldn't really say because we never saw anyone wearing any. Only in the pictures.

To give you some idea of time frame; during these years there were no Lance Corporals or Gunnery Sergeants in the Marine Corps. They just didn't exist. There were two grades of Warrant Officer, Commissioned and non-commissioned. And we never heard of anything like ooorah or whatever it is.

In Korea it puzzled me that Major Dickey used to address our Tech Sgt. as Gunny. He also used to refer to our CWO as "Mister" and seemed to do it with a special kind of respect in his voice. Major Dickey was an old timer and had supposedly gone to flight training as a buck private. Our CWO was an old timer as well and had been a private along with Colonel Kollmann who was our Squadron CO. They were old buddies.

I guess with all the strange uniform mixes and not having any Gunny's to straighten us out, we must have really been a bunch of rag tag Girenes. What topped it all off was the crazy new "troop and stomp" drill they came out with in 1955. It looked like a Chinese fire drill. Someone said it required a drill instructor to teach in excess of forty different movements. And they wondered why the re-enlistment rate was so poor.

Ah, for the good old days.
Terry Stewart, Sgt (E-4) 1952 - 1955

Marine Corporal Bryan Joseph Scripsick

Sgt. Grit:

For Marines who wish to attend, funeral services for Marine Corporal Bryan Joseph Scripsick will be held 10:00am Thursday, September 13th, at the First United Methodist Church, 401 N. Willow, Pauls Valley, OK. Internment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery south of Pauls Valley. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home, 500 N. Willow, Pauls Valley, OK.

Tiger's Tooth

"Won A Heart ... Won A Mind"
Hi Sarge,

A few months ago my eldest son, Greg, was going through the family archive of photographs and came up with enclosed. It was taken on Christmas day (1968) near the DMZ & outside a little Village called Cam Lo. My younger son, Tim, recently got it into my computer. Though it was snapped 39 years ago (And also about 39 lbs. ago), I thought you might get a kick out of seeing some of the guys (During their USMChay-day.) that yourself and your fine News-Letter have helped over the years. And like myself, remain grateful. About half of us in the picture have since located each other in the past two years and, thanks to cyberspace, half been enjoying a few laughs on a regular basis. To share a bit of a humorous account, I was leading a patrol one afternoon through a Village and toward the jungle when my point man noticed a pile of rocks outside the hut of one of the farmers. The point guy called me forward and we both agreed that the rocks were organized to form an "Arrow". And it was pointed toward our platoon C.P. (Command Post) about a hundred yards away. Obviously meant to guide North Vietnamese Regulars into an attack on our position. Probably in the middle of the night. To make a long story a bit longer, I went to the hut's doorway, called out some guy, brought him over to the rocks and politely asked him if he was Viet Cong (Which, obviously, he was.). The fellow flew into a complete panic and started screaming, "No VC...!, No VC...!" He literally thought I was going to shoot him. Anyway, we scattered the rocks, radioed the C.P. to give a warning and continued on our merry way into the jungle. The next morning, I was awakened (After standing guard all night on 100% alert with everyone else in anticipation of an NVA attack that never materialized.) by the platoon's interpreter. He had the old guy (Who was still razzed out.) with him from the previous day and asked if I was the guy who had called him out of his hut. After I acknowledged with a "Yea", he told me the farmer wanted to give me something. He then handed me a long tooth that he told through the interpreter he had removed from a tiger that he had killed during his younger days. I refused, but the poor old guy was persistent. I finally accepted, walked off and swiped a case of c-rations from platoon supply and gave it to him. He was happier then a pig in poop and for the remaining few days that we all stayed in the Village we became pals. May sound strange, but I kinda' miss the fella'. To, finally...!, make a long story short, you can see the tiger's tooth around my neck in the picture. Hope you post it. Continued Thanks for everything...

Semper Fi',
Mike

Photo:
Upper Row (Left To Right)... Swink, Winterton, Costanza, Poncho, Brombaugh, Vaughn
Lower Row (Left To Right)... Clark, Williams, Amato, That funny lookin' Irish guy who could vanish into thin air when time arrived to off-load a chopper

Marked In Red

To the concerned sergeant
"Changes in our training"
I had problems with pull ups while at boot camp at MCRD in San Diego 1980. I was put into PCP after first phase and again after second phase for my lack of pull ups. I was also a diet private, which meant my name tag we wore was marked in red. So when ever I went to chow the guys serving chow would see my name tag marked in red so they gave me less, I was not allowed to have deserts or soda to drink, only juice. We had no Mc Donalds hamburgers in boot camp. I don't blame you for being concerned. These young men will most likely find themselves eating MRE's pretty soon.

LCpl Zamorano S.Y.
0311 1980 - 83

My Rule Of Thumb

Sgt Grit,

As a former SDI and JDI "Parris Island - 1990 - 1993 Lima Company), many times a pre-staged act would be set up in front of the recruits, whereas I would supposedly "Fire" all of my Drill Instructors for some infraction that I as the Senior was not going to "Tolerate", again this would be pre-staged and was in the interest of giving my JDI's some much deserved time off for a couple of days, then they would come back fresh and ready to go. Sometimes it would be un-planned and you would then take your "Hats" off to the side and discuss the problem out of earshot of the little nasties. Many Drill Instructors get themselves in trouble by not listening to the old heads and some of the old heads do not know what in the heck they are talking about, it's a two way street and you have split seconds to decide on what you are going to do. As for Rifle PT, you can still do it, but you have to be very smart about it, I put it like this, if you cannot explain it as a proper drill movement, then don't do it, if the recruit has the possibility of giving an answer when asked by an officer or depot inspector that might get you into trouble, then don't do it. The smartest thing to always do is try and wait for 1st phase to be over with before you take it to the next level, due to the fact they (the recruits) have no loyalty to anyone just yet and are still scared to death, especially if you have three or four maniacal hats running around creating havoc. My rule of thumb was to drop as many as I could before the rifle range, after we got to the range, then I tried to keep them all and go clean on the range, trust me it worked. Another trick is to have them all at the 500 and all the ones who could read the numbers step forward and all the rest I sent to sick call to get their vision checked, usually I was correct, some of the recruits were narcissistic and were embarrassed to wear port holes, but I could care less, I wanted that Range trophy!

Semper Fi,
GySgt Roman Williams, USMC (Ret)

Bucket Of Water

I went thru boot camp in spring of "51. When we went to Camp Matthews we were in tents.
If you had to see the Gunny you would walk up to the wooden door at his tent. Outside the door there was a bucket of water hanging there. Inside was a large rock. To gain entrance you had to reach into the bucket, pull out the rock and knock on the door with the rock in hand, put the rock back in the bucket and dry your hand off immediately before he called you into his tent.

You can guess that every enterprising young boot would look all over that area for a rock laying on the ground, to use to knock on the door. but no rocks were to be found. And when you walked thru the Gunny's door, your uniform better not have any wet spots where you tried to dry your hands off.

Don't you love the Marine Corps. I know that I do. Semper Fi.
Sgt. Jerry Linder
G-3-7 Korea

1/9

This is very grainy but it is certainly part of the Lore of the Corps.
It is 1/9 leaving Vietnam…the first combat unit to do so in 1969.
Coincidentally 1/9 was reactivated and are presently at Kaneohe on Oahu, Hawaii.

John Wear

Granny Glasses

I was reading about the Corpsman that met Gunny Kellog at FMF Training, Camp Delmar. I was selected to attend in 1971, as I had not been since Korea in 1951. Gunny Kellog was there at the time. One day several of us were at the Delmar SNCO Club, including Gunny Kellog. After a little relaxing with few rounds of giggle water, the sea stories began. By the way in those days Kellog wore pink tinted granny glasses and drove a chevvy corvair. When his turn came for the war stories he told us how he had been in a firefight in Nam and had rescued his platoon, subsequently being recommended for the MOH. He also told us about another firefight where he was again recommended for the MOH. I looked at the pink granny glasses and decided that it was a wild sea story. We all went along for the sake of peace(we were all feeling the giggle water). Turns out that the second recommend for the MOH was cut to a Navy Cross when the first one in the halls of HQ USMC was approved. I was proud to call Gunny Kellog friend for a few months while at Pendleton. Ron Wheeler HMC(AC)(FMF)USN RET

Can Make Do

Sgt Grit!
Reading down the news letter of Last of August and I see several Items that reminds me of My tour. I enlisted on the 13th of July 1953. Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego. Platoon 226. After basic training and advanced infantry training (with a short field problem at Pickle Meadows for cold weather training) I shipped out for Korea aboard the USS Monrose.Spent a week in Korea and then to Japan Attached to the Heavy Equipment Platoon, Headquarters Company, 3rd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Mar. Div.

I too went to Iwo, but the Engineers went six weeks before the rest of the troops. the purpose for us to be there ahead was to make water enough for the division and to clear the area that was to be use for the war games; of old forgotten munitions. On our knees and using our bayonets to probe for them. A lot were found and destroyed. also to keep injuries to a minimum. sealed off open tunnels. Some had the remains of Japanese ammo and supplies. All told, the 3rd Eng. spent about three months on the Island. Going back to Japan, lucky us, to be in a typhoon must of the way back. Aboard LST 827. THAT was an experience to remember.

As usual, the 3rd Eng's were first to go too Okinawa in preparation for the rest of the Division. Engineers were placed at Tengan. All the buildings were condemned by the army. That was alright, Marines can make do! Forgive this old man for not remembering exact date, but I often have fun when I relate to people how Orders came down from the President Pack up, Load the Equipment aboard LST's and store our seabags and stand by on White Beach ; drawing baker rations for three days waiting to be deployed to someplace I had never heard of,-----Viet Nam. Well we didn't have to go. ------------- THEN!

I've not noticed very many Who served in that era.

Semper Fi
Ray Norris, Sgt. 1953-1961

4-Holer

Sgt Grit,

My name is Ken Johnson and I'm a former Marine. I served proudly from 1964-1968 and achieved the rank of Sgt E-5. I served in Vietnam from July of '65 thru August of '66 as an 0811. My home town is Kohler, Wisconsin.

While serving with "Echo" Battery, 2d Battalion, 12th Marines, I took this picture of the sign that appeared on our "4-holer". I just recently began scanning my collection of Vietnam pictures into my computer and I couldn't resist sending this to you. The sign means what it says, and on more than one occasion I left this 4-holer in a big hurry, with my trousers at half mast and clutching my M-14 in my hands!

I thought you might enjoy seeing it

Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Semper Fi,
Ken Johnson, USMC forever

ITS and 0351

This is in reply to Sgt. John M. Klein's letter and about Infantry Training School (ITS) and Camp Pendleton and being one of the last 0351's on the 106 recoilless rifle. I may have been a class or two behind him, I went to ITS at Pendleton from mid Oct. 78 first week of DEC. and I was a 0351 and did not have the 106. Funny how Marines view things. Sgt. Klein loved Pendleton and I hated it. We got issued field jackets with no liners, and don't let no one tell you Southern California doesn't get cold, because they are as crazy as h&ll, it was cold. I get to the 1st Marine Brigade at K-Bay and as a boot PFC I help crate up their 106's for shipment to a "friendly" government, Saudi .Started in H&S company, I then get training as a Dragon gunner and become a 0352. I believe the Dragon is now long gone too. That's about the time when Weapons Companies were formed. I was in the first weapons company 2nd Bn. 3rd Marines ever had. Then it was three West Pac's. what a great time, The Marine Corps showed a young man a world I had only seen on TV. Anyone that "survived" more than a 30 day tour in PI showed have gotten a ribbon. It could be brown and white, like the San Miguel bottles. 11 months in and out of the Indian Ocean, because of the Iran Hostages. One which by the way grew up about fives miles from me, Sgt. Persinger. Even that had a silver lining, it made Australia a port of call, and any Marine that has ever been to Perth knows what I am talking about. I would have loved to have fired the 106 one time thou. Simper FI.

J. T. Marvel
Wpns. Co. 2/3 78-82

Begged

Sgt.Grit,
To the Marine who said he never thought much of someone who cried in boot camp.

I entered the Marines the last week of July, 1955, MCRD and can't remember any yellow footprints there. Just a long white line.

One of my fellow recruits was just 17 at the time, and broke down crying, and begged to be sent home.

We had a great junior DI named Mendez who did a great job of screaming down his throat that he had volunteered to be there, and he was staying.

The man went on to become one of my best friends, and in Vietnam, he won the Navy Cross, wounded twice, and retired in 1975.

You can't always judge who one might be,, but its been my honor to know this Marine.

Semper Fi
J.N.Wade 1533271/1811

I Can Still Feel It

AND A GREAT DAY TO YOU SGT. GRIT AND I GOTTA AGREE WITH BRUICE I WENT THROUGH PI IN 1964 AND I REMEMBER THOSE OLD WORLD WAR 1 LIVING QUARTERS AND SEEING A GUY CRY FROM SCRUBBING THE WOOD DECK WITH YELP YOU GOT IT (TOOTHBRUSH) AND WE HAD THE M-14 AND LOTS OF TIMES WE HELD OUR HANDS OUT AND HELD THE HEAVY THING WITH OUR PINKY BY THE BAYONET STUD. I CAN STILL FEEL IT. NOW THAT WAS AN HOUR PUNISHMENT MY PLATOON 156 HAD TO ENDURE BECAUSE OF SOME WHINNY BABY. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS OUR MARINE CORPS. I AM STILL A SERGEANT THANKS TO VIETNAM. AND I SAY MY BYE BYE THE MARINE WAY "SEMPER FI UNTIL THE DAY I DIE.

SGT.GEORGE "SKIP" BROWNING

I Explained

Sgt. Grit,

way back in 1952 my mother and dad dropped me off at the train station to head toward Parris Island. As they were driving home they listened to Walter Winchell on the car radio. He announced that "if your son is going into the army, write to him, if he's going into the Marine Corps, pray for him.(Walter's nephew had died in a swamp accident at Parris Island.) My mother, of course, was very upset. Later on I explained to her what happened -- the nephew did not obey his D.I.'s caution in staying in marching orders and slipped into the swamp.

I remember telling people that Parris Island was the land that God forgot.

Semper Fi,
Ken Wyman

Cheap Shotting

Sgt. Grit
I love your newsletters and look forward to reading them from top to bottom. I served on active duty in the Marines from Sept.1957 to Sept.1960 and received my Honorable Discharge in 1963.I I love the Marine Corps and feel my time in the Corps was one of my life's most important and proudest accomplishments. One thing that bothers me is when Marine Vets and others make denigrating remarks when referring to other branches of the armed services. I know the Marine Corps are the BEST but " cheap shotting" the U.S Army when they are serving and dying in Iraq makes no sense to me. Keep up the good work.

SEMPER FI
Bob Lake

Was So Impressed

In 1956 I was a member of Saint Brigid's Catholic Church boy's choir in Ridgewood, Queens N.Y.C.

On this particular morning a young man from the neighborhood was being given a military funeral; his name was Donald O'Shea and he was one of the six Marine recruits who had drowned in the infamous Ribbon Creek punishment march at M.C.R.D. P.I.S.C.

I was so impressed at the appearance of the six pallbearers in full dress blues that I lived and breathed Marine Corps from then on.

I wouldn't miss a chance to travel to the Brooklyn Navy Yard when there would be an open house to board ships of the fleet but I always looked for the sea going Marines to admire their strack appearance and ask questions about the Corps.

A fond childhood memory.

CARSON A.M.
late of 4th Marines
' 63 ' 64 tour
service # 1973677
OOOORAAAH !!

I Thought So

In my office atop a bookcase there is a snap shot of me and a buddy with the Ike Jacket on. The picture was taken in the late winter at Millington, TN 1954. I look at it every day. Makes a man proud.

S/Sgt. Jim Reed I hate to disagree with your assessment of Pres. Eisenhower and his dislike for Marines. I was a Rhode Island state trooper and was assigned to an honor guard at the Univ. of Rhode Island when the president gave an address. Upon leaving his motorcade passed within three feet of me. The Lincoln convertible stopped right in front of me. I was at parade rest when I heard this voice say "where you in the army son?" I replied "No Sir Mr. President, United State Marines." He smiled and said "I thought so" and his car moved on. I will never forget that. He knew there was a difference.

Cpl. Harv Simmons
1953 - 1955

Sniper

I'm a former Scout/Sniper from STA 1/8 and STA 2/8.

Got this tat on my back recently.

Hard To Believe

Just recently started reading Sgt Grit News. I guess I am considered one of the old salts. Hard to believe it's been this long. Enlisted @ 17 1/2 Jan 11 1960 Platoon 305 PISC. When we went to Camp Gieger ITR I was the only one in my company that could not be served a beer. The one time we were allowed a to go to the club I had soda. Not a bad thing I guess.

My MOS was 1141 Electrician and I've been one ever since .I served 4 years active 2 inactive reserve.

Never regretted it. Being a former Marine I love reading the News.

Brings back old memories and some things I've even forgotten.

Lately in the past few years a group of us that joined around the same time get together at a local Legion or VFW and relive the old days.

We try to make it on November 10th or close to it.

Semper Fi
R.M.Krawczynski
CPL E4
USMC

Calling Them Out

Sgt Grit, I can definitely relate....have spotted a few phony brave types...claiming to be Marines, decorated and spooks, very hush hush groups ...nudge nudge wink wink. I normally go yeah right and just walk away. Now I am only an HM1 (Retired after 20plus years with Marines) but these guys just torque my jaws. They are a disgrace..most of them could not even do a basic Marine pull-up let alone a force march and yet they claim to be decorated combat types (EVEN HAD ONE claiming he served in DS1 at the dustup in Khafji and yet he did not know any of the c/m who were there.

How likely is it that a Marine would not know his own platoon Corpsman? It infuriates me when some wannabe tries to pass as a been there done that but so far I have just bitten my tongue but no longer when I see them or hear them I am calling them out
Dennis J Herdina, aka Old Doc, HM1 1968 to 1994 retired

Iwo Sand

Sgt. Grit, just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to own a little bit of the sacred sand of Iwo Jima. It took me a little while to find how I wanted to present this peace of Marine Corps history but I finally figured it out. I have attached a picture and hope all will enjoy.

It will always be displayed proudly. Semper Fi

Rick Anthony
CWO-4, USMC, Retired

No One Was Issued Ammo

I enlisted in the Navy Reserve in February of 1964. Having spent the prior two years majoring in Pabst and Party at the local college, I found myself starring down at a cancelled educational deferment and I needed to move fast to avoid the Army.

Little did I realize, that by the end of one year's time, I would attend San Diego NTC, then up to Balboa Naval Hospital as a Corpsman Striker. The most dreaded topic between myself and the other Corpsman was the MOS designator 8404: Field Medical Service Technician (FMF). Well, my orders came through and I was chaperoned to Camp Delmar. Our DI was a SSgt Ybarra and he quickly put the rubber on the roadway. Ybarra was strict and didn't tolerate any BS. And another note about Ybarra, he loved to run - morning, noon and night. He never faded even when running with a potential Olympic champion (A Marine on the base). We soon learned that bad unit performance meant extended runs, which provided a strong lesson regarding team work.

The week before graduation our training company received our Marine uniforms, Dress Greens, fatigues, new covers and other Marine Corps items. We had learned: how to function among Marines; fire and clean the M-14 and the 1911A1, A Corpsman's TO weapon, yes I can still field strip one with a blindfold over my eyes; how to transport wounded Marines in several different vehicles and became very good runners. Later in my tour, I would silently thank Ybarra for the knowledge that would save my life. The Trip: Delmar to San Diego, boarded the USNS Barrett and sailed to Hawaii, Japan and finally Okinawa. Between Hawaii and Japan we ran into the remnants of a typhoon, the Barrett stayed in one spot on the ocean for over 24 hours. The ship's decks were cleared and no one was allowed outside the watertight hatches. When looking out a small porthole in the hatch, one second you would see nothing but sky and the entire ship would shutter and shack as the screws came out of the water, the next second all you could see out of the porthole was water and you could watch the water sweep the deck. With rough weather comes Sea Sickness, I am not sure how many hundreds of Marines were aboard the Barrett, but I can speculate that probably 80% were very sick. The urinals in the Head were filled with YUK and the decks were covered with the same. Thank God for floor drains, they were opened and a fire hose was used to clean up the mess.

We finally reached Okinawa, my orders sent me to 3rd FSR at Sukrian. I would be there for about 2 months and was then transferred to Camp Hansen where I joined Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. This was in late April of 1965. During May my company was trained at the Amphibious Raider School, shortly after this training, A/1/9 and other Marine outfits were transported aboard the US Okanogan to DaNang. A WWII landing with us climbing down cargo nets into landing craft was undertaken on June 14, 1965. Interestingly, no one was issued ammo for 2 weeks. We laid around in tents to acclimatize our bodies to the intense heat. Then with ammo pouches finally loaded, we embarked on short range patrols around the DaNang Airbase. Our Company was move to the southwestern corner of the airbase runaway, the first week there witnessed a couple of sappers get through the wire and throw satchel charges into a couple C130s. About a month later we moved to the northern area of Marble Mountain, nothing was there. Just open acres of sand - The Seabees came and constructed wooden tent frames and 1/9 Battalion Area was formed. My platoon moved south trough a tiny hamlet and located operations at The Water Point. Amtrak's and Tanks moved in with us and provide very good security. Later we moved south again, close to a Leper Hospital. We conducted sweeps, ambushes and patrols around the clock and for 1 weekend every month we got liberty in DaNang, hot showers and three hots with clean cots

Over the last 40 years I have been told by some Marines that I wasn't a Marine. At one time, I would set them straight, today I simply say "Your Right". Then I have flashbacks enter my mind and I can see the Marines that I had taken care of. Last year, the Navy issued a FMF Corpsman Device, a really nice jester for us old Docs, I have one in my display case along with the many Unit Awards that 1/9 received. I am extremely proud of my service with Marines and hold the entire experience in a very special place in my heart and mind.

Semper Fi Marines
Doc Scott

Housewife

Sgt. Grit

I just wanted to add my Dollar and a half in on the statement of " No In Country Pictures , you were not there" comment. I don't have any of me or any of my fellow brother/sister Marines in country, does this mean I wasn't there in the RVN from February to July of 1969, when I was injured in an explosion and was medevac to DaNang then to Japan then to Charleston Naval Hospital,SC . I don't have any Tats either, even after 19yrs 7mths in the beloved Corps. The injury from July 1969 got worse and knocked me out of my career in the Marine Corps in February 1988. My career was over at 39 yrs old. Still no pictures of me L/Cpl John V. Farley Jr. in country. I mustered out as a MSGT of Marines in February 1988. My working MOS was a 3500. I do hope he knows what a 3500 MOS is or maybe I wasn't in the Corps either !

The only thing I do agree with him on is his deduction of this person he was speaking with, not being in our beloved Corps, due to answers received. There is always going to be a "want-a-be" or a "have done" in life, just don't put someone in that category because this person cannot come up with pictures.

Just a foot note here, all of my military and personal belongings I had in country and in Oky were lost, do to mishandling while in transit to me. I had to get a complete re-issue of work and dress uniforms after being released from the Charleston Naval Hospital,SC, but no pictures or personal belongings were ever re-issued.

So in closing I have a easy quiz question for y'all, do you remember what a "Housewife" is in the Corps ? Ponder on that one ! Semper-Fi

MSgt John V. Farley Jr - Medically Retired
USMC 1968 - 1988
MCRD,Parris Island - Platoon 3019, H company, 3rd Battalion

School Of Infantry

Sgt Grit,

Just had a response for the Sgt asking about the Infantry Training below and a response to another comment made. What use to be called Infantry Training School is now the School of Infantry and it is made up of 4 battalions- Infantry Training Battalion (MOS 03XX), Marine Combat Training (All non 03XX MOSs) and the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion (not sure on name-visit usmc.mil to find out for sure). They are still apart of MCB Camp Pendleton, and are located still at Camp San Onfre.

As far as the plea to find out if boot camp has eased up in standards, hate to say it but it has changed a lot. I was there practically yesterday (one year ago) and it has gotten almost to the ARMY boot camp standards. Stress cards, being able to step out of formation to hydrate, and best of all CAMEL BACKS, no canteens.

And to the person who did not like the doc wearing the Marines Hat, Corpsman are Navy but they get the Corps from saving Marines. Some FMF Corpsman should have the same title as Marines. Corpsman deserve to be held to the same title as we (Marines) do. Some Marines might complain about Corpsman wearing Marine gear but they wont complain when they needed help and they yell "Corpsman Up" or "Doc" and one comes flying out of no were to help them.

Semper Fi Marines/Docs.
LCpl K. Orbinati, USMC
MCB Camp Pendleton Postal

Never Had To Pay

Re: Marine John Klein's question regarding the name for infantry training after boot camp. In 1967, on the East coast, infantry training was at Camp Geiger adjacent to Camp Lejeune. It was called Infantry Training Regiment back then. I had "O" Company from about August to December 1967. O Company was infantry training for non-03 types. Every Marine is not only a rifleman but at least back then also had fired and handled most of the weapons organic to an infantry battalion. I had a standing offer of a case of beer to anyone who threw a hand grenade further than me. I never had to pay up.

Larry Malby, RVN 1968.

RE code 4

Hey Sgt Grit
I am a former Marine 80-84 active , never saw combat but was more than willing to give back to those who took the lives of my brothers in Lebanon. I wasn't a model Marine ( not many were then ) in fact I was court marshaled out of the Corps ( Honorable discharge But RE code 4 ) . At my court marshal all my office hours were shown to the panel and all my punishments , The witnesses that made statements on my behalf all said the same thing only in different words . " In the field or if it was a wartime situation , Pvt Turkington is the one they would want backing them . In garrison Pvt Turkington needs to learn to control his aggression " . I believe in honor and being honest so I won't lie an say that the only reason I was giving the honorable discharge was how good I was in the field , But the fact that the Navy Commander in charge of the panel had giving me a letter of accommodation only 2 weeks prior . I believe the only reason is it would have looked bad to the Commander to boot me dishonorably right after the letter 2 weeks prior. All that said I still love the Corps an what it stands for and I always will . I feel honored to have done the full 4 years active that I had signed up for ( just didn't get to do the 2 inactive ) . To this day I still have brother Marines yell out Semper Fi to me an I respond with a resounding OOOOORAH . Maybe other Marines may not consider me being booted from Corps as still being a Marine but I feel that I did what very few can say or did . To all my brothers in the Corps active or not Semper Fidelis .

Once a Marine always a Marine
Keith Turkington

Glad I Waited

Sgt. Grit.

I came upon your site and thought I'd share my tattoo so that it can be added to your collection. Although I didn't get it until I was out for a few years, I'm glad I waited to be sure it was something I'd be proud of.

Cpl. Barron
Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion
USMC

Dress Blues for Enlisted Marines

Armed Forces News Issue
Friday, September 7, 2007

Marines are known for their traditional dress blue uniforms, but most enlisted Marines who wanted to wear blues have had to buy them. This will change Oct.
1, 2007, when the Marine Corps will start issuing dress blues to all enlisted Marines as part of their initial uniform issues. Those who entered the Marine Corps before Oct. 1 and did not receive dress blues during recruit training

will begin receiving an increase to their annual clothing replacement allowance beginning Oct. 1. Because the increase will take four years to equal the cost of a dress blue uniform, the mandatory possession date for all enlisted Marines will be Oct. 1, 2011. For more information, see MarAdmin504/07 of Aug. 23, 2007.

A Little Flash Back

Semper Fi. i'am a vietnam era Marine 3rd .battalion 5th Marines, 3/5 get some 81 motor f/o just like to say welcome home to all my brother's that made it. (some gave all and all gave some) . to all you 3rd,bn. 5th. Marine's ( oh 3/5 oh 3/5 is a h&ll of a place , this organization, a f--king disgrace, for the captain's and major's and lt. col. too with hand's in their pockets with nothing to do, but in the rice paddies, they scream and they shout about many thing's they know nothing about for the good that they do, they might as well bs shoveling sh!t in the south china, sea so ring a ding ding and blow it out your *ss better day's are coming bye and bye bull sh!t, you'll wonder where the yellow went when (na palm) hits the orient ) just a little flash back for ya GET SOME sgt.

nick yankanich 3rd. bn. 5th. Marine's h/s co. 81 mortor's 68/69 i love youall semper fi.

He Slowed Down Enough

With respect to people who pretend that they are Marines, let me offer my own story.

About 20 or so years ago, I ran into this kid that told me he had just recently gotten out of the Corps. I immediately knew he was bull sh*tting me, but I played along. He went on to tell me that he had been in Force Recon. I asked him where he had been stationed. He went on to tell me that he had been at Camp Pendleton, and he even knew enough to tell me that he had been at Camp Talega. So, I asked him what company he was in...He told me Bravo company.

So, I said really -- we must have chewed up a lot of the same ground together. The kid was till not tracking, so I let him dig a bit deeper. Who was your first sergeant? He made up some bull sh!t name. What squad were you in?

3d squad...Who was your squad leader...etc....

Finally, he slowed down enough to ask me what I had done in the Corps. I was in Bravo Company, 1st Recon Battalion. It was definitely not Force Recon, but Battalion Recon -- and the first sergeant was Gunnery Sergeant Jarrell, I don't know the name you mentioned. I don't remember you...When were you there? How many Marines were in Bravo Company, maybe we just missed each other? (Wink, wink, poke, poke, nod, nod).

Oh, I don't know, a couple hundred. I was there in 1980-1981.

Well, when I was there in 1980-1981, there weren't a couple of hundred. You must be pulling my chain--I don't recall there being 200 Marines in the 1st battalion...

He gave me a bunch of attitude for letting him go on for 10 minutes if I knew he wasn't telling the truth. I let him know that it is obvious to everyone who knows that he is not a Marine and that he is only diminishing himself by pretending. I suggested that he either see if he has what it takes to become a Marine, or go find something else to be proud of instead. That way he won't have to continue wasting his and everyone else's time with bull sh*t.

Mark Lurtsema
USMC Rifleman
1980-RIP

She Writes

Howdy Grit.
This is a pic of a friend of mine that supports the Corps. She writes to a Marine L/Cpl in-country that she has never met and sends him packages regularly. It's great that we have people in this country that will do that. I sent her one of your items that I think she looks marvelous in.

Semper Fidelis.
Ed Johnson LtCol USMC (Ret)

1911-A1 Stuck In Your Belt

Sgt Grit,

According to my 1954 copy of the Marine Corps Manual, the short, bloused jacket (similar to the Army "Ike" jacket) was called the "Battle Jacket". In those days if you were off Base in Utilities, (what we called our work dungarees), you were out of Uniform! With the battle jacket and green trousers, you could put on a helmet, leggings, and cartridge belt, and you were ready for any thing. With the bloused waist, you could easily carry a 1911-A1 stuck in your belt. Can you believe? it was legal then. A 1911-A1 cost $ 20.00 in those days.

Jim Reed S/Sgt, platoon 101, 1948 service 1948-1952 and 1954-55

Well. I Ran In

Hey, Sgt. Grit!

Got another story about these frauds who like to brag about being in the Corps. I was wearing one of your great polo shirts, “Quantico Alumni.” This guy at the gym says “I was an officer in the Marines.” Now I don’t know any jarhead who would start a conversation that way so I replied, “Oh, what was your MOS?” When he said “What?” I just shook my head and said “You weren’t in the Corps.” He then said (can you believe this?) “Well, I ran in the Quantico Relays.” He never looked me in the eye again even though we saw each other regularly at the gym!

Gary Nash
Former 0302

3 Up, Six Down

OORAH SGT,
Thought you might get a kick out of this.

THE MARINE WANNA BE CONVICT

I spent 4 years in the Corps. and now work at a state prison down here in Florida. I am very proud of my Corps. and have multiple Marine Corps. tattoos and my truck is decorated with highly opinionated stickers from you. Well, back in July of 2007 I came across an inmate in his early 30's that had the misspelled words Semper Fidelis very badly tattooed across the top of his back in old English script. I spotted it and while keeping a professional officer to inmate barrier I confronted the inmate and greeted him with an oorah before asking him where he had served. He stated that he was a gunny with the 3rd MARINES out of Okinawa from 1980 to 1984. My eyebrows raised as he went on about his tour. I, like any other true Devil Dog asked more questions and paid close attention to the times and places he stated he had been. I guess he had noticed my tattoo's and was possibly trying to manipulate me or the other correctional officer/Marines that work with me for who knows what. Maybe because even though we are all out of service, new and old, the Marine/officers that I work with and I have retained that brotherhood mentality and he was trying to tap into it. I was surprised and caught on. His answers were incredibly wrong. First, I asked him about his rank. He again stated that he was a Gunny. I said what did the rank look like back then. He said 3 up, 6 down, with a diamond in the center for excellence...lol. I played along and went on to ask him if he had ever visited the birthplace of the Corps., he said yes and that it was in Texas. I was struggling to keep a straight face by this point. Now for the best part, I closed the conversation with saying "have a good day Tufelhunden"....while still giving the benefit of the doubt that prison might have jarred his memory. He turned and looked at me kinda strange and yelled WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?! As I walked away he said he didn't speak Spanish. I hope you enjoy this letter. I laughed about it for days.

SEMPER FI!
As requested,
my name is LCPL W. Woolley
C CO
1ST BN
3RD MAR
3RD MAR DIV
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.
MCBH KANEOHE BAY, HAWAII
MOS: 0311

Snot Locker

Am glad you are still on the backs of the wantabe, being 75 and still 6 3 and two hundred, do not do as i did, a young former Marine rode his record to death, when I challenged him, he said it was his constitutional right to claim to be whom he choose to be, well at 75 a karate chop at six o'clock to the snot locker did me a lot of good and i hope improved his looks, wife said you could get arrested, i said nope for our chief of police did his twenty also, may be old and fading but sure aint dead yet, n e white cwo 50 to 70 yep 37 years of retirement and would like to ship for an other 20, still lean and mean and would love to take the place of any young Marine in Iraq or where ever, semper fi to all Marines and to you sgt grit, do believe I'll try to get you nominated for the PULITZER PRIZE FOR THIS YEAR, FOR YOU ARE FOR REAL, KEEP YOUR NOSE TO THE WIND AND THE HECK OFF THE SKY LINE.

Nile White

Live Their Life

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I have a fairly simple solution to the Iraq mess, one that might tie up a couple of political loose ends and get the Viet. Vets the honor and glory that they so richly deserve. First the government allows us "old guys" under sixty five to get back in action and show these newbies how it is done. No holds barred and no white gloves to protect these cowards that hide behind women and children. Let us Vietnam veterans take on these insurgents and give them what they deserve, a massive house cleansing. Let us do what we were trained to do in Parris Island and San Diego in the 1960's. Start a job and finish a job! Granted this is probably a non-reality, but I for one would like to go over there and just let one of those kids come home to live their life as fully as I have. No parades or welcome home for us back then but we were still just as proud when we crossed that jet ramp at El Toro to get home. I know that there are alot of Vets who might and would jump at a chance to clean up the mess that our leaders left behind so long ago and 58,000 of our fallen brothers would appreciate a job well done and mission accomplished.

Chris Reaves, USMC 1964-1968
Da Nang Class of 1965, MAG-11,1stMAW

No Clandestine Ops

A note about phonies...
I have noticed that most of them were black ops, or "Phoenix", and cannot talk about it.
Or were Rambos, who took on the whole VC by themselves.
Medals all over surplus jackets, and vests.
Pictures are a good retort, but not a sure thing. Mine were all lost in a house fire. SO?
I was a former Gunny. 17 years in the service of mine country.
Parris Island to Quantico, Nam to Beirut, Somalia, to Columbia.
But, I was always a grunt. No "night", work, no clandestine ops, just a mud Marine.
333 tdy to every place Uncle Sam could imagine.
I feel sorry for those who think that the, "killing of fellow human beings", is something to brag about. Me? I did what I was told, hoped to h&ll I would live through it, and was scared to death most of the time.
Being a Marine is, and was the greatest experience in the world.
But at 17, I must have been insane.
Gunny Hawk FGormer USMC mud Marine mos 0311

I Scored A Possible

I joined the Corps on 20 September 1956 and was assigned to Platoon 1054 at MCRD. Parris Island was closed because of the deaths of some of S/Sgt Mckeon's recruits earlier that fall. We had some many DIs (11, I think) because of all of the inspections and subsequent dismissals. As I recall, since I was a smart *ss with and irrepressible sense of humor, I received a tad more than my share of "discipline". It did not leave a physical mark but it sure did make a lasting mental impression! :-)

We were issued the green wool blouse, battle jacket, two sets of trousers, c__t cap and barracks cover along with khaki and tropical shirts. The MarCor brown shoes were H&ll to polish. We had one guy in Comm School who polished his black. He got time in the brig for that when we stood inspection in the sun on the MCRD grinder! My feet were so small that I didn't get boots until half way through Boot Camp. I wore my boondockers all of the time. Later, at Pickle Meadows, I was issued green wool shirts. We had our chevrons sewn on to them. They were great sh!ts but, similar to my other uniforms, they seem to have "shrunk" over the years! :-)

After graduation, I went to ITR in Pendleton where I got double pneumonia and pleurisy and ended in the Naval Hospital. When I was cured, they sent me directly to Comm school so I never completed ITR.

I scored a "possible" on the A/NGCT so I went to Comm School at MCRD and became a 2533, I never again carried a rifle but had a .45 in a shoulder holster. Then, I became a 2572 and so I sometimes had a .38 in a hip holster.

My son is a serving Captain that was with 2/5 during the Iraq invasion and is going back in October for another tour. He tells me that I was in a "different" Marine Corps and was a Marine so long ago that I am not really a Marine anymore. :-)

Although I was supposed to have been fairly bright, I have a mimeographed sheet stored in my Boot Camp graduation book that reminds me that, on occasion, I am dumb as a post. It is a copy of my "Extension for the good of the service". My MOS was rare so I was convinced by some senior Marines to extend for a little "excursion" the Corps had in mind. Boy was I dumb and impressionable! :-)

Semper Fidelis;
William H. "Bill" Sills III
1634435 USMC
(1956-1962)
father of Captain William H. Sills IV

Still Laughing

To answer the question by Sgt. J.M.Klein, back in 1973, it was called ITS. I remember I was sent in 73, STC-ITS. Special Training Company-Infantry Training School. I grew up in Orange County and when I would go on liberty, I remember telling my Parents how I was assigned to "Special Training Company". My father who was a Korean Veteran knew better. He told me that if I ever had a chance to volunteer for communications to jump on it. I would get to ride on the jeep and operate the radio. I did volunteer for it first chance I got. Well......I was given a radio......on my back with a back pack and up Recon Hill I went. Next time I went home I told my Dad about it and he just laughed his head off. It was his way of teaching me that volunteers are assigned and I should never volunteer for anything. Where ever you are up there Dad, I'm still laughing at that one.

Semper Fi Marines
S/Sgt Alvarez

I Left Room

Sgt Grit:

My name's Sgt Rodriguez from Headquarters Battalion Marine Corps Base Hawaii as the S-3 Training NCO. I wanted a moto tat but I didn't want the traditional USMC or SEMPER FI(DELIS) so I had a buddy of mine draw up a variation of the tattoo I have now. The original he came up with didn't have equal ink on both sides so I had the artist from 808 Tattoo tweak it and this is the masterpiece that developed. If I do pick up rank if I re-enlist, I left room for promotion under.

Semper Fi,
Sgt Rodriguez

Oh, All Over

Hey Sarge, In you last letter, Robert A. Hall wrote: 'Now a Marine will almost always give his unit down to the company. He said his MOS was 2531 Radio Operator, so he knew that. I asked where he served. "Oh, all over," he said. Couldn't pin him down to a location or a unit--probably worried I'd know people he should know. Definitely a phony.' What Mr. Hall does not know is that the 2500 series MOS was mostly classified radio communications done by Marines who were from several different units from all over the pacific & 2nd Marine Div. These Marine were part of the 3rd MAF and formed into small units located "All Over". To this day, Marines ask me the same question. "What unit were you with". The answer can get a little complicated. Well, in 1963 at Phu Bai it was as small detachment from the 1st Composite Radio Co. from Hawaii attached to the Army's 3rd Radio Research Unit and in 1966 & 1967 it was with Co "E" Marine Support Battalion from Kami Seya Japan, but I was attached to units in country from 1st Radio Battalion and units from 2nd Radio Battalion. Where was I? Like the man said, "All Over". From DaNang to Hill 327, to Dong Ha and all points North, East & West of there, including 33 days on the Rock Pile. When ever the Marine Corps needed valuable information on enemy position or strength, there were two methods of getting the information. Recon, or the 2500 series MOS Marines who were known as "Spooks". Read any book written by or about Marine Recon units, and you will see the "Spooks" mentioned. In short, if Mr. Hall were to meet me and ask the same questions, he would get the same answers. Oh, by the way - I'm not a phony!

S/Sgt T.B. Dudley 1993818 Viet Nam Vet 1963, 1966 & 67. (Several MOS's in the 2500 series)

A Swabby Could Handle

Hey Sarge!
Love your newsletter! I went through SDiego MCRD in September, 1953, and I don’t remember any yellow foot prints at Receiving Barracks. We came aboard at 0130 and were met by a small (don’t let size fool you) Marine Sergeant of Filipino descent. He sounded like he had a PA system in his mouth….needless to say, he got our attention immediately. We were issued a “bucket” with a grey sweat shirt, tooth brush, razor, soap, laundry brush and I don’t remember what else. At first, I noticed that there was not a comb…the next day I found out why. I am sure glad I bought one of those boot camp memory books…….my pic is in there several times…..Plt 379, Co C. On mess duty, I served the Commandant of the U.S. Marines and the Commandant of the Canadian Marines……..at the Sea School Mess hall. One of the big memories of boot camp is the day we received 11 shots in both arms…6 in one, 5 in the other. Lined up in a Quonset were Corpsmen with needles…when I received my last shot, the needle broke off in my arm…..I didn’t know this until the Corpsman ran after me….calling me everything a Swabby could handle. My Dad was a Marine in WWI…..so, he told me to keep my mouth shut and nose clean. I did…and got through boot camp without being shot….

The Marine that said he took cold weather training in Big Bear, CA. I never knew the Marines had a training camp there. I took mine at “Pickle Meadows”, near Bishop, CA. Colder than a well digger’s you know what in the winter time!! ITR (Infantry Training Regiment as it was called then) was at CamPen, CA.

SF
Lawrence D. Morrell, Ph.D.
Albuquerque, NM
Sgt USMC Korea

Sorta Makes Me Proud

I read the stories about the phony Marines. In a small way it sorta makes me proud that someone would try to pretend to be what makes us Marines. I am not saying it is right or wrong but when you think how it was back in the 70's to wear your uniform in the street and get spit on, we have come a long way to now guys actually wanting to be us. In any regard it takes a special person to get through boot camp no matter what era it is and a special person to wear the Eagle Globe and Anchor. All I know is the day that S/Sgt Frevvel called me Marine was nothing sort of being one of the highlights of my life and the only things that are better is my marriage and kids. You can always tell a real Marine cause there is passion with every thing he talks about even if it is negative, my wife always tells me she can spot a Marine by the look in his eye. When I ask how she says that we all have this look and we may have different facial features and all we have a look, can't figure that one but she is usually on the money 8 out of 10 times. I have a friend who left for Iraq on the 29th and he enlisted due to stories he heard from me a friend named Joe who was with the 1st Mar Div in 67-69. We both pleaded with him to go Air Force or something that would give him a career when he got out but he said that listening to us talk made him want to feel what it was to be or to have that kind of pride and when I saw him in his Greens after he graduated PI it gave me a felling of well I had tears in my eyes and goose bumps all over. You can not pretend to be what we are cause if you don't feel it you can never be it. I had an experience once when I came home from PI at Columbia U. I had to be escorted off the campus and was spit on and called all kind of names because I was in my Greens. H&ll I was fresh out of PI and hadn't left the country and was called names. I never wore my uniform on leave and always had a hat on not to draw attention to myself after that. And it stayed that way till operation desert storm. Something went off in my head then and I needed to get back into the Corps. and be with my brothers over there but was too old, but I came out of my shell with that and now I am not ashamed to say what I have been proud of for 40 years, I AM A US MARINE and will be till the day I die. Semper Fi to all the real ones

CPL L Garry
Delta 1/9 / Bravo 2/5
70 / 72

782 Gear

I was looking at some pictures in boot camp in '53 and we were still issued the herringbone with the patch pockets and some still had the inside pocket, all with metal buttons. I don't recall getting a Battle Jacket then but I do have some pics when I was in Japan in '55 and one of me on the drill field in '58 wearing a battle jacket and my campaign cover. Don't recall the yellow foot prints then either - 58-59. Was nice to see the post showing MGen Wornham and BGen Weede as the respective CG's and I remember them well. MajGen Wornham and my old man went waayyyy back and I've got some pics with him when I graduated from DI school. Got some pics with BGen Weede as part of the depot rifle/pistol team, and even a pic with me and General Pate when he visited the depot. BGen Krulak came aboard to replace BGen Weede just before I left the depot in late '59. Each year I feel more and more like a dinosaur. And, I seem to recall part of our 782 gear was an animal skin for a blanket, and a stone club.......

Semper Fi
Rocky

The Bull

Sgt Grit

I have asked this before but either did not get a reply or I some how missed it...During WW11 at El Toro Marine Base was a Sgt/Major named Albert Gordon...every called him "The Bull"..as he was a tough old guy who had been in the Corps forever..he was tough on everyone in the Squadron when we were in a group, but go to him on a one to one basis and he bent over backwards to help you out. Last I heard of him was( and I don't know if this is true as I was shipped out before the Sqd. was sent over seas) that when my "old outfit" was sent overseas as a unit, he was transferred to a unit staying states side...that when this happened and they would not change his orders, he took his file in to a young Lt. on night duty and placed his file on the desk and said, " You need to mark this deceased, Sir." The Lt. asked who is it...who died?" At that point Sgt. Gordon pulled a .45 from behind his back and said I did Sir." And he blew his brains all over the desk and the Lt. They said the Lt. ran screaming from his office...

Does anyone reading this remember "The Bull"?

Ask One Question

Sgt. Grit:

I would like to respond to the article by Mr. Kenneth Raglind, printed and sent on the 29th of August 2007, newsletter.

In his article he mentions his three DI's, one of which was a dear friend of mine. I refer to SSgt. Hatton, of platoon 109, 1st RT Bn.

I first met SSgt. Hatton in the fall of 1964, shortly after completing the rigorous Drill Instructors School at MCRD. He was a Sgt and already a seasoned Drill Instructor.

My first platoon was 1001, "C" Co., 1st Bn. as a JDI..He made SSgt on the field, and after his tour of duty was sent to Camp Pendleton, and thusly where we all ended up in the Republic of Viet-Nam. He distinguished himself in combat (1/5) during the 1968 Tet Offensive.. Anyway he eventually was promoted through the ranks to SgtMaj. He was residing in southern California, near his beloved Corps base, Camp Pendleton.

I have heard a rumor that he has passed away..This I'll find out when I attend this years DI reunion in San Diego..I certainly hope not..

In addition, to other comments about the "Phonies", ask one question..What did you think of the infamous yellow foot prints? How was your bucket issue? If they say any thing but oh my God, are they still there? Then they are probably a Marine and have been to MCRD, SD for boot camp.

Fred Roberts
1919245
SSgt. USMC
1960-1969

Considered A Misunderstood Person

Sgt Grit, Thanks for your coverage on Phonies. During May 2004, the local newspaper carried an article about the guest speaker for the upcoming Memorial Day program. He was listed as a retired Marine Major and his 20 ribbons included 11 of the top 18. Two of them were awards usually given to senior officers and ranked higher than the Silver Star. That piqued my curiosity as I would like to meet him. I called the VFW/AmLegion contact person to inquire about the 'major'. I asked if anyone had reviewed his DD214. The response was that he had worked in Marine Intelligence and his records were sealed. Suspicion grew as I had retired after spending the majority of my career in the Counterintelligence field and knew of no Marines whose records were sealed. The contact acknowledged that he had to tell the 'major' that his ribbons were not be worn in the proper precedence. I suggested that they might not want to have this guy as their guest speaker as a lot of what I was seeing and hearing sounded false. Well, the VFW Post Commander ignored my warning and the 'major' gave his speech on Memorial Day. I followed up on it and got a video tape copy of the ceremony and speech. It was a lot of history of the military etc. Checking out the 'major' who had claimed to have been in Viet Nam from 1971-76, I learned that he graduated from high school in 1971 and supposedly was commissioned in Dec that year and immediately sent to Viet Nam to work special ops for the CIA. The AmLegion/VFW were using the 'major' as their bugler for Honor Guard ceremonies at funerals. He had a photo in the local paper in mid-June where he was wearing a Campaign (Smokey Bear) cover with an enlisted emblem rather than the gold officer emblem with the red cord and pogeybait whistle on it. Through active duty contacts, it was learned that the 'major' had never been in the Marine Corps or any other branch of service. ;The guy continued in the local VFW/AmLegion Posts and I finally went to a VFW meeting under the guise of joining. During the meeting, he was referred to as 'major' and twice got up to talk about something. After the meeting, several of the old guys came over to welcome me into the Post. I observed the 'major' standing off to the side watching and he finally came over to talk to me. I said that I heard that he was a Marine also and asked about his service. When he told me that he had been in the special ops unit in DaNang, I asked who the CIA Ops Officer was then as I had been the Team Chief of the 3rd CI Team in DaNang at that time, having almost daily contact with the CIA folks. He could not remember and as I casually asked questions, he dug himself in deeper saying that his DD214 was frozen because of the classified work that he had been doing. After about 15 minutes of BS, I told him that he had been checked out and found to have never been in the military, that I was on line with more than 300 Marines who had served in the Intelligence field during the past 50 years and none had ever heard of him. His jaw began to quiver and he stuttered. I told him that there are about a hundred Marines who want to know where he lives as they would like to kick his *ss. He had picked the wrong branch of service to lie about. He was turning pale as I chewed him out, hadn't done that since my retirement 28 years earlier. Because the VFW/AmLegion had failed to do anything about him, I told him that he best get out of both of those Posts immediately and we would watch him for the rest of his life should he try to pull a similar stunt in another town. He called me the next morning and said that he was resigning from both units and would send me copies of his resignations. He apologized in writing to all Marines for what he had done. I gave copies of the resignation letters and a letter the phony 'major' had given to me to a reporter from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The next morning, an article was printed and gained lots of attention. Four TV crews eventually came 50 miles out to my house to interview me. Naturally, a half hour interview ended up to about two minutes on the 10 o'clock (2200) News. I spoke to FBI Special Agent Cottone in NJ. He had exposed several of these phonies. He said that I had enough evidence for them to open an investigation. Six months later, I received a call from the local FBI office and another special agent came out and looked at the video and the documentation showing where the 'major' was falsely representing himself. I said that if the FBI did not want to follow up and prosecute the guy, we planned to go to the US Dept of Justice. He took it to the US Attorney's office, who subsequently contacted me the next day and said that he was going to prosecute the guy. Long story short, it was tried as a misdemeanor and the 'major' got two years probation, 100 hours of community service and had to undergo mandatory mental health treatment. We wanted confinement but had to settle for what the &^%$)% Judge ruled. The guy has not left town and is considered a misunderstood person with mental problems by many. In any event, I wanted to pass this on for those readers who do suspect someone of being a phony that they can pursue the case and get some action. Since then, it has been observed that many more of these phonies are being prosecuted which we are happy to see.

Semper Fi,
Jim Krudwig, MGySgt USMC Retired 1954-76

Immediately Went Over

These stories of phony Marines are unbelievable, but would explain an encounter that I had a couple of weeks ago. I work with three other former Marines. I served as O331, Infantry Machinegunner from 1988 - 1996 with "B"Co, 1st Bat, 23 Marines, 4th MarDiv. I am 42 years old, still lean, I still proudly wear a high and very tight flat top haircut, and attempt at all times to carry the pride of being a Marine everywhere that I go. When I arrived at work on this day, I noticed one of the senior managers sitting with a customer filling out paperwork. This customer was decked out in in his khakis with SgtMaj insignia. I immediately went over and gave a big, "Semper Fi Marine," as I do whenever I see anything that tells me that one is a Marine. Without even a glance at me, he scolded me and told me, "In the old Corps we said Semper Fidelis. You don't even know what that means." I was furious! But, as I need this part time job for the health insurance, I did not invite him outside to discuss what I do know. He did not look older than me, so he could not have gone in much prior to me. So, how old could his, "Old Corps," have been? Later, I got several accounts from the other former Marines and many others who were not Marines who were shocked at the way this alleged Marine talked to everybody. I was explaining that his behavior did not represent the Marine Corps in any way, and that I was shocked. I said that day that I felt that he was not a real Marine and that he may be wearing his father's uniform to impress somebody. After reading the stories of phony Marines, that would explain my beliefs about this guy. What kind of self-loathing freak of nature would ever stoop so low? I remember Former President Reagan(OOH RAH) saying, "Semper Fi, Marines," in a speech when I was younger. If it was good enough for him, then it is d*mn sure good enough for me. So, I believe that I ran into an imposter. And, if I am wrong, then SgtMaj, I hope that you read this and remember me. All Marines deserve respect, even from you.

Cpl Richard Barnard
B Co., 1/23rd, 4thMarDiv

Sheep Sh**

Hi Sgt. Grit,

In response to John M. Klein’s question about Infantry Training in boot camp. In 1963 it was called ITR (Infantry Training Regiment) at San Onofre, Camp Pendleton. At that time we spent 12 weeks at MCRD San Diego and four weeks at ITR. We lived in Quonset huts in December and it would get pretty chilly and we would occasionally get the oil fired stove in the middle of the hut going to keep us warm.

After ITR we were sent home on a 20 day leave and then back to Camp Pendleton. I was also a 0351 (anti-tank assault man) with the 106 platoon, H&S company, 1/7/1 at Camp Las Pulgas. I was assigned as a driver/assistant gunner, the 106 was mounted on a vehicle called a Mule.

I remember at Pulgas there was a mountain (Californians called them foothills but Midwesterners from IL call them mountains) and it was called Sheep Sh**, for obvious reasons, and we would run up and down that thing once or twice a week to keep in shape. We left for our overseas tour in May of 1964.

One more item, I was one of the fortunate 400 to win the ‘Sands of Iwo Jima.’ I have it placed in a framed photo of the flag raising. It’s hard to explain the emotions you feel when you’re holding it and thinking of those brave Marines who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Semper Fi,
Joe Collins
Marine Veteran

Chosin Reservoir

Check out this wonderfully stirring five minute video about the Marines fighting at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. In one of the coldest winters ever recorded, a Marine division was completely surrounded on all sides by 10 Chinese divisions (a Chinese division is larger than an American division) whose sole purpose was to destroy the Marines. The Marines annihilated all ten of the Chinese Communist divisions and made it all the way out down to the sea, leaving no one and nothing behind. All dead and wounded and all equipment was taken home. God bless America, the Marine Corps and the "Chosin Few."

Semper Fi,
Chris Pangalos

Short Rounds

I'm writing in response to the article "They Usually Burned". I was in from 1999-2003. I went to P.I. and from there to Camp Geiger where we called it S.O.I. or School of Infantry. During that month we fired all weapons common to the infantry, it was definitely the beginning to a kick-*ss job. If any fires were started on any of the ranges all firing would stop and the fires would have to be put out immediately.
Jason P. Keating
K co 3/3

MCRD July 1961 PLT 243 When we were issued our Greens some of the guys got two blouses some got one blouse and a battle jacket. Went TAD Camp Pendleton MP 's in 63 or 64 .We had to go into Oceanside and buy a Battle Jacket if we did not have one. I never heard it called a Ike Jacket, That would mean some kind of connection to the ARMY. Now all the time I was in the Marines 1961/1967 anything that would connect us to the Army was not tolerated. Anyway that is how I remember it. Cpl. J.D. Gwiazdon 1927106 0811/ 3531 C- 1 - 11

With regards to "spotting phonies" it is very easy to figure them out. We have a very different way of referring to our units, etc.

Ray Robinson, Sea Duty 59-62 Admiral's orderly 1st Crusier Division--I-3-1 62-63.

Agreed, how I miss those days of waking up in the morning with a forearm in my chest.
OOH RAH!
MGySgt Gregoire
1979-present.

In response to Sgt John M. Klein's question about "Infantry Training School"... It was actually called Infantry Training Regiment or ITR. Unofficially, San Onofre was called "Tent Camp 2". Las Pulgas was "Tent Camp 1", and still called that, long after it ceased to be an ITR.
Semper Fi...Velcro

This is in response to HM3 Hinkle. Doc don't let some Marine who never needed your help in battle tell you that you have no right to wear the EGA. I feel you earned it by taking care of your Marines.

God Bless
Cpl.Bliss USMC ret

Ike/Battle Jacket. I believe they came out about the end of 45 as I saw several of the m when I returned to the states in Jan.46 and we referred to them as Eisenhower Jackets if my memory serves me, however I guess that no Marine wants to wear a garment that is army related and probably changed it to Battle Jacket to avoid the Army inference. Semper Fi Poppa Gene

Hey Sarge!
This old Jarhead lost most of his hair awhile back and finally decided to shave it all off. If ya don't need it..ditch it! After doing the deed I looked in the mirror and had a flashback to P.I. 1966, second battalion, platoon 251.

Now I'm getting these uncontrollable urges to take my dirty skivies out back and scrub them on the patio. Can you still get Octagon Soap?

H. Pritz

I was also on maneuvers with the 3rd Marine Division to Iwo in 1954. I was with H&S 1st Bn. 4th Marines, and was also at Nara, Japan. Iwo was the most interesting and lasting memory of all maneuvers

Semper Fi Al Simmons
Cpl. 1950-1955

went thru Parris Island in 53 and for six weeks thought i landed in h&ll. after six weeks thru thirteen i realized that we were getting hard and that this was great .i hope that they don't ease up on training as that's what gets you thru anything. the Corps is the greatest fighting force in the word .always was and will be forever. mac 1382633

Vote for "The Few, The Proud, The Marines"

You talk about battle jackets, well you haven't lived until you try to keep a starched khaki uniform unwrinkled for an inspection. We had to dress each other. Now to jackets try putting on a starched khaki battle jacket with no wrinkles. GOOD LUCK. Went home on thirty day leave from PI in starched khakis with battle jacket on a long grey dog, real fun trip.
Dave Erickson
GySgt 49-69, Gung-Ho

On people impersonating former Marines: Not that I don't think that people should be called on this, but think about how outstanding it is to belong to a group that people respect so much that some will fraudulently claim membership in that group. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then impersonation may be the sincerest form of showing how much society respects the Marine Corps.
Semper Fi,
David Johnson
USMCR, '91-'99

These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Thomas Paine

Attitude is Everything Coin

232 Years Birthday Ball Coin

Semper Fi
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Gung Ho
Sgt Grit

New Items

Embossed Black Leather Jacket Iwo Jima: 36 Days of Hell DVD U.S.M.C. Decal on White Vinyl MGYSGT Red/Gold Rank Decal on White Vinyl Semper Fidelis Not Just a Saying Bumper Sticker Custom Dogtag Black/Silver Boot Camp Sweatshirt Dreadnought Leathernecks Print See All Our New Items

Closeouts

Bulldog Cactus Shot Glass Marines Wine Opener Set I Love My Marine Shirt Black Rugged Hat Many new Clearance Items at a great price!

Sgt Grit Newsletter VS AmericanCourage Newsletter:

You receive both (alternating weeks)...so what's the difference?

In short...The AmericanCourage Newsletter has MORE family member stories, "support the Corps" stories from Marines, and patriotic quotes. It started after the events of Sept. 11, 2001 to give supporters of the Marine Corps and American patriots a voice.

The Sgt Grit Newsletter is HARD CORPS Marine! If you are interested in topics that delve into Marine Corps history, Corps Stories, Boot Camp and other things that "only a Marine might understand" - then be sure to read the Sgt Grit Newsletter (every other week) - More about the newsletter

Sgt Grit Marine Specialties
7100 SW 44th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73179
Call 866-776-2607