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Reading the latest newsletter where Sgt. Peggy Blum took offense
at the term BAM I couldn't help but remember an incident on Camp
Pendleton in 1970, prior to shipping out to Vietnam.
A bunch of
"newly" minted Marines, myself included, were on a bus heading
out for weekend liberty. There were other "seasoned" Marines on
board, along with a couple of Women Marines.
This one sergeant was feeling his oats and started using the BAM
reference toward this nice, respectable female sergeant. As we
were exiting the bus the female sergeant steps in behind the
Marine who was directing the inappropriate language and
reference. Just as he was about to step off the bus she says
"Hey Marine." When he turns around she nailed him right between
the eyes with a punch that landed so hard he fell out of the bus
and onto the ground. It was most outstanding!
And she had 15 fellow Marines, newly minted or not, standing
around her ready to go the distance with the seasoned guys if
need be. She had hit him so hard that he couldn't focus and just
walked away with his buddies. I learned a valuable lesson that
night. Don't judge a Marine by their gender. They are as tough
as you are.
Semper Fi,
Cpl Tom Gillespie
USMC 70-71
5 Years of GriTogethers - See our photo montage
View a collection of photos from the previous GriTogethers!
6th Annual GriTogether - May 16th! (NOTE: This date is a correction from what was send to your inbox)
Be there for the best USMC party around!
Get details
A Face No Marine Forgets
This shot taken at P.I. and worth thousands of words, appeared
in a Look Magazine story called "THE MARINE MACHINE" published
on August 12, 1969.
Jon Rodgers
Plt. 3137 "Eye" Co. 3rd Battalion RTR San Diego 7-24-69 to
9-30-69.
How many Of Us
Sgt. Grit;
In response to Roger Wares' letter in your 22 APR 09 newsletter:
Doc Ware, Marines never forget either. Every day I am reminded
of the Corpsmen that went out with us and brought most of us
back in one piece. Remember this Doc, you didn't give life to
the Marines that died in your care, you can't take credit for
taking it away. When it is a Marines' time to die, we die,
period. No modern medical miracle will keep us from that last
formation. Don't forget us but don't feel guilty that is was
our time to die.
How many Marines did Corpsmen save over the years? How many of
those Marines went on to lead productive lives that have an
impact on the lives of those around them? How many of us, Doc,
owe our lives to the skill and bravery of the Corpsman among us?
...how many grains of sand...?
Thanks Doc Ware.
Cpl. Mark Lanz, USMC Ret.
RSVN Graduate '69
If You Wanted To Be
Ladies and Gentleman,
About the terms BAM and HAM and all the other names that
were called (this also goes for PI vs SD). First let me say
that there is no great love than Marines for Marines. We've
always had pet names for each other like wing wiper, cannon
cocker, Remington raider, Hollywood Marine, Swamp Marine, etc.
I'm a grunt and d*mn proud of it but do you know what grunt
means. Well I was told that it the lowest form of Marine life
that crawled from the sea. I'm sure that some people use term
to be derogatory but most of don't mean it that way. I'm proud
to be called any of the Marine nicknames because it means that
someone, usually another Marine has recognized me as a Marine
and there is no greater honor. If you wanted to be Politically
Correct you should have joined the Air Force.
God Bless All that Serve our Great Nation,
Former CPL Bob. Lenz SN - 2207174 PI - PLT 1054 back in 1966
Cognac And Wine Kept Coming
Looking through this newsletter every month, I look for names
and events I can identify with. I have never met Cpl Bill
Finkel, and it may appear our paths have crossed. I was
intrigued by his "landing" somewhere in Greece but never
understood what went on.
It reminded me of a landing I participated in on the Med coast
of Spain in 1964 as part of an operation with the Spanish
Marines (operation Steel Pike, I think). I was with a Naval
gunfire and forward air control spotting team from 2nd ANGLICO.
The sea was rough, and the Spanish apparently had little
experience in net handling.
My Marine aviator partner, Rex Reilly, and I, fearing for our
lives and those of our men, sent down our Marines to handle the
nets. Our unit was to land with a Spanish platoon on the right
flank, which we did. We landed on a beach populated by cracker
box summer resort homes, all connected by concrete block back
yard fences on the beach side. We were met by the residents who
were lined up on the beach, watching us with amusement.
Fortunately one of the residents was a Paiute Indian and retired
AF Master Sgt from Arizona. During consultation with him, he
suggested that it was ok to go into the back yards, into the
homes, and out the front doors. We did that and continued on
with our landing exercise. We managed to climb uphill in 6 inch
deep sand and determine where we should really be, and continued
with the training.
Working with the Spanish Marines was a trip. About 6pm all the
canteens were collected and were later given back with cognac
for the evening. One evening a flamenco guitarist showed up and
entertained us. After the exercise was over we all convened
back on the beach, and it was probably two days before we were
picked up. Meanwhile the cognac and wine kept coming, and the
party continued. When we were picked up, we bid a fond farewell
to our Spanish friends for a fun exercise and a good time, and
headed back to the States.
Cpl Finkel stated he was ready to go into Cuba for some missile
business, and at that time I was a young 2nd Lt with the 2nd 155
mm self propelled gun battery. During this time I began to have
more of an appreciation of what the Marine Corps was all about.
I was amazed at how fast and efficiently got all that heavy
equipment, ammo, food, personnel records an other supplies to
the loading dock and were on our way to join our fellow Marines
in this mission. It was with some disappointment and relief when
we learned a landing would not take place, for we were ready and
willing to do our duty. Coincidentally, our ship went into
Charleston harbor to refuel and I went to the PX there to make
some purchases.
Later in life I learned that a present friend, a fellow Lion and
a Cuban refugee, was a Navy yeoman on the staff at the PX at
that time.
I miss my friends from the Corps, and those days will be forever
in my memory
Dick Thompson, Captain, USMCR, former E-3 US Naval Reserve.
You Will Wear Mine
Reading Jon Rodger's article about Sgt. Schultz's photo watching
them that they don't pass out - Sgt. Schultz was my Junior DI in
platoon 3236. Our feet landed on the yellow footprints on Dec.
31st 1969 and we graduated in March of 70. Does any know what
came of Sgt. Schultz? He was tough as nails but 150% Marine.
Getting ready for graduation I was selected platoon honor man
and Dress Blues recipient. When it became unclear if my blues
would be ready by graduation I ask Sgt. Schultz if I should wear
my greens like everyone else. He simply said, "if they are not
here by graduation day I will have my dress blues altered and
you will wear mine. Pretty outstanding.
Semper Fi,
Tom Gillespie
Old Smokey
Sarge
What a view! Just wanted to share this old photo I found of
myself (October / November 1991 time frame) on top of "Old Smokey".
"Smokey" was a pretty cool guy once you got to know him. HA!
HA! Anyone else have any feelings towards this guy?
Semper Fi
JJ Chervinko
Cpl USMC
3rd Bn 11th Marines Reunion
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I would be very grateful if you would post our reunion in your
news letter and web site. Thank you very much.
3rd Bn 11th Marines, Sept 10-13, Kansas City, MO. Contact Doug
Miller, 609 Miami, Hiawatha, KS 66434, cell (402) 540-9431,
DWMiller48 @ gmail .com, or Marc Ciacchi, (216) 938-9217, 13201
Cooley Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44111, jarhead311 @ hotmail .com
Semper Fi,
Doug Miller
Liking To Me Right Away
I can still remember my first week at P.I. I thought "What the
H&ll did I do" I was 17 and just arrived off the train at
Yemasee, my recruiter gave me sage advice, wear jeans and a T-
shirt in Sept. as you will sweat your butt off.
I don't know what some guys were told because some were wearing
suits and ties. Well we had to wait for the bus to take us to
the island, meanwhile, this Gunny comes over and tells us all to
get into this ditch with about 6in of water and start digging. I
still cannot figure out why we were digging a ditch in Yemasee
except I guess it was the chain gangs day off.
Finally, we get to P.I. and meet our D.I.s, Master Sgt. Davis
and Staff Sgt. Ribauko, we then saw our barracks, Quonset huts,
with screen doors and rack blankets printed U.S.C.G. Davis
explained we're poor, but we're d*mn proud.
Sgt. Davis was a man I would have followed into h&ll, he told us
he was a China Marine, went through WWII and Korea, never said
too much about it but said he had been in the Corps 35 years,
this was in 1957.
Davis took a liking to me right away because I was the first
person he decked. These were the days of the still "old" Marine
Corps. In fact it was two weeks after a group of boots were
drowned in a night march. I'm near 70 now and my mind does not
recall the name of the creek or D.I. Anyway after all this time
I can still recall every incident and would not trade the
memories for anything.
James Raymond
WAM WO!
While some Female Marines have felt degraded by the term BAM or
even WAM (Wide A...d Marine). I remind these people that they
are Marines first. They earned the Title Marine. They take pride
in that fact. They should take pride in the fact that they are
fewer and should be prouder!
Like the Female Warrant Office at Camp Lejeune 89 and 90. Her
personalized plate said, WAM WO!
Now that's pride!
SSgt Jerry Johnson
84-97
Mess Sergeant
I, too remember the "Desert To The Sea", 150 mile hike from 29
Palms to Camp Pendleton I was your Mess Sergeant who fed you
breakfast and supper and dropped off your C-Rations for dinner.
On the last day I hiked onto Camp Pendleton with the Battalion.
We started out at 29 Palms with Breakfast and had C-Rations for
Lunch and were fed hot chow for supper, then I would go back to
29 Palms and pick up supplies for the next day, when we would
feed you Hot Chow for Breakfast and drop off C-Rations for
Dinner then feed you Hot Chow for Supper and did this until we
got half way then I would go to Camp Pendleton and pick up
supplies.
I still have my Certificate, Signed by Col. Smoak, and I look at
it every once in a while and it brings back a lot of memories
both good and bad.
John W. Grindel
H&S Co. 5th Mar.
now GySgt, USMC/Ret
How Big
I was fresh out of boot camp in 1956 when the Suez Crisis hit.
We were loading out, at Moorhead City, aboard the USS Thubin
(KA-19) and I was in the hold parking trucks.
When the Bosun announced:
Now Hear This:
1st Division muster on the fantail.
2nd Division muster mid ships.
3rd Division muster on the bow.
Having been instruct at P.I. of the size of a Marine Division,
my first thought was,
How big is this d*mn ship?
Always got a chuckle with this:
Cliff Jobes
S/Sgt
1956-1965
Semper Fi Brothers
16 Weeks In "Parrisdise"
In '59, while still in Nissen Huts, we were evacuated from 3rd
Bat area during a hurricane and sent to "live" on the second
floor of 2nd Bat. barracks. When we arrive the 2nd Bat their
DIs referred to us, from the 3rd Bat, as the fugitives from
"Crudville".
This was 2 weeks into our training and, as our reward for
working the clean-up in Columbia, SC and other towns, they
started our boot training over. The result 16 weeks in
"Parrisdise".
Semper Fi,
Dom Antinoro (LCPL)
Plt 359 (Sept. 1959)
Goofy-Golf
When through MCRD San Diego, literally thirty years after you
did, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred & ninety
- one.
To the best of my knowledge there were no Battalion nick names.
However, it was widely known that each respective Battalion had
its own training emphasis. 1st Bn was all about the Physical
Training. Unfortunately, I don't recall the exact match up for
2nd Bn & 3rd Bn, but the remaining two emphases were, Prac &
Drill. This is not to say the each of the three Battalions were
not fully saturated in the other two emphasis they were not
known for.
Now, many of the Training Company's had their nick names such
as:
1st Bn Devastating - Delta
2nd Bn Goofy - Golf
2nd Bn Hump'n (?) - Hotel
3rd Bn Killer - Kilo
3rd Bn Lethal - Lima
Were these around in your day?
Semper Fi
JJ Chervinko
Cpl USMC
Advice About Life
To Jon Rodgers,
I was in Platoon 3140 in 1969 August 8 to September 30 (day
after my 23rd birthday). I remember S Sgt. Noakes. He was
certifiably crazy as my own Drill Instructor SSgt. Poteet
testified. But he was funny too. I was the secretary for 3140
and when I was in the duty hut doing chores, he would give me
advice about life. Mostly about slop chutes and women, his idea
of the best $#^&%#. It was difficult not to laugh.
Thanks for sending the pictures, not that I don't think about
those days a lot anyway.
Semper Fi!
Tom Masles
Sgt. 2430138 1969 to present
Disneyland
Joe,
I went to P.I. in Sept 1961 and the 3rd Bn barracks were Quonset
huts. All the D.I.'s kept telling us was that we were going to
be the first to move into "Disneyland". When we did move into
the new brick buildings, we were "lucky" enough to be on the
second floor.
This just opened up a new way for the D.I.'s to scare the s..t
out of us. Errant "boots" were placed in garbage cans and
threatened to be thrown out the window. "Disneyland" was no
Mickey Mouse assignment.
Ed Iraci
L/Cpl
1961-1966
1st Bn, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii 1962-1964
Camp Matthews
Sgt. Grit, In 1959 I had the pleasure of serving as a Rifle
Marksmanship Instructor 8531 at Weapons Training Bn., Camp
Matthews, San Diego. I was a Rifle Coach to recruits and
reservists. We also instructed with the .22 and .45 caliber
pistols and hand grenades. I did my boot camp here at San Diego,
Plt. 357 in 1958 and also duck-walked up and down 'little' and
'big' agony under the keen tutelage of Tech. Sgt. Baker, Sgt.
Wilson and Sgt. Lopez. We sang Marine Corps songs as we double-
timed out to the range, pulled butts, licked em' and sticked em'
and made targets.
On my first yearly re-qualification with the M1 while pulling
duty as an 0351 Flamethrowers, H&S Co., 3/5, I shot a 235 out of
a possible 250 and they sent me off to coaches school at
Matthews. This was a great duty station to serve at. Liberty at
the beach in La Jolla, checkin' out the nightlife down the beach
into San Diego and feelin' great about being a Marine Corps
Instructor. Well you know all good things must come to an end so
eventually I was sent back to 2/5 Flame's and on to Okinawa.
I would like to hear from anyone who served at Camp Matthews
during that time and who has photos of this great historical
Marine Corps base taken around the camp and ranges. Sgt. Grit,
all of us out here, young and old Marines appreciate you and
what you are doing to perpetuate the United States Marine Corps
and its heritage. Thank you and God bless you.
GUNG HO! Tony Austin, 1833649
Jockstrapper
Sgt Grit,
I was in the Marine Corps in 1958 to 1961 and I was lucky enough
to be a Jockstrapper, for those who do not know what that is I
played football, and baseball for the 1st Marine Div. One day
we were called upon to participate in a field exercise and being
my mos was 0331 we were climbing one the monsters that was just
off shore from main side. I being in top physical shape I
grabbed the light machine gun and threw if over my shoulder and
proceeded to pass everyone going up this hill.
Well we had a gunny sgt name Gunny Barbosa and when we reached
the top he came over to me and Conners don't be a smart a$s and
I have to admit I was being a little cocky but that stuck with
me in life and I learned to a great lesson from what Gunny said,
my actions were uncalled for and never did it again...at least
as long as gunny was around.
Gunny Barbosa is a docent at MCRD and has earned one of the
highest honors giving and that is the Navy Cross.
Gunny if you read this God Bless you and thank you and God Bless
the Marine Corps.
Mike Conners
Conners1 @ sbcglobal .net
1804621
MCRD PLT. 305 Jan. 1958
Politely Informed Him
Worked at the Armory, Courtney, Okinawa 1987. Every month we
would inventory the entire Armory to account for all the weapons
and ammo. Somehow we screwed up and issued a weapon to a Marine
which we recorded the wrong serial number. That Marine was all
the way down in Thailand and had to come back and turn in his
rifle for the correct one. The Company CO came down pretty hard
on us lance corporals and the new (old) rules were that no
weapons would be issued without ID and weapons card left on file
(if they are just taking it outside for cleaning).
One day the ole Mustang Lt Col came to get his pistol, I the
lance corporal politely informed him to give up his ID and
weapons card. He asked me if I knew who he was. "Yes sir, the
battalion executive officer", I confidently told him. We went
back and forth for a couple of minutes, and I even tried to get
the manual to back up my authority, but my sergeant looked at me
with crazy eyes and told me it was OK to give him his weapon.
Company CO called us to his desk the next day all of a sudden
the rules didn't apply for the XO--classic!
XO came back the following week and dutifully gave up his ID and
card, told me I was doing an outstanding job and appreciated
that I would "go by the book".
My next Armory story will be when we got a new Sergeant and
during the monthly inventory did not want to keep the nearly 20
year secret about the 9 50 caliber barrels that had been hidden
and unaccounted for since the Vietnam War in the Armory.
Scottie
Dripped Venom
Just a small sea story about BAMS. Remember the recruiting
poster of the beautiful red headed WM back in the 60's? Well my
drunken buddy Terry Chance and I got to meet her. We were
young Marines on liberty in Waikiki at Ft Derusy and up walks
this gloriously beautiful creature in all of her blue regalia.
Terry just had to run off at the mouth and say "Wow, look at
that BAM". After looking at him like something the dog left on
the floor replied in a voice that dripped venom, "Boy, you
better mean Beautiful American Marine or I am gonna whip your
A**"! Terry was instantly stone cold sober and replied in this
little wimpy voice "Yes Mamam"
I guess the moral to this little story is that most of us are
sorta proud of our nicknames be it grunt, doc, cookie, zoomy,
cannon cocker or what ever. BAM is the only nickname that
depicts a Marine as beautiful.
Semper Fi
Bob Granberry
1961-68
Heat Moved The Bullets
Sgt Grit; When I was TAD to Subic Bay in May of 1959, I was on
guard duty early in the morning when they towed a plane out of a
hanger. They had 10 or so guards around it and a van followed
it out to the runway. The pilot decked out in a space suit and
carrying an air condition unit and was helped into the cockpit.
They started it up and he took off in about 150 feet. He was
gone all day and returned latter that evening.
This was a year before a U-2 was shot down over the Soviet
Union. Word was that if it came in on fire that our crash crew
was not to approach. Oh ya the rifle range down there was hard
to qualify on. The heat moved the bulls eye around so you had
to split the difference. It was like shooting through a mirage!
No one remembered the oil pots used to blacken the front sights.
Thank you Sgt Grit for giving us old Marines a place to
remember. I look forward each week to reading about my brothers
and sisters and there experiences in our Corps
Cpl A D Johnson Plt 284
At PI
Me at Parris Island SC, in 1955.
Second picture is me in a parade in 2006.
Semper Fi Barbara E. Gove
It Did Not
I went through PI in '64. Somehow I got a EGA that I wore on my
Garrison Cover while I was in that did NOT have a fouled anchor.
For you uninformed types; that means it did NOT have a rope on
the anchor.
Does anyone out there have any information on this device? I
still have it and wear it on my suit lapel. It was originally
brown, but in '64 most of the stuff we had was brown, including
our boots. We had to dye, paint, or polish everything brown to
black.
Paul Martell
PI Jun to Aug '64
RVN '66/'67
USMC '64 to '68
Gunny Suddenly Appearing
I eagerly await each and every arrival of the newsletter...
I especially enjoy reading about all my Brothers (past and
present!) In essence, it makes me young again.
Yes, I can easily remember the chilly hills in Korea, the bugles
in the morning mist, straining my class 1 eyeballs towards the
valley in front of me for that first movement...
Or the pipes wailing from the British unit to our west...
Or the Gunny suddenly appearing beside me..."anything??"
Long ago...but only yesterday ! 56 years ago??...No Way Jose!...
And now? The uniforms have changed, the rank structure has
changed, its desert and heat as opposed to hills and cold but,
as always, those "kids" are taking and holding the high ground.
Why not? They are Marines, doing what Marines do best !
Fisher, Philip D
1320243
How Co/ 3rd Bn/ 5th Marines
USMS 1952-1955
Life Cycle
As an old Parris Island D.I.,(B Co 1st Bn, 1967-1968) I will
give a short dissertation on the life cycle of the renowned
"Drill Instructor pets" of Parris Island. In early spring the
eggs hatch. And as everyone knows, babies have to be fed.
(recruits blood) Early summer finds them as teenagers. And
teenagers can't be filled up. (recruits blood) Late summer and
they are looking for mates. The best place to find another is a
nice place to eat. (recruits) Early fall and the adults and all
their children are having fun at family picnics.(recruits blood)
Late fall and they are stocking up food for the winter.
(recruits blood) And the next spring, the cycle begins again.
SEMPER FI
C.D. Crutchfield
Sgt USMC
Guys Hugging
Sgt. Grit,
I was at Camp Elmore from Jan 1979 to Oct 1979, Security &
Classification. We were housed in the two story brick buildings
that looked like a hotel; 3-man rooms. I was released from
active duty Oct. 79 at Camp Elmore, then went back to college.
I was wondering if anyone was stationed at Camp McTureous on
Okinawa in 1978? I was with G-3 Operations, which ran Team
Spirit '78 in Korea. 1978 was the year the island switched over
their driving lanes...traffic was interesting to be in. We went
to Korea on the USS Blueridge, LPH (Landing Platform Helo).
With the shape of the deck, if you looked from the front of the
ship it appeared as if it would just fall over in the water.
Anyway, as we were headed out, one night this huge storm comes
up and we are pitching and rolling all over the place! As the
bow of the ship crested each wave, the wind would hit under the
overhanging deck and roll the thing, so we were going up and
down in a circle...I never saw so many guys hugging toilets and
sinks that night. It's crazy...I never got seasick until years
later when my wife and I went on a cruise! Bad timing...
The Marines taught me everything I have needed to get through
life...perseverance, endurance, resourcefulness, and of course,
improvise, adapt, and overcome. I would recommend it to anyone.
I can say this with honesty, as my daughter is now a Lieutenant
in the Marines, and both of my sons want to go in!
God Bless the Corps!
Cpl. Ken Copes 76-79
It Would Be Safer
Sgt Grit,
It is with great sorrow that I have to announce the passing of
LT. Commander Peter S. Marra (133rd NCB) 4th Marine Division
(Iwo-Jima) at age 90. Peter was the Heart and Soul of the
Presidential Unit Citation issue for the 133rd N.C.B. at Iwo
Jima - He singlehandedly pursued this for years in deteriorating
health, and deserves a medal alone for his 'Herculean' efforts.
He will be sorely missed.
Peter S. Marra 6/15/18 - 4/27/09
Peter was in charge of the Security unit and was hit by shrapnel
in the shin but never sought out any aid.
Headquarters Company of the 133rd NCB was assigned to provide a
perimeter defense against a counterattack from the sea. The
security unit consisted of two 30-man infantry platoons and two
4-man light machine gun sections. The Japanese did not attempt
any counterattacks either from the sea or on the front lines in
our area. Credit for the fact that security unit had only one
man killed in action goes to the special training provided by a
Gunnery Sergeant named Hickman of the 23rd Marines.
When I realized that we were going to be involved in serious
combat and that any advice from a combat veteran would be
helpful, I asked my company commander to secure the services of
a Marine to help train my security units. Sergeant Hickman held
forth every afternoon from 13:00 to 16:00 for three weeks. After
we landed, he emphasized, we should get away from the water's
edge as quickly as possible and avoid seeking shelter in any
shell holes or depressions because enemy gunners would no doubt
be zeroed in on them already. It would be safer to lie on the
open ground, he told us. This meant going beyond the first two
terraces, inland about 250 yards from the beach. Unfortunately,
one of my men in the machine-gun crew jumped into a 16-inch
shell hole with other men, and all were killed by a mortar
shell. I will always appreciate the help we received from
Sergeant Hickman, the pride of Mississippi. (Peter Marra).
Before We Shipped To Iwo
Sgt. Grit
here is a platoon picture of my platoon made just before we
shipped out to Iwo. sign says 1944, and I am in next to top
row, 6th from the left. (see name). I went with 4th division,
24th Marines, Regimental communications.
Ray
24th Marines - 4th Marine Div & FMF, Pac
Iwo Jima survivor WW2
Today On That Spot
Dear Sgt Grit,
Also a little late, I too would like to answer Earl McDowell's
question about Camp Elmore in Norfolk, Virginia. I also was
stationed there, arrived 7 Oct 74 and reported to the PIIU/G-2.
Our office was upstairs in the building that had the Post Office
in it. Around late "75" the base was starting to shut down. A
new facility was built next to the Camp Allen School and the
Marines moved into new housing and Office space. Just to let
Earl know, it took me 3 hours of driving around to find Camp
Elmore when I came to Norfolk. The local police, even the
Marines on the gate at the Naval Station knew where it was.
Today on that spot sits the Elmore Marine Corps Exchange.
Wayne J. Sarapata, Sgt of Marines
Any Semblance Of A Smile
Dear Sgt Grit,
My wife and I recently returned from San Diego, CA where we
watched our grandson graduate from Recruit Training at MCRD. It
was a tremendously impressive and moving ceremony with 504 new
Marines preparing to uphold the reputation of our beloved Corps.
It was also a very nostalgic day for me as I had graduated from
MCRD, San Diego some 58 years ago and commenced my Marine Corps
career as a newly minted PFC. As we sat in the stands on the
south side of the Parade Deck (we called it "The Grinder" in my
day), I gazed across at my old barracks on the north side. The
new multi-level barracks were behind us in the area that once
held the Hand Grenade Training Range of the WWII era. I recalled
making a few midnight "Instructional Marches", with full pack
and rifle, over the grenade created pot-hole terrain.
I'm sure all have memorable Boot Camp stories but this one
related to me by my grandson is one of the best I've ever heard.
It seems he was being given some additional instruction one day
by his Junior DI, which consisted of several minutes of the
"mountain climber" exercise. After he felt he had reached the
limit he could endure, he snapped up to attention. His DI said,
"What's going on, Tunget?" My grandson said, "Sir, the recruit
has climbed to the top of the mountain, Sir!" Apparently trying
to hide any semblance of a smile, the DI said, "Is that a fact?
Well, now you can just turn around and climb down the mountain!"
The moral of this story is that a Drill Instructor can outwit a
recruit any day of the week.
Semper Fi,
LtCol Everett Tunget
USMC (Ret)
971 Corpsmen Died
Sgt Grit:
This is in response to Doc Ware's letter in the 23 Apr
newsletter. Those of us FMF corpsmen who served in Viet Nam--
and you would be surprised how few of us are actually left--
remember every one of our casualties as well as we remember our
own names.
At age 21, we were expected to be doctor, priest, friend,
mother, father, brother, and confidant. That was a lot to ask of
someone so young. We were expected to respond to the screams of
agony and somehow, make it better. Sometimes we couldn't. But
the knowledge that despite our limited training we were able to
save most of them sustains us now as we are reaching into our
60's and our generation begins the inexorable fade into
obscurity.
971 corpsmen died in Viet Nam, and countless thousands of others
were wounded, some dying later, some living with physical and
emotional reminders of our service. We carry those wounds with
pride, knowing that we lived up to the honor bestowed upon us
when we exchanged our Navy Blues for the Green of the Marine
Corps.
Doc Ware, I promise you that not one of those Marines you were
unable to save blames you, because they know you tried your
best. There's just so much you can do with 16 weeks of medical
school and a Unit 1. Sometimes the most you could give was to
just be there so they didn't have to die alone.
The agony you felt at losing a friend should by now be replaced
with pride at having saved all the ones who could be saved. Your
service was honorable and if you are ever around any Marines
today and let them know you were a Corpsman, you'll find out
what it means to be part of a brotherhood. The screams don't
wake me up any more. They are at peace, and so am I.
Doc Thompkins, HMC
RVN 68-69
 12 Years
It has been almost 12 years since I left active duty and
recently decided to give myself a tattoo for my birthday.
Jeremy Schwarz
Cpl. 1993-1997
LSSS, HqSvcBN, 1st FSSG
We Done Good
Doc Ware, you are SO right! I was an FMF Corpsman for 11 years,
starting with Khe Sanh during Tet 1968. The Corps is very
special to me, as are the men. I am sorry to say that I too
lost a few, but if I lost them, I doubt even a trauma team could
have saved them. All you have to know to yourself is that You
Did Your Best! Sometimes, that just isn't good enough, however,
and it was their time to check out.
As the Grit's bumper sticker says... "Courage is being scared to
death, but saddling up anyway..." I was there and even got the
T-Shirt. Just remember my Brother, We Done Good!
Addison "Tex" Miller
HMC(FMF), USN, Ret.
That's Providence
Sgt Grit,
Lotta letters written, and I'm sure a lot more coming. My
journey to beautiful Paradise Island began in Dec, 1957, at the
age of 16, in Raleigh, NC. My birthday passed at the end of Nov,
while we were stuck there trying to solve/clear up the "moral
dilemma" of a fellow applicant I don't remember yellow foot
prints either? I vividly recall standing in a line nude, except
for the towel held around my lower torso, a large man in some
kinda uniform (which I will never forget), wearing some sort of
Smokey The Bear Hat (which, again, I will never forget),
approaching me slowly, holding "thump call" on every recruit
'til he got to me. He began to scream like some crazy person,
some mad man, a woman in labor. Every so often I caught a word
that sounded like "Gunny", or something like that. Now folks,
this man was BIG. He took one look at my scrawny body, and told
the SSgt to take "it" over and weight it, and if it weights 100
lbs or less, send it back. 101, now sports fans, that's
providence. Suffice it to say, I hated MCRD PISC!
In 1965, I went back to good Ole MCRD PISC for Recruiters'
School when it was still located there. Captain (later General
Godfrey) was the Director of the School, and he over rode a
couple of his instructors, and allowed me to go out to the field
as a canvasser (the recruiting motto of the Marine Corps at that
time was "The Marine Corps Builds Men In Body, Mind And Spirit,
& there I am with my smaller than average body) Regardless, I
had a good tour. But, I still hated MCRD PISC!
We ease forward to 1977. Now, after filling First Sergeant
billets, in various units, on both coasts, for varying amounts
of time, they send me to 1stSgt's Formal Scol, for which I am
grateful. However, would anyone care to guess were it was
located back then? Yep! And, I still hate MCRD PISC!
One of the Kids from Church (he's now a MAN and a MARINE)
graduated on 7 Nov, 2008. (three more days would have been
really nice). The wife and I drove down to see the ceremony;
hadn't seen one since mine, and you know why. The day could not
have been nicer! Put us up in a two bedroom suite, the works;
and, yet, I STILL hate MCRD PISC
SgtMaj Jack Leake
USMC
Marine Fishing Machine
Hi Grit,
I have something here that some of your retired Marines might
like, if they like to fish. It's a Kiwi Kayak named the "Angler". I got it three years ago and fixed it up to be my
"Marine Fishing Machine". My Explorer, being my transporter,
also plays the "Marines Hymn" at my command. It only weights
65# - being 73 years of age - I can handle it by myself with no
problems. The trolling motor give you 40# of thrust on a fully
charged battery. I really recommend this to all Marines Active
and Retired.
"Semper-Fi"
Gy/Sgt. Lew Souder, USMC/Ret.
Short Rounds
To Donovan Scruggs, soon-to-be-a-Marine: You will find,
throughout your life as a Marine, that few, if any, non-Marines
have any clue as to what it really means to be a Marine. So, the
short version is this: when you become a Marine, why give a d*mn
what anyone else may think or say? Unless they, too, are a
Marine, (as we Fossils from Southeast Asia used to say), "Stick
'em all except six, and we'll kill them after they do pallbearer
duty."
Connely/R
SGT - USMC - RVN - '66 - '68
Thanks. Now all the ghosts and skeletons start coming out...
In spite of the war, this was the most excellent adventure of my
life. Ah, to be a 21 year old again.
Regards,
Sgt. Sal
In 1972 I joined the Corps but my enlistment was delayed till
June 16 of 1973? Upon my arrival to PI.SC We were giving a warm
welcome? Marine Corps style. One of the new recruits decided to
stay in the bus it took 4 of us to get him out. and still of the
yellow foot prints.
Jose Mendana
Would like to inform you of an awesome site.... www.vmb443.com
This site is the bombing squadron that my father, TSgt D.W.
Harry was a member of. There are also links to take you to the
other WWII bombing squadrons that flew over the South Pacific.
A special "THANK YOU" to retired Major Robert Yanack who has
developed these sites....
Semper Fi
Darla Harry-Kleiner
daughter of TSgt D.W. Harry
mother of Sgt J.R. Wood
Lt. Bernie Cooper;
Yeah, there's more than 7 of you left, I remember that little
excursion well!
Dennis R. Smith, Cpl.
3rd Plt. A Co. 1st Bn. 3rdMar.5th Mar. Regt. Our Plt. Ldr. was
Lt. Thomas Swift Taylor, Plt. Sgt. Gy.Sgt. L.L. Lazan
Sgt Grit,
Before Gung ho the China Marines used "Ling Hau" as there
battle-cry. I'm not sure of the spelling.
CWO4 Ken Cadwell ret.
on Facebook:
Rick Cunningham: Hey Don, I would just like to thank you for all
you have done over the years for us old Marines veterans. I have
received many birthday, Fathers day, Christmas gifts from my
wife and girls from your store, I wear them all with pride.
Sgt. Grit;
Yesterday our cardiology practice was visited by two Marines.
He was a retired E8 with 23 years and his wife, is as she said,
a BAM, a Beautiful American Marine. He was 87 and she was 83,
with their attitudes, they could have graduated PI just
yesterday. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
Mark Lanz
Cpl.,USMC Ret
RSVN Graduate '69
When I went through P.I. in 1987, the only nickname that I can
remember is for 3rd Bn (The Thumping Third).
For Roger Ware, thank you for your service and dedication as a
corpsman.
It is the corpsman like you that deserve the nickname "Doc."
Mark Sasak
I went through 3rd BN at Parris Island 1 Jan to 3 Mar 1962. It
was called disneyland. I always thought it was because it was
the first to be made of brick. This is the first I have heard
nicknames for 1st or 2nd BN - Edward Libby CPL E-4 1992065
I want to reply to Roger Ware who served with 2/5, 66-67, in
Viet Nam. I served with another regiment 67-68, then with the
5th Marines 69-70. All I can say, Doc, is thank you. Like any
Grunt you may ask, we loved our Corpsmen like the brothers they
were. I know saying don't let the losses affect you means
nothing, 'cause it does for all of us. Just know that every
Marine out there, who served in a rifle company, respects and
appreciates the Corpsmen who served with us.
Patrick
0311 Sgt., USMC 65-71
Yes women Marines are indeed MARINES...I was at Camp Pendleton
in 1968, just returning from my second tour in Viet Nam. A Woman
Marine, Lt Col. type, walked by me. I snapped one of my best
salutes ever with a good morning "SIR". This WM used words that
only a DI would understand to explain HER gender. I was an E5 at
the time but she made me feel like a recruit...SGT Y.D. Hodge
...proud to be an old Corps MARINE...
You were right Sgt., Makin Island fallen brothers return did
bring a lot of tears to my eyes...thanks for sharing!
John Velar PFC..USMC..WW11
Sgt. Grit, you are still doing a great job and, I love it.
Especially all the sea stories from former Marines...My heart is
still with all of them...loved the Corps from the beginning,
1945, and, still have it in my blood, same as all the other
Jarheads...Semper Fidelis...John Velar.
I think your Sgt. Grit Newsletter is a great read.
Thanks,
George Colom
Sgt 1950-54
1st & 8th Marines
Sgt. Grit,
Cpl. Dave Eady, 1953647, here ! I was stationed on the USS Boxer
in the Marine Detachment from when I got out of P. I., SC, ITR,
NC and Sea School in Portsmouth, VA in 1961.. Did the tour
letting the Marine Helicopter take the Troops ashore.. I never
thought anyone ever heard of the USS Boxer LPH-4..
Semper Fi.
Cpl. Dave Eady
Large Corporal Rank Decal
Sergeant Coin
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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