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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 |
I have just finished reading this month's issue of Leatherneck
magazine and read an article that had a quote by "CHESTY"
himself that I had never heard and thought that other fellow
Marines might find motivating. Here it is....
"After watching a Marine raise the flag over the American
Consulate in Oct 1950, as fighting still raged in Seoul, Korea,
an Army officer growled something about Marines would rather
carry a flag into battle than a rifle. Then - Col Lewis B.
"CHESTY" Puller replied, "A man with a flag in his pack and the
desire to put it on an enemy strongpoint isn't likely to bug
out."....
Fast Forward
When the Marines of 3/9 arrived at An Hoa after leaving the
Water Point near Marble Mountain in April 1966, there was
nothing but shelter-halves for personal sleeping quarters.
Hardbacks were finally built during the summer BUT, we were out
in the field all of the time. The one night India Company got to
sleep in a hardback the VC mortared us killing two of our
brothers and wounding many including yours truly.
Fast forward to 1967 and 3/9 is now all along the DMZ. During
the summer we (India) was the "Sparrow Hawk" force working out
of Dong Ha. On a rare day that we actually had off, some
officers arrived in our area requesting our assistance in moving
something. That "something" just happened to be a full size
hardback built in the wrong place. Marines improvise, right?
Here is a photo that ended up in SEA TIGER of how we did it!
On a serious note, our Corpsman from Getlin's Corner, Doc Chuck
Dockery who lost both his legs to numerous gunshot and
mortars/rockets wounds, is in the University of Washington
Hospital ICU. He had surgery to repair 2 of 3 aneurysms to his
aorta. His heart and part of a lung that survived lung cancer
now with pneumonia plus he has only one kidney having lost one
during the battle. Doc is in critical condition! Please pray for
him and his wife and two kids. Doc is our rock! When we dragged
him into our last stand position at Getlin's Corner with more
wounds than any of us who survived he said, "lay me next to a
Marine that needs my help!"
Please pray for Doc! God bless you and God bless our troops at
war!
Semper Fidelis,
Jack Riley I/3/9 1966-1967
Cheers Were Loud Enough
Old Corps? ( Picture of platoon 103 San Diego, and USS
Princeton in the Gulf of Siam)
I enlisted in 1953 and went to San Diego on January 3, 1954. (I
know-Hollywood Marine)
Korea ended in November of 1953 so most of the drill instructors
were vets from the war as was ours. He was Sgt Dilks and had
one eye that looked slightly to the side so keeping your eyes
straight ahead was nearly impossible when he was in your face.
Did the drill instructors pass out physical punishment? Yes,
and it was deserved for the most part. They did have their
games using us as punching bags but it was all part of the
process of getting us ready if Korea broke out again. Many
recruits owe Sgt Dilks their thanks for setting them up for life
itself. If you're still with us Sgt Dilks: Thank you!
There were no yellow footprints but then we were already smart
enough to not look down.
I was scheduled to go to Electronics school out of boot but my
history of playing the drums sent me to the Field Music school
in San Diego where I was stuck for a couple years. Then I was
assigned to the Fleet Marine Force Pacific Drum and Bugle Team
in Pearl Harbor. We toured all the Pacific military bases and
Alaska as good will ambassadors which took us to Japan. One day
orders came to load up and board the aircraft carrier USS
Princeton. No word of why but we were issued 45s before we
boarded ship. (No ammo)
Once we were out to sea we were told by the Princeton's Captain
that we were to be part of a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization
war games. We had 6 or 7000 other Marines on board and a bunch
of little helicopters. We were to be part of the first ever
helicopter assault landings. Most of us had not even been close
to a chopper much less actually get on one.
A bag piper was also aboard and practiced seemingly all the days
we dinked around getting to Thailand. (18 days) Someone must
have known he was going to be with us when the decision was made
not to issue ammo. When we loaded up in our heloteams (name
must have been made up by a swabbie) the bagpiper was scheduled
to go in on the first run. I was in the team behind him. There
must have been 10 choppers once they all got air born and
turned to go to the airport in Bangkok. All of a sudden a cloud
of black smoke and one of them headed into the water! We all
watched as the Navy rescued all hands and headed back. The
Captain came on the PA and announced that all were safe. The
cheers were quite loud. Then he announced that the bag pipes
were not recovered and the cheers were loud enough that everyone
back in Japan must have heard them.
We camped on the airfield and watched as the rest of the players
arrived. The crazy Airborne flew non-stop from the US and
jumped next to us. One tried to do the roman candle bit but
rode down with another crazy guy. A site to behold!
I always regret not getting "some"! Read the book "Hard
Corps" by Marco Martinez, Navy Cross recipient, and you'll know
what I mean. It's a short look into the War on Terror. (and my
grandson is mentioned)
I am proud to have served, if only beating a drum for three
years. Probably only 90% of us get "some". One of my Uncles got
"some" in 1921 and my grandson got enough "some" for all of us.
Semper Fi
Sgt Vincent Meyers
1954-1956
Not easy then, not easy now
"Iwo Jima Today" with young Marines scrambling up the steep
dunes. The major difference between 1945 and today is that no
one was shooting at them!
Good pictures, good reminders! (See all the pictures)
65th Anniversary 2010. Check our web site at www.miltours.com
Semper Fidelis and ... Happy Birthday Marines!
Colonel Warren Wiedhahn USMC, (Ret)
Phony-Wannabee Caught And the Dumb-Azs
I'd like to think that I had a small part in catching this guy.
If anything it was a dumb-azs move on my part putting his
picture and story in an August newsletter complete with enough
red flags that I'm embarrassed. But my mistake did get the POW
Network involved and they are bulldogs on
exposing these guys. They worked with federal officials, and here
we are several months later with an arrest.
Wannabee Caught Article
Semper Fi
Sgt "Dumb-Azs" Grit
Leatherneck Coffee Club
Leatherneck Coffee Club
Over The Muzzles
Sgt Grit:
We arrived on Okinawa Christmas Eve 1966. We were confined to
the base, as we were to fly out to Da Nang the next day. We had
been paid recently and there didn't seem to be any reason to
take money (MPC) to Viet Nam so we hit the EM Club. Long neck
American beer and mixed drinks were 25 cents each, and as I
said, there wasn't much sense in taking money to Viet Nam.
We landed in DaNang totally in a daze. It was pouring rain. Mud
was everywhere.
We were there as replacements. We were shipped off to Camp
Carroll to meet our unit. For several days we were the perimeter
guard for Camp Carroll. While there we helped ourselves to items
the Army had in abundance, but we were short on. We found a
couple of M-60s lying around. There were stacks of cases of C-
rations that got shorter. I happened to stroll by an officer's
tent and found cans of hamburgers and hot chocolate mix. We were
only there a couple of days. we left the area a little heavier
but better equipped. Next stop was Cam Lo, where we began to use
our finds. We got to check out our new air mattresses too.
While at Camp Carroll we visited the P.X. which was in a big
truck. We bought lots of U.S. govt. approved rubbers. The clerk
wondered where we were getting all of the action. We strung him
along, saying we had some bed warmers waiting. Actually we put
them over the muzzles of our weapons to keep the dirt out. They
fit the muzzle of the M-60 nicely.
Dinger 0331 Nam '66 7 '67
Invitation To Enlist
You know that famous saying that Ronald Reagan first uttered?
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a
difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that
problem."
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985
Well it appears as if someone asked him to enlist. Read on...
Semper Fi
John Wear
Happy Birthday Marines
"Gunnery Sergeants" Grete and Liesl Hummer, currently
"stationed" at the National Naval Medical Center, are proud to
join GySgt Wade Cobar, MSgt Joseph Liptok (Ret) and Sgt Joseph
Bradley in wishing the United States Marine Corps and all
Marines a very Happy 234th Birthday (established at Tun Tavern
on November 10, 1775)!
OOHRAH, DEVIL DOGS!
To all my Marine Corps, fellows in arms, I wish you all a Happy
234th Marine Corps Birthday. Semper Fidelis. To all Veterans I
wish you an enjoyable and hearty Armistice Day.
The Old Gunny, Gordy
76 Alley
Point of interest, At our reunion Anti/Tank Co.5th Marines (
Korea ) Sept.18 at Quantico, National Museum, Marine Base. Going
thru the Museum I ran across a Picture that was taken Feb. 7
1953 of myself and my tank driver Norm Bodway carrying out one
of the 6 Marines we were able to help. It was at the Samichon
Valley also know as 76 alley
Norm Bodway Red shirt
Chuck Batherson tan Shirt
Proud Tattoo
After 15 years of looking for just the right Eagle Globe and
Anchor tattoo and the right guy to do it, I found both. Dragon
Guy Tattoo in Greensboro N.C.
Semper Fi,
James W. Moore
He Bellowed...Don't you see?
Dear Sgt. Grit:
Holy cow! Last night I had the weirdest dream.
Chesty Puller was sitting on a leather sofa, as big as life,
puffing on a Cuban cigar and reading a copy of your catalog.
All of a sudden, he leapt out of his chair and said, "%%
&&*****!!@@######!!"
I asked him what was wrong, and he bellowed:
"Don't you see!? Look on page 32. This license plate - item #
LM02 - What the %%##****&&@@?!!! They don't have it in black
with a silver eagle, globe, and anchor!"
I stepped forward and he thrust the catalog into my trembling
hands.
"SEE?! They only have it in red and gold. That is for puszies.
If I want it, Sgt. Grit needs to have it!"
I promised him that I would bring this to your attention, and he
slowly faded into the leather of the sofa and disappeared.
As you can well imagine, this was quite a traumatic experience,
and one that I would not care to repeat. He made it quite clear
that what he wants is a license plate with:
1. A black background, and
2. The eagle, globe, and anchor, and in silver.
Is there any chance you might be able to locate such an item in
the near future? I fear that I'll need to have an answer soon.
Thank you for your consideration -
Cheri Y.
Note: Cheri and all - the design is now available to order:
888-NOV-1775 (888-668-1775)
Heard Him Scream
Sgt Grit
This is Nile White the fading Gunner, and this morning I was
privileged to be visited by two comrades in arms. Two of the
finest equal to any U S combat Marine, two FMF Navy Hospital
Corpsmen both close to my age and both also fading also due to
the exposure to the chemical Agent Orange. And though a few
days early for our Marine Corps Birthday, but in honor of such
they brought a taste of the best of the best: for in the days of
combat and no booze there was always an enterprising field Doc.
With a jug of sick bay alcohol and a chess cloth to refine it
and then a triple shot of some un-sweetened grape fruit juice
and a shot of that in the freezing tundra of the northern parts
of old cold cold Korea would rejuvenate even the dead.
Well as we smacked our lips with just a drop and out of nowhere
and as close as my arm stood a Doc named Wentz. A little guy
like most Doc so they could hide behind a big old bar toting
marine. And he, Doc Wentzy, having made many a four or five man
patrol with us to scout the enemy forces on the next hill there
along the 38the parallel, well we heard him scream then the
sound of a short round from one of our so many short rounds from
the artillery valley two or three clicks behind our revetments.
And he looked up and said oh h&ll Nile, I am dead and he was for
a h&ll of a piece of shrapnel had tore all the way through his
body. He was a small dude but we took turns carrying him over
our shoulders back to our lines and straight to the tent sick
bay. And when we laid him down the company commander for his
name is burned into my mind for his dad was the commandant at
that time, yes shepherd.
How simple the passing of the palm from my your heart to a man
or woman in uniform. There can be no shame is such a gesture,
but want to make a heroes day pass him a palms up for sure to
all, especially Navy FMF field Docs. This 10 Nov. stand tall by
your brother Marines for you are also one of the chosen few. To
all Semper fi and especially to you Sgt grit the best thing
since a second serving of French toast.
Semper Fi Nile E White de Gunner
They'll Give You the Shirts off Their Backs
The 15th Annual Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller Marine Run was
held on November 14, 2008. The Marines Corps Detachment ran
from Fort Lee, through Puller's hometown of Saluda, and on to
Puller's grave site at Christ Church Parish in Virginia. After
a ceremony to pay tribute to one of the most decorated Marines
ever, they went to the Middlesex County Museum to see Puller's
medals and other memorabilia on display.
A museum volunteer said she really liked the t-shirts the
Marines were wearing for this special event. Sgt. Randy Banks
responded to her spoken interest by immediately removing his own
t-shirt and handing it over to her without a second thought. She
accepted it graciously and was surprised a few days later by
receiving several more of the Marine Run t-shirts in the mail,
enough for the rest of the museum staff.
The 16th Annual Chesty Puller Marine Run will be held on Friday,
November 13, 2009. The museum volunteers look forward to the
yearly visit from a group of dedicated, respectable, and
generous Marines.
And I'd Been His
I served in Vietnam as a helicopter machine gunner and a proud
member of HMM-262 (66/67). I received a purple heart for my
efforts. When I returned from Vietnam, I had the feeling that
as an air wing Marine, I hadn't done as much as the grunts who
walked through the jungles, slept in the rain, etc. I finally
worked with a grunt who was in Vietnam at the same time I was
there. We became good friends and I confided in him one day
that I somehow felt like I should have done more because I
didn't have the combat experiences he had. He looked at me for
a minute and then told me that he'd always felt the same way
about me. He said that he felt lucky being on the ground and
that his heroes were the guys who flew in the helicopters to
bring in supplies, reinforcements or to carry wounded Marines
out during firefights. He said he'd never be able to do my job.
He'd been my "real Marine" and I'd been his.
The bottom line is this. We are all United States Marines. We
go where we are sent and we do whatever it is we need to do for
Corps and Country. We are all trained to be Marines. Rather
than worry that you didn't do "your part," be content that had
you been sent, you would have served your Corps well.
I've tried to get back in so I could go to Afghanistan or Iraq
but, at the age of 63, the recruiters tell me that I am too old.
My son, L/Cpl. Jamie L. Nix, is now on Okinawa and I guess he'll
have to carry on in my place. Semper Fi!
Daniel L. Nix
Sgt. of Marines
1964 - 1967
Irish Pennants
I keep reading all these stories about getting on with your life
after finishing your tour and getting on with being a civilian.
I do not know if I read this or heard it but here is something
that I think explains it best.
They say that after being discharged from the Air Force it takes
about a month to get over ever being in. A soldier finally gets
used to being a civilian after about a year. It takes longer
for a Sailor about a year and a half. But you never get over
being a Marine.
Answer these questions honestly and you will see what I mean.
Do you still march in step with other guys when walking? Do you
still blouse your shirt? Look at your gig line is it straight,
I bet it is. Do you shave every day? I bet your shoes are
shined aren't they. Do you still go to the head? Do you still
refer to the floor as the deck and your bed as a rack? When you
make your bed does it have hospital corners? When you hunt do
you take a gun or a rifle? Do you stand when the National Anthem
is played, better yet do you stand when the Marine Corps Hymn is
played? Do you check your clothes for Irish pennants?
Do you gaze in pride at every young Marine you see? But when do
talk to them do you check out their shoes, gig line, Irish
pennants, and whether they shave and have a good haircut?
You have never been a Marine if you don't do at least half of
these things.
Jim Grimes Sgt USMC a long time ago.
GoDaddy and Sgt Grit...Kinda', Sorta'
Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy, is wearing our Semper Fi t-shirt in
his "09/04/09 - episode #29" video on his blog.
You can also see the GoDaddy's USMC Birthday Tribute
1941 White Model M-2 Halftrack, In Memory
Sgt Grit
Attached our photos of my companies (North American Rescue Inc.)
fully restored and running, 1941 White Model M-2 Halftrack it is
dedicated to the memory of Sgt Robert A. Owen MOH (Posthumous)
USMC a native of Greenville, SC. Thought your readers might like
to see some pictures. Happy Veterans Day!
V/R
Tom Eagles HMCM/USN Ret.
Special Projects
North American Rescue Inc.
No One Raised Their Hand
In response to Brian Waters in the 05 November 09 news letter. I
enlisted in 1979 and most if not all of my drill instructors
were straight out of Vietnam, Out of all the customs and
history we were taught the thing that sticks out the most is
them teaching us to never let our fellow Marine down and
absolutely no one gets left behind, These guys were hard and if
you did something stupid and got beat around the neck and
shoulders then you learned a lesson and moved on.
The drill instructors did not beat us because they were sadistic
or got off on it, They just found a way to teach you lessons
very fast and you learned well. During my time from 1979 to 1983
we were told that we were part of the new Corps, Because the
Corps was in a transitional phase, coming out of Vietnam. Me
personally I am glad I had war vets to learn from. I see what's
going on with the Army and the stress cards in recruit training
and it scares the h&ll out of me. What's little Johnny going to
do hold up his stress card when the Taliban start to overrun his
position? I mean nothing against the Army but who thinks this
sh!t up. We had a few hard cases in our platoon during boot and
it wasn't always the DI who taught valuable lessons, Lights out
and bar of soap in your towel will teach even the most dense of
recruits how to execute the field stripping and re assembly of
the M-16a2 rifle at warp speed with 100% accuracy.
At the rifle range we had a visit from a major who after he made
the drill instructors leave the area asked if any recruits had
been physically touched by any drill instructor. No one raised
their hand, So he made us line up outside the drill instructors
office and talked to each of us one on one In the office.
Evidently one recruit said he had been hit and we lost one of
our best drill instructors during snap in week. The only good
thing from that is we found out who the milk toast was. Enough
said. Marines are a different breed of animal and cannot be put
in the same category as a Army soldier that has his training
dictated by mothers of America, If America wants to win battles
then we need to do away with stress cards in every branch of
service.
JMA. Corporal of Marines
Semper Fi from the Lava Dog's
Reservists
To J.L. Morris.
Most of the 7th Marines were reserves at the Reservoir. Many on
Fox Hill had never been to boot camp. Had that hill not held you
and I would still be there 6 ft under Korean soil. Whoever makes
the comments you refer to have never had a shot fired at them.
Ray L. Walker
A/1/5 1090705
To JR Morris- Don't EVER feel you're less of a MARINE because
you were a reserve! So you didn't go through boot camp. Your
boot camp was in the hills of Korea, we all know that. Anyone
with any doubts, please read "Retreat H&ll. Many of the Marines
at the Chosin Reservoir were reservists. Some had been to boot
camp, some had not, all performed as Marines have since 1776.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY-USMC.
Goodnight Chesty wherever you are.
CPL Dan Corum
USMCR
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". A Marine is a
Marine no matter what the letter designation is after USMC. I
think we will always find people who have their own private
hang-ups, and as far as I'm concerned it should be their problem
and not yours.
I very much can relate to what you are saying as when I joined
the Marines in 1965, I joined under the designation of "program
J" which was a two year active service program with four years
of inactive (reserve) service. When I got out of "schools
battalion" I was sent to my duty station as an 0141
(administrative clerk). When my first rating period (at that
duty station) came up I was called into the Captains Office and
he asked me who I had "pissed off". I had been given an
extremely low mark out of schools battalion.
It turned out (I was told) that not everyone agreed with the
"program J" two year enlistment and a low rating was given to
those who enlisted under that program by some administrators.
The first I heard of the low rating was when I was asked about
it. The idea behind it was that it would be very difficult to
overcome the low rating (within two years) and get out with an
"Honorable Discharge". The choice would be to ship over to
overcome the low rating or to accept a "general discharge".
Fortunately for me the people in charge saw the injustice of
this. I would like to think that I earned every high rating I
got from that point on and no doubt their confidence in me drove
me to do the best I could. I did in fact receive high enough
ratings to overcome the low one and was eligible for (and did
receive) an "Honorable Discharge".
The other designation that was looked at by others as a "softer
position" was the 0141 (administrative position) which back then
was affectionately referred to as "Remington Raiders". Again
this problem belonged to others. The truth was that we we're
trained with the same weapons as everyone else, we stood the
same inspections as everyone else, and we walked guard duty the
same as everyone else. The only difference I could see was that
we started work before everyone else and we were done when the
1st Sgt. said we were done (and that was usually long after
everyone else). The only other thing that was different for us
was that we had to take a five hundred pound safe with us when
we "pulled up stakes".
The Marine Corps was and still is a very important part of my
life. It took the kid out of me and it gave me a discipline and
a tenaciousness that I would have never acquired without it.
Put any letter you want after USMC (J or R or whatever), I still
am and always will be a MARINE, and in my book so are you J.R.
Morris.
D.J. Berglund 2163043 Cpl USMC (1965 - 1967)
More Reservists Stories
No Apology Was Necessary
Sgt Grit;
Happy Marine Corps Birthday. On Saturday 11/07/09 my fiancee and
I attended the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Camp Pendleton. The
keynote speaker was Major General R. L. Mills CG 1st Marine Div
FMF. In his address he took a moment to apologize to the Vietnam
vets present for the treatment (or lack thereof) we got when we
came home. Being the Marine that I am, I took it upon myself to
go over to the CG when he finished and told him no apology was
necessary though greatly appreciated. We were, after all,
Marines, we did our job came home and took it on the chin
because "we are Marines."
A few minutes later a young Lt came over (who initially was at
the table we were escorted to) and said "Major General Mills
would like to request your fiancee and your presence at his
table to dine with him and his wife."
Needless to say my girlfriend's response was what did you say to
him? My reply was, "we were Marines (ughrahh)." We graciously
thank the General, had a great birthday meal and in addition
Major General Hoffman was the ball chairman and my former CG
when I was a snot nose recruit at MCRD Parris Island 1971, so I
got to meet him as well. And we reminisced about PI in 71, 2 and
3 battalion legal holds that brought the press, over the deaths
of two recruits and the trouble he got in with the press when he
coined the phrase "We never promised you a rose garden"
As the night closed my fiancee was presented with the beautiful
floral center piece by Maj General Mills. Again this was
Debbie's first Marine Corps Ball and truly for me a Marine Corps
Birthday both she and I will always remember.
Ed Anthony former Sgt/USMC/Viet Nam Vet.
Old Corps
Grit, I travel a lot for work and I am truly amazed at the
young Marines, I meet in airports, all over our wonderful
country. They have the same pride, same "swagger", same
confidence, that we had when we were in the Corps. I have
talked with some of them and say I'm one of the "Old Corps",
they respond, no Sir, you are a Marine, just a time change. I
laugh at that.
We talk about boot camp and the differences in the USMC from the
1960's to 2009 and it is amazing to me that the Corps has not
changed. Boot camp is longer now, we had 56 days and they have
12 weeks. They are anxious to hear how the Corps was in the 60's
and most of the laughs we have is to see that not much has
changed. They do not have JOB inspections now. When I mention
the JOB, Junk on the Bunk, they look at me like I am telling
them about the "Holy Grail". I laugh and say, that was a
tradition that I am glad has ended. It is still the USMC and
these young men and women are carrying on the tradition that was
started, Nov 10, 1775.
I try to speak to as many as I can, and I ask myself, was I
ever that young, and slim ?
Time has passed and most of us are not in our Boot camp shape,
but we are Marines and we need to thank the young ones who are
carrying on the tradition of our beloved Corps.
Eddie Leach
SSGT of Marines
1966-1969 and 1974-1980.
Platoon 2023.
You are "Old Corps" when you can tell another Marine with both a
straight face and conviction that you've "got more time in the
chow line than he(or she) has in the Corps!"
Sgt T Gardiner USMCR
66-73
More Old Corps Stories
From Polio To 1st Lt
In early June, 1941 I had me tonsils nearly rupture and I had to
have emergency surgery. Ten days later I was back at the
hospital with paralytic polio (it was the wrong time of the
year.) By 1942 I was totally paralyzed and the doctor told my
mother I would more than likely die soon.
It was at this time I heard on the radio that the 1st Marine
Division had landed on Guadalcanal. I was only six, but
realized that I wanted to be a Marine, even though I had never
seen or heard of one (I lived in the blue Mountains of NE
Oregon.) I also decided the Corps would not take me if I was in
bed. I then spent the next 11 years learning to walk and
building up my strength.
In 1953 I enlisted in the Marine Corps Active Reserves in
Philadelphia, PA. I was attending Villanova University at the
time and my Recruiter told me we need officers as much as
anybody. I attended OTC in my summers and drills each week,
raising from Pvt. to Sgt. (E4) In June 1957 I had the proudest
day of my life when I graduated in dress whites and pinned on
the bars of a 2nd Lieutenant. We had lost 56% of those who had
originally started training with me.
Next came 3-57 Basic School and then on to Del Mar for Tank
School. Then back to Lejeune and Bravo Company of the 2nd Tank
Battalion. I was lucky to get a Platoon Sgt. named Gunny John
Harrington. The first day I took him aside and told him he had
two jobs, one run the platoon, and second to train me to be a
d*mn good tank officer, then when I felt ready, I would take
over.
He did a great job and soon I was ready. We were on independent
duty, assigned to various Infantry Battalions, for the next 14
months and I was gone overseas. Then it was to several schools
and finally our Battalion XO, Maj. Malcom, USMC, went to DC to
check and make sure I would be around for a while since I had
been gone so much. With the assurances of at least another
year, he returned and I was assigned as CO of H&S Co., 2nd
Tanks.
About then Cuba started heating up with Fidel threatening to cut
the water off to Gitmo. Our entire Tank Battalion shipped out,
just before I received orders to the 3rd Tank Battalion, 3rd
Mar. Div. (HQ, USMC said I had been Stateside long enough and
needed to see some overseas duty even though I had actually been
aboard the Base for less than 90 days.) I had just finished my
inventory and signed for the gear of the Company, when the
orders arrived. We loitered off Cuba's coast for a few days,
then went on to Viegas, PR to unlimber stiff muscles. I was
there but a short time when I flew out on an R4Q back to Lejeune
and then on to Okinawa on a DC6 with stops in Hawaii, Wake, Guam
and finally Okinawa.
In June, 1959, I arrived at the 3rd Tank Battalion and was
assigned as XO of Alpha Co. The Battalion Commander was Lt.
Col. David M. Foos, USMC. About 6 months into the assignment, I
was transferred to the 3rd AT Battalion as their Maintenance
Officer. Here, my CO was Lt. Col. Guildo. S. Codispotti III,
USMC. I was in this capacity for the rest of my tour of 22
months (Yes, not 18, but 22 thanks to Sec. of Defense McNamera).
Then it was back to Quantico where I was assigned as CO, HQ
Company Main Side. I was released from active duty in October,
1961. I then learned how to fly and spent the next 20 odd years
flying until 1988 when I was diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome.
The Dr.s said I would be back on crutches or in a wheel chair
within 2 years. One thing the Corps taught me is perseverance,
and that you never give up. It has been 21 years, but I am
still not giving in and I walk several miles a week with my wife
and my Siberian Husky.
I am proud to drive a car with a front bumper plate that says I
am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and my back
license plate holder says US Marine Corps and on the back
windows are the stickers of the 2nd and 3rd Div. I also proudly
wear a hat that has the emblem and emblazoned on the brim is
"The Few, The Proud." I also have a vest that displays the
patches of the 2nd and 3rd Tank Battalions. I cannot count the
number of men who have approached me and said, "Semper Fi" and I
reply "Ooorah." Then we exchange units we were in and share the
pride of belonging to the proudest and greatest brotherhood in
the world, THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS."
A very proud former Marine.
1st. Lt. Edward L. Dodd, USMC 073558
Chosin
We have finished filming Chosin and we are now in the editing
room with the project. We ended up interviewing 184 vets in 27
cities across 14 states, and our goal is to release the film in
conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War next
June.
This has been the first film and oral history project of such
magnitude to capture this vital piece of Marine Corps and
American Military History. It has been an honor to be a part of
the project and we could not have done it without your support-
many thanks to all of you.
We have posted a trailer for the film on our www.frozenchosin.com
Happy Birthday
Hey Grit,
On 10 Nov 2009 the Bethlehem (#284) and Lehigh Valley (#296)
detachments of the Marine Corps League teamed up to celebrate
the 234th Birthday of our Corps. We had a cake cutting ceremony
at VFW Post 13. Pictured here are myself Howard Cooper
Commandant Lehigh Valley Det, LCpl Eric Shampine born in 1987
(the youngest), Marine Russell Gross, veteran of Guadalcanal and
born in 1915 (the oldest), and Vince Poandl IV, Commandant of
Bethlehem Det. A good time was had by all and the cake was
delicious. Hope you and yours had a good time as well in OK.
Semper Fi,
Howie Cooper
Short Rounds
The Marines have thousands of psychiatrists.
We call them Staff NCO's.
God bless every one of them.
Sgt. Grit...First things first! OORAH! In response to TOP
Railsback question re the Eddystone, It was made By Remington at
the Eddystone Arsenal, located south of Philadelphia..It was
commonly known as an American Enfield and was carried by about
75 percent of the Doughboys. It is a very good rifle, but does
have its' quirks... I have one beside me as we speak!
Semper Fi, GySgt Ken Gearhart USMC Retired 54-75
I would like to thank you for my combat vet. t-shirt...One of my
friends asked me why I wear MARINE CORPS SHIRTS and HATS? I knew
he had never been in the military, so I asked him if he knew
what (ESPRIT DE CORPS) was? He said no, so I told him, there was
no use me trying to explain it to him, because he'd never
understand...I did tell him (ONCE a MARINE ALWAYS a
MARINE)... Thank you again for the t-shirt.
SEMPER-FI
Former SSGT. RJC
I love every single Marine I ever meet or will ever meet.
Truly, he is my brother.
That brotherhood is what makes the Marine Corps what it is....
the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!
(now all you fools out there going on about old Corps, new Corps....)
DROP and give me PUSH-UPS 'til the AMBULANCE COMES!
Michael J Nichols
Sgt. of Marines
Vietnam - '69-'70
and STILL PROUD!
I love your newsletter. It helps me keep in touch. I recently
moved to St. John USVI and this will be my first anniversary
away from Marines I know. I have five more days to meet some so
I can celebrate properly. If that doesn't happen I will
celebrate solo and toast to those who gave all they had. I
appreciate all you do for those who are still doing all they
can.
Sincerely,
Sgt. Bruce (Waldo) Holden
(on temporary assignment to the 1st civ div, until that time.)
Happy Birthday Marines!
We will all meet in haven one day & rejoice that we made a
difference that no one else could do, (don't forget to salute,
one more Marine reporting, mission accomplished).
Semper Fi !
RamTwo
To: Sgt. Grit,
Re: Dick Dickerson, Maj. USMC Ret., article 11-05-09.
He referred to it as the " Special Training Branch ".
At PI Oct 58 to Jan 59 it was called " STP " or " Special
Training Platoon ".
David A. LeVine, Cpl, USMCR 2531
Platoon 347 P.I.
MEDICAL ALERT:
Back in the day, they used to put Saltpeter in our chow to keep
us from being complete horn-dogs. Well, some 40-odd years later,
I think it's beginning to work.
Connely/R
SGT, USMC RVN 66-68
Sgt Grit,
I feel that I am of the "old Corps" I joined in June 1960 with
two tours in Vietnam. The first being 64 -65 at the Rockpile,
and the second was at Khe Sanh 67-68 during the Tet offensive. I
left the Corps in May of 1969. Not quite nine years. It took a
long time for the nightmares to stop.
I am proud to have served in the Marine Corps, and never
regretted one day of it.
Leonard Camarata
I believe that Chesty Puller once quoted this phase ( I think )
Correct me if I'm wrong.
"When a man becomes so great that he can no longer be
criticized, let him retire because his usefulness has come to an
end."
This quote came from Leatherneck Magazine around the late
1960's.
Former S/Sgt of Marines
1968-1979
Jim Rau
Platoon 286 PI 1957
Sgt Grit
It's been 52 years since this picture was taken, but it would be
nice to have a reunion. Anyone interested could contact me at
fboconnell @ verizon .net
Robert Mullan Kept an Inn
Sgt. Grit: This attached poem by an unknown author clipped from
an ancient copy of the Leatherneck Magazine will forever put to
rest all arguments of Old Corps versus New Corps. Feel free to
print the poem, it is a great one and one that I read every year
on 10 November.
Peter S. Beck, LtCol USMC Retired
ROBERT MULLAN KEPT AN INN
IN PHILADELPHIA TOWN.
AND HE KNEW THE WAYS OF SEA-FARING MEN
AND HUNTERS IN BUCKSKIN BROWN.
SAM NICHOLAS WAS A FIGHTING MAN
WHO HAD THE AWESOME CHORE
TO FORM THE FIRST BATTALIONS
OF A NEW, UNTESTED CORPS.
TOGETHER THEY SAT IN THE TAVERN'S LIGHT
IN VIEW OF THE RESTLESS OCEAN
AND PONDERED WHICH APPROACH WOULD BE RIGHT,
OF WHICH THEY HAD NO NOTION.
THEY TALKED OF HOW THE ROYAL MARINES
ACHIEVED THEIR QUOTA FILLING,
BY SIMPLY BUYING A TOT OF RUM
AND PASSING EACH LAD A SHILLING.
NO DOUBT IT WOULD WORK, THE CAPTAIN SIGHED,
BUT WE'RE A DIFFERENT BREED.
WE NEED YOUNG MEN WHO'LL STAND AND FIGHT
FOR FREEDOM, AND NOT GREED.
AND SUCH A MAN, BOB MULLAN BOOMED,
SHALL BE MY WELCOME GUEST.
HE'LL TASTE TUN TAVERN'S FESTIVE FARE
AND DRINK THE VERY BEST.
NOW THERE'S A THOUGHT, THE CAPTAIN ROARED
AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT WE'LL DO.
EACH NEW RECRUIT, AT MY EXPENSE
SHALL HAVE A TAVERN BREW.
AND SO IT HAPPENED, THEN AND THERE
THE CAPTAIN SIGNED A MAN.
AND E'RE THE NIGHT WAS HISTORY
THE FIGHTING CORPS BEGAN.
THE FIRST MARINE PICKED UP HIS BREW
AND SAT AT AN OAKEN TABLE.
TO CONTEMPLATE HIS NEW FOUND FATE,
AS WELL AS HE WAS ABLE.
BEFORE TOO LONG ANOTHER JOINED
AND THE CAPTAIN, MORE ELATED,
CLAPPED HIM ON HIS BACK
AND THIS IS WHAT HE STATED.
SON, HE SAID, MY HEART IS FULL.
THE CORPS BEGUN TO GROW!
AND SO I'LL BUY YOU NOT ONE BUT TWO
FOR HELPING MAKE IT SO.
THE NEW RECRUIT, WITH RIGHTEOUS PRIDE
THANKED HIS HAPPY BUYER,
THEN TURNED AWAY AND SAT BESIDE,
THE FIRST MAN BY THE FIRE.
WITH EAGER LIPS HE TOLD HIS TALE
OF THE CAPTAIN, TALL AND GRAND,
AND HOW HE CAME TO HAVE A MUG
OF BREW, IN EITHER HAND.
THE FIRST MARINE CURLED BACK HIS LIP
AND CUT THE YOUNGSTER DOWN
HIS EYES FLASHED SCORN AND MOCKERY
HE WORE A CAUSTIC FROWN.
THE CORPS IS GETTING SOFT, HE SNARLED
,
SINCE IT WAS FIRST BEGUN.
YOU GOT TWO BREWS FOR SIGNING UP,
IN THE OLD CORPS, WE GOT ONE.
No One Out Marines...Response to Sgt. Maribile
Sgt. Grit
When I read the "squid" letter I got the same impression, the
overdose of Procaine Penicillin was a dead giveaway. Back then
the standard treatment for G.C. was 1.2 million units (not 5)
twice a day for 10 days, no exceptions to my knowledge.
Although I have seen some of these guys make it out to a grunt
company. I know of one case of severe John Wayne Syndrome, the
kid (raised by his grandmother) wanted to be a Marine but was
under age. Granny did sign for him to join the Navy and he got
in as a corpsman (at that time it wasn't hard since there was a
high demand). As soon as he could he went FMF and made it to
the bush. I think he lasted a week before he suffered a minor
friendly fire wound due to his own stupidity. I told the C.O.
that I didn't feel that MY Marines would be in competent hands
if he came back to the company. I recommended he be reassigned
to a Naval Hospital linen room where he wouldn't be a danger to
anyone. Never saw him again thank God.
I can't think of any REAL FMF Corpsman that became one just
because he really wanted to be a Marine. Of course we carried a
weapon and we all probably used them, I know I did on a few
night ambushes, and in several firefights when my medical
services weren't needed at the time. We also wanted to look like
Marines so we wouldn't stand out, no need to advertise.
Most of us had aspirations of a life in the medical profession
after the military. I know of some who went on to become
Doctors, P.A.'s or R.N.s. As for me, I saw enough trauma to
last a lifetime, so went into Mechanical Engineering.
There are so many "posers" and wanna-be's out there it's
unbelievable. Then you have the self proclaimed war hero, they
usually go into politics (I don't think I have to name names,
but you know who I mean). You know the one's that put themselves
in for a Purple Heart without any visible injury. When people
ask me why I get so PI$$ED OFF about this subject, I tell them
that I still have nightmares of putting my Marines on a Medi-Vac
some missing limbs others lost their life, and some worthless
turd who never really got close to combat claims the same AWARD
for themselves.
Like so many of my brothers, was I wounded? Yes! Do I have a
Purple Heart? NO! It's just a scratch.
I think congress should revise the criteria for the Purple Heart
to require medical records as proof of an actual combat wound.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Happy 234th Birthday Marines....Semper Fi
Doc John
2/5 68-69
Did NOT
Dear Sgt Grit...
Thanks for the newsletter, I enjoyed reading the enclosed
information. I was in the CORPS from 1951-54. Served in Korea
from 10 Nov52-10NOV53 and returned a wounded Marine, but have
ever been grateful of the Marine Corps training and care in
Korea. Those Commies tried to kill me, but as it turned out, I
got more of them than they got me. I returned, a lot of them
did NOT! I was in Charlie Company, 11MAR. We were 4.5" Rockets
and when we would let go with a RIPPLE of ROCKETS, havoc reigned
at the landing sites. Very few Commies that were in the landing
pattern lived past the first explosion, we would even eliminate
a contingent of TANKS when that was our target. We would
eliminate a company or bigger with every ripple.
John W. BURLEW II, Sgt, USMC, Crew Leader
If My Memory
Sgt. Grit,
I read the letter from George Lent, Cpl USMC in the 22 Oct issue
of the "Sgt Grit Newsletter" titled "Truth is not always so
rewarding". Also in this case the "TRUTH" is not always so
truthful. At the end of his first paragraph he states, "Those
squat thrust would have been a cinch, if it weren't for the fact
that my M-1 was getting really heavy holding it 'straight armed
overhead'".
If my memory serves me right, you do a squat thrust by first
doing a deep knee bend and placing the palms of your hands on
the ground. You then kick your legs back all the way and do one
push up. The next move is to come back to the deep knee bend
position and finally end up standing upright. My question is
how do you hold your rifle "straight armed overhead" while doing
this exercise? I joined the Marines in August of 67, spent two
years in Nam and got out in August of 71. I don't know how they
did the squat trust in 61-65 which is when Cpl. Lent was in (?)
the Marines but this is how we were taught to do it.
Semper Fi,
Ric Richter
Cpl USMC
1967-1971
The Tower
I just read the article about the Marine who took his children
to MCRD San Diego. I was there in the in the 1950 era. Both as a
boot and Drill Instructor. The tank that he made reference to
did not exist then. We did a little work in the pool at MCRD but
not with packs or gear. We were then trucked to Camp Matthews
for rifle range work. There is where we saw the "tower", as I
recall it was fifty feet above the pool. You climbed the ladder
to the platform looked straight ahead, one hand between the legs
the other covering your nose and on command you took one step
forward and down you went. Some said they touched the bottom of
the pool with their feet I don't recall touching anything but
water. We were clad in swimming suits only no gear. The reason
given was that if you had to jump off a ship you would know what
to expect.
The usual deal was after MCRD, 15 days leave, Pendleton and
ICT (Individual Combat Training) and then assignment.
The Instructors School was at the north end of the grinder
across the Road from Sea School.
I know the training that we received then and that I as a Drill
Instructor was involved in is nothing like the training the
Marines now encounter at MCRD.
But one thing we all have in common that no one can ever take
away from us we are United States Marines.
Sgt Charles W. Robertson
Instructors School Class 12, 3 April 1953
More Old Corps
I was told by a corporal at 8th Engineers, Camp LeJeune that OLD
CORPS was yesterday and NEW CORPS was tomorrow. And I believe
him.
Green, Donald H.
Sgt of Marines Retired
2117346/1371/1372
64-73 wounded Cuba '65
VN '66'67
Just a comment on old Corps verses new Corps. I was in the Corps
1951 - 1959 and the Marines today are better equipped,
physically, mentally and when it comes to weapons and equipment,
they can't be beat. Yes, I'm old Corps. in age only, not in
spirit. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi.
When I was reading Leatherneck on a monthly basis I came across
a poem in Gyrene Jingles. I don't remember all of it but the
tag line went "Tun's first Marine sneered when the second
appeared and said, It wasn't like that in the old Corps". We
use to play the serial number game and call the highest "boot".
Funny all that stopped in country when we all wanted to be
called "short timer". I've been out since 1977 and I am still
impressed by the young men wearing OUR uniform.
Bernie Kaye
1963 to 1977
I enlisted in June of 43. Went through the Pacific and on to
Nagasaki on occupation duty. Was in the Korean War but saw no
action.
This Old Corps versus the New Corps is a lot of baloney.
These guys today have it a lot tougher than we did because when
I was in we knew who the enemy was. These Marines today have
difficulty in trying to determine who is friend or foe.
So my hats off to these guys. Semper If to all of them. They are
in my prayers.
Sgt. Geno Mazzie USMC 539252.
Marine ASTs
Keep an eye on the opposing direction van parked just down the
street. Talk about pinpoint accuracy! The video was filmed by
some Air Force Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTAC) in Tal
Afar, west of Mosul. They were with a Marine ASTs (Advisor
Support Team) and are attached to Iraqi units to help train
their forces on a day-to-day basis. They were in a fairly
sustained firefight in the streets of Tal Afar with about 3
Anti-Iraqi Forces (AIF bad guys) and got clearance to fire a
Maverick Missile. They set their video camera on the bumper of
their armored HMMWV, which they were using for cover.
You can hear them shooting back and forth. The rounds you can
hear are from the Marines and the ones you hear pinging against
the side of the vehicle with no accompanying pop are from the
AIF. When the JTACs say they just fired "rifle" that means the
F-16 aircraft just launched the Maverick missile. You can hear
it come in and see it strike the vehicle the bad guys were using
for cover. End of story... for them !
Marine ASTs Video
Eddystone
Sgt Grit,
I would like to comment on a couple of weapon related posts that
appeared in the 11-6 issue:
CW Robertson is mistaken, The 03 was a bolt action that did not
eject a clip. He most likely is referring to the M1 Garand, and
the clip ejection issue is the reason that the scope was off set
to the left with the "Cheek pad added to the stock to bring the
shooters eye in line with it. It was not a single shot.
The other item concerns the post by MSgt Railsback, who was not
familiar with the "Eddystone " Rifle it was a WWI issued weapon
built at the Eddystone Armory and issued because Springfield and
Rock Island Armory's could not produce enough 03's The rifle was
actually an Enfield P-17 and had a different sight than the 03
that was preferred by some troops including Sgt. Alvin York.
Included is a link to find more information on this rifle
Tom Bogan
Regarding the letter from MSgt Monte L. Railsback, as I
understand it, when the U.S. got involved in WW1, they were
already making rifles for the British in .303 cal. called the
P-14. Since the U.S. was geared up to make these rifles, when we
entered the war, we continued to make the rifles but changed
caliber to 30-06 and called it the P-17. There were a lot of
p-17s in use along with the '03 Springfield. As a matter of
fact, there is ongoing controversy about whether Sgt. York used
the '03 or the P-17. I happen to own a P-17 and it's on a par
with the '03 Springfield. I also own 3 of the '03 Springfield's.
They are both very fine rifles.
Orlando R. La Rosa
Cpl. USMC
2059984
Sept. 1963 - Sept. 1967
The Eddystone 1917 30-06 rifle is an M1917. The official name is
"United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917" and the weapon is
an American modification and production of the "British .303
caliber P14 rifle" which copied many of the features of the
German Mauser system. Winchester and Remington manufactured the
weapons and one of the places Remington used to make them was a
Remington subsidiary at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in
Eddystone, PA. The rifles are marked "Winchester," "Remington"
and "Eddystone".
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.
A response to MSGT. Monte Railsback's query on the above weapon
in the 11/05 issue of your newsletter:
US Rifle, Model of 1917 - History 101: Identified by the legend
atop the breech: "U.S. Model of 1917 - Manufacturer's name
(Winchester, or Remington, or Eddystone - a Remington
subsidiary) - SN." Manufactured in 1917-1919 in .30-06 cal.
here in the USA, the 3 firms produced 2.5 million rifles. AKA
"M1917, Pattern 17, P17, 17 Enfield, US Enfield, Eddystone," ad
nauseum. Although the legendary "Springfield '03" is touted as
the infantry weapon that was used in the "War to End Wars", it
was really the M1917 that got the job done. About 75% of the 2.1
million members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) that
sailed for France were armed with the M1917. The USMC got 61,000
M1917's, but the Old Salts were wedded to their "03's", so the
M1917's were used mostly for boot camp and drill purposes, and
most everybody qualified with the "03". The M1917 mirrored the
top-of-the-line infantry rifle of the time: bolt action, iron
sights, in-stock magazine well, 5-shot stripper clips for
reload. Both the "03" and the M1917 were quite similar, but with
some significant differences: M1917 was heavier (a minus);
longer, with a longer bayonet (a plus in open combat, but a
minus in close quarters hand-to-hand in trenches or dugouts); a
six-shot magazine well capacity (one more than the '03, but
probably a moot point, since using 5-shot stripper clips); no
magazine cutoff, much stronger receiver (many were converted to
hi-power caliber hunting rifles after they were surplussed);
much longer barrel life, and a receiver-mounted peep sight like
the later M1 and Remington '03-A3 (old "03" had open sights);
one killer defect in the M1917: rear sight had no adjustment for
windage, to compensate for bullet drift at longer-range due to
prevailing winds. Static trench warfare was usually at 80-90
yard ranges, so the M1917 and its fine peep sight did well, but
the "03's" windage-adjustable sights won the day when battle
ranges increased. Some recommendations were made after WWI to
replace the "03" with the M1917 as the US main battle rifle, but
the 1903 Springfield won the day. So, how did the US end up with
a rifle with the British nickname of "Enfield"?
US Rifle, Model of 1917 - History 102: The British went to war
against the Huns and their friends in 1914, and immediately
realized that the Queen's Imperial forces were woefully short of
infantry rifles. Their regular small arms factory at Enfield
(their version of our Springfield Arsenal) was working full-
bore, so the government asked two other English ordnance
manufacturers to make rifles for the war effort. The first
company - Birmingham Small Arms - respectfully declined (go
figure...), and the second-Vickers, screwed around with the
contract for a year, and produced little... Then, like the Horse
Marines, a rescuer in the form of US millionaire financier J.P.
Morgan appears on the scene in 1915, and quickly negotiates
three contracts - with Winchester, Remington, and Eddystone - to
produce British Pattern 14 Enfield Rifles in .303 caliber in the
US (beginning to detect the thread of a story here...?). Tooling
and gauges worth $20 million, along with British small-arms
inspectors are shipped by boat to the US, all arriving safely
(the Kaiser's U-Boats must have all been in port that week,
celebrating their latest sinkings of neutral, unarmed passenger
liners...). By 1917, over 1.23 million P14 Enfields had been
produced and delivered to our English cousins, less over 25,000
lost to U-boats. But wait, there's more... By 1916, the US
realizes that we will be drawn into the war, and inventories our
supply of combat infantry weapons: Bad News! Only 600,000
Springfield '03's, and 160,000 .30/40 Krag rifles (left over
from the Spanish-American War). Too late to tool up and start
making 03's again, but here are three operating factories making
British Pattern 14 Enfield's. Change the caliber, and solve some
other engineering problems due to the caliber change, English
design quirks and interchangeability-of-parts issues, and the US
has itself a new battle rifle. The US enters WWI in April,
1917, and by summer and fall of that year, the first of
2,556,274 U.S. Rifle, Model of 1917's roll off the lines, and
into the hands of our troops.
Postscript: At the U.S. Army's School of Infantry at Fort
Benning, Ga., go to the Officers' Club, and there you will see
outlined in brass in the custom floor, a crossed pair of M1917
rifles...not the legendary Springfield 1903.
Yes, MSGT. Railsback, we have heard of this rifle!
s/f,
PFC. R.R. "Hoppy" Hopkins, 1497553
18th. Special Infantry Company/B Company, 9th. Infantry BN
(0311) USMCR 1955-1960
Homemade Swagger Stick
Hey Sarge; On this Nov.10th I was given this home made swagger
stick to see if I could find it's owner
The top band reads
"MED CRUSE
USMC"
The nex brass double band reads
1 9 6 7
LAN FUR
A M T R A U S
The circular brass bands lists all the Med landings
SPAIN
BARCELLONA
FRANCE
TURKEY
ATHENS
ITALY
SARDINIA
NAPLES
SICILY
GREECE
CRETE
Being a MARINE, you can understand it's significance.
Hope you might squeeze this in some where.
Joe Shea, Concord NH
More on Reservists
TO: J.R. Morris...1051995 . You said, Quote. ..."I was nominated
for the Navy Cross and the Silver Star so I feel I tried to
uphold the traditions of the Corps. I am proud of the time I was
allowed to wear the uniform and call myself a Marine, but there
are those who say I wasn't, a Marine because I didn't attend
boot camp."Unquote
J.R., I don't know if you are putting us on because your story
does seem a quite implausible, but I must treat your post with
utmost belief and besides I've been had before; no cherry here.
I say to you, Sir, you didn't do your boot training at P.I. or
S.D., You did yours in Korea under real fire and war! Throughout
the history of the U.S.M.C. basic training has been done in
places other than P.I. and those men have all been Marines. If
you Google "The History of Parris Island, you will get all the
information you'll ever need.
"This was the situation when hostilities broke out in Korea on
25 June 1950. There were two recruit training battalions in
operation for male Marines, An added inducement for enlistment
in the regular Marine Corps was the reduction of the enlistment
period from four to three years. If a man did not want to
commit himself to a specified term, he was now permitted to
enlist in the Reserve and volunteer on an individual basis for
an indefinite period of active duty - a period "in excess of 30
days," as his orders were phrased Parris Island also began now
to get reservists who had been called to active duty with their
units. Organized Reserve units that were activated for the
Korean emergency had originally been ordered to Camp Pendleton
or Camp Lejeune. From the latter post, 333 reservists were
transferred to Parris Island on 10 August 1950 for training,
and the prospect was that the Island would handle more than
1,200 men in this category during the next few months. End
Quote. You see, you are not exactly alone in this category...
there were plenty of reservists in Korea and during WW II almost
everyone had an R after their service designation. I hope this
helps you to understand the realities of your situation. Good
Luck and Semper Fi.
Bill Steele, PFC USMC Retired
To Mr. Morris (i.e. Almost feel guilty)
You have nothing to feel guilty about. You are a Marine, and did
what the Marine Corps told you to do that's the bottom line.
When I joined in 80 I asked for infantry, my recruiter said I
would be better off going open contract & being the young
gullible 17 year old, I trusted him and ended up being ASSIGNED
a 3111 with 3rd LSB. It was not what I joined the Corps to do
but it is what the Corps assigned to me and I did it and did it
honorably for the time I committed to and do not feel
substandard to any other Marine that served in a combat arms
MOS. I served active duty and then joined the active reserves
and can tell you I encountered professionals and screw-up's
alike on both sides. Thankfully the professionals far
outnumbered the screw-up's both active and reserve. However I've
seen this contempt for the reserves, hardly never seen it when
you say you were active duty. This is ridiculous, my reserve
time was in a Recon unit & it's to some it's like you're a 2nd
class citizen and it does not really count. Funny, several
reserve Marines in 4th Recon have given the ultimate sacrifice
and I assure you anyone that's say's they were 2nd class Marines
or 2nd class Recon Marines within hearing of me would be
"squared away" instantly. My official reserve MOS says 0321 and
I'm just as proud of that time spent with the reserves and the
schools I attended to earn it as anything I did on active duty,
in fact maybe a little more so.
S/Fi
L/Cpl Dalton- 3111/ 81-84 Active Duty
Sgt Dalton- 0321/ 87-89 Active Reserves
In response to "Almost Feel Guilty..." I was waiting for this
topic to come up (again) as I served 10 years in the US Marine
Corps Reserves and served in Desert Storm as one of the first
tanks through the minefield for 2nd Marine Division (8th Tank
Battalion). I use to be a little bashful about being a reservist
but not anymore. Let's not forget that through our beloved Corps
history, the reserves have served in almost every major
conflict. In this day and age, the active duty armed forces
cannot do without the reserves. I cannot talk for the other
branches but I know when I was in, we trained hard and when we
trained with the active duty Marines we held our own! Nobody
knows you are a reservist when you are getting shot at or
shooting back; your uniform does not have an R after US Marines
on your chest. If you went to Iraq or Afghanistan today, the
chances are good that numerous reservists are there (for the
2nd, 3rd and perhaps 4th time!). I don't see our Marine Corps
leadership telling the Marines Reserves to not send the
reservists to combat again! They are obviously holding their own
and contributing to the fight. I would go to battle with any
Marine Reservist anytime- again! Remember, we are all Marines,
we all went through boot camp and we all go through the
appropriate MOS training. Each reserve training center is
staffed by some of the best Active Duty Marines out there, and
ask them what they think about the Reserves- chances are they
would go to battle with the reserve unit they support. Keep your
head high! You earned the title of US Marine, not US Marine
Reservist!
Semper Fi.
Phillip Modesti
Desert Storm Veteran
US Marine (Reserves) and d*mn proud!
Sgt. Grit:
I have just finished the last Sgt. Grit News, and it seems that
J. R. Morris and I fit into the same mold. I too, joined the
Reserves, in March, 1949 (C Co, 14thInfBn, USMCR, Nashville, TN)
and was activated in August 1950, and shipped to Camp Pendleton
on a troop train, on 21 Aug 1950. I sat at Pendleton until
October, 1950, and then was transferred to MB, USNS, San Diego,
CA.
Who can explain the mechanisms of the Marine Corps, when it
comes to assigning personnel to various duty stations?
Probably, each and every Marine, can state, that there is no
"rhyme or reason", why the Marine Corps does anything.
But, everything the Marine Corps does produces results! When it
comes to taking green, wet behind the ears, young men and women
and transforming them into the finest fighting (and support)
groups the world has ever know; this is our Corps.
By April, 1951, I had over two years service, and a date of rank
as PFC, of September, 1949. When I arrived across the bay from
the Naval Station, at MCRDep, for boot camp, it was a rude
awakening. I was assigned a recruit platoon, in the 3d Recruit
Training Battalion, with the senior DI, Sgt. John Medas, a WWII
Marine; a Corporal and PFC, were the other 2 DIs. Ironically,
my date of rank was earlier than the PFC DI.
By this time, I had already been assigned an 0143 MOS, and
within days of graduating in June, 1950, was working in the
offices of the 3dRTBn. ALMAR (# something, or other) had been
published that summer, and within another month, I was promoted
to Corporal.
In all the time I was in the Corps, I was never in a combat
situation, which I continually regret to this day. I retired as
a Gunnery Sergeant (always a "pencil pusher"), in January, 1970.
BUT, I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN, given a chance....
James R. McMahon, GySgt of Marines, 1043043
Hendersonville, TN
Just want to tell Kent Mitchell what I think of the Marine
Reserves. My replacement in March 1951, PFC Whit Moreland was a
reserve Marine from Waco and Austin, Texas. The following May,
he earned the Congressional Medal of Honor by sacrificing his
life for his brother Marines on a remote hill in South Korea.
Although I was not one of the Marines that he saved, nor did I
know him personally, I feel a special attachment to him and I
admire all the other Marine Reserves just like him that served
alongside us. So be proud of your service and disregard the "R"
in your ID. It doesn't mean diddly.
Carl "Ski" Lawendowski
S/Sgt - USMC
To the "feeling guilty reservist",
Get over it brother. A Marine - is a Marine - is a Marine.
Because, as the saying goes: Once a Marine - always a Marine.
Besides, it seems that you did a whole lot more to earn the
title than most of us.
As a Marine, I'm sure you remember what most of us did when
having a little bit of down time. We sh!t on each other in a
joking manner to make whatever serious situation we were in seem
a little bit lighter.
But when the chips are down, who would you rather have next
to you in a fire fight? Some Army puke, or your fellow Marine
who 30 minutes ago just dumped on you?
Stephen M. Blank - USMCR
2nd Force Recon (1963 - 1964)
To J.R. Morris: I wouldn't worry too much that you didn't go to
boot camp. The purpose of boot camp is to train for war. You
went to war as a Marine and served with distinction. Most
people never earn a Navy Cross or a Silver Star. In my book
that makes you one gung-ho sonofab!tch of a Marine. So much so
that it doesn't matter a bit what I or anyone else might think.
Looked at another way, some less experienced Marines probably
look up to you as a hard charger and the real deal.
Semper Fi, Mark Lurtsema (Rifleman 1980-RIP)
I am flabbergasted that one of our Corps finest does not
consider himself a Marine for not having gone to Boot Camp. That
anyone would disparage him is an insult to his service and to
the entire Marine Corps. Through his service he wholly is a
Marine through and through.
In that era many men and women wore the uniform of the US Marine
Corps without attending Boot Camp, it was the order of the day
and the way our beloved Corps was able to continue its very
existence at a time when Politicians were attempting to disband
our Corps and merge it in to the Army. Chesty Puller famously
defended the Marine Corps to the politicians and helped sustain
us through difficult times as did these reservists. In fact the
first units to respond to the Korean War were USMC Reservists as
they consisted of many combat vets from WWII and had more combat
experience than many active duty units.
As to being "just a reservist" this is a load of crap. Many of
the heroes of WWII had the "R" tacked on to their service to
indicate that they were in for the duration. To this day most
newly minted 2nd Lts have the "R" tacked on to their title until
they are able to augment in to the Regular Marine Corps.
Myself, I served proudly in the Reserves for six years, I wear
the EGA proudly and honor my brothers and sisters, active,
reserves, retired, or whatever. I proudly stood with all the
other Marines last night at my local Marine Bar in Oakland Ca
called the Warehouse and watched the cake being cut by a
childhood friend who has served as enlisted reserves and is now
and Active Duty Major with multiple Recon tours in Iraq.
In my reserve time I served with honorable Marines who would
have kicked you a$s for saying that they weren't real Marines.
My favorite story comes from a Sgt Grit letter of a WWII Marine
Combat vet who later served in the reserves and during a annual
training was told he wasn't a "real" Marine, he went on to kick
the a$s of the guy that said and told him that there was no
difference in the uniform and that he's never be able to tell if
was an active duty Marine or a reservist, but that he still got
his a$s kicked by a Marine.
My graduating Platoon in Boot Camp, Plt 3041, Senior DI Sgt
Espinoza, August 17, 1990, ushered in a platoon that consisted
of more than half of the Reservists, many of whom served
honorably in that first Iraq War.
Many Marines should research which famous people counted
themselves as Marine Reservists and they'd be surprised. We
reservists walk in two worlds which is reflected in our version
of the Good Conduct Medal, called the Selected Marine Reserve
Medal. It depicts the two men walking side by side, one in
uniform and one in civvies, and is in fact the same man and
represents the duality of being a Marine and Civilian, a
difficult but honorable life to lead. Many people cannot
comprehend having to be proficient as a Marine and in the
civilian world too.
We should cherish our brethren for their sacrifice and service,
with honor and respect.
Semper Fi,
Matt McDonell
LCPL USCMR
MCRD San Diego, Plt 3041, Graduating Date 8/17/1990
MWSS 472 Det Bravo 1990-1992
Comm Platoon, HQ Company, 23rd Marines 1992-1996
Cold War T-shirt
Sunglasses with Eagle, Globe and Anchor
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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