Other Marine Corps BS Volume 13

OCS platoon pictures

Sgt. Grit,

In catching up on back issues of the newsletter, I have seen several boot camp platoon photos this weekend. That reminded me of my own OCS platoon pictures, particularly the one from Senior PLC's during the summer of '65 at "Mainside" Quantico, which I have attached.

Our platoon commander was Capt. Fitts (left side, front row). The Platoon Sergeant was SSgt. Yoder, and Sergeant Instructor was Sgt. Mauty (both on the right side, front row, from left to right). That's me in the next-to-top row, far left--the only one with eyeballs straight ahead, instead of looking at the camera. On the far right side of the same row was my bunk mate, Pete Grimm, who was Art'y Liaison Officer for 3/7 when I was FO for Lima 3/7 in '67. The candidate holding the platoon sign was Leonard Dornak, later KIA in Vietnam as a lieutenant (named on The Wall). Straight above "Candidate" Dornak in the top row is Fred Cuny.

I've read several comments recently about how "oohrah" was not used in the 60's. Actually, the first time I ever heard that "Recon Growl" or "Tiger Growl," was on a platoon run during that summer, and it was Fred who was sounding off. I'm not sure where he picked it up, but it definitely sounded "cool." I expected Fred to go far in the Corps, but that didn't happen, as I found out later. Fred's college grades slipped, so he was dropped from the officer candidate program. Instead, he went on the become a major player in the disaster relief field around the world. Unfortunately, in 1995, he was shot by Chechnyan rebels, who suspected him of being a spy, while trying to help the desperate people in that part of the former Soviet Union. His death made the national news. You can read his story in a book titled The Man Who Tried to Save the World, by Scott Anderson. When I did a "Google" search today, I found that a movie was being planned in 2002, in which Harrison Ford was to play Fred's part. As far as I know, it never materialized.

Semper fi!

Tom Downey
Once a captain, USMCR; always a Marine
1963-76 ("For pay purposes")
Vietnam: 4Dec66-18Dec67

1928 30 Calweapon

Retired Major Bill Davis. Rambo!!!! The machine gun I'm holding is a 1928 30 Calweapon used in WWII, It is functional in a semi automatic mode.Makes a very loud noise when fired and is guaranteed to keep suspicious characters away from your house!!!

Mortar Platoon

Sgt. Grit:

Attached is a picture of the 3/26 Marines mortar platoon. Taken in Okinawa 1966, just before deployment to Vietnam. I was a member of that platoon durint transit and for a short while "in country". In Vietnam I was transferred to L/3/26 where I was given an M79 and became a grenadier. In the photo, the marine second from left, first row standing, is a Sgt. Armstrong who earned the Navy Cross during action around Con Thien on Sept. 7/8, 1967. Same area and time, I believe, that L/Cpl. Starkey mentions in the latest Sgt. Grit newsletter.

Regards,
Cpl. Charlie Carter
L/3/26

WM's

Hey Sgt Grit:
Haven't replied back for awhile, thought I'd respond today on two counts...first, I was in 87 - 91, we were definitely not called BAM's except by ill guided young Marines who were trying to act like they were old corps. I just used to laugh at them. We were called WM's, but I think at the time it was more of a gender distinction for description purposes.."I need the wm's to clean the female head", "take this down to the wm barracks", etc. I can't recall ever something like "hey you wm, get over here". I believe that would have been "hey you Marine or Cpl, get over here". Just as when describing different Marines, "he was a dark green Marine, or he was a light green Marine", etc...If there were a bunch of Marines standing together (male & female) we wouldn't have heard "Hey you wm's and you Marines get over here", it would have just been "you Marines get over here".

Second, shooting competitions. I was series high shooter in boot camp. After arriving on Okinawa it was decided that the boots would do their yearly quals at that time, rifle range, gas chamber, pft...so it was off to the rifle range, qual day shot a 244. I was taken from Comm Co and sent to H&S and earned an 8531 MOS as a Primary Marksmanship Instructor. I will say with pride, not bragging, that I have had some great rifle scores on the range, both rifle and pistol, highest on any given qual day a 246 rifle, 381 pistol (9mm). What I will brag about was the ability to teach Marines, both old and new, how to shoot better with their weapons. I loved this job. It was up at 3:30 every day to drive from Kinser to Hansen to be on the line before sun up, but I LOVED it. I had very few Marines who had trouble with receiving assistance from a young (female) PFC/LCpl...one old Gunny, but that's a story for another day...one of the Marines I was fortunate enough to coach was Col Michael Wiley. The Col had never shot expert with his pistol before...after Monday firing, I asked if he had a few minutes that we could go over some mistakes he was making with his shooting. He stayed for a while and also on Tuesday. By Wednesday, he was shooting sharpshooter, which he was ecstatic about! Wednesday evening, I came down with some kind of bug that put me on bed rest. Thursday my NCOIC took my place on the range. The Col shot expert!! My Cpl explained the tradition of giving your rank insignia to your coach. Col Wiley said he knew of the tradition, but that LCpl Keim deserved it. I was just happy hearing the story! But lo and behold, the next week on the rifle range a young Marine came looking for me, it was Col Wiley's driver, he gave me an envelope. Enclosed was the attached letter. This was one example of why I loved coaching Marines on the range. Yeah, the shooting was great, but helping Marines progress in their shooting still gives me a warm and fuzzy!

Semper Fi!
Michelle R Christman (Keim)
Cpl of Marines 87 - 91

Woman Marines

I, too, was a WM from 1980 to 1982. Platoon 8A, L Company, at Parris Island. Radio School at Twentynine Palms, then Radio Plt, CommCo, H&S Battalion, 2dFSSG, Camp Lejeune. The building was actually one of the old wooden barracks, and if I remember correctly, we were one of the last platoons to 'live' in that barracks before it was condemned! We did not do the obstacle course or go to the rifle range during bootcamp. I joined the Marines at the urging of my best friends older sister, who was a Marine at the time I was trying to decide what to do with my life. Much to my horror, one day at mail call, one of my ADI's, Sgt. V. Tovar, called my name & quite frankly, was more than a little aggravated that I was getting mail from SSgt Sarah Degraff, HER bootcamp 'bunkie', and wanted to know why! As I stumbled through an explanation, I could only imagine the horrors Sgt. Tovar was planning for me. Needless to say I wrote a letter to Sarah, ASAP, and told her not to ever write to me again! To this day, nothing short of the births of my three sons, makes me prouder than the fact that I have earned the right to call myself a United States Marine. My two oldest sons also joined the Marines.

My middle son has done a tour in Afghanistan and two tours (one extended) in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The photo I've attached is of myself, and two of the boys friends, Heather and Amanda....the three of us call ourselves 'The Marineaholics', beside my Jeep. Unfortunately, the Jeep didn't survive a crazy, hydroplaning driver on I95, but nothing changes my love for the Marine Corps. Semper Fi to all of those who have served, in the past and the present. As a former Marine, and a Marine Mom, I can guarantee you that being a Marine Mom is absolutely the toughest job in the Corps!!

Ruth Chippich-Murphy
VP Marine & even prouder Marine Mom!

My Marine Corps Heroe

Dear SgtGrunt,

I love reading your newsletter and I wanted to write you about my two Marine Corps Heroes. My father.

First and foremost, I wanted to begin with how very lucky I am to be the daughter of a United States Marine. I know because my father is a Marine, he is one of the main reasons that I am who I am today. From an early age, I was taught to respect people and not to do wrong to others. I was also taught that if there is ever anyone who is need, to help them to the best of my ability, because that is what my dad would do. Especially if that person is a United States Marine.

But I have to say the best lessons Iearned from my Marine father were those of love and sacrafice. He taught me that family is the most important thing in the world, and the love for your family is like no other. Just like his love for the Corps, and his Marine brothers.

To this day, my father has sacraficed everything for me and my brother to ensure that we have happy, fullfilling lives and never have to worry about anything. He also sacraficed his life for my freedom, when he served in the Vietnam War.

I don't think I fully understood my father's love for his country or the Corps until September 11th, 2001. I also didn't fully understand why freedom is not free, until that day as well. Being born in NY, and growing up in northern NJ, when the World Trade Centers were attacked, it really hit my entire family close to home. Literally. A close cousin of the family perished in the attacks as well. 3 days later, there I was. Standing and staring at the mangled, twisted, smouldering mess of the World Trade Centers with my father. It was the quietest moment I think I will ever experience, especially in Manhattan.

We were watching the firefighters going into and coming out of the wreckage and the only word that I could think of was "sad." I couldn't comprehend how many people had died right there, where were standing. And I couldn't comprehend how almost every single one of those firefighters had men they were searching for, or how many men they had lost. Thier friends, thier fathers, their brothers. Each other. And then, it hit me. I looked over at my father, and he was crying. I knew then, that single moment took him back to his time and his suffering in Vietnam.

And then, he said something I will never forget as long as I live. He looked over at me, hugged me, looked back at the wreckage, the dirty and weeping fireman, and the space in the sky where the towers once stood and said "Look at what this horrible man did to our country. Just look at what he has done! If I could go back into the Marines right now and hunt him down, I would." And I knew that he would have if he could. That moment was when I knew what it meant to be a Marine was. That he would run into the fire to protect me and my family, and the entire country AGAIN if he had to. No questions asked.

So for all of those who are lucky enough to know and love a United States Marine, I ask you to think about that defining moment when you understood what it means to be a Marine. And I ask that you say thank you to that Marine, every and any chance you get. Without their love and sacrafices, which they still make today, our lives could be much different.

Remember, Freedom is not free. And the people who run into the fire first, to defend that freedom, are our beloved Marines.

-Christa Gasiewicz

Proud Daughter of Peter Gasiewicz USMC
1st Bat 9th Marines

Marine Brothers

Here is photos of me and my brothers.

L/Cpl Dale Landon 2008036

Thank You

Sgt. Grit,

Headquarters Company 9th Marine Regiment 3rd Marine Division (Republic of Vietnam 1964 ~ 1969) met in Charleston, SC on March 24 ~ March 27, 2009 for our 3rd reunion. When you learned of our reunion you made contact with one of our men and made arrangements to send many items from your catalogue to give out to those attending; this is to let you know that your gifts were waiting for us at the hotel and we were able to hand out to our men when we gathered at the local VFW Post on the 26th for a time of fellowship and memory. Thank you very much for your contribution to our time of fellowship.

I am enclosing a several of the photos from our “gathering”; the first photo is a group photo taken prior to a dinner cruise in Charleston harbor, next is a photo of the infamous yellow foot prints awaiting each new recruit at Paris Island and the third photo of HqCo9thMarines standing on those footprints. There were two newly formed platoons within ear and eye sight to witness us forming up on the foot prints and I could only imagine was going through their minds as well as the Drill Instructor that was with them. I should pass along that if any other Marines visit either recruit depot they should be cautious of their behavior; one Drill Instructor caught me talking in the mess hall and required me to do some push ups for that infraction. All in all we had a wonderful time there; we got to test our skills on the M 16 simulator at the rifle range. I would highly recommend others to hold reunions where a side trip to PI would be available. We hope to meet again in San Diego sometime in 2011.

I hope to soon publish more photos from our reunion on our website www.hqco9thmarines.com .

Again, thank you for what you contributed toward our reunion and also for you posting a link to our website several months ago. I know that a lot of Marines visit your website and with you making links available to sites such as ours helps us as we try and locate men from our company.

Please feel free to use this e-mail and photos if you like.

I can be reached at jackloveday [at] scrtc.com .

Coming Home

It's good to hear stories of our Marines being welcomed home from deployment but it reminds many of us about a different situation years ago when returning from Southeast Asia. We returned to MCAS El Toro in October 1969 to a half dozen cars in the parking lot and transportation instructions. Having grown up in Southern California, I was lucky having my mother pick me up and haul me home through the anti-war protesters at the gate. Within four hours I was on a double date with "The Twins" and Topper Rankin, my 3rd Recon buddy I met on the USS Iwo Jima. Fast forward to October 2000 at the MCAS Miramar Airshow. A group of old Marines gathered to display an airworthy UH-34D helicopter which, to many Vietnam Marines, is a religious icon. It was four days of "Welcome Home" from the the public, the young Marines of Miramar and even Vietnamese who escaped the Communist takeover. We even signed autographs. The event ended with towing the helicopter to the end of the ramp, firing it up and cruising around the hills behind Miramar for a trip of a lifetime. Talk about memory lane. After 30 years, to gather with America's best who you know will cover your back was something never to be forgotten. It took a week to come back down from the high. Every Vietnam and Korean Vet should have this experience.

Wayne Stafford
RVN 68-69

PFC Poochie

Hi Sgt. Grit,

While reading your AmericanCourage Newsletter #195, for 05 Mar 2009, I saw the picture of PFC Bonehead submitted by Bart Baldwin, of Brackettville, Tx. I thought it was so cute that I sent it to my Daughter, because she is always dressing her dog up in 'His Marine Blues' for different Marine occasions. I'm a Life Member in the Marine Corps League, John Basilone Detachment # 190, here in New Jersey and a couple years ago after marching in the John Basilone Annual Parade, which is held in Raritan, NJ, I stopped by her house on my way home and she took this picture of me and Pablo, her dog. I know we were both a little 'Out of Uniform' , but please understand, I had just marched a couple miles in the heat and was hot and tired and on my way home. (no excuse, I know !) Now, PFC Poochie (Pablo) had no excuse, he was at home all day guarding his Mother's perimeter, in the air conditioning, while I was carrying a flag for our Honor Guard in the parade.

(ha ha) I just thought if you could find space in one of your upcoming newsletters you might show the picture of another 'Devil Dog', so that the World would know, even our pets Honor and Respect Our Corps in the proper manner.

Just want you to know that I have enjoyed reading your newsletters for years now, even though 'that mist' gathers in my eyes sometimes with some articles. I have some of your products and love them. Keep up the good work you are doing in 'spreading the word' and giving us a place to communicate with each other.

Thank you and Semper Fi,

John D. Centofanti
U.S.M.C.
March 1958 - March 1964
6th Mar. & 2nd ANGLICO

BAMs

Sgt Grit,

Sgt Doyle Clark wrote about his experience with "BAMs". My Momma was a WM in WWII and after I graduated from Boot Camp, she let me know in no uncertain terms that "BAM" stood for "Beautiful American Marine", although she did acknowledge that occasionally my Father (a Marine Pfc in the same Squadron) referred to WMs as "Broad Axle-d Marines"!

Jeff Howards
Sgt of Marines, 73-77

Pics From Gasparilla 15K

Hey all. My first 15K .. completed .. Marine Corps Marathon here I come ... 6 races down ... 15 to go!

I didn't compress these before sending so you could actually see "the thrill of victory" .

Ya don't realize how freaking far 9.3 miles actually is until you run it in boots with a pack :)

The second picture is actually a MOM who came up to me to thank me .. her son happens to be at Haley right now recovering from wounds. It special beyond words to meet her on course and to cross the finish line with her.

I race in your honor because you served in mine

Semper Fi,
Dianne Villano
Support Our Marines, Inc
www.supportourmarinesinc.org
http://www.eteamz.com/TriingToRaiseMoneyForOurGrunts

Proud M.O.M.

Dear Staff of Sgt Grit,

My son is a LCPL in the Marine Corp. and is currently on his 2nd deployment. Our family is very close and we have all been staunch supporters of him and his choice to join the Corp. Every one of us have something on all of our vehicles supporting him/USMC.

I would like to thank you for not only the quality of merchandise you sell but for the amount of items you sell. We get almost all of our Marine items from Sgt Grit!

The attached photos are of 3 of the family vehicles and the others are of our son from his first deployment.

Thank you again & keep up the great work!

Lori, mother of LCPL Willis Yaney
Semper Fi!

MCRD Norfolk

Sgt Grit,

Reading your various messages, newsletters and such, I can't help to see how the older Marines lovingly refer to the Corps as the "old Corps". Now look at the attached scan and tell me if this isn't "Real old Corps"! MCRD, Marine Barracks, Norfolk VA in Dec 1913.

I just added this piece to my USMC postal history collection but I had to share it with others. We talk of brick buildings, others talk of wooden structures but here is a great example of a "Tent Camp".

Semper Fidelis!
Greg Ciesielski
Cpl. USMC 1979-1983

Sgt Moose

Moose Update 6/1/09

this is my bad marine and me at a mission for the patriot gaurds Sgt moose of N.o. Reading Mass. 8 months old and tough as nails...

this is my sgt moose of No. Reading mass. hes only six months old and looks like he could take on any new recuite...Go sgt Moose semper fi oohraw

My Little Marine

This is a few pics of my little marine ..You see we are patriot Garud members and we go when duty call for our troops Im the flag manager of the North Shore area of massauhsette and these were taken on one of our latist missions ...Just wanted to share with you his name is clp bruce the moose a.k.a moose


Grace

T48 57 mm

Enclosed is a picture of 1 of 6 vehicles I restored in USMC. The one pictured is a version of the T48 with a licensed 57 m/m A.T. gun. The day we shoot this will be a 1st since WWII in the U.S.

Thanks,
Jack

3rd Generation Marine

I was a third generation Marine. My Grandfather in WWI , my Dad in WWII Cpl (1943-1947) and me SSgt (1968-1978)
I have no info where my Grandfather served.
Dad served in the South Pacific (43-45) 3rd MarDiv Saipan and Guam and Tenstin, China (45-47) A/1/11 1st MarDiv.
I served in Vietnam A/1/11 1st MarDiv (69-70)…An Hoa and just south of Hill55, where you were at Sgt Grit.

PMI Edson Range Camp Pendleton (70-71)
Marine Security Detachment (Marine Barracks San Diego) at NAS Miramar (71-73)
L/4/12 Camp Butler and North Camp Fuji Japan (73-74)
3rd 175mm Gun Btry 1st FSSG Twentynine Palms (74-76)
Hq 4th MarDiv (G-4 Section Prepositioned War Reserves Chief), Camp Pendleton (76)
Hq 4th MarDiv New Orleans, La (76-78)

As you can see I served in the same battery that my Dad served with in China (how scary is that?) A couple of things that happened to Dad also happened to me (quite scary why I think about it).
As you can see I still proudly fly our flag, even though I am surrounded Army doggies here in Lacey, Washington. It lets them know not to “Mess with the Best”.
My heart goes out to all who served and currently serves in our beloved Corps.
Semper Fi
Doug Barron SSgt 68-78

Marine's obituaries

Are, self explanatory items of three Marines.

Weil was in A-1-1.
Gordon also, in A-1-1
And
McHugh was in A-1-5.
All gave some !!!!!
SOME gave ALL !!!!!!!!

These three were compiled by Sgt. Robert Handley, who was in the Reserve with all three Marines in Pittsburgh. His relatives kept the newspaper articles and he has kept them all this time and forwarded by one of his daughters. Sgt. Handley was in C-1-1 while in Korea, wounded twice in one night before he had to leave his position.

Thank You,
Semper Fi !!!!!!
Norm Callahan
C-1-1

Chili Cook-Off Group Photo

Central Illinois Leathernecks Annual Chili cook off in Springfield, Illinois 3/7/9

"Eye of the Storm"

Memories from an old retired Master Sergeant.

Marine Detachment

A few years back (1979) I was stationed on the 6th Fleet Flag Ship USS Albany CG 10 out of Gaeta Italy. I was just a young Boot then. New to the Detachment and the Corp. My first night out to sea Approx 2200 hours I heard someone yell section fight and the entire birthing compartment erupted into a massive brawl!. About 10 minutes into the section fight someone called attention on deck! The XO of the ship was pulling birthing inspections to insure the compartments were cleaned and all trash had been dumped.

Needless to say the XO was not pleased to see all the Marines standing at attention with blood dripping off of us. As he walked around the area he just shook his head in disgust. When he finished with our compartment he went thru the hatch in the floor going to the next compartment, there was a laundry bag hanging from the hand wheel down to the next compartment. When the XO pushed the laundry bag aside to get down the ladder well a voice from within the bag yelled out (GET YOUR HAND OFF MY A$$) The XO pulled his hand back real quick and looked back into our compartment shaking his head in disgust. We all heard him say in a very clear but low voice (You F#$%^%@ Marines!)

The fight was over then and we all had a great laugh. The next morning at formation it was mentioned that there will be no more body’s in the laundry bags and that section fights were not to be conducted until 2230 or later!

This was one of the many fond memories I have of the detachment. I have attached a small jpeg of a section fight.

Semper FI!
Mark Brooks
Sgt. 1978 / 1981

"Welcome to the Family"

On January 24th of this year I had the great pleasure of marrying the man, (and the Marine), of my dreams! He's stationed at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, and I couldn't be more excited about moving there in two weeks. We had a nice, small wedding with a few of his closest fellow Marines at Hale Koa Beach on base. The minute I saw Jordan I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with him. November 7th, 2008 was our first date...(yes, that's right, we only dated for two and a half months before we got married...) But like the say, when you know...you know! The moment his Sergeant slapped me on the butt with that sword and said "Welcome to the Family" has definitely been one of the proudest moments of my life. I couldn't be happier standing by his side as a member in the Marine Corps family!!

For richer, for poorer,
In good times and bad,
Semper Fi!
Malia Kell
Wife of LCpl Jordan M. Kell

R. Lee Ermey

Hi Sgt. Grit,

I went to a recent "Shot Show" in Orlando, Florida and guess who I saw standing in the front of the "Glock Booth" ? R. Lee Ermey a.k.a Gunny Hartman. Who can ever forget him from the movie Full Metal Jacket as a hard core DI. His voice is very distinct, sometimes I hear it in my sleep. Few of my personal favorites that he delivered in that movie......"Until you leave my island, you are nothing but a worthless human being"....."You give your soul to Jesus but you ass belong to the Corps". He also has a cool intro on his website. What a thrill it was seeing him, I took a picture with him and had a Full Metal Jacket DVD signed by him. Check out the picture, still as lean and still a Marine !

I hung my picture with him on my Marine Corps wall next to my picture with Sergeant Major David Sommers back in 1990. I'm proud to be an American and most of all being a United States Marine !

Semper Fi,
"Mad Max"
USMC 0331

We call it 5 Marines

PFC Rachel K. Fredericks on Graduation day 10/18/08
Also, from the left
Aunt - Sgt Billie Jo Fredericks
Cousin - Sgt Rob Fredericks (active)
Uncle - SSgt Bill Payne
Uncle - Cpl Steve Fredericks

Marine Wedding

Dear Sgt Grit:

Few occasions are as memorable and festive as a wedding, especially one where the 300 guests and the entire region were evacuated in the path of last year’s Hurricane Gustav just 5 days earlier. We all returned home to find no power, no food, other than canned, and no personnel including venue caretakers, bakers, florists and hotels employees. In addition, we had lost four days of valuable preparation time. At one point, we had people in the air, flying from four different states and no place to board them. Miraculously, all the pieces feel back into place just in time and people were calling it the miracle wedding. If you had seen it all in a movie, you would never have believed it.

Take a look a the photos and witness a very happy Marine wedding party, including my son the groom, 2nd Lt Robert M Locke.

Semper Fidelis
Robert Locke
Marine Dad

FRAMES

Thanks again for all of your support; these shadow boxes will be auctioned off at the Shot Show next week to help deployed snipers in combat theater. The USMC Scout Sniper one always draws the highest bids, please share with Don and your company.

Did you get my pictures from the Wreaths Across America Memorial?

Best Regards,
Craig Herkes

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