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Sgt. Grit,
Anyone wanting to 'watch' a Parris Island Sand Flea incident
check out "The D.I." with Jack Webb.
This 1957 movie about Parris Island has several good scenes that
depict Marine Recruit Training during the 1950s and some that
are down right 'corny' ('Just Whistle...").
One has to keep in mind when this movie was filmed. The entire
Sand Flea scene is a riot!
I also used this movie as an aid to remember my eleven General
Orders. As one recruit yelled them out, I wrote them down.
Since my memory isn't quite as good as it once was, I had to do
this so I could recall them, just in case.
"The D.I." is in my VCR right now and I plan to enjoy my lunch
watching this movie and recalling my days at 'The Island'.
Semper Fi,
Tony Glass
Sgt USMC
1974-78
Send me stories of jokes, pranks, practical jokes while on active duty.
Sgt Grit
info@grunt.com
Chaplain's Corner
The Gyrostabilizer
by Bob Boardman
"The men who followed Him were unique in their generation. They
turned the world upside down because their hearts had been
turned right side up. The world has never been the same."
— Billy Graham
After an accelerated wartime seven week Marine Boot Camp in
early 1943, hundreds of us in our new green uniforms and our
equipment packed in khaki-colored sea-bags were sent by ten-
wheel trucks to Camp Elliott on the outskirts of San Diego for
infantry training. Camp Pendleton had not opened yet.
In other chapters I've told how after initial infantry training,
we were "volunteered" alphabetically for tank school. I
sometimes wonder what would have happened to me if my last name
was Zaring!
As new prospective tankers we were sent off to Jaques Farm, an
old fruit orchard, for training. Never mind that some of us were
well over six feet and could hardly squeeze into the 15-ton
light tanks of that day.....
Read More
As I Was Growing Up
As a Former "Woman Marine" from the early 1970's and a Marine
Mom, I look at the approaching Memorial Day, as I do EVERY year,
with a Grateful heart for all the men and women that have given
the "ultimate sacrifice" for our country! My father instilled
in me patriotism for America as I was growing up.
My father's ashes are at the Houston VA Cemetery. He served in
England as a bomber mechanic during WWII in the Army Air Corps
from '41-'45 and was Darn Proud of his country and the Freedoms
7 Opportunities it has for its people! He was a 1st generation
American born son of two Italian immigrants that came to this
country in 1902 with just a few dollars in their pockets and the
"American Dream" in their heads. My grandfather worked on the
NY Central Railroad for 51 years and my grandmother worked in a
vegetable canning factory with my dad on her knee as she worked
long hours. They paid for and built 2 homes next to each other
in a tiny town nestled in Western NY where they lived until they
died in the early 1970's. When my grandmother returned to Italy
in 1968 to visit her family after all of 66 yrs later, her family
marveled at how she spoke English the whole time she spent with
them. She told them "I am an American now and I speak and read
& write English! I found out later that my 1st grade elementary
school teacher taught her how to write and read English. She
only got as far as the 2nd grade level but was proud of being
able to read and write! Something that was NOT a priority to
teach to females in Italy back when she was growing up there.
My grandfather fought in WWI and was gone for 3 years in Europe.
He returned and worked hard and instilled in my father as he was
growing up to be Grateful for the Freedoms and Opportunities
America has for us. And be grateful for the Sacrifices of the
men and women before us for protecting our great country and its
freedoms!
I passed along to my son, who served as a U S Marine from May
2001-May 2006, the same principles. I will never forget 9-11
when he had just flown to California the night before. He was
home on leave for 10 days and we talked him into going back a
day early for good measure (Sometimes the airlines doesn't get
you back in time to report back from your leave). He was in a
hotel room outside of Camp Pendleton and was "wound up" watching
the twin towers incident on TV and called me at work. He said
that he knew he was going to make someone pay for what had
happened and was "motivated"!
In Nov 2004, he was in the first group of Marines to go into the
Battle of Fallujah. He was in Iraq from Sep 04 - Mar 05. It
WAS the MOST INTENSE 7 mos of all my life! I hardly ever slept
at night! BUT, I was so proud of him!
I KNEW that my Grandfather, and Father were WATCHING OVER HIM
from the HEAVENS to help him come HOME SAFE!
I KNOW that prayer gets a Marine Mom through the trial of
waiting for their son or daughter to come home from war! I will
NEVER forget his homecoming! I was as Joyful that day as the
day I delivered him into this world! It truly was special! I
cried with so much happiness to be able to hug him and see that
he was safe. He returned with a Purple Heart from wounds he
received in the Battle of Hit. There is NOTHING LIKE THE DR's
that are stationed in IRAQ! There ARE AMERICA'S FINEST DR'S!
He was sewn up and back in battle in a day or so!
I am so GRATEFUL for the sacrifices of the men & women who are
currently defending our freedoms at home & abroad! I pray that
their efforts are NOT in vain! I pray that the leadership of
this great country of ours "gets it together" and finishes the
JOB they started!
This DOESN'T NEED to be a political war! I pray that the "Great
Comforter" be with all the families to get through their trials
of waiting for their loved ones to come home safe!
GOD BLESS AMERICA and all it STANDS FOR!
SEMPER FI!
J E Denton
Former Sgt, USMC
'75-'79
Memorial Day
( More than just a day off work )
M is for the memory we have of those who put their lives on the
line to give us the freedom and privilege of living in this
blessed nation...
E is for the enduring gratitude we have for the sacrifices these
men and women make for those who stayed at home...
M is for the merit we recognize in those who serve our nation
when such service comes at such a high price...
O is for the obedience we honor when those in uniform follow
orders that may, and many times do, cost them their lives...
R is for the reverence we give to the thoughts we have on this
day, or any day, when we remember those who give so much...
I is for the integrity we salute when those in uniform stand up
for all of us even when some of us do not stand up for them...
A is for the allegiance we have to the nation that these brave
warriors fight and die for...
L is for the love that goes with those who are in harms way, and
who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me...
Offered respectfully by,
W. Larry Chapman, Jr.
Capt. USMC - Vietnam Era
4th Annual GriTogether 2007
If you missed it this year, check out the pictures...
A Giant Died Today
(A Remembrance of Marine Fred Hanson)
By: Michael A. Crane
The late Stephen Ambrose wrote in his best selling history of
the 101st Airborne, Band of Brothers:
AI was ten years old when the war ended. I thought the returning
veterans were giants who had saved the world from barbarism. I
still think so. I remain a hero worshiper.
Ambrose and I are the same age and about this verdict I agree
with him entirely.
When I was a 17 year old Marine recruit, it was men like Fred
Hanson who were the models for our emulation. In fact, Iwo and
Tarawa Marines were the only men my Drill Instructor spoke about
with a respect approaching awe. Himself a Navy Cross winner from
Korea, my DI didn't think much of the human race to begin with
and even less of recruits who he regarded as bearing no human
attributes whatsoever. Make no mistake, these men of Iwo Jima
were held in a reverence that's difficult to comprehend for
anyone who hasn't experienced Marine Corps boot camp. Suffice
it to say that in the pantheon of Marine gods those courageous
veterans of Iwo Jima have an exalted place shared only with
Tarawa Marines. Not that other Marine warriors were any less
heroic but just that it was Iwo Jima that defined everything
that the Marines had stood for since its founding in 1775. It's
in the diamond hard simplicity of the Marine Corps Motto, Semper
Fidelis, Always Faithful: to God, Country and Corps. Semper Fi
motivated the selfless courage of the Iwo Marines that led
Admiral Chester Nimitz to praise them in language that graces
the Marine Memorial in Washington D.C., Uncommon Valor was a
Common Virtue.
In specific context, Fred was in the third assault wave of the
first day of the invasion. That means that the enemy's guns
hadn't been knocked out yet. Every square foot of the beach was
in the Japanese gun registry. If you've never watched the old
Movietone News reels of that event you have no idea how
terrifying that experience had to be for the 20,000, mostly
teenagers, who hit the beach on February 19, 1945 against some
of the fiercest troops in the Japanese inventory. The absolute
ferocity of battle is attested to by the statistics: during the
33 day contest 7,000 Marines were killed and another 19,000
wounded including 25 surgeons and 827 Corpsmen. Plus, 21,000
Japanese died there. One young Marine NCO wrote later: Life was
never regular again. We were changed from the day we put our
feet in that sand.
After 60 some years Fred is finally back with the buddies he
left behind in the black volcanic ash. He remembered them often
as we chatted. Near the end his mind was often fogged by the
ravages of age and illness but he never lost the clarity of his
memories of those Marines who fell on that stinking sulphuric
island. As frail as he became, in my mind, Fred always bore the
unmistakable stamp of Iwo Marine. Mystical? Perhaps. But a
powerful emotion none the less. It's the reverence for their
heroes that makes Marines positively unique and, more
importantly, it's this reverence, not some corporate bottom
line, that motivates them do the tough, deadly work that they
are singularly qualified to do.
Interestingly, Fred often said that as bad as Iwo was, he was
more frightened at the earlier battle of Saipan. I'm not sure I
believed him. He did tell me that he never felt lonelier in his
life than he had on Iwo Jima. Then he laughed and said,
Surrounded by 50,000 Marines and shot at by 20,000 Japanese and
I was lonely, how do you figure that? But I noticed that he
talked more freely about Saipan even the horrific Japanese
banzai charges that scared the h&ll out of the toughest veterans
of the Pacific theater. So I suspect there was silent torrent of
terror that ran through his unspoken thoughts about Iwo Jima
that he couldn't or wouldn't express and I didn't probe. Plus,
he had been wounded on Tinian and that necessarily makes a man
more thoughtful and cautious. Men of Fred's generation,
particularly Marines, didn't whine. B!tch all you want, that's
OK, but absolutely no sniveling. It was unmanly, unseemly and
un-American. You can't understand the gallantry of the American
fighting man Marine, Sailor, Soldier, Airman unless you grasp
that critical concept.
Iwo gave us the most defining icon of the war, the photograph of
the American flag raising on Mt. Suribachi which took place on
February 23rd. Fred said the men in his company didn't even know
the flag had been raised mainly because they were busy trying
not to get erased by heavy Japanese gun fire from the opposite
end of the island.
Iwo Jima was also the defining event for every Marine, including
Fred, who was able to walk off that rock. For those who had to
remain behind, a stone marker at the cemetery said When you go
home tell them for us and say for your tomorrow we gave our
today. Poignantly, the Marine Corps Hymn gives us this stanza:
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on heaven's scenes
They'll find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.
I'm certain that Fred Hanson is at that Heavenly guard post
along with the other brave men of the Corps who fought at Iwo
Jima particularly those valiant warriors of 4th Division, 23rd
Marines, Fred's Marine family.
Our nation and community are diminished by the loss of a valiant
friend but the Marine Corps pantheon has added another star to
its crown. I was blessed to have known him and proud to have him
call me friend.
Until we pull liberty together in Paradise, Gung Ho, Good and
Faithful Friend. You will be sorely missed.
-------------------------------------------
Michael A. Crane is a California attorney and Marine
masquerading as a civilian.
The Bikini in Chu Lai
Mr. Jack Redmond of Les Brown and his "Band of Renown". Wow
memories flood back. I was at the 1967 Bob Hope show in Chu Lai.
Bob and Miss World, (a beautiful young lady from South America I
recall), and the redoubtable Barbara McNair. Before the concert
started a group of Marines, in the combat gear, straight from
the bush, dirty and maybe a little tired because they were
lugging their stuff, all were marched down to the front and sat
on the ground in front of the stage.
The show commenced, Bob saying that we were so close to the Cong
that he could smell their rice cooking, the same jokes from WWII
and Korea, but now for a new age audience. We still laughed.
Miss World showed some skin, but not enough as far as I was
concerned. Some songs, the band played, it was fine.
Then Barbara McNair came out and started singing. In the middle
of her song the grunts got up and began to move out. So Barbara
stopped singing and said, "Wait a minute fellows, my act gets
better." She then took her clothes off and sang in a bikini. We
all cheered and the grunts sat back down. Don't know if that was
staged or not, but it was great stuff. Ms McNair died not to
long ago and I will never forget her.
Nor will I ever forget you Mr. Redmond or Bob Hope or any of the
others who cared enough to take our minds off war for a while.
Thanks for the memories.
Steve Eslin, Pvt to 1st Lt
RVN Oct 1966 to Jan 1969 (Couldn't get enough I guess)
THE Bomb
Hi Sgt. Grit,
The Bomb
My name is Gianni Marasco
I was stationed in Baghdad about eight months ago, when one of
my Sgt. friends played a major prank on me.
I was lying on my cot, when my friend runs in screaming, "A
bomb, a bomb is coming down from the sky!" I run outside of my
tent and looked up. After scanning the sky for a moment I notice
an object black, and round with a parachute slowly coming down
from the sky. I immediately begin to panic. All I could think of
was, "What are they going to tell my family?!"
After 13 minutes of waiting for immanent death, the "bomb comes
down and I realize that the "bomb" is a black basket with a
piece of paper saying, "Gotcha."
Later,
Sgt. Gianni Marasco
Marines And The Yankees
I don't know if you follow baseball - but here some interesting
information on a real American hero.
Recently, Henry A. Bauer ( Hank ) a decorated Marine WW II
veteran passed away.
He served in the PTO and later on would help the New York
Yankees go onto win seven world series - he was 84.
Marine Bauer served three years in the pacific, was stricken
with malaria in New Georgia, took shrapnel wound(s) on Guam, and
then took a bullet through the left thigh on Okinawa.
He earned two bronze stars and two purple hearts.
Marine Bauer concluded the war with a lasting sense of his
bitterness towards the Japanese.
Sometime after the war - when the team went to Japan - Marine Bauer refused to participate in a wreath - laying ceremony held at Hiroshima.
In the years that followed he wrote : The one thing the Marines
and the Yankees have in common - its called "pride".
Semper Fi Marine
Rest In Peace
Gene
Operation Little Switch
I think Freedom Village as I knew it was later changed to
'OPERATION LITTLE SWITCH however, I stand to be corrected. I
was a Cpl. at that time and was a member of the 1st. Marine Div.
Inspector's office. Col. Nelson, who later took over one of the
Regiment was the officer in charge of the area where the first
sick and wounded were returned from the North Korea command.
Most of them were returned by helicopter to the tent hospital
there in the compound where they were examined and given
whatever treatment necessary before being processed to Japan or
Germany for further treatment.
I still have the arm band R A M P ( Repatriated American
Military Personnel ) Home made from Marine Green Uniform
material, perhaps by some of the native South Korean women.
Just wondering if some other Marine remembers that occasion in
August 1953.
Would love to here from anyone.
Sgt. James M. Carter (Honor Platoon 60 Parris Island 1950)
Moments In This Marine's Life
Day I grew up more than any other;
The first Day of Boot Camp, MCRD San Diego.
Second day I grew up more than any other;
The first time I heard shots fired in anger, and I realized they
were meant for me.
Proudest day;
My son's graduation from MCRD San Diego when I was asked to
stand and be honored as a Marine no longer on active duty.
Day most grateful to the one who listens to my prayers;
Last week at 29 Palms, when my son stepped off the bus returning
from his tour in Iraq. He followed my instructions to NOT bring
home any Purple Hearts.
Happiest moment;
Taking the Blue Star off my car and giving it to my son's Gunny
for bringing him home safely. Yes, we all know that the Gunnys
run the Corps, don't tell the Commandant.
Olsa, M. A. Sergeant of Marines,
Released from active duty, August, 1969.
Proud Father of Olsa, J. W. Lance Corporal of Marines,
TOW Platoon, 1st Tanks.
Gourmet Chef
Being the gourmet chef that I am I feel compelled to send you my
favorite meal that I fixed in the Bush back in 1968 in the Nam.
Take one 7.62 Ammo Box (empty) Add cans of Beans and Franks, and
any other meat dish you can get into Ammo box.
Break up small pieces of C-4 lite them (carefully) stir till
hot. Eat with pound cake wash down with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.
Burp,
Duke Humphrey Corporal Of The Marines 1968-69
Brothers
Sgt Grit,
My wife and I just spent 10 days in Hawaii in celebration of our
19th anniversary. We are a blended family and took our grown
children with us since they didn't get to go on our honeymoon to
Hawaii years ago. My stepson was there, he had followed in my
footsteps becoming a Marine also. We stayed at my Marine Corps
brothers house on Oahu. We had both served with C co. 1st Tanks
in Vietnam and had RR in Hawaii together. Thirty-nine years
later and we are still tight, that is the Marine Corps way. We
talked about getting the Eagle, Globe and Anchor tattoo but just
didn't have the time. We weren't concerned about the orders of
none past the sleeves. When my wife and I were boarding our
plane for the flight home we saw a young couple with tattoos.
The young lady had some tastefully done that were truly
beautiful and the young man had brilliantly exotic tattoos on
both forearms. In small letters lost in the beautiful artwork
were the letters USMC. I said" Where are you stationed Marine?"
He said he was going on leave before going to training as a
weapons instructor and had just left 2/3. My wife asked how I
knew he was a Marine. He was squared away in civvies, had a high
and tight, and carried himself like a Marine but she couldn't
believe he was a Marine with all the tattoos. I said he has USMC
inside the design and asked him how he got those tattoos with
the new directive. He had heard it was coming and got them done
before it was issued so they were grandfathered in. He still
looked like a Marine.
Later, on the plane he was several isles back and when the
stewardess came by I told her I would pay for whatever the young
Marine and his wife ordered since we were brothers. She said
there was no need for me to buy him anything because servicemen
are her heroes especially Marines and she would take care of
him. Then she asked how we could be brothers. I'm silver haired
and overweight and we couldn't be siblings but I showed her my
little USMC tattoo under my watch band and said I'm a Marine
also. The blonde stewardess on American Airlines provided me
free drinks too. When I fly again, it will be with American
Airlines, they appreciate Marines with tattoos.
Phillip A. Morris, Sgt of Marines '67-'69
Yellow Footprints
Sgt Grit
I keep reading about the Yellow Footprints that the "young"
Marines talk about but I don't recall ever seeing them. Where
were they and were they there at Parris Island in 1948.?
Semper Fi !
Wallace Pfeifer
Old Corps
Sgt. Grit:
Mike Walsh may have stumbled on the answer to the controversy of
who is "Old Corps" and who is not. If you had a Marine Corps
enlisted or officers' service number assigned instead of just
using your Social Security number for I.D., you are probably
"Old Corps" at this point. And I bet that you remember your
service number, too!
Don Kaag
2015828, Plt. 170, 1Bn, P.I., Sep-Dec 1962 LTC, Armor, AUS(Ret.) ...And former Sgt. & Capt., of Marines
All Three Ends
I am a long-time subscriber and commend you upon publishing a
wonderful newsletter for Marines, their loved ones and anyone
interested in the Corps.
Within the pages of your newsletters are the heart-felt love for
our Corps, the memories of veterans and the excitement and
concern of newly initiated families. One can feel the sincerity,
the warmth and the devotion within the depths of each story.
I remember so well, of being the first man home from Korea to
come aboard MCRD Parris island for duty. I arrived directly from
USNH Philadelphia and still limped with a cane. I was assigned
as a Special Instructor in the 1st Officer Candidate Course,
which was held in PI. I was the bayonet-knife-judo instructor.
Parris Island was swarming with recruits (March 1950). There
were tent cities all over the place.
I later became a SDI in the 2nd Recruit Bn. I have been on all
three ends of boot camp. I have been a recruit, a Senior drill
Instructor and a Recruiter.
God Bless All Marines and their loved ones.
Lee Bergee
USMC(ret)
One of the Chosin Few
Philippines WW2
Top Walks In
Summer 1970. I'm a LCPL on head detail in the hanger of HMM-261
MCAS New River. We fall out for formation. I receive my Cpl
stripes. After formation back to head detail. In the process of
cleaning the crappers Top walks in. Get my butt chewed out.
NCO's DON'T clean heads. Valuable lesson learned. A Marine NCO
doesn't have to take crap from anyone.
Rick Torrence
Sgt. '68-'72
Attached Fort Briggs
In this article of Grit does anyone remember the bet on march of
110 miles. My buddy in Stevensville, Montana does. He was on it.
They then attacked Fort Briggs. His name is John Hockenbury HOSS
Draft
I had to laugh at the Marine from Canada who was in Quang Tri
Province and was receiving letters to fill out the proper Alien
forms. My twin brother, Dan and I enlisted at the same time at
17 years old. We celebrated our 18th birthday while in boot
camp at P.I. That is another story. While both of us were in
Vietnam, our mother received numerous threatening letters from
the local draft board in Carmel, NY that bad things would happen
if we did not register for the draft. She repeatedly wrote
letters back telling the draft board that we were in the USMC
and were fighting in Vietnam with HMM-262 (Dan) and HMM-265
(Dennis). After numerous letters back and forth, the draft
board apparently believed mom and it all went away. Dan and I
also told mom to call the draft board and tell them to come get
us. I don't recall they ever did.
Cpl. Dennis V. Nix 2068570
Plt. 207 P.I. 1964-1968
How Small
To Dave Plt 1071 PI 1967:
I was also in 1st Bn in 1966 and in 2003 went back to PI and
also commented on how small the grinder was. I was told that it
had in fact been made smaller when they built the new barracks.
So no, it is not our youthful awe and memory going, it actually
was larger when we were there.
Nat Holmes
Plt 154 March 1966
THE BET
If my memory serves correctly, the Regiment was the 5th Marines
out of Camp Margarita, MCB Camp Pendleton. They humped around
the perimeter of Camp Pendleton with weapons, field packs, and
ammunition. As anyone who has spent time at Camp Pendleton
knows, the hills are true ball-breakers!
I'm sure there are former Marines out there who remember Camp
Horno and the mock up of a small carrier's flight deck (can't
remember its name) where "vertical envelopment" tactics were
first R&D'd in the middle to late 1950s.
One bit of "indoctrination" that has stuck with me for 51 years,
is the "Marine Corps Prayer" as drilled into my platoon at MCRD
San Diego by SSGT Thurman "T.J." Johnson: "Now I lay me down to
sleep/With my bag of emblems at my feet/If I should die before I
wake/I pray my soul the Marine Corps to take/God Bless the
Commandant, My Drill Instructor, and my M-1"
Semper Fi,
T. Duke Ogden
SGT, 1956-1961, 0311
1550484
Quickest to Boot Camp??????
I wanted to join the Navy while in High School, but I was
only 17 years old, and my Dad and Mom wouldn't sign for me, so
when I became 18 years old, I went to the Navy Recruiters and
signed up, but I had a two week wait before being notified, so I
went next door to the Marine Recruiter and joined up, this was
a Saturday morning in July 1950, arriving at Parris Island from
Orlando, Florida by cattle car on Wednesday morning, and the
rest is history. ONCE a MARINE ALWAYS a MARINE
Al Simmons -- Morgan Hill, CA -- MCL Attachment 1122 San Jose, CA Parris Island 1st. Recruit Bn. Platoon 68 18 July 1950
Afterwards
Sgt. Grit,
one of my most enduring memories of the sand fleas was the last
uniform inspection I stood. The entire unit was in formation
outside in the Beaufort heat, and we were in alphas. The sand
fleas discovered that they could fly up under our skirts and
nail us through our nylons. The guys were lucky they had very
little exposed skin, hands and heads, while we women were
exhibiting the ultimate discipline of not showing how
uncomfortable we were at being bitten in such a tender area..
Afterwards, there a number of women who were crowded into the
heads to strip down as fast as we could rip that uniform off.
lol.
r/s
A. M. Grabill
America is not at war,
The Marine Corps is at war,
America is at the mall - and Congress is out to lunch.
-anon. Marine-
Temporarily Unassigned
It was 2 A.M. and it was Parris Island 1955. I was walking guard
duty around an empty warehouse. On each rotation around the
building I would meet another member of our platoon walking the
other way guarding his empty warehouse. We would chat. briefly.
As I approached him on one occasion he stage whispered to me
"Someone just ran behind your warehouse!" I turned and ran
backtracking to the far corner, and stopped out of breath, not
sure what to do. There was a full moon and as I stood silently I
saw the shadow of a man coming to the corner. D*mn, and I don't
have any bullets! I grabbed my M-1 by the muzzle and held it
high above my head as Staff Sergeant John Mulcany, my senior
D.I. looked me straight in the eye (probably wondering why I
didn't brain him), Calmly he said "Put that down!" I snapped to
attention and he said "carry on", and left. The man never
mentioned that incident to me or anyone as far as I know.
John Malone U.S.M.C. 1528675 L/Cpl temporarily unassigned.
Rifle Number
Dear SGT Grit
All those great letters about MCRD jolted me back to my short
stay at P.I. (18 Weeks) Looking back it was more humorous than
pain, NOW! The writer talking about the Marine Service Numbers
has it correct, it was a great way to know who was the saltiest.
With that I'll just say that I was in Platoon 232 and my M1
rifle number was 1065110 (I tried to find out if it was still
around but someone told me it was scraped. D*mn!) My Serial
number was 1688470.
Semper Fi
L/Cpl Robert Fournier 1957 - 1960
Racking Dirt
When I read the message by L. H. Marshall, Sgt Maj, USMC Ret.
(59-89), in the 18 Jan 2007 newsletter, it really brought back
memories.. My unit, MCRD, "The Arizona Platoon #354, was the
last unit to qualify at Camp Matthews.
I to remember tents (with wooden floors) we were housed in.
I think that is the 1st place I learned the importance of
racking DIRT and the grooming if the all important Ice Plant.
I just wanted to thank the Sgt Maj for bringing back some
good and bad memories. Semper FI..... I really believe the
statement, :Once a Marine Always a Marine."
Robert D. Adams
1964-1972
Sgt USMC
Worked Within Hours
Sgt. Grit,
I truly enjoy your newsletter. Always pleased with any of my
orders. Just had to add some info about the C rats peanut butter
we had in Viet Nam. Yes, the peanut butter and the oil was
separated. The oil sat in the middle of the lump of peanut
butter in a puddle. We, in the Air Wing, found that if you were
constipated, eat only the oil! Worked within hours. If you had
the runs, eat only the peanut butter lump. Also, worked within
hours! What a GOD send. Hope this enlightens Paul Trainer,
62-68.
John J. "JJ" Novotnak
Marble Mountain Air Facility
HML-167 69-70
Semper Fi
His First Platoon
On the cover of your spring catalog is one (at that time Sgt.)
R.S. Sutis.
He was one of 4 DI's I had at MCRD PI Platoon 1001
graduation February 1965. Senior DI was SSgt. A.L. Jachimowicz,
Sgt. B.W. Davis was fresh out of DI school, he joined our other
DI's several weeks into our training. We were his first Platoon.
Of course they told us we were such screw-ups he was sent there
to kick ^ss and take names. Cpl. York who is not shown in any of
our official platoon pictures, but does appear several times in
pictures of our training in my platoon 1001 book, was with us
from the start. I reported to Parris Island on 10 November 64.
Some birthday party... I did make PFC as a squad leader and
qualified expert with my M-14, went on to the Air Wing as a
helicopter electrician with VMO-1 at New River Air Facilities
and then the air station at area 22 Camp Pendleton where I left
the active life in the Corps and went home to South Florida and
went to college.
Met my wife of 39 years in Jacksonville, NC while she was a
senior in Jacksonville High School.
I have some great memories of the Corps and lost a cousin and
some friends to Viet Nam.
Semper Fi...Once a Marine Always a Marine.
Ronald P. Petrey Cpl. 1964-1968 2114142 (MOS6615)
The Bet
I was there. It was the 5th Marines that had the "honor" of
performing this action. Although it took us 4 days to do it.
The first 2 days (day 1 and day 2) we marched 50-55 miles from
Pendleton to someplace outside of San Diego (Camp Elliot?).
Then on day 3 they brought in the tractor trailers filled with
beer and we had a blast....not realizing we had to march
back to Pendleton day 4 and 5.
Semper Fi
Sgt A. J. Steen
'55-'59
Equally Suited
I Received this letter and was ask to forward it to you.
Semper Fi, Jim Murrell
Sgt, Grit,
I am writing this on behalf of myself and other equally suited
veterans. I am an Honorably Discharged US Marine who is
currently incarcerated, of the later I am not proud. I did
serve my country honorably and earned the title of Marine on the
hallowed grounds of MCRD San Diego.
Many times I have contacted veterans organizations of various
matters, either received no response or told I have no moral
character. Of the worse is the Marine Corps League. Often many
veterans I talk with wonder what's going on. Before we were
imprisoned we were veterans, this does not change when we get
ourselves locked behind bars. The Marines I live with ask in
response to being shunned "What ever happened to 'Once a Marine
always a Marine?'" So often their the remembrance of being a
Marine helps us overcome the many adversities we deal with on a
daily basis. Even the prevention of suicide.
We order pins from Sgt. Grit that bear this motivating legend,
or "Marine Veteran", and other creeds of our Corps. Yet time
and time again we are abandon by our brother Marines because of
being in prison. Many of us work for .32 cents an hour, when we
receive a donation request from a Marine or veterans association
we donate. Yet when we request help from the same association
we get their backs turned on us. We have issues getting our
benefits like medical, educational, and disability. We are not
asking for handouts only help in receiving what we have earned.
We are told that we do not have moral character, I would like to
share the following with you. There is a Marine who is a
survivor of the Bataan Death March, (Mr. Keech), he has since
passed about a year ago. I was in awe of him and considered it
an honor in being asked to sit at the same dinner table with him
as he asked me the basic Marine questions, Boot Camp, Unit,
years of service, etc. He lit up when I told him I was a 5Th
Marine, he had served IN the 5Th Marines prior to Bataan.
Though he could not walk very fast, some felt he held up
traffic, not once did I walk past him on the stairs or on the
sidewalk with out "by your leave".
I had the honor of Frank Soto who earned two purple hearts in
Vietnam with the Lima 3/5 (68-69), he called me brother. He
cried when I gave him a 3/5 pin purchased from Sgt. Grit by my
friend and brother Marine Jim Murrell who submitted this letter
for me. Frank cried and shined that 3/5 pin so it sparkled like
a star.
There is a Marine who was awarded multiple Silver and Bronze
Stars, Purple Hearts, and a Navy/MC Distinguished Service Medal
from his tour of duty in Vietnam. His name is Russel Weisse.
There is a Navy Seal who was equally decorated from Vietnam, if
these men do not have "moral character" the do not lack "Valor".
I served during peace time but was treated like an equal among
there combat vets, who gave me the pleasure of being the
President of the Mess for 2006 Birthday Ball, which was a blast.
I was the Vice Chairman of Veterans In Prison, the Director of
the Calif. Department of Correction has ordered a veterans group
for each prison. I have been transferred to a new prison, the
group here is still in the initial stages. We need help, We
need information on benefits, up grading discharges, and other
information of interest to veterans. We need visits to our
group from the associations on the "Outside". If you are
willing to help in any way please contact me, on The closest
prison to see how you can be of service to your brother Marines.
I Can be contacted at :Darryl Newton 2100 Peabody Road, #3-203,
Vacaville, Ca. 95696.
I would like to thank Jim Murrell, who is a board member of the
Fleet Reserve Association in Bakersfield, Ca. who has been the
total embodiment of Marine and looking our for your own. He has
went beyond the call of duty to help me and other Marines in
prison. He has purchased every Marine publication for me over
the past 7 years. He has met every need that I have, some of
them more than once. It is not the material help, he has just
simply been a friend when I needed one most. At times when it
got rough, he barked at me like a drill instructor, reminding me
not to give up, by the Marine that I am. It has been a blessing
to have his friendship and it all started because we were
Marines.
Please, not being forgotten reminds us of what we once were, and
what we can once again be. May God Bless America, continued
success to our Corps.
Semper Fi,
Sgt. Darryl Newton
Tender Parts
Sgt.Grit:
I entered boot training on October 22, 1954, at Parris Island.
I was in platoon 437, A company, 1st battalion. One of 8
"rebels", as they called us. The rest of the platoon was from
"up north", mainly Cleveland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
I was raised only an hour and a half from Parris Island, and
still get amused at the sand fly being called a sand flea. I
first heard this when I got to P.I., and we were being given
"extra added instruction" behind the barracks one evening!
A sand flea is a small animal that lives in the surf on the
Atlantic seaboard. About the size of your thumb's first joint.
They make pretty good fish bait!
The sand fly is what we are talking about. Never had to bury
one, but can remember getting my "tender parts" chewed on while
standing at attention many times at P.I.
I have tried to locate some of my buddies from Parris Island
but have only found a few, all these years.
I got out in September, 1957, to reenter college. I was in 81
mortars, 2nd Marines at Camp Lejeune.
David Earl Tyre...Sgt. of Marines...Semper Fi!
Iwo Tattoo
Sgt Grit
It took me a while to do it, but I finally ended up getting my
Marine Corps tattoo...
Sgt A. Julian Burgower, 1994-2001
Jill St John
I was in attendance to 4 of those tours. The first in Dec
64---Jill St John was the prime attraction and she had posed
nude in the Cavalier Magazine--A CDR Rodgers had her autograph
it. She was a little embarrassed but a good sport---I sat at
the Bar in Nha Trang with Les Brown---We were the only two
there- a nice visit. I really did appreciate what those USO
Tours did for the troops.
Thanks - Franklin
I Explained
Last week I was part of a group that visited Washington, DC to
see some of the WWII memorials. It was a brief trip so we had
time to visit only the WWII Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and The
Marine Memorial (Iwo Jima).
As a veteran of the 4th Division I very proudly wore my bright
red "4th Division hat" At each of these sights I saw other
Marine vets identified by hats or jackets they were wearing.
When we spotted each other there was a great exchange of "Semper
Fi" and a firm hand shake and sometimes a hug. As a survivor of
Iwo Jima it was especially emotional to greet some buddies at
that statue.
I was one of two Marines in the group I toured with. As we
headed home, people on the bus asked "Did you know all those
guys you saw there?" My reply was, "No, it's just that every
Marine knows every other Marine in a special way". I explained
that Semper Fi has meaning that is best understood only by a
Marine.
Marine pride has no equal.
Semper Fi
Sgt. Jack Watson
1942-1946
Stop Or I'll Shoot
This is the tattoo that I had done in California right after I
got home from Iraq in March 2005. The Arabic line below the
Eagle, Globe and Anchor says "Stop or I'll Shoot".
Semper Fi,
Sgt. Maddox
E Co, 4th ATB
The Left Handed Salute
The color guard passed in review, the banners flying high...
And the crowd stood silent in respect... Old Glory passing by.
There were no protests at the scene... Just Americans proud and
true... to honor the colors of our nation, the red, the white,
the blue.
Many were the veterans... Wearing medals of wars long past...
And the young were wearing uniforms... As the colors moved
slowly past.
There was in the crowd and old man standing... His legs were
bent with years... But the sight of our proud flag... To his
faded eyes brought tears.
His old form worn and trembling... His clothes tattered and not
regal... But on his breast there shined an emblem...the Anchor,
Globe and Eagle.
And as the colors passed on by... He stood there stern and
mute... With tears streaming from his faded eyes... He raised
his hand to salute.
Now his stance was not of what they teach ... In the military
way... His feet misplaced and back was stooped... But he never
once did sway.
Then a young lad wearing the uniform of a United States
Marine... Came to the old man standing there... And said Sir
you're causing a scene...
You see I must tell you now... And my words you may refute...
But you must never to our flag... Give a left-handed salute.
I see you have the Globe, Anchor and Eagle there upon your
chest... And I question if you ever served... With what is
America's best.
We've fought in every American war since 1775... And Marines
have always gave their all...and thousands fell and died.
The old man looked with shameful eyes at the young lad by his
side... And said Marine I realize... You must think I have no
pride.
But you see young Marine an old man here... One armed and barely
alive... My other arm I left in the sand.... On Iwo Jima in
'45.
Many were my buddies that fell on that hot black sand, and I
made a vow I would never forget... The price they paid for our
great land.
Yes, I too was a Marine young lad... Perhaps not as good as
you... But we fought and died the same way then... For the
Corps, and the red, white and blue.
So don't judge harshly I beg of you... This old man in his final
day...but as a Marine of yesterday... Please let me my homage
pay.
Yes, let me pay my respect to my buddies... Who fell so long
ago... And as the colors pass us by...please try and understand
... The only way that I can salute is with my old left hand.
The young marine stood silent... Then with tears clouding his
bright eyes... He came to attention proud and tall as the colors
passed on by.
He stood there at attention beside the old man bent and
stooped...but he whispered a soft "Semper Fi" as he slowly
raised his left hand in salute.
Semper Fi to all Marines, Past Present and Future
from the pen of cd sliger, USMC 1957-1960
Rainy Day Brighter
I enjoy reading the newsletter every week,. It never ceases to
amaze me the observations and thoughts shared by Marines and
their families. Sgt Bob Imm made the observation that whenever
he heard some guy say "yes sir" when in the middle of normal
daily dialogue, it was always a Marine.
Last week on a rainy day, I was waiting for a ride outside the
VA Hospital and experienced an MCM (Marine Corps Moment).
A young man approached someone and asked where the smoking area
was, using the polite "sir" when he spoke. as he lit up I said
"Hey Devil Dog." He turned and spied my USMC Veteran cap and we
shook hands and talked for awhile.
Turns out he was back from his second Iraq tour and I was
thrilled to see the quality of this young Marine.
As we spoke, a Korean War Marine vet came wheeling up in a
wheelchair.
Without consulting each other or hesitating, we both turned,
snapped to attention and saluted our wounded brother. It
surprised the h*ll out of the elderly gent, but he returned the
salute and gave us a big smile.
As we stood there and talked, at least a dozen veterans came out
of the hospital and each one that passed had a Marine Corps
patch or cover and gave us a "Semper Fi" on their way past us.
It made the rainy day that much brighter.
Semper Fidelis and God Bless our young men and women in harm's
way.
LCpl John Nihen 75-78
While Those Around Me
Sgt. Grit;
In the American Courage Newsletter #148 GySgt. R. James Martin
wrote a follow up to Cpl. Worthington's challenge at college,
where he spoke of how lessons learned in the Marine Corps helped
him later in life.
Although 10 years younger than Gunny Martin when I re entered
college in 1964, I vividly recall being looked upon as
'different' as I continued to sport my high and tight haircut
while those around me grew their hair down to their shoulders.
While others partied their brains out I completed 4 years of
college in 2 (along with 3 summers), graduated with honors, and
then volunteered to serve on active reserve duty with the Corps
as a L/Cpl in the 81mm Mortar Platoon, 2nd Bn., 25th Marines.
One of the most gratifying experiences came later in life when I
mentored a student of mine (I was a high school social studies
teacher at the time) and convinced Andy Ciriaco to join the
Corps. He did and became a career Marine distinguishing himself
as a Recon Marine, DI, and Staff NCO with the Silent Drill Team.
30 years later I had the opportunity to sign Andy up once more-
this time as a member of the Marine Corps League. Andy (who
presently lives in Oceanside, CA) traveled to NY and presented
me with his challenge coin. He told me that it had saved his
life many times (jumping from planes and helicopters) and he
wanted me to have it because I saved his life many years ago by
having him join the Corps. Now I know why they say, "ONCE a
MARINE, ALWAYS a MARINE!"
Respectfully submitted by
William Ober, Commandant
Huntington Detachment #792
Marine Corps League
Parris Island Sign
Grit,
In response to Larry Spohnholtz' request to know the exact
wording of a particular sign in the last paragraph of his letter
in the May 17, 2007 newsletter, I myself would like to ask a certain request.
During my boot camp days at Parris Island from June 27-Sept 14,
1984. I was with 'H' Co. 3rd Bat. Series 30084. SDI SSgt
Rozman. Bat. Cmdr. Lt. Col. Aymond, Bat. SgtMajor Fratterelli,
Col. Van Riper and Maj.Gen. Ohlmstead as the CG. As I stood in
formation during 1st phase training, I was in 1st squad and
approx. 5th man. Every morning as Series Chief DI Gunnery
Sergeant Panickowski ordered 'REPORT' to the SDI of each
platoon, there was a red sign in front of me. It read something
like this:
'When Lt. Col----- stepped on the footprints here at Parris
Island, South Carolina June 27, 1958, he thought he was going to
die here.'
I don't know if the wording is accurate. I'd like to know if the
sign is still there after all these years.
Semper Fi
J.S. Elliott
0311 Basicinfantry 1984-1988
While On Saipan
My brother Warren served in the 4th Mar, Div. in WW-2 He was in
4th tank Bat. B-Co 14th Mar 4th Mar. Div.
While on Saipan Warren wrote a letter to our mom.
We were making an attack on a ridge, and we hit them from the
flank. WE were pretty well in Jap territory when we spotted a
whole mess of them. I opened up with my .27 mm and my
machine gun, and we sure chased them out of there. Our tank was
the lead tank in a column and while still shooting at the Jap's
we hit a shell hole and stopped. We couldn't get out of the
hole, and with so many Jap's around us, it would have been
suicide to try and get out of the tank
The Jap's tried to swarm us, but the tank in back of us got all
but two of them. One of these jumped on our tank and with some
kind of bomb blew a hole in our hatch cover. Then he drew his
saber and tried to commit hari-kari, The other tank covering us
got him first.
The second Jap got beside our tank where he was safe from fire
of the other tanks, so I opened the hatch and dropped a couple
of grenades, and that finished him.
The Captain and I took turns holding a thin piece of metal over
the hole over our heads for two hours so that no Jap could drop
a grenade threw there into our lap.
While the Jap's were jumping around the outside of our tank I
saw the driver jump back from looking out the periscope. I asked
him about it later and he said one of the Jap's had looked in at
the same time and it surprised him. I t was kind of funny.
I am wondering if you could put that in the news letter. Warren
is now in a Rehab Hospital in Ocala, Fl. Any one wishing to
write to him may send messages to me at tampawhite@hotmail.com
and I will see that he gets them.
Lost 4 Marines
Got this after returning from Iraq. Eight months patrolling the
Hit-Haditha corridor in the Al Anbar Province. Lost 4 Marines
from my platoon.
Semper Fi my brothers,
LCpl Williams, J.D.
Bob Hope
Dear Sgt. Grit,
In response to the letter written by Jack Redmond, a member of
the Les Brown Band, I would like to offer my appreciation to him
and all of the others who came to Vietnam to support the troops.
From left to right, Bob Crosby, Raquel Welch, Barbara McNair,
Bob Hope, Miss Peru, (I don't remember the name of the lady
standing next to her) and Les Brown. The unique thing about
these shows is that Bob Hope's staff always made it a point to
find out something about each base or its commanders to make a
joke about it. In our case, I remember him making a joke about
"Chu Lai steak" which of course was roast beef. On a personal
note Mr. Redmond, I salute you and all of the others who
sacrificed their time to make us laugh, to remind us just how
beautiful our American women are and in the midst of combat,
giving us hope and a much needed boost to our morale. Thank you
again.
Semper Fidelis,
Ronald E. (Gene) Hays II
MSgt, USMC, Retired
PI Graduation 1953
PI graduation, April 1953, with most scheduled for Korea, but
since that ended a few months later, never knew what happened to
anyone. A couple of us, reluctantly, sent to Montford Point,
Supply School and then off to fight the paper wars. Got out at
the end of my tour, and because of my training at Supply
School----NOT!----I put 40 in Law Enforcement. See Pictures
J. E. M.
Short Rounds
Sgt Grit
What a great read, all stories from Marines again. The memories
will last a lifetime.
Art C Sgt of Marines 59-65
I recently ran/walked the 500 festival mini marathon in
Indianapolis, may 5th, and had a real nice time. I was
overwhelmed by All the Semper Fi's and ooh raahs I received
during the run. It was amazing and I'm blessed to be a part of
such A great family as the elite group of jar heads.
Michael
Memorial Day Tribute Video
Just a note to tell all that a member of Korean War Veterans of
Alabama passed away in Russellville Alabama last week... PFC.
Bobby N. Bray, a veteran of two wars and in Korea walked out
from Haga-ru to Hungnam with First Marine Division. The Corps
furnished flag detail and our chapter served as honor guard...
Submitted by George Ellis , S/Sgt. 780th FAB.....
Dear Sgt. Grit,
I just read Sgt Purdy's letter about earning the title of
Marine. I too volunteered in April of 1962 and graduated from
Parris Island, 3rd. Bn.,Plt. 352 and earned the title. I just
want to mention, that most of the Corps fine officers graduated
from Quantico, and I'm sure that they too feel that they earned
the title.
Charlie Ducar
Cpl. of Marines
Purple Heart Coin
I Will Not Forget Coin
Welcome Home Marine, Job Well Done!
Semper Fi
Sgt Grit
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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.
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