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 helocopters. We were to be part of the first ever helocopter assult 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 ony 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