Sgt. Grit,
In Vietnam, I Celebrated my last Marine Corps Birthday in the Corps. Two Friends of mine and I went to the Vietnamese side of China Beach, ate sea food cooked in front of us served with lime juice and rock salt. While there the lady running the place, rickety bamboo and palm fronds, offered us her baby to take back to the states. Top Barker had been there at least 3 tours by this time and stayed another tour I believe, he was a World War II and Korea Vet and had earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star and several Purple hearts. Lieut. Little came just after I came, he left the same unit I was in at Camp Pen.
The picture shows the Lieut returning from a patrol, picking leeches off while enjoying the cold beer I had waiting for him. We carried our own beer to China Beach rather than drink what they had on hand. We brought our own interpreter the little guy in the picture of all of us raising our glasses to Salute the Marine Corps Birthday and my last MC Birthday while in the Corps.
GySgt. F. L. Rousseau,
USMC Retired
Yep – smart in taking your own beer. Beer La Rue, and that rot gut “33” were only good when used for paint removal.
Are you by chance formerly Capt Mike St.Clair of Delta 1/1? If so, email me at pss@uniontel.net I was in 1st platoon.
Last beer I had in-country was a San Miguel at MAF (Marine Air Freight), 26May 67, waiting for Continental Airlines to take me back to the world…
My last beer in country was when I was sitting on a wooden dock post in Danang waiting to ship out on the USS Debuque LPD-8. She took me to Iwakuni, Japan for a “debriefing” period before I flew a Freedom Bird to home. I don’t remember what it was but I had a couple before I boarded ship……and yes I played Otis Redding’s ‘Sittin on the Dock in the Bay’
I’m a Canadian who served in the corps I was in plt 109 at Pi February 1962. I also served in nam at danang mag 16 in 1963 motor pool. I would like to hear from any body who served there.
Just like to say thank you for serving our country in the Corps. SemperFi!
Sgt. Grit, I’ve been trying for two weeks to order two Marine Corps hats with USMC and the EGA on them. One was a mesh hat for summer wear and the other is the solid black with the above insignia. I have never had trouble ordering before but this experience nearly drives me to look elsewhere. I’ll be happy to pay for them as I always have… I just can’t get them ordered. Also, I have moved to 2070 Dugspur Rd., in Callaway, Va 24067. Please help!
Gy are we missing a flick? I don’t see the Lt picking leaches and you holding his beer. Talk about being “In the rear with the Sgt Maj and the beer.” you was truly there, but I still respect you. Now for Top Barker kont know him but got Bookoo respect. Sgt Maj USMC Ret 66-96 RVN 67-68
I enjoy reading your stories of the EVENTS that happened in VIETNAM. You gentlemen keep telling them and I will keep ENJOYING them. Corporal John Roberts USMC 76-80 “SEMPER FI “
Served in Alpha Co., 1st Recon 1968, during one of Top Barkers tours. Word was that he owned a bar and a car on Okinawa and was going to stay in RVN until they wouldn’t let him extend. After that he was going to retire to Oki. A hard charger. If we weren’t in the bush we did PT same as in the States. Understand he’s conducting PT up by the Pearly Gates keeping everyone squared away. Semper Fi.
This comment is for Gunny Rousseau: Do you by chance have any living relatives that reside in or near Spokane, WA?? If so, please contact me as I have a newspaper article (dated Nov. 19th, 2015) regarding a Tom Rousseau. I figure what are the chances that you 2 maybe related. He also served in our Marine Corps (WW 2). Please contact me at gbross85023@yahoo.com. Gary Ross, F/2/26 (Khe Sanh & many other fun filled RVN locations). Semper Fi, Jarhead!