Author: Geoffrey Harp

The C-130 flight from Okinawa to DaNang took seven hours. I had been in Okinawa at Camp Hanson for three days, getting shots for exotic sounding diseases. The plague, diphtheria, yellow fever, and a host of others, they were all strange to me, a 19-year-old kid from New Jersey. Frenchie, Ron, and I had drinks at the EM club the first night at Camp Hanson, since we weren’t allowed to go on Liberty into Kim Village, which was right outside the camp gates. We assumed it was because we were in transit and they didn’t want to lose track of us, or they were afraid we wouldn’t come back. So the second night at the club we met a guy who knew where there was a hole in the fence. He took me, and my friend, Frenchie, to find it and go into Kim Village from the back. On Liberty you were supposed to be in UDs (uniform of the day). read more

My husband and I attended our 1st Chosin Few Reunion as guests of my parents, Robert and Arlee Johnson of Mesa, Arizona. My father who is the AZ chapter President, displayed a wealth of pictures and articles on display boards. He and others were interviewed for the PBS program, American Experience which is scheduled to be aired Tuesday November 1st, 2016. To honor my father’s service in the Battle of the Chosin Resouvoir, as well as my parent’ts 65th wedding anniversary, I presented this king size quilt to them. The white squares represent the 50 degree below zero conditions that were fought in; the blue squares represent the night sky, and the red squares represent the Marines and the blood shed in that battle. I also embellished it with patches I located on the Sgt. Grit website. Also see the cake topper which is appropriately changed into a Marine uniform like the one my father wore when they were married October 20th, 1951. Thanks Sgt. Grit and Semper Fi! Sandra Byrd, Tacoma, WA. read more

I just came from spending an hour visiting with one of the “Frozen Chosen” who was with Chesty at the Chosin Reservoir. This Marine was a Staff NCO, and both he and his wife knew the General personally.  All Marines know about General Puller and many of the stories about him.  Certainly one of the most remarkable, is about the Chosin Reservoir.  If you’ve never heard of it, your knowledge of American History is sorely lacking.  On 1, Nov. at 9:00 pm eastern time, PBS will be airing a special about the incredible history of the Chosin and the Frozen Chosen. Under incredible hardships and unbelievable odds, Chesty and Men of the First Marine Division accomplished the impossible. When Marines think of the Chosin, they remember the saying “the difficult we do immediately, the impossible may take a while”. If you enjoy the PBS presentation, you will want to search John Wayne for a presentation which he did about his relationship with Chesty. The Duke as well as John Ford recount their memories and experiences of and with Chesty. This man is the reason you have heard the saying that when Marines lay down to rest, their last thoughts are God Bless America, and good night Chesty wherever you are. read more

I was an 8404 FMF Hospital Corpsman 1965-68. I was recently informed that the term “Hospital Corpsman” is SEXIST. The Navy’s new gender neutral title is “Medical Service Technician”. I say “F#%& that”! I was, am, and always will be a Hospital Corpsman. This P.C. excrement is beginning to really stink! read more