Just like most Marines, I honor all Marines, especially those who served during WW2 and Korea. Recently I had the honor of meeting a Marine from the Battle of Iwo Jima, Pfc. Robert Hensley, 3rd Marine Division. As a Garland Deputy Marshal, I get the chance to meet many citizens during the week. On one occasion 3 months ago I observed a senior citizen entering the lobby of the building I am assigned to. As he got closer, walking slowly with the aid of his cane, I noticed that he was wearing a cover with the Marine Corps Emblem. So I gave him a strong "Semper Fi Marine" greeting! He stopped, straighten up and looked over at me and with a slight smile on his face he returned the greeting! And as almost all Marines do, I asked when he served and what unit he served with. He responded proudly that he is a WW2 Marine and served with the 3rd Marine Division at Iwo Jima. So he stopped next to my desk and we discussed our experiences in the Corps. As you can guess, my part of the conversion was brief and his was a bit longer and more interesting!
Author: SgtGrit
Chesty
Thought you and your Marines would be interested in knowing, that Ms. Meriwether Ball, a distant cousin of Lt. General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, wrote a new book on her investigation into his strong past, the personal side. The title is; "Puller Chronicles; Volume 1, Second Edition".
Larry Ward PCS to Heaven’s Gates
Another great Marine, Larry Ward, has been permanently transferred for new duty at the Gates of Heaven. I got to know Larry through my Civil War reenactment group. During events, we used to swap sea stories. Of course, being a career Marine, and former Drill Instructor, he had many more interesting stories than I did. From a past newsletter, I know some of the readers had the honor of becoming Marines under Larry as their SDI. It was an honor for me to have him as a friend.
4th July 1965, Remembrance
In remembrance of our fellow Marines who have proceeded us by higher orders, the Marines of Echo Company, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, and Alpha Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines calibrated our 50th anniversary of our landing at Da Nang, Vietnam, on 7 July 1965.
Smiling Drill Instructor
Reading some of the funny boot camp stories reminds me of the night our DI SSgt. DeSisto yelled, "Out of the head!". The reply, "Out of the head, aye-aye sir!".
We all come racing through that hatch like ants to a picnic. I was near the end with one hand holding a towel around my waist and the other holding my shaving kit. When my wet shower shoes hit the concrete on the quarter deck my ankles went to the sky and my back to the floor right in front of the DI. He went from his usual scowl to a full on, burst out laugh. He immediately turned and walked into the duty hut slamming the door behind him. You could hear him in there just busting a gut laughing. I can't help but smile thinking about it 35 years later.
Old Alma Mater
My trip was short and sweet. I recently revisited "our" old alma mater – the University of MCRD, San Diego campus. I graduated there just over 59 years ago. Coincidentally, I was there on a Thursday, the day before graduation. I guess a lot of the guys got time off to visit with those who came to their graduation.
Love Them Blues
Reading all the stories of our dress blues I've got one that I would like to share. After I returned from VN, at the end of 1966, I was stationed in Norfolk and was on light duty, after having knee surgery at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, when our Top asked me if I had a set of blues. Having been in the "Corps" long enough to know better than answer right of way. I asked "why"?
USMC Bulldog
USMC Bulldog
The Most Boot PFC
From the "wayback" files 1969. 2nd Anglico, Courthouse Bay. The memory is fading… I think that is Lt Col. Schuler (sp) presenting me with The Navy Achievment Medal with Combat V. After the photographer left and the door was closed the Lt. Col. advised me that on my way to the barber shop, I might want to stop and see the Corpsman about getting some regulation eyewear.
Sad Performance
I was in Platoon 124 when JFK came to MCRD San Diego in 1963. We were at the Pugil Stick Pits where he came to observe. I drew the largest recruit in our platoon to fight. Pvt. Garner knocked me around the pit just a few feet from JFK. It was a sad performance on my part. That is me in 1968 in Leatherneck Square.