Author: SgtGrit

Me Looking Important

During the Korean War, damaged equipment (Tanks, Truck, Weapons Carriers and such) had to be taken to Combat Service Group about a hundred Miles behind the lines. But just getting on the lines was the only pleasant part of the deal. Tent with heat, bunk beds and Fresh hot Chow. Sometimes stopping enroute and getting a meal at an Army or Air Force Post where the food was served at tables with checkered table cloths and Pretty Korean Maidens. Of course the terrible part of the ordeal was the dirt, smoke and dust that covered you. But as you can see at the bottom of the locomotive is a pipe where steam comes out. So you put your "C" rations in an expeditionary can, pull the can up the steam pipe and have the engineer turn on the steam for just a moment or two… VOILA… Hot Chow. read more

Looking For 11 Other Marines

I am a past member of the USMC, 5th Com Bt. July 1965 through June 1966. I have attached the picture I took of the Christmas billboard 1965, a picture of our Christmas tree and a picture of the 5th Com. Btn. logo sign.

OK now you know who I am. I am interested in finding 11 other Marines that landed from Japan in DaNang in July 1965 to set up General Walt's Command Center. I have many pictures of the swamp we lived in "Dog Patch" and the area we survived in. read more

prisoner and left in dakness/ back in el Salvador 1985

in 1985 I enlisted thinking that I wasn't going to pass the course and I did in 1985 on January 15,1985 I got to san Diego to start my training again I thought I was not going to make but I did and then 6 weeks later we were send to el Salvador,we were there for six month before they told us that some American women got killed and that's when it all began for me and to of my friends we had a few men leave the came were we were camp at and they got captured and myself and 2 other were send to look at area I was a sniper in recon a 2 others with me,we help about 135 escape from were they were kept and we got caught was a prisoner of war for 4 years my two brothers in arm were killed I waited for my turn it never came people from el Salvador help me escape got me all the way to acunia ,Mexico gave money to cross to united states I know I have not spoken to only one other person and that's my wife its Bernhard when you learn that the government never looked for you but make you as killed in action just want others to know,I have received a silver star and other medals,just wanted to tell others don't want it to keep eating with in me read more

“Ike” Jackets versus “Battle” Jackets

Daniel Flynn indicated that the term "Battle" Jacket was utilized by Marines, and soldiers wore "Ike" Jackets.

I obtained my Marine "Ike" jacket sometime in late 1953 and being somewhere near 80, I do not remember exactly how I came to own it.  The only name on the inside of the upper right sleeve is mine.  I have photos where I am wearing it as a PFC; Cpl; and Sergeant (E-4)  Since the jacket has the stripes of a Sergeant (E-4), I must have stopped wearing it by the time I was promoted to Sergeant E-5) in March of 1961.  I remember how proud I was to earn Sergeant (E-5) and if that jacket could still be worn, it would have had Sergeant (E-5) stripes sewn on. read more

Battle For Okinawa

During the Battle for Okinawa most Marines are aware that the Japanese used Suicide (Hari Kari) planes against us. But there was more, they used Suicide Boats against us also. Inclosed is a picture of the suicide boats. Some boats had Ford and Chevrolet engines in them. They were not effective for lots of reasons, we had PT Boats and other types of patrol craft that kept them from being very effective, as soon as they began their run the PT boats were on them. There were problems with this idea on stopping the Hari Kari Boats also, some were armed with two depth charges, which went off at shallow depths which could cause damage to nearby ships and serious injury and death to American and Allied Personel. read more

Bea Arthur & Hollywood Tie -Ties

In the 26 November 2014 news letter, Rusty Norman presented a very convincing argument for Bea Arthur having served in the Marine Corps. I would just like to pass along the evidence which led me to believe that she did not serve in the Corps. She appears to have been a strange lady. It makes me wonder why she would say she had not served in the Corps if she had. The rest of us are proud of our service, why would she not be proud too? I guess we'll never know but note how she changes the subject away from WWII after giving her answer and both she and the interviewer share a little titter. read more

Proper Honors For A Marine

U.S. Colors Presented in a small private ceremony for Sgt. Dale Stirling, USMC / VIETNAM / deceased.

I have had a bit of difficulty organizing a time for getting together with Mrs. Stirling and presenting her with the United States Colors on behalf of grateful Nation and the Office of the President of the United States. read more