Author: SgtGrit

True Difference Between Aviators

On a carrier, the Naval Aviator looks over at the Catapult Officer ("Shooter") who gives the run up engines signal by rotating his finger above his head. The pilot pushes the throttle forward, verifies all flight controls are operational, checks all gauges, and gives the Cat officer a brisk salute, continuing the Navy/Marine tradition of asking permission to leave the ship. The Cat officer drops to one knee while swooping his arm forward and pointing down deck, granting that permission. The pilot is immediately catapulted and becomes airborne. read more

1953 Old Corps

Check out the two DI's. Buck Sgt and a PFC. They are the only two with the 'salty' bowed covers. I wonder what the deal is with the three Marines in utilities in the middle?   The group picture. Look at the socks on the third from the right. Several on the front row appear to have high-top dress shoes. Doesn't appear to be a spit-shined pair in the group.   Outstanding Old Corps pic.   Semper Fi Sgt Grit

1865 Marine Emblem Buckle

Found a company that offers a lot of Civil War era memorabilia and replicas. Bought a brass puppy paws buckle that has the 1865 Marine Corps emblem on it.  A puppy paw, the belt is attached by way of three hooks on the back. Also it wraps around your waist right to left.   Anyway, I'm making a decorative belt for it. Some minor booboos that won't show when done (my eyes). Belt has U S Marines in the Middle and Semper Fi on either side. Will stamp EGA in when it gets here.   Semper Fi Choo Choo 1968 – 1974 RVN 70 / 71 Sgt

Correction – Story originally posted with buckle dated for the year 1859. The correct year is 1865.

SeaKnight

While I was not a Marine, my son is an inactive air winger.  Our family has served this nation from our great-great-grandfather who was a member to Co "E", 76th Reg of the PA Volunteers, Zoaves that landed in Hilton Head.  I myself served in Korea landing in Inchon just as the phony truce was signed.  Starting out as a member of Co "B", 502nd Reg of the 101st.  I was transferred to 8th Army FWD in Korea, taking a cruise on the troop ship, TAP 114, William Mitchell going over and coming back!  On board, 2,000 Marines and 3,000 Army!   I was the last of a long line of first cousins who fought in WWII. They all survived fortunately.  One of my cousins, Gunny William Mowbray joined the Marines in 1937 and was one of the original Marine Raiders and survived the islands.  I had two cousins at the Battle of the Bulge, one was shot down on a Polesti raid and was a prisoner of the Germans for three years, another was in the Merchant Marine Engineering Officer running through a few Wolf Packs.  William is buried in Arlington Cemetery not far from Audie Murphy, Lee Marvin and Joe Lewis. You have no idea how disgusted I am when that what sits in the WH enters Arlington for whatever reason.  Bad enough for Ted Kennedy being buried there disgracing the cemetery.   The reason I'm writing you is that I made a small contribution to the cause when I worked the original plywood mockups of the CH-46 SeaKnight & CH-47 Chinook Helicopters at Piasecki Helicopters in Morton, PA.  I've attached a few pix.  I started out as a bench mechanic and worked my way up to the pubs department where I made some of the master structural repair manuals for the CH-46.   If anyone of you jarheads are interested about the development of the SeaKinight, just contact me Jim Webb at jwebbartist@comcast.net & spiderwerks@comcast.net.   Regards, Jim Webb

Walkabout

Phil Odom, Sgt, F 2/1, '68-'70 (left), Houston, TX.   Ron Bates, Sgt, F 2/1, '68-'69  (right), Canon City, CO.   These Marines came by the other day. Ron said they are on a "Walkabout" to see seven of their Vietnam buddies. They are making the trip in the motorhome pictured. I had a nice talk with both of them. It is great to get together with you buddies. I have a group from Vietnam and we have been getting together since 1987. Always great to see them.   Have an outstanding trip Marines.   Semper Fi Sgt Grit