Author: SgtGrit

Comment on Amphibious Landing Problems.

Ken Schweim’s comments on going down the nets for an amphibious landing are pretty much the way I remember it. It looked easy in the movies, but very tricky in rough seas. I am surprised more Marines did not get hurt just getting off the ship. But those who suffered from sea sickness did not care… they just wanted to get off the ship and on dry land. I will also add that going from the landing craft to board ship was just as bad. Grab the net when the landing craft was high… then before you could get your feet in the net you were dangling in the air. Grab the net when it was low… the net is bunched at your feet. Climbing up the net with all your gear was a bit harder than going down. read more

Dear Grit:Thanks for all you and the staff do there at Sgt. Grit. Your support for our Marines overseas as well as all past, present, and future Marines is greatly appreciated more than you will ever know. May you and yours receive continued blessings from God. read more

A Marine’s Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,

And had to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, No Presents, Not even a tree. read more

Being short was never a big concern for me because I had never considered it as a disadvantage. I had always been husky and solidly built in my youth and able to handle any physical confrontations that arose. That didn’t change when I entered the military. In fact, I flourished in that environment. Prior to joining the Marines I had spent a short hitch in the Army and dazzled my drill sergeants with high scores on their boot camp physical fitness tests. I did the same in the Marines. However, Marine Corps training differed from the Army. It was more intense and disciplined. read more

Another inspection at Marine Barracks, Naha… the inspecting officer is Lt.Gen Alan Shapely, at the time the CG, FMF PAC. On December 7th, 1941, he was aboard the USS Arizona, as a Major, and had just been relieved the previous day as the CO of Arizona’s Marine Detachment. He had stayed aboard, as his Marines were scheduled to play in a championship baseball game that Sunday. He was aloft, with a cup of coffee, when the Japanese struck. He was blown, naked, into the water… and helped others swim ashore on Ford Island. Note, if you can see the detail, that those are brass claws, just above my left hand… meaning that we had leather slings… field marching pack, one canteen… read more

In 1975, I was a Weapons Platoon Sergeant with Fox 2/7 at San Mateo, Camp Pendelton. All of the Battalion NCO’s including myself were attending our monthly NCO meeting. Sgt.Maj. Yanachi was an Eskimo Indian, but to hear him tell it he was Born at Tun Tavern. The Sgt.Maj. when answering a question would always start out with “Well I remember in the Old Corps when all you young kids wer just a twinkle in your daddy’s eye,” and we would all give a little laugh. Being the Smart-Ass Comedian Sgt. that I was… I raised my hand and Sgt.Maj. pointed at me and said “Yes SGT. HAMMER.” I stood up and asked him if he had any pictures of himself polishing his Sword and Shield in the Old Corps? Some NCO’s were laughing and most were wide eyed going OOOOOH! He turned around to the podium (I thought he was ignoring me) and picked up the Battalion NCO Duty Roster, turning back to face me he said “NO, I’m sorry to say I don’t Sgt. Hammer, but I promise I’ll be here every weekend this month to take your picture at the battalion guard duty desk.” He then ripped the schedule in half and threw it over his shoulder and looking around the room at all the other NCO’s said “Is there any other questions?” “NO. Alright then, I want everybody here to thank Sgt. Hammer for volunteering for duty NCO this month so that his fellow Marine NCO’s can enjoy their weekends this month… Isn’t that right Sgt. Hammer?” I snapped to attention and yelled “Aye aye Sergeant Major!” Everybody snapped to attention and Sgt.Maj. yelled “DISMISSED” everybody was laughing so loud you wouldn’t have heard a grenade go off. Every NCO patting me on the back saying “Way to go Hammer, Thanks!”. I Loved the then and still do, I didn’t mind at all. My Wife and Kids all lived on Base at 633-A Puller Place a five bedroom 2-1/2 bath NEW home. And I Respected the Sgt.Maj. more than any man on the Base. I read Sgt.Maj. Yanachi’s Presidential Citation that on a mountain top in South Vietnam went outside the wire one night with no weapon other than his “Razor Sharp” E-tool to dig a “Cat-Hole” (out of Respect for his fellow Company Marines). On the way back to his position The Marines came under Attack. The Sgt.Maj. surrounded by Combat Armed NVA’s who not wanting to fire their weapons at one “Lone Marine” and alert the Company of Marines inside the wire attempted to bayonet the (then) 1st.Sgt. Yanachi, He just started swinging that E-tool in all Directions. It was later determined (after the battle) that THIRTEEN (13) Enemy Soldiers had been killed by an E-tool. Sergeant Major Yanachi told me he had to dig a second Cat-Hole inside the wire to clean out his shorts. I TREASURE the memories of every day I served in the Corps from 1972 to 1978 even the bad ones. read more