Author: SgtGrit

Platoon 1020, MCRD San Diego, CA 1956

I enlisted at age 17, on 20 July 1956. Following 

boot camp and 2nd ITR Camp, San Onofre, came Base Communications, Communications Section 2nd ITR,  Communications Section HQ Btry, 11th Marines, all  aboard Camp Pendleton, CA.  Follow release from  active duty in 1956, I served in the Organized Marine  Corps Reserve until retiring in 1986 as a M/Sgt. read more

newsletter of Oct 24 2012 reply

This a reply to a Nick Dazios' post in the Sgt Grit newsletter of Oct 25, 2012 –  titled Chesty Pullers grave site.

Nick, did you actually serve on the Super Squad in 64' the won the event, ot were you one of the stand by picks that did not actually compete?? I am just curious as I served on both of those squads. Under Sgt. Dooley in 63' and Sgt White in 64' and I do not remember you. You may contact me @ dwight_t_lang[at]yahoo.com to leave me phone number s oI could call you. read more

Birthday Ball with General Gray 1987

I was a Marine from 65-69 active duty including Vietnam (66-67) and active reserves 76-78. I eventually became a United Methodist Pastor and endorsed to serve as an Army Chaplain.  I was commissioned a 1stLt and promoted to Capt in 1985 and assigned to Ft Lee, Virginia.  I was assigned as Chaplain to an Army battalion and as the Main Post Chapel pastor.  The Marine  detatchment (500 Marines) heard of my background and ask if I would serve as their chaplain and I said yes. I did pt with them and did my best to serve them attending most of their functions. When Gen Gray became Commandant, the detatchment invited him to their birthday ball and he concented.  Since I was their Chaplain and Chaplain of the Main Post Chaplain, I was invited to a cocktail party with he and several Army general officers and colonels.  I was the lowest ranking officer there.  I remember thinking: damn, I was a corporal in the Corps and here I am hobnobbing with CMC and several three and four star generals who were trying to make me feel comfortable.  The commander of the Marine detatchment requested that they be allowed to dress me in a Marine officer's uniform but the Army Post Commander, a two star declined. However, I was seated with Gen Gray and all of those Army generals and one other special guest. I was seated beside a Marine Medal of Honor winner who had served in WWII and Korea.  Wow, what an honor.  In my wildest dreams I would never have imagined this honor. Theodore D. Higby  read more

Marines Make Good Chaplains

I was an active duty Marine from 65-69 including service in Nam 66-67 and ready reserves from76-78. I eventualy became an ordained United Methodist Pastor and was endorsed to serve as an Army Chaplain from 1985-89.  In Chaplain School we had the largest class since WWII including 7 former Marines.  While serving as a Chaplain I met at least five other former Marines.  Several commanders told me that they loved to get Chaplains who were former Marines.  They told me they were always out there with their soldiers no matter what the soldiers were doing or where they were (in the field or the greese pit at Motor T.  Former Marines who served in combat were allowed to wear Marine division camo patches on the battle drress uniform.  In Germany I met two former Marines, one had been an officer. We posed for a picture in the post newspaper showing the First, Second, and Third Marine Division patches on our shoulders. What a hoot. read more